Axel Luis Mercado
Apogee Physicians Hospitalist Group
1
Certification
30
years of professional experience
Dedicated healthcare professional experienced in diagnosing and treating diverse medical conditions. Focused on leadership and team collaboration to enhance patient outcomes while adapting to changing healthcare environments. Expertise in patient assessment, medical diagnostics, and clinical decision-making supports effective care delivery.
Work History
Physician Associate
5 Months- Responsibilities: Screened, ordered initial/follow-up lab workup, and interpreted lab results to develop treatment plans for patients in Emergency Room admissions. When needed assist the team with treatment and management of inpatient census and discharges to reduce unnecessary extended patient stays to meet hospital goals of quality, cost-effective care.
- Diagnosed and treated diverse patient conditions in hospitalist setting.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care protocols.
- Implemented best practices for quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
Physician Associate
6 Years- Screened, ordered initial and follow-up lab workup, and interpreted lab results to create treatment plans for patients in the emergency room for admission. Assisted the team with treatment and management of inpatient census and discharges to reduce unnecessary extended patient stays.
- Diagnosed and managed complex patient cases in inpatient settings.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient care plans.
- Utilized electronic health record systems to document and track patient progress.
Physician Associate
3 Years- Responsibilities: Perform evaluations, physical examinations, lab workup and treatments for walk-in and Telemedicine patients in an Urgent / Primary Care out-patient setting and conduct annual physical, employment, school, sports and DOT exams.
- Conducted punch and shave biopsies, along with wound management to ensure patient care.
- Supervise NP, PA, medical assistants clinical duties. Assisted Office Manager with scheduling, ordering supplies and training staff regarding EMR and clinical procedures.
Physician Associate
3 Years 1 Month- Responsibilities: Conducted consultations, ordered lab workup, interpreted results, and devised treatment plans autonomously for patients with acute renal failure, hemodialysis needs, electrolyte imbalances, hypertension, and new renal disorders in medical units and ICU, enhancing patient care and outcomes.
- Collaborated with physicians and case managers to assist with Internal Medicine admissions, treatment, management, and discharges, ensuring coordinated outpatient care and facilitating smooth transitions for patients.
- Led multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive patient care plans.
- Enhanced clinical workflows to improve patient outcomes and streamline operations.
- Mentored junior physicians and medical staff, fostering professional development and collaboration.
Physician Associate
5 Years 1 Month- Responsibilities: Evaluation via consultation and created treatment plans for patients requiring wound management for pressure injuries, vascular/arterial ulcers, chronic/non-healing wounds, and complicated dehisced surgical wounds for patients admitted in Hospital, Long Term Acute Care (LTAC), Skilled Nursing Facilities/Nursing Homes (SNFs / NHs) and at patient’s homes under Home Health Agencies (HHAs).
- Performed bedside excisional debridement, artificial skin graft placement, skin-muscle-bone biopsies, and I&D's as needed.
- Led multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care and streamline hospital operations.
- Developed and implemented evidence-based treatment plans to improve patient outcomes.
- Mentored junior physicians, fostering professional growth and clinical excellence.
Physician Associate
10 Years 5 Months- Responsibilities: Consulted for treatment plans and management of patients requiring acute and chronic wound management in hospitals, LTACs, NHs, and patients' homes. who had pressure injuries, vascular/arterial ulcers, chronic/non-healing wounds, and complicated dehisced surgical wounds.
- Delivered care for pre-op and post-op surgical patients in General Surgery, ensuring optimal recovery and management.
- Worked closely with and supervised Wound Care Nurses at LTAC, SNFs / NHs and HHAs.
- Daily skills utilized were sharp excisional debridement at bedside, artificial skin graft placement, skin - muscle - bone biopsies, I&Ds, and application of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NWPT) when needed.
Physician Associate
4 Years 4 Months- Responsibilities: Provided expert consultation for patient treatment, ordered labs and treated for patients requiring acute and chronic medical care secondary acute/chronic renal failure to include hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, electrolyte imbalance, and Hypertension admitted in hospital, LTACs and NHs.
