Treatment & Research

Endocrine Associates of Florida also conducts clinical trials


A referral from a family physician to a specialist for particular symptoms can be a daunting and impersonal experience. Aside from a staff that doesn’t know you, confusion about new medical terms and tests are personally perplexing and frightening.

(L. to r.) José Mandry, M.D.; Michelle Barbel; Maria Ines Marulanda, M.D.; Marisol Estrada; Ineska Freire, M.D.; Carmen Ramos; Rachel Bass and Kathy Mandry, RD, make up the caring staff at Endocrine Associates of Florida Ocoee.

It doesn’t need to be that way. Endocrine Associates of Florida Ocoee offers a better, more comfortable approach to monitoring and treating ailments associated with hormonal imbalance. Endocrinology is the branch of medicine dedicated to managing metabolic disorders caused by changes to the endocrine glands. Affected hormones secreted by the endocrine glands are insulin, thyroid, growth hormone and adrenal hormones.

Endocrine Associates of Florida is a family-run, private practice located at 1510 Citrus Medical Court in Ocoee. Its caring staff strives to provide the best possible health care in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Their holistic and compassionate approach allows the staff time to get to know and listen to its patients.

José M. Mandry, M.D., directs the treatment and research. Born in Puerto Rico, he came to the Greater Orlando area in the early ’90s. He is fluent in both English and Spanish and board-certified in internal medicine and disorders of endocrinology and metabolism. As a principal investigator, Dr. Mandry and his associates are active participants in clinical research, leading to positive outcomes for superior health.

“The studies enable our practice to offer more support to clients,” Dr. Mandry said. “Patients can take advantage of the comprehensive oversight a clinical study offers as compared to the benefits from an insurance company. We have observed many participants get better control of their chronic diseases because of their involvement in clinical trials.”

The office coordinator is Kathy Mandry, MS, RD, LD/N, Dr. Mandry’s wife of 27 years. A stay-at-home mother for 17 years — until the last of their four children left home for Florida State University — Kathy was reluctant to work with her husband because of the responsibility of the position. She was “pleasantly surprised at how well they work together.”

Research directors Maria Ines Marulanda, M.D., and Ineska Freire, M.D., both from Venezuela, are also on staff. With more than 10 years of experience in investigational pharmaceutical and epidemiological studies, their work is widely published in many prominent medical journals.
In addition to treatment and research, nutritional classes by a registered dietitian are available on request. Nutritional counseling assists patients with proper diet for blood glucose and weight control.

The staff of Endocrine Associates of Florida is dedicated to eradicating the devastating effects resulting from diabetes, obesity, hypertension, metabolic diseases and lipid disorders. To that end, patients are invited to go through a screening process for inclusion in one of the many studies conducted by Dr. Mandry and his team.

The practice is currently enlisting patients interested in participating in clinical research opportunities. Benefits include additional contact visits with the doctor and health care professionals, medicines that are provided by the sponsor at no cost to the patient, and close monitoring of medical problems and progress. Patients receive a small stipend to compensate for time and duties performed, and there is no out-of-pocket expense. To find out if you qualify or to be pre-screened, call the research clinic at 407-480-4836.

Beyond running their very busy office, Dr. Mandry and Kathy are active in many local community projects. They are founding members of the Central Florida Ballet and served on the board. Dr. Mandry coaches Little League baseball and is active in the Pan American Medical Society, where he served as president in 2006. Kathy volunteers for the YMCA and ballet camps as a dietitian. They both are also active in their church.

Endocrine Associates of Florida’s office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 407-480-4830 or visit www.jmandry.com.