FACULTY
Gilberto Ruiz‑Deyá, MD, FACS
Chair & Program Director
Urologic oncology • Minimally invasive/robotic surgery
Dr. Gilberto Ruiz-Deyá is a board-certified urologic surgeon and Chair of Urology at Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU). He directs the Urology Residency at Centro Médico Episcopal San Lucas, where residents rank among the top nationally.
A graduate of Tulane University, he specializes in urologic oncology and minimally invasive/robotic surgery. He leads prostate cancer outreach in Puerto Rico, co-founded Urocentro del Sur and Island Lithotripsy, and integrates AI-driven tools into clinical practice.
He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and recipient of the Pfizer Scholars in Urology Award and ARCOM medals for his Iraq War service.
Claudio P. Bernaschina, MD, FACS
Associate Program Director
BPH • Stones • Endourology • Erectile dysfunction and prosthetics • infertility
Dr. Claudio Bernaschina is a board-certified urologist with more than 30 years of experience. He earned his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine and completed his residency training at the University Hospital and the VA Caribbean Healthcare System.
Based at Damas Hospital in Ponce, Dr. Bernaschina focuses on men’s health and offers expertise in erectile dysfunction, prosthetic and BPH surgery, urinary incontinence, kidney stone disease, and male infertility, including vasectomy and vasectomy reversal.
He serves as Associate Director of the Urology Residency Program at St. Luke’s Episcopal Medical Center, Faculty Vice President at Damas Hospital, and Medical Director of C.A.C.E. Ambulatory Surgery Center. In addition, he has published research on genitourinary tuberculosis, urethral implant complications, rare urologic tumors, and voiding dysfunction.
Adrián A. Santana Paracchini, MD
Faculty – Urology Residency Program
Urologic oncology • Endourology
Dr. Adrian Santana is a board-certified urologist with over 30 years of experience in urinary and male genital disorders. A graduate of the Ponce School of Medicine, he completed his residency at the State University of New York at Buffalo and a fellowship in urologic oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
He practices in Ponce at Rovira Office Park and is affiliated with San Lucas Episcopal Medical Center, where he also contributes to the Urology Residency Program. His clinical expertise includes urologic oncology, lithotripsy, vasectomies, and prostate procedures.
Widely respected for his humane care and personalized attention, Dr. Santana has earned high recognition and trust among his patients.
Javier Castillo Ortiz, MD
Faculty – Urology Residency Program
Endourology • Lithotripsy • Minimally invasive surgery
Dr. Javier Castillo is a board-certified urologist with over 18 years of experience. He earned his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, trained in surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and completed his urology residency at UPR.
He is the Medical Director of UroSalud, PSC at the San Lucas Medical Tower in Ponce, and is affiliated with San Lucas Episcopal Medical Center, where he serves on the Core Faculty of the Urology Residency.
His practice covers general urology, minimally invasive surgery, urologic oncology, kidney stone management, vasectomies, infertility, and endourology, providing comprehensive care for both men and women.
Mariela R. Martínez‑Rivera, MD, MS
Faculty – Urology Residency Program
Reconstructive Urology • Cancer survivorship
Dr. Mariela Martínez-Rivera is a urologist specializing in male reconstructive urology, prosthetics, urinary incontinence, and cancer survivorship. She has a fellowship from Duke University in Male Reconstruction and Cancer Survivorship.
She earned her MD with honors from Ponce Health Sciences University, an MSc in Human Genetics from UCLA, and a BS in Biology from UPR-Mayagüez. She completed her urology residency at Maimonides Medical Center in New York, where she led research on prostate health, diversity in urology, and innovative therapies.
An AMA Fellow and honorary member of Alpha Omega Alpha and Gold Humanism, Dr. Martínez-Rivera has received numerous awards for her research and publications. She recently joined the Volunteer Faculty of the Urology Residency at San Lucas Episcopal Medical Center.
Giovanni A. González Albó, MD
Volunteer Faculty – Urology Residency Program
General urology • Adrenal/oncology • Urologic oncology • Robotic Surgery
Giovanni González Albo, MD is a board-certified urologist based in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He graduated with honors from the Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine in 2018 and completed his Urology Residency at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.
Dr. González Albo specializes in the medical and surgical management of genitourinary disorders, with particular expertise in oncology and robotic surgery. He is licensed to practice in both Puerto Rico and Florida.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. González Albo serves as Volunteer Faculty for the Urology Residency Program at San Lucas Episcopal Medical Center, where he supports resident education in general urology, oncology, and community urologic care.
