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Jennifer Rodriguez-Belen, MD

Infectious Disease
Jennifer Rodriguez-Belen, MD
Areas of Focus
Jennifer Rodriguez-Belen, MD
Locations

Memorial Division of Infectious Disease

5647 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, FL 33021

Phone: 954-276-1616

Fax: 954-276-0186

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About Me

As an infectious disease specialist at Memorial Healthcare System, I treat a wide range of conditions from urinary tract and skin infections to bloodstream and complex pulmonary infections, as well as infections during pregnancy.  I have specialized training in caring for patients who are immunocompromised, including solid organ and bone marrow transplant recipients, patients undergoing cellular therapy for hematologic malignancies and those with mechanical circulatory support devices such as LVADs, Impellas, intra-aortic balloon pumps and ECMOs.

My journey started as I aspired to become a veterinarian, but while volunteering at the largest oncology hospital in Puerto Rico I saw firsthand how deeply healthcare providers impact vulnerable populations. That experience inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. During training, I became especially interested in how microbes consistently interact with us. While most of us coexist peacefully with environmental organisms, transplant patients — whose immune systems are suppressed to protect their new organs — face unique risks from uncommon pathogens. This complexity sparked my passion for caring for immunocompromised hosts and helping them thrive after receiving a second chance at life.

What I enjoy most about infectious disease medicine is being a detective. Careful, detailed histories often reveal the diagnosis, whether through a patient’s travel, occupation, hobbies, diet or exposure to animals and children. Asking unusual questions is part of the job and often the key to solving the mystery of an illness.

Beyond diagnosis and treatment, my goal is to ensure patients truly understand their condition and care plan. I believe that when patients have clarity about their illness, risks and therapy, they are more engaged, more optimistic and more likely to achieve the best possible outcomes. I dedicate time to easing concerns, offering tailored prevention strategies and staying current with emerging literature to deliver the highest level of care.

My research interests include emerging pathogens, such as Candida auris in immunocompromised hosts, and antibiotic stewardship to improve outcomes in high-risk settings, such as the cardiac intensive care unit. During my fellowship, I was honored to share my work at national and international conferences, including ID Week, the American Transplant Congress and the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Vienna. 

 

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Areas of Focus

  • All types of infections, including bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic diseases that affect various parts of the body, including the lungs, skin, digestive system and bloodstream
  • Infections during pregnancy
  • Care for patients who are immunocompromised, including:
    • Solid organ and bone marrow transplant recipients
    • Patients undergoing cellular therapy for hematologic malignancies
    • Those with mechanical circulatory support devices such as LVADs, Impellas, intra-aortic balloon pumps and ECMOs. 

Education

Fellowships

  • Memorial Healthcare System Infectious Disease Fellowship Program, 0/25, Infectious Disease

Residency

  • HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, 2023, Internal Medicine

Medical Education

  • Ponce Health Sciences University, 2019

Certifications

  • American Board of Internal Medicine-Internal Medicine

Awards, Achievements, and More

Publications

Please view Dr. Jennifer L. Rodriguez-Belen’s publications on PubMed.

Professional Organizations

  • American Society of Transplantation (AST)
    • Infectious Disease Community of Practice (IDCOP)
    • Trainee and Young Faculty Community of Practice (TYFCOP)
    • Multidrug Resistant Organism Workgroup
  • Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
    • Immunocompromised Host Community of Practice (IDSA IHCOP)
    • Member Advocacy Program (MAP)
  • HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA)
  • American College of Physicians (ACP) 

     

