Two physician specialists join AdventHealth Waterman

Pulmonary and sleep medicine specialist Dr. Francis Christian and vascular surgeon Dr. Mauricio Perez Martinez have joined AdventHealth Medical Group and will care for patients at AdventHealth Waterman.

AdventHealth Medical Group is a team of nearly 450 employed physicians and advanced practitioners representing 30 different medical specialties. With 75 practice locations across Flagler, Lake, Sumter, and Volusia counties, AdventHealth Medical Group clinicians collectively cared for more than one million patient visits in 2024.

"Our community deserves exceptional medical care close to home,” said Abel Biri, AdventHealth Waterman president and CEO. “Dr. Perez Martinez and Dr. Christian bring an impressive expertise and a passion for caring for others. Their addition strengthens our multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, heart and vascular surgeons, pulmonologists, and thoracic surgeons to ensure our neighbors have easier access to the specialized care they need."

Christian is focused on pulmonary care and sleep medicine, helping patients with conditions like lung disease as well as sleep apnea at the AdventHealth Waterman Sleep Center.

Christian earned his medical degree from St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine in the Cayman Islands, British West Indies. He then completed a residency in internal medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Following his residency, Christian pursued a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He further specialized by completing a second fellowship in sleep medicine at Harvard Medical School – Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Throughout his career, Christian has provided patient care in New York, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, and Florida. He is also a published clinical researcher, having shared his findings at national conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.

“Sleep and breathing are at the heart of good health,” said Christian. “I’m here to help people breathe easier and feel their best, so they can get back to doing the things they love.”

Perez Martinez earned his medical degree from the Ignacio A. Santos School of Medicine in Monterrey, Mexico and pursued advanced training.

He completed a residency in general surgery at the Swedish Medical Center, HealthOne in Englewood, Colo., and a vascular surgery fellowship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He also completed a research fellowship in thoracic surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard University in Boston, Mass., and a burn fellowship at the John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago.

A multilingual physician – fluent in English, Spanish, and French – Perez Martinez is also the author of numerous peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, and medical book chapters.

“Every patient’s health journey is unique, and I’m dedicated to working with my patients to help them find the best solutions to live longer, healthier lives,” Perez Martinez said. “It is a privilege to serve this community.”

Christian’s practice, AdventHealth Medical Group Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at Tavares, is located at 1876 Nightingale Lane in Tavares, Fla. For more information, contact Call352-742-4447. (Pictured Left)

Perez Martinez practices with the AdventHealth Medical Group Vascular Surgery at Waterman located at 3330 Waterman Way in Tavares, Fla. For more information, contact Call352-385-3022. (Pictured Right)