Best of Luck on Your New Adventure

Best of Luck, Love Your Family

We’re a family. And just like every family, we go through triumph and tragedy together – sometimes both in the same day. Today is one of those days as we wish someone we love best of luck on their new adventure.

Omar Marquez, LPN, CCRC, one of our Clinical Research Coordinators, is stepping into his new adventure out West. Omar has been with OIC for over 17 years. So he’s no longer a “Clinical Research Coordinator”. In other words, he’s a brother, a mentor, an uncle, a teacher, a son, a brother in law you never had and a best friend. He’s a jokester and made us not take ourselves too seriously. Above all, he brings light and laughter into every situation. In addition, his family has become part of our family and we’ve become part of theirs. So today is bittersweet, it’s the joy of seeing someone you love succeed and grow. But the sorrow comes when the growth is in a new direction.

Omar Treats Everyone Like Family

His work as a Clinical Research Coordinator is exceptional. He’s knowledgeable, friendly and passionate about his work. In addition, he’s naturally disarming helping create a safe environment for everyone – straight, gay, LGBT, young and old. As a result, his patients adore him. Moreover, Omar always takes time to listen without judgement. Explaining in detail the studiesexpectations and answers all their questions. Then helps them solve whatever issue they might be having or link them to services they might need like PrEP, HIV treatment, or community food services. Over the years, Omar has helped thousands of people. He gives his heart just as freely with them as with us. Because of his giving heart, we thought it was appropriate for us to share his good bye.

OIC and the entire community will miss him. So as a family, perhaps this isn’t good bye, it’s just “can’t wait to see you again”.

As we collectively hold back tears, we wish him and his family the best of luck on their new adventure.

Sam Graper,
Community Relations Manager, 
Orlando Immunology Center
Proudly Serving the LGBT for Over 20 Years


STAY CONNECTED! Join the convo on all our social media channels – FacebookInstagramTwitter and Linked In.  #LGBTdoctors #BESTdoctors #OICorlando

More Articles

Dr. DeJesus Recognized by Orlando Magazine

For the 5th consecutive year, Dr. DeJesus has been recognized by his peers in Orlando Magazine for his work as medical director at Orlando Immunology Center. Dr. DeJesus is a graduate from the University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine training and Infectious Disease fellowship at the Medical College of…

Read More

Join OIC at the 2015 AIDS Walk Orlando

Orlando Immunology Center is pleased to announce that we will again be sponsoring a team at this year’s 2015 AIDS Walk Orlando.  If you are interested in joining our team or donating to this worthwhile cause, please let us know. Saturday, March 28, 2015 In Florida, 15% of all new HIV infections reported among females…

Read More

OIC Wins Wave Award for Favorite Local Healthcare Professional

The Orlando Immunology Center (OIC) announced today they have received the Central Florida/Orlando 2015 Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence (WAVE) Award for favorite local healthcare professional. “We see this as a huge honor and will continue to do everything in our power to help patients from all walks of life be healthy, happy and…

Read More
Addressing-Orlandos-LGBT-Healthcare-Disparities-gay-guys-OIC-800x444

Addressing Orlando’s LGBT Healthcare Disparities

Healthcare has improved dramatically over the years. It’s also more accessible now than ever. But not everyone has enjoyed these advancements. Many groups have been left behind. There is a growing healthcare disparities gap between LGBT individuals and their heterosexual counterparts. Addressing Orlando’s LGBT Healthcare Disparities is a complex issue. Finding solutions will not only…

Read More
OIC-Community-Advisory-Board-Group-Photo-600x360-1

Why OIC’s Community Advisory Board Continues to Grow

Why OIC’s Community Advisory Board Continues to Grow Some might wonder why a private medical practice has a Community Advisory Board (CAB) so let’s start the beginning. Many simply know Orlando Immunology Center (OIC) as a great doctor’s office, but, surprise, the entire 3rd floor works to shape the future of healthcare through clinical research. Beginning over 20 years ago, OIC’s Clinical Research…

Read More
edwin-dejesus-charlotte-paige-rolle-oicorlando-research-800x600

Expert Doctors Reveal What You Need to Know About the Worlds Largest HIV Conference

Expert doctors from Orlando Immunology Center (OIC) reveal what you need to know about the world’s largest HIV conference taking place this week. The annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) is March 4-7, 2019. Our experts have been attending for almost 20 years. Additionally, OIC has the only experts from Central Florida presenting clinical research at…

Read More
New-Study-HIV-Reduced-oicorlando-800x533

New Study: HIV Reduced 55%

HIV reduced by 55% in England over a 2 year period a new study shows. Dana Ogaz of Public Health England made the presentation at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2019). The study shows the incidence of new HIV infections dropping 55% during two year period in men who have sex with men…

Read More
national-youth-hiv-aids-awareness-day-2019-oicorlando-facebook-picture-800x419

Stopping the alarming HIV increase in Orlando’s youth – NYHAAD

Data recently compiled revealed an alarming HIV increase in Orlando’s youth. The rising number of HIV cases in youth ages 13-24 is a complex issue. Working together to educate and raise awareness, we can all contribute to ending HIV in Orlando’s youth. (Young and don’t have time for all these words? Still want info and…

Read More
guy-folding-arms-canva-OICorlando-hiv-vaccine

Beginners Guide to HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

Don’t know anything about the work going into finding a HIV vaccine? Then this beginners guide to HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is perfect for you! What is HIV Vaccine Awareness Day? Let’s start with “What is a vaccine”? A vaccine is a prevention measure. Vaccinations protect against us from serious illnesses like the measles, polio,…

Read More
The_Health_of_Millennials_Its_good_Right_oicORLANDO-e1558710685986-800x532

The Health of Millennials: Its good…Right?

Not exactly. A new study reveals troubling insights plus we’ll give quick tips for better health. The Health of Millennials is incredible, Right? For example, you can’t get on social media without seeing a check in at a fitness studio. Or striking a perfect forearm-stand Scorpion Pose. But are these Insta moments giving us an…

Read More
impulse_oicorlando_one_magical_weekend-6-800x534

It’s here! Free HIV testing at One Magical Weekend!

Impulse Group Orlando is creating a unique experience to Nourish, Hydrate, Relax and Renew! No spoilers so let’s just say its a fabulous “Oasis”! It’s here! Free HIV testing at One Magical Weekend! I get it, you don’t think “HIV testing” is exciting. Impulse Group Orlando is leading the effort for 2019! In other words, its not…

Read More
US-Doctors-Focus-on-Preventing-Anti-transgender-Violence-800x434

US Doctors Focus on Preventing Anti-Transgender Violence

There’s been a dramatic increase of anti-transgender violence over the last year. Therefore, The American Medical Association (AMA) is adopting new policies to address the issue. These new polices will focus on preventing anti-transgender violence. In addition, they aim to bring national attention to the growing issue. The AMA is the premier national physician organization in…

Read More
12-Secrets-to-Finding-the-Best-LGBT-Doctor-for-You-Orlando-Immunology-center-gay-doctor-800x537

12 Secrets to Finding the Best LGBT Doctor for You

You deserve the best LGBT doctor Certainly there should be no secrets to finding the best LGBT doctor or ally for you. So no matter where you fall on the LGBT or ally spectrum, you deserve great medical care. Period. However, if you’re a part of this community you already know how hard it is…

Read More