Presentations

  • Cano Cevallos E., Rodriguez-Belen J., Fernandez Lopez B., Melendez-Lecca P., Eckardt P. (2025, June 05). Solid Organ Transplantation Meets Candida auris: A Single-Center Experience of Transplant Outcomes [Poster presented]. 2025 Scientific Meeting on Candida auris / Miami, FL, USA.
  • Edison Cano Cevallos, MD; Benito Fernandez Lopez, PharmD; Eugene Kolomiyets, PharmD; Jennifer L. Rodriguez Belen, MD; Paolo Melendez-Lecca, MD; Elizabeth George; Nancimae Miller, PhD; Diandra Lee, PharmD (2025, May 29). Targeted Stewardship: Leveraging Antibiogram to Improve Anti- Pseudomonal Use in Cardiac Transplant Critical Care [Poster presented]. Making a Difference in Infectious Diseases (MAD-ID) 2025 / Orlando, FL, USA.
  • Cano Cevallos E., Rodriguez-Belen J. (presenter), Fernandez Lopez B., Melendez-Lecca P., Eckardt P. (2025, May 12). Solid Organ Transplantation Meets Candida auris: A Single-Center Experience of Transplant Outcomes [Poster presented]. Memorial Healthcare System 12th Annual Research Week / Hollywood, FL, USA.
  • E. Acevedo Martinez, J. Rodriguez-Belen (presenter), J. Martinez Feshold, D. Melendez Lecca, B. Fernandez Lopez, N. Miller, P. Eckardt, E. Cano Cevallos. (2025, May 12). Microbial Cell-Free DNA NextGen Sequencing Diagnostics in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients [Poster presented]. Memorial Healthcare System 12th Annual Research Week / Hollywood, FL, USA.
  • Cano Cevallos E., Rodriguez-Belen J. (presenter), Fernandez Lopez B., Melendez-Lecca P., Eckardt P. (2025, May 08). Solid Organ Transplantation Meets Candida auris: A Single-Center Experience of Transplant Outcomes [Poster presented]. University of Miami 2025 Infectious Disease Symposium / Miami, FL, USA.
  • E. Acevedo Martinez, J. Rodriguez-Belen (presenter), J. Martinez Feshold, D. Melendez Lecca, B. Fernandez Lopez, N. Miller, P. Eckardt, E. Cano Cevallos. (2025, May 08). Microbial Cell-Free DNA NextGen Sequencing Diagnostics in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients [Poster presented]. University of Miami 2025 Infectious Disease Symposium / Miami, FL, USA.
  • E. Acevedo Martinez, J. Rodriguez-Belen (presenter), J. Martinez Feshold, D. Melendez Lecca, B. Fernandez Lopez, N. Miller, P. Eckardt, E. Cano Cevallos. (2025, April 14). Microbial Cell-Free DNA NextGen Sequencing Diagnostics in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients [Poster presented]. Global European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) 2025/ Vienna, Austria.
  • E. Acevedo Martinez, J. Rodriguez-Belen, J. Martinez Feshold, D. Melendez Lecca, B. Fernandez Lopez, N. Miller, P. Eckardt, E. Cano Cevallos. Microbial Cell-Free DNA NextGen Sequencing Diagnostics in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients. Abstract Book of the ESCMID Conference; 2025 May 15–18; Vienna, Austria.
  • Paula Eckardt, MD; Elizabeth Sherman, PharmD; Jianli Niu, MD, PhD; Elizabeth Thibodeau, BS; Sheila Montalvo, PharmD; Elsa Acevedo, MD; Jennifer L. Rodriguez-Belen, MD. (2024, October). “Opt-Out” HIV Testing Trends in a Community Healthcare System–A Longitudinal Analysis from 2018 to 2024 [Accepted]. ID Week 2024 / Los Angeles, CA, USA.
