Meet Our Team
Dr. Serrano
Founding Physician
Health by Serrano was born from a desire to bring the human side of medicine back to healthcare. Here, patients are more than appointments or chart numbers—they are neighbors, families, and individuals with unique stories. My mission is to provide thoughtful, personalized care built on trust, compassion, and genuine relationships that last for years.
Johanna De León
Office Clerk
Johanna helps bring the personal touch of Health by Serrano, M.D. to every patient interaction. Through her support with scheduling, communication, and daily office operations, she helps ensure patients feel welcomed, valued, and cared for from the moment they contact our practice.
Dr. De León
Chief Financial Officer
Dr. De León helps guide the financial vision of Health by Serrano, M.D., ensuring that our commitment to personalized, affordable healthcare remains sustainable for the future. As a physician, he understands that every financial decision ultimately impacts patient care, and he is dedicated to supporting a practice where people always come first.
Gina García
Medical Assistant/ Pre-Med Student
Gina is passionate about caring for others and is currently pursuing her dream of becoming a physician. As a Medical Assistant, she works closely with patients and our clinical team to help create a welcoming healthcare experience. Through every patient interaction, she continues to embrace the principle that great medicine begins by putting patients at the
center of their care.
Melissa DiStefano
Practice Manager
Melissa helps transform our vision of personalized healthcare into a daily reality. As Practice Manager, she oversees the patient experience from start to finish, ensuring every individual feels welcomed, supported, and valued. Her commitment to exceptional service and genuine relationships helps make Health by Serrano, M.D. feel less like a medical office and more like a healthcare home.
About Dr.
CEO/Medical Director
Serrano
Dr. Karymar del Valle Serrano, M.D. is the CEO and Medical Director of Health by Serrano, M.D. Direct Primary Care. She is a Primary Care Physician and Minor Surgeon who graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara. Dr. Serrano earned her medical degree in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2006 and completed her medical training at Manatí Medical Center in Puerto Rico.
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Since relocating to Gainesville, FL in 2012, Dr. Serrano has provided comprehensive primary care to underserved communities, veterans, and forensic medicine patients.
In 2023, she founded Health by Serrano, M.D. to offer affordable, personalized, membership-based primary care focused on strong doctor-patient relationships, accessibility, and preventive care.
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Guided by the Hippocratic Oath and her Christian faith, Dr. Serrano is committed to compassionate, patient-centered healthcare.
She is married to Dr. Pedro De León Reyes, and together they are raising two children. Guided by her Christian faith, Dr. Serrano lives and leads by the words:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9
As a Christian physician, Dr. Serrano's purpose is to practice medicine by remembering the scripture:
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the
words the Lord Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35
About Dr. De León
Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Pedro J. De León Reyes is the Chief Financial Officer of Health by Serrano, M.D. and an Emergency Medicine physician. He earned his medical degree in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2006 and completed his training at Manatí Medical Center in Puerto Rico.
Since relocating to the U.S. in 2012, he has served communities with dedication and empathy, including veterans and underserved populations.
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Beyond medicine, Dr. De León Reyes is a devoted husband to Dr. Karymar del Valle Serrano and a loving father of two. He enjoys soccer, literature, and cherishes his Christian faith.
Guided by 1 Peter 1:7—“so that the tested genuineness of your faith…may result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ”—he embraces perseverance and service in every aspect of life.
About Melissa DiStefano
Practice Manager
Melissa has joined our practice with a degree in business and a passion for marketing. She comes to us with 15 years of medical management, she's discovered a true passion for connecting patients, providers and purpose. She blends organization with creativity - because good medicine deserves a little sparkle!Melissa wants to live in a world where emails are short, love letters are brave, socks and Tupperware lids don't go missing and every “thank you” note is scribbled by hand.
When she's not in the office, she trades spreadsheets for sprinkles! She bakes cookies and is an artist, some of her art has been found in homes around the world. Life is never dull with 2 teenage boys who keep her running between band performances, church activities and soccer games. Melissa is married to the love of her life, together they lead a small group at church, and they dominate on family game night!
She truly believes healthcare can be compassionate and a little glittery when it's lead with God, heart, humor and creativity.
Melissa's favorite Bible Verse is: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Proverbs 3:5-6
About Johanna De León
Office Clerk
Johanna De Leon holds a Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and brings over 20 years of experience in training and organizational development. She has worked with diverse populations, strengthening teams and building structured, service-focused environments centered on excellence and compassion.
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Married and a proud mother of two, Johanna dedicated several meaningful years to raising her children — cheering them on at volleyball games, track meets, swim competitions, tennis matches, and school band performances. Those years deepened her commitment to family, faith, and nurturing growth both at home and in the community.
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After relocating to Gainesville in 2017, she embraced the opportunity to start fresh and build new roots. Today, as part of Health by Serrano M.D. Direct Primary Care, she contributes organization, empathy, and a strong commitment to creating a warm, patient-centered experience.
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One of her favorite Bible passages that reflects her belief in hope and renewal is:
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“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
— Lamentations 3:22–23
About Gina García
Volunteer Student
Gina Garcia is a student at University of Florida pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Nutritional Sciences. Originally from Fort Myers, she loves spending time at the beach and enjoys staying active outdoors.
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Gina aspires to become a physician and make a meaningful impact on the field of medicine. A fun fact about her is that she played volleyball throughout high school and continues to enjoy the sport in her free time.
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For the past 2.5 years, Gina has been learning and training alongside our team at Health by Serrano M.D. Direct Primary Care, where she has developed valuable clinical and professional skills that will serve her well throughout her future career.
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In Gina's own words:
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"I have learned so much—not only about medicine, but also about myself and the kind of physician I hope to become for my future patients. My passion is to be the difference I want to see in the healthcare system. I love learning every day that medicine is not one-size-fits-all; it is often more of an art than a science."
Her dedication, compassion, and eagerness to learn make her an invaluable part of our team, and we are excited to watch her continue her journey toward becoming a physician.