Jaime Matta, D.Sc., PhD
Senior Investigator & Research Faculty – Urology Residency Program
Dr. Jaime Matta earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, and later completed both a D.Sc. and PhD at UCLA, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at UC Santa Barbara, where he received the University of California President’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship.
He is a Professor of Basic Sciences at Ponce Health Sciences University and a Senior Investigator at the Ponce Research Institute, bringing over 30 years of academic and cancer research experience to the Urology Residency Program at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital.
Dr. Matta recently served as Principal Investigator for a Department of Defense-funded prostate cancer initiativefocused on reducing disparities in Hispanic/Latino populations. His research centers on DNA repair as a biomarker for cancer risk, and he actively mentors residents and young physician-scientists in translational oncology and precision medicine.
Carmen M. Ortiz-Sánchez, PhD
Research Scientist – Urology Residency Program
Dr. Carmen M. Ortiz-Sánchez is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at Ponce Health Sciences University – Ponce Research Institute and Co-Leader of a research project under the PHSU–Moffitt Cancer Center U54 PACHE Partnership. She earned her PhD in Biomedical Sciences at PHSU and completed postdoctoral training in DNA repair and cancer epigenetics.
Her research focuses on prostate cancer biology, with emphasis on epigenetics, therapy resistance, and health disparities in Hispanic/Latino men. Supported by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust and the American Cancer Society, her work seeks to develop blood-based biomarkers to improve diagnosis and guide precision medicine.
She has coauthored more than 25 scientific publications, presented at major conferences including AACR, and received honors such as the AACR Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research Award. In addition, she mentors urology residents, supporting their development as physician-scientists.
RESIDENTS
Rafael A. Brito Sánchez, MD
Resident – Urology Residency Program (PGY-4)
Dr. Rafael Brito is a urology resident at Centro Médico Episcopal San Lucas. He earned his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine (2022), after completing undergraduate studies in Physics at UPR-Río Piedras.
He has been active in community health initiatives, including Recinto pa’ la calle and Junte Estudiantil, supporting care for underserved populations. As former President of the Urology Interest Group, he promoted education and mentorship in the field.
His research experience includes projects on endourology and a published article in Neurology on HIV-associated neurotoxicity. Outside medicine, he enjoys chess, European soccer (Real Madrid & AC Milan), and Formula 1 (Ferrari), and aspires to pursue an MHA in hospital administration.
Kenneth O. Cintrón Cartagena, MD
Resident – Urology Residency Program (PGY-3)
Dr. Kenneth Cintrón Cartagena is a urology resident at Centro Médico Episcopal San Lucas. He earned his MD from Ponce Health Sciences University (2023) and a BS in Biomedical Sciences from UPR-Ponce, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha and the Gold Humanism Honor Society, and has participated in the American College of Surgeons and the AMA. His community service includes health fairs, awareness campaigns, mobile clinics, and blood donation drives.
Dr. Cintrón has research experience in prostate cancer in Hispanic/Latino populations and the angiogenic effects of epigenetic drugs, with presentations at local scientific meetings. Beyond medicine, he enjoys sports, music, and academic mentorship.
Guillermo J. González Figueroa, MD
Resident – Urology Residency Program (PGY-2)
Dr. Guillermo González Figueroa is a urology resident at Centro Médico Episcopal San Lucas. He earned his MD from Ponce Health Sciences University (2024) and a BS in Biomedical Sciences from UPR-Ponce, graduating Cum Laude and on the Dean’s Honor Roll.
He has research experience in multidrug-resistant urinary tract infections and epidemiologic surveillance projects with the CDC on febrile illnesses in southern Puerto Rico. He has also been active in community service, including post-hurricane relief, health fairs, and educational outreach such as the Teddy Bear Hospital.
A member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, Dr. González Figueroa has held leadership roles in student interest groups and honor societies. Outside medicine, he enjoys photography, hiking, scale model cars, Formula 1, and sports.
Merary Z. Nazario‑Pérez, MD
Resident – Urology Residency Program (PGY-1)
Dr. Merary Nazario-Pérez is a urology resident at Centro Médico Episcopal San Lucas. Born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico, she earned her BS in Biomedical Sciences from UPR-Ponce (2019) and her MD from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (2024).
She has research experience in rare metastatic presentations of Merkel cell carcinoma, kidney stone risk factors in Hispanic communities, and renal disease management. She has also led health fairs, coastal cleanups, and community outreach initiatives.
With a background as a biology teacher, customer service representative, and personal trainer, Dr. Nazario-Pérez brings strong communication and leadership skills. Outside medicine, she enjoys fitness training, contemporary fantasy reading, and dog training.