  • E. J. Cano Cevallos, J. Rodriguez-Belen (presenter), E. Sherman, S. John, P. Melendez Lecca, K. Poon, S. Montalvo, P. Eckardt. (2024, June 02). Archival Genotypic Resistance Testing For Pre-transplant HIV Treatment Optimization [Poster presented]. American Transplant Congress 2024 / Philadelphia, PA, USA.
  • E. J. Cano Cevallos, J. Rodriguez-Belen (presenter), E. Sherman, S. John, P. Melendez Lecca, K. Poon, S. Montalvo, P. Eckardt. (2024, May 14). Archival Genotypic Resistance Testing For Pre-transplant HIV Treatment Optimization [Poster presented]. Memorial Healthcare System 11th Annual Research Week / Hollywood, FL, USA.
  • Jennifer L. Rodriguez-Belen, MD (presenter); Ana Berbel Caban, MD; Priyanka Gosain, MD; Edson Franco, MD; Teresa Bueno, DNP; I-Wen Wang, MD; Tae H. Song, MD; Jose Garcia, MD; Lance Cohen, MD; Heather A. Laguardia, MD; Edison Cano Cevallos, MD. (2024, May 14). Transplant Tango: Hyperammonemia’s Dance with Infection [Poster presented]. Memorial Healthcare System 11th Annual Research Week / Hollywood, FL, USA.
  • Jennifer L. Rodriguez-Belen, MD (presenter); Dionisio L. Acosta, MD; Michael Cohn, MD; Paolo Melendez-Lecca, MD; Edison Cano Cevallos, MD. (2024, May 14). Violet Rioter: Not-so-common Yeasts and Hyphae in Skin Nodule [Poster presented]. Memorial Healthcare System 11th Annual Research Week / Hollywood, FL, USA.
  • Paula Eckardt, MD; Elizabeth Sherman, PharmD; Jianli Niu, MD, PhD; Elizabeth Thibodeau, BS; Sheila Montalvo, PharmD; Elsa Acevedo, MD; Jennifer L. Rodriguez-Belen, MD. (2024, May 14). “Opt-Out” HIV Testing Trends in a Community Healthcare System–A Longitudinal Analysis from 2018 to 2024 [Poster presented]. Memorial Healthcare System 11th Annual Research Week / Hollywood, FL, USA.
  • E. J. Cano Cevallos, J. Rodriguez-Belen (presenter), E. Sherman, S. John, P. Melendez Lecca, K. Poon, S. Montalvo, P. Eckardt. (2024, May 09). Archival Genotypic Resistance Testing For Pre-transplant HIV Treatment Optimization [Poster presented]. University of Miami 2024 Infectious Disease Symposium / Miami, FL, USA.
  • Jennifer L. Rodriguez-Belen, MD (presenter); Ana Berbel Caban, MD; Priyanka Gosain, MD; Edson Franco, MD; Teresa Bueno, DNP; I-Wen Wang, MD; Tae H. Song, MD; Jose Garcia, MD; Lance Cohen, MD; Heather A. Laguardia, MD; Edison Cano Cevallos, MD. (2024, May 09). Transplant Tango: Hyperammonemia’s Dance with Infection [Poster presented]. University of Miami 2024 Infectious Disease Symposium / Miami, FL, USA.
  • Jennifer L. Rodriguez-Belen, MD (presenter); Dionisio L. Acosta, MD; Michael Cohn, MD; Paolo Melendez-Lecca, MD; Edison Cano Cevallos, MD. (2024, May 09). Violet Rioter: Not-so-common Yeasts and Hyphae in Skin Nodule [Poster presented]. University of Miami 2024 Infectious Disease Symposium / Miami, FL, USA.
  • Rodriguez-Belen, J. L. (presenter), Cotto, D. G., Hernandez, R., Gascon, J., Godinez, Y. . (2022, February 14). Male breast cancer? A rare and recurrent breast mass caused by Finegoldia magna [Poster presented]. Florida Chapter ACP Spring 2022 Hybrid Poster Competition/Miami, FL, USA.
  • Cotto-Velez, D. G., Rodriguez-Belen, J. L., Izquierdo, H., Hernandez Canciobello, J., Cordoba, J., Hernandez, R., Del Cerro, A. . (2021, December 10). CNS Toxoplasmosis can be tricky. A case report of two CNS Toxoplasmosis focusing on comparing imaging presentations [Poster presented]. HCA/NSU Research Day/Miami, FL, USA.
