Today, Dr. Michael Puente is a leading neurologist at Culicchia Neurological Clinic.  He serves as Medical Director of the West Jefferson Medical Center Stroke Unit, a highly acclaimed stroke treatment facility. But the story of how he came to the United States as an infant is remarkable.

It was 1961 and Dr. Puente was just two years old and made it on the last “freedom flight” leaving Cuba. His parents were already in the United States and he was traveling alone. When the plane landed in Miami, young Michael Puente was carried off the plane, into the arms of his mother.

Dr. Puente says diet plays a big role in the health issues we face today. “We think the high incidence of stroke has to do with our lifestyles,” Puente says. “That involves unhealthy foods, creamy sauces, fried foods, fatty foods, and the high rate of cigarette smoking, as well. We do our best to try to make people aware of the risk factors.” Dr. Puente says Culicchia Neurological Clinic has an active interest in vascular disease and is involved in various clinical studies for treatment of stroke.

“One very important aspect of this clinic that differentiates us from other neurological groups in this area is that we have a multi-specialty neurological approach, meaning we have neurologists, neurosurgeons and interventional neuroradiologists all on staff so we can handle all aspects of cerebral vascular disease.”