Our Doctors
Jorge Paz-Rodriguez, M.D.
Board Member & Medical Director
As Board Member & Medical Director at Stem Cell Institute, Dr. Paz leads a team of experienced doctors in our efforts to improve patient lives through stem cell therapy.
Dr. Paz received his medical degree from the School of Medicine at the University of Panama. He performed his internal medicine training at Lincoln Hospital in New York City as part of the New York Medical College Program “A”. He is also board-certified in internal medicine.
Dr. Paz is the former medical director of the Wellmed Clinic in San Antonio, Texas, and also former director for its chronic disease control program (diabetes, congestive heart failure, and ischemic heart disease). Presently, he is the director of Wellmed Clinic in Panama.
Julio Sierra, M.D.
Clinical Director
Dr. Sierra is a graduate of Florida International University in Chemistry, Anthropology/Sociology. He received his medical degree from Universidad Autónoma de Centroamérica in Costa Rica in 1998.
He then returned to South Florida and devoted the next 15 years to medical research in HIV, endocrine, and stem cell studies.
Dr. Sierra joined Medistem Panama in 2014 and became the Stem Cell Institute Clinical Director in 2016.
Marcella Madera, M.D.
International Medical Director
Trained at the world’s top institutions, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Washington University, and Mayfield Clinic, Dr. Madera is an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at University of Texas Dell Medical School.
In her 20 years as a neurosurgeon, Dr. Madera expanded beyond conventional surgery to establish the world’s first integrative, holistic, and regenerative neurosurgical practice in 2017. Seeing patients heal themselves with the support of holistic medicine led her to partner with the global leader in stem cell therapy, Stem Cell Institute.
Carolyn De La Guardia, M.D.
Staff Physician
Dr. De La Guardia is an efficiency-driven physician who is passionate about overall human health, fitness and nutrition. She believes that all people should have healthy bodies, be able to live their lives to their fullest, and that stem cell therapy is the future of medicine.
Dr. De La Guardia received her medical degree from Universidad Latina de Panamá. She also received specialization in clinical medicine from Universidad Nacional de Panamá.
She completed an observership at UT Health – Memorial Hermann in Houston, TX, as well as at Universidad de Navarra – La Clínica Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain.
Prior to joining the team at Stem Cell Institute, Dr. De La Guardia performed at a medical practice in the public health system in Panama.
Verónica Gaez, M.D.
Staff Physician
Dr. Gaez’s primary interests are anti-aging and orthomolecular medicine as well as hospital management. She studied medicine in order to help people via regenerative medicine, which piqued her interest in stem cell therapy.
Dr. Gaez completed her medical degree at Universidad Latina de Panamá in 2015. She later completed her medical internship in 2018 at Manuel A. Nieto Hospital. Dr. Gaez also holds a certification in scientific research from the Hospital del Niño de Panamá.
Hernan H. Hernandez, M.D.
Staff Physician
Dr. Hernandez received his medical degree from Latina University in the Republic of Panama in 2002 where he specialized in health services management. He also worked as the general director for health care at La Joya Center.
He has been involved with direction for community programs involving patients with tuberculosis, HIV and other chronic infectious diseases in Panama´s Eastern region. Dr. Hernandez was the medical liaison between Panama’s Ministry of Health and the European committee for the patients at La Joya Center.
Cindy Leu, M.D.
Staff Physician
Dr. Leu’s driving purpose in life is to promote wellbeing through holistic therapies to help people achieve their best possible inner and outer beauty.
Dr. Leu received her medical degree from Universidad Latina de Panama in 2005. She completed her internship at the Complejo Hospitalario Metropolitano Dr Arnulfo A. Madrid and at the Hospital Regional Nicholás A. Solano in Chorrera.
She has received multiple certifications and completed postgraduate courses in aesthetic and anti-aging medicine. She has participated in the development and execution of several clinical studies in Panama.
Prior to joining the Stem Cell Institute team, Dr. Leu worked as a general physician with a focus on aesthetic medicine including alternative therapies.
Diana Gonzalez, M.D.
Staff Physician
Driven by a deep desire to help others and enhance their quality of life through medical science, Dr. Gonzalez pursued a medical degree at Universidad Latina de Panamá. She developed an interest in regenerative medicine, fascinated by its potential to repair damaged tissues and organs using stem cells and other innovative approaches.
In addition to her medical degree, Dr. Gonzalez holds certifications in Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Advanced Pediatric Life Support. She has gained significant practical experience, including a rotation at Katholisches Klinikum Mainz in Germany focused on peripheral vascular surgery.
Her professional experience includes roles at Hospital Santo Tomás, Hospital Nicolás Solano, and Clínica Hospital San Fernando, where she has worked in emergency care and primary health care.
Querube Quirós, M.D.
Staff Physician
Dr. Quiróz decided to study medicine because she was amazed by the precision of the human body’s mechanisms and was inspired by the potential to improve people’s quality of life.
After graduating from Universidad Latina de Panamá, she served as the Clinical Manager and Coordinator for the antiretroviral therapy clinic at Complejo Hospitalario Arnulfo Arias Madrid and at La Ciudad de La Salud in Panama. She has also worked in the private sector performing hair implant procedures.
She has gained great practical experience from her internships for internal medicine at Hospital Santa Fé de Bogotá in Bogotá, Colombia, as well as in cardiothoracic surgery at Chirurgisches Klinikum München Süd in Munich, Germany.
Before joining the Stem Cell Institute team, Dr. Quirós presented a procedure case on an awake craniotomy at the 30th International Neurosurgery Congress in Cartagena, Colombia. She is looking forward to continuing her education in regenerative medicine and exploring its applications in various medical fields, including recovery after surgical procedures and treatment of urologic conditions.