  • Rodriguez-Belen, J. L. (presenter), Cotto, D. G., Hernandez, R., Gascon, J. . (2021, December 10). Trick or -Thrix!: A Non-Healing Ulcerated Papule in an Elderly Horticulturist [Poster presented]. HCA/NSU Research Day/Miami, FL, USA.
  • Cotto-Velez, D. G., Rodriguez-Belen, J. L., Diez, D., Hernandez Canciobello, J., Izquierdo, H., Cordoba, J., Dorado, J., Hernandez, R. J., Hernandez, R.er. (2021, September 27). H. Parainfluenzae Endocarditis: A Case Study Report [Poster presented]. ACP Florida Chapter 2021 Fall Poster Competition /Miami, FL, USA.
  • Diez, D., Rodriguez-Belen, J. L., Suarez, A., Hernandez Canciobello, J., Cordoba, J., Bentancor, S., Gascon, J. . (2021, September 27). A PRES-ing Situation [Poster presented]. ACP Florida Chapter 2021 Fall Poster Competition/Miami, FL, USA. Rodriguez-Belen, J. L. (presenter), Diez, D., Suarez, A., Hernandez Canciobello, J., Cordoba, J., Cancio, E., Ruiz, R. . (2021, September 27). DRESS Syndrome in a Patient Treated with Rituximab and Revlimid for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Case Report [Poster presented]. ACP Florida Chapter 2021 Fall Virtual Poster Competition/Miami, FL, USA.
  • Rodriguez-Belen, J. L. (presenter), Diez, D., Pelaez, C., Gonzalez-Pantaleon, J. A. . (2021, May 26). An Anomalous Cause of Abdominal Pain: A Case of Secondary Budd Chiari Syndrome [Poster presented]. HCA Research Day /Miami, FL, USA.
  • Diez, D., Hernandez Canciobello, J., Brooks, J., Rodriguez-Belen, J. L., Izquierdo, H., Cotto, D. G., Cordoba, J., Lacaille, S., Matos, D., Gascon, J. . (2021, March 15). Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Spanning Entire Aorta Resulting in Renal Dysfunction and Pre-operative Lower Limb Compartment Syndrome in a Patient with COVID-19 [Poster presented]. ACP Florida Chapter 2021 Spring Poster Competition/Miami, FL, USA.
  • Rodriguez-Belen, J. L. (presenter), Valdes Liste, J., Diez, D., Saavedra, L., Ruiz, R. . (2021, March 15). An Unusual Presentation of Septo-Optic Dysplasia in a Young Adult [Poster presented, Clinical Vignette Winner]. ACP Florida Chapter 2021 Spring Regional Meeting/Miami, FL, USA.
  • Rodriguez, M., Cotto, D. G., Rodriguez-Belen, J. L., Hernandez, R., Gascon, J. . (2020, December 03). Stenotrophomonas maltophilia dancing with the leads. A Case Study Report. [Poster presented]. ACP Internal Medicine Meeting 2021/Miami, FL, USA.
  • Cotto-Velez, D. G., Rodriguez-Belen, J. L., Diez, D., Brooks, J., Izquierdo, H., Hernandez Canciobello, J., Hernandez, R. . (2020, September 30). A Rare Case of Veillonella dispar bacteremia with Native Valve Infective Endocarditis [Poster presented]. ACP Florida Chapter 2020 Fall Poster Competition/Miami, FL, USA. 

     

Awards

  • IDSA Core Antimicrobial Stewardship Curriculum Grant, Infectious Disease Society of America, 11/2023
  • Chief Resident Award, HCA Florida Kendall Hospital IM Residency, 06/2023
  • 2021 Outstanding Internal Medicine Resident, HCA East Florida Division GME/American College of Physicians, 06/2021
  • Internal Medicine Intern of the Year, HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, 06/2021
  • 2021 Spring Virtual Poster Competition Resident Clinical Vignette Winner, American College of Physicians, 03/2021
  • Clinical Distinction Award, Ponce Health Sciences University, 06/2020

Hospital Affiliations