Dr. Rafael S. Rodriguez, MD

Media Releases

Get to know Geriatrician Dr. Rafael S. Rodriguez, who serves patients throughout the State of Florida.

Knowledgeable and compassionate, Dr. Rodriguez practices as a geriatrician, specializing in the unique health needs of the elderly, including chronic diseases, nutritional problems, skin ailments, cognitive loss, memory impairment, adverse effects of medications, immobility and balance issues. 

In collaboration with TBIM Hospitalists, his hospital affiliations include Tampa General Hospital, Advent Health Tampa, Advent Health Carrollwood, and Woodbridge Rehab and Care Center.

Graduating with the class of 1996, Dr. Rodriguez earned his medical degree from the Central Caribbean University School of Medicine. He then went on to complete his residency in internal medicine and his fellowship in geriatric medicine at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine in 1999 and 2000, respectively.

With a proven track record of delivering highly skilled care, the doctor is board-certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world.

Geriatrics, or geriatric medicine, is a medical specialty focused on providing care for the unique health needs of older adults. Geriatricians are primary care doctors who have additional training in treating older adults, especially those 65 and up.

Enjoying bedside medicine and talking to patients, Dr. Rodriguez attributes his success to the love and passion in what he does. He became involved in his profession because he had a neighbor who was an ophthalmologist. He was inspired and developed an interest in medicine seeing all his instruments and the patients that came into his clinic, and so he decided to specialize in internal medicine because he was not satisfied with working in just one discipline. 

On a more personal note, Dr. Rodriguez is fluent in English and Spanish.

Recommended Articles

• What Is a Charley Horse?

  What is a charley horse?A charley horse is a term used when referring to a muscle cramp or spasm. Although muscle cramps can occur in any muscle in the body, they are commonly experienced in the leg. In a muscle spasm, the muscle uncontrollably contracts and does not relax. When the contracting...

• What Causes Cat Scratch Fever?

  What is cat scratch fever?Cat scratch fever is also known as "cat scratch disease", which is a type of bacterial infection. The disease got its name because humans contract the infection from cats that are infected with the bacterium called Bartonella henselae, which is one of the most common...

• Rapid Shallow Breathing (Tachypnea): Causes and Treatments

  What is rapid shallow breathing?Rapid, shallow breathing, also medically called as tachypnea, is a term used to describe a breathing that is too fast, particularly when people have it due to a lung disease or other health conditions. Sometimes, rapid, shallow breathing and hyperventilation...

• What Could Swollen Feet Mean?

  Swollen feet can be easily linked to pregnancy, standing for long hours, or injury by most people. These cases are often temporary and not a cause for concern. However, swollen feet can also be experienced by people without these factors and can be a sign of an underlying medical condition,...

• The Best Foods to Eat to Develop Sculpted Muscles

  Longing to have sculpted muscles? The most ideal combination for having those sculpted muscles is based on adequate calories, fluids, proteins, and strength training. Having the right kind of energy-rich foods are very essential for developing the most enviable muscles.According to the American...

• When Could Polydipsia Be a Sign of Something Serious?

  Extreme thirst is medically referred to as polydipsia, which is believed to be the first signs of diabetes. Polydipsia can also be accompanied by dry mouth, which could be constantly or temporarily experienced.In order for the body to function properly, it is important to drink an adequate amount of...