- Led multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive patient care and effective treatment plans.
- Developed protocols for acute care management, enhancing patient outcomes and workflow efficiency.
- Mentored junior physicians and medical staff in clinical practices and decision-making processes.
Physician Assistant (PA) Program
2 Years 1 Month- Coordinated academic programs as the Academic Coordinator and served as Associate Professor for didactic year students and Clinical Supervisor for second year students during the Internal Medicine rotation at Miami Jackson Memorial and Veteran Administration Hospital. Created the didactic program course. for the 1st year. Delivered instruction in Pulmonology, Radiology, Physical Exam, Primary Care, and Internal Medicine, shaping curriculum to meet educational standards. Supported the clinical coordinator in conducting end-of-rotation presentations, examinations, and evaluations.
- Conduct comprehensive patient assessments to determine appropriate treatment plans.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care strategies.
- Educate patients on preventive health measures and chronic disease management.
Physician Associate
2 Years- Responsibilities: Evaluated, performed physical exams, interpreted labs, and formulated treatment plans for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients in satellite primary care clinic/Urgent Care, enhancing patient care quality. Chosen to be Preceptor for Nova Southeastern PA students.
- Conducted comprehensive patient assessments to determine appropriate treatment plans.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care protocols and outcomes.
- Implemented evidence-based practices to improve clinical efficiency and patient satisfaction.
Education
Master Public Health (MPH) - Public Health
Bachelor of Science - Physician Assistant
Skills
Staff management
Physical examinations
Sales and marketing materials
Staff Management (PA’s/NP’s
Med Assistants
Lab Techs
Office front desk)
Patient care
Patient Education
Sales and Marketing/Product-service material creation (website
print
PSA)
Event/Educator speaker
Teaching and mentoring
Accomplishments
- NSU MPH and NSU PA program Class President/ NSU Student Government Leader of the Year
- Florida Academy of Physician Assistant Cultural and Diversity Affairs Committee Chairperson
- Inventor of In-Pro-Ma wound care instrument device Invented wound care device, created a private label of novel wound care products, promotion material, and marketing strategy to sell to hospitals and HHA’s.
Certification
- Board Certification National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) # 1034321
- Medicare: E5254, Medicaid: 291219800 FL NPI: 1578594065, UPIN: P27381
- DEA, ACLS & BLS , D.O.T
- State License: North Carolina PA 0010-10047, Florida PA 9119584
Languages
Bi-lingual (English/Spanish)
Current Hospital Affiliations
University of North Carolina Health Wayne, Wilson Medical Center - Wilson, NC
Past Hospital Affiliations
Forest Hills Immediate & Primary Care/Hooper & Burnette, Select Specialty Hospital, UM Hospital, Victoria Nursing Home, Ponce Plaza Nursing Home, Promise LTAC, Doctors, Metropolitan, Westchester and Larkin Hospital - Miami, FL
Business Experience
- Advanced Health Choice, Inc – Owner/Independent Contractor of Dba Advanced Wound Care Associates
- Odyssean Travel Co-Owner
Timeline
Physician Associate
University of North Carolina Wayne Hospitalist
02.2026 - CurrentRead More
Physician Associate
Urgent / Primary Care Independent Contractor
01.2023 - 01.2026Read More
Physician Associate
Apogee Physicians Hospitalist Group
07.2020 - CurrentRead More
Physician Associate
Nephrology Independent Contractor
06.2017 - 07.2020Read More
Physician Associate
Wound Clinician Independent Contractor
06.2015 - 07.2020Read More
Physician Associate
Wound Clinician Independent Contractor
01.2005 - 06.2015Read More
Physician Associate
Nephrology Independent Contractor
09.2000 - 01.2005Read More
Physician Assistant (PA) Program
Miami Dade College
08.1998 - 09.2000Read More
Physician Associate
Primary Care / Urgent Care
08.1996 - 08.1998Read More
Nova South-Eastern University (NSU)
Master Public Health (MPH) from Public Health
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Nova Southeastern University (NSU)
Bachelor of Science from Physician Assistant
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