Four Physicians Join AdventHealth in Volusia County

In specialties ranging from gastroenterology and general surgery to nephrology and orthopedic surgery, AdventHealth Medical Group welcomes four Volusia County physicians this month.

The new physicians include gastroenterologists Dr. Beatrice Bratu and Dr. Hassan Zulfiqar, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Duber, and general surgeon Dr. Frank Velez.

These physicians will join AdventHealth Medical Group, a team of nearly 400 employed AdventHealth physicians and advanced practitioners representing 30 different medical specialties. With 70 practice locations across Flagler, Lake, Sumter and Volusia counties, AdventHealth Medical Group clinicians collectively cared for more than one million patient visits in 2023.

“The addition of these talented doctors reflects AdventHealth’s commitment to expanding care close to home for residents of Volusia County,” said Ilene Gilbert-Droge, president and CEO of AdventHealth Medical Group in the East Florida Division. “During the past 12 months, we have brought more than a dozen new specialists to Volusia County, with more to come before the end of 2024. These physicians bring expertise, experience and a focus on providing whole-person care, raising the bar for high-quality care in our community.”

This is in addition to AdventHealth’s recent announcement of hiring four new physicians to serve Flagler County, bringing the total number of new physicians in the Volusia-Flagler area to nine.

The four new doctors include:

Dr. Beatrice Bratu
Board-certified in both gastroenterology and internal medicine, Bratu has

over 30 years of experience and is the author of numerous clinical publications. She specializes in treating digestive disorders such as acid reflux, ulcers, IBS, Crohn’s disease, colitis, gallbladder disease, and pancreatitis. Bratu earned a medical degree from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davilla in Romania and completed residencies in internal medicine at Arges District Hospital and Fundeni Hospital National Institute of Cardiology in Romania, as well as Interfaith Medical Center in New York. Bratu also completed a fellowship in gastroenterology at Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York. She will care for patients at 870 Dunlawton Avenue, Suite 210-A, Port Orange; 501 Live Oak Street, Suite. B in New Smyrna Beach; and 400 Clyde Morris Boulevard, Suite. A in Ormond Beach. To reach her clinic, call Call386-518-3671.

Dr. Mark Duber
Board-certified in orthopedic surgery, Duber has nearly 20 years of experience in Hip, Knee, Shoulder joint replacement, hand, and upper extremity surgery.

He also handles Sports Medicine and fracture care, along with providing orthopedic care for pediatric (6 years and above) patients. Duber earned a medical degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri and completed an internship and residency at Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital in Ohio. He previously served as a Orthopedic Surgeon in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and received numerous military service awards, including a National Defense Service Medal and a NATO Service Ribbon. He will operate at AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach and his clinic is located near the hospital at 600 Palmetto Street. His office can be reached at Call386-424-3845.

Dr. Frank Velez
Originally from Puerto Rico and fluent in English and Spanish, Velez is a general surgeon specializing in minimally invasive and robotic surgery, abdominal,

breast, laparoscopic, oncologic surgery. He earned a medical degree from the Universidad Central del Caribe Medical School in Puerto Rico and completed a residency in general surgery at the University of South Florida Morsani School of Medicine in Tampa. The author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations, Velez is especially excited to care for the growing Hispanic community in DeLand, Orange City and the surrounding areas. He will operate at AdventHealth DeLand and AdventHealth Fish Memorial and will have clinics near both hospitals at 1070 North Stone Street, Suite E in DeLand and 1061 Medical Center Drive, Suite 300 in Orange City. His offices can be reached at Call386-738-5300.

Dr. Hassan Zulfiqar
Board-certified in gastroenterology, Zulfiqar specializes in treating digestive health conditions, including biliary tract diseases, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastrointestinal bleeding, liver disease, and nutritional disorders. He

earned medical degrees from Sind Medical College and Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center/ Karachi University in Pakistan. Zulfiqar completed fellowships in gastroenterology from Tulane University in Louisiana and Jefferson University in Pennsylvania. He will care for patients at three clinics in eastern Volusia County, including at 400 Clyde Morris Boulevard Ste. A. in Ormond Beach; 870 Dunlawton Ave., Suite 210-A in Port Orange; and 501 Live Oak Street, Suite B in New Smyrna Beach. His offices can be reached at Call386-518-3671.