USF Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology

Dr. Jeffrey Lester graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor degree in finance in 1996. He returned to USF in 1997 to earn a degree in chemistry, completed in 2004. Dr. Lester attended Ross University School of Medicine and graduated with a doctor of medicine degree in June 2004. In July 2004 he started his internal medicine residency at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa and became board certified in internal medicine in 2007. He completed his training in medical genetics at the University of Miami in 2009. In November 2009 Dr. Lester moved to Maryland and worked for Family Health Centers of Baltimore, a small community health center serving with the National Health Service Corps for three years treating low income, indigent patients in internal medicine. In September 2013 Dr. Lester joined the Tampa General Medical Group to open the Sun City Center location. He is a general internist and sees patients 18 years of age and older.

Dr. Lester treats patients 18 years of age and older.
Dr. Lester is recognized by the NCQA Diabetes Recognition Program.

Esmeralda Young is a nurse practitioner certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She graduated from St. Petersburg College with a degree in nursing and received her master of science degree in nursing from South University.

Prior to joining Tampa General Medical Group, Esmeralda worked in Tampa General's Medical and Surgical Oncology Unit providing acute nursing care to medical, surgical and oncology patients. Most recently, she practiced with the Community Health Centers of Pinellas in St. Petersburg, FL, providing primary care services and working to maintain continuity of care for patients by establishing diagnosis and treatment of common acute and chronic illness with health promotion and disease prevention.

Esmeralda is a member of the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network, Tampa Bay Advanced Practice Nurses Council, West Coast Council of Advanced Nursing Practices and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Esmeralda treats patients 18 years of age and older.

Mallory Lott, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner with more than four years of direct patient care experience. She received her bachelor of science in nursing and doctor of nursing practice from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. Mallory has worked in both inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings at UF Health Shands Hospital and an internal medicine office. Using her clinical experience and personal observations, Mallory is committed to following evidence-based guidelines and takes a holistic approach to her patient care.

Mallory treats patients of all ages.

Edlyn Brown, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, is a nationally board-certified family nurse practitioner with fifteen years of experience providing nursing care. She excels at coordinating multidisciplinary care, developing patient treatment plans, and always works to deliver excellent clinical care with compassion. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Sigma Theta Tau, the national honor society of the nursing profession.

Brown earned her master's of science in nursing from Georgetown University and her bachelor's of science in nursing from Northwestern State University.

Dr. Petrus is board certified in family medicine. He attended medical school at Southeastern University in North Miami Beach, Florida, where he earned his doctorate degree in osteopathy. Dr. Petrus completed his residency at Suncoast Hospital in Largo, Florida. As an undergraduate, he earned his bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Petrus is a member of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians and the American Osteopathic Association.

Dr. Petrus treats patients 18 years of age and older.

Dr. Castro is a board-certified family medicine physician. He attended medical school at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale, AZ and completed his residency at Largo Medical Center in Largo, FL. Dr. Castro's professional research experience includes multiple studies at the University of Michigan Cancer Center in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer. Dr. Castro's special areas of focus include:
- osteopathic manipulation and trigger point injections
- sports medicine and joint infection
- dermatologic procedures

Dr. Castro is a member of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP).

Dr. Castro treats patients of all ages.