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Education &
Training 

Education

Mercer University School of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine
- 2025

Morehouse School of Medicine
Doctor of Philosophy: Biological Sciences
- 2022

Emmanuel College
Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, major: Biology
- 2014

Training
- Clinical Site Lead
- Atrium Health Navicent COVID-19 
Vaccination Administration
2021 - 2022


Shadowed Family Physician
Dr. Paul Raber Family Practice
2013 - 2013

Work Experiences
Clinical Director and Co-owner
Pacifica Counseling
2023 - Present

Professional
Affiliations

Member
NRHA

Member
ASTMH

Member
Phi DE

Awards &
Honors

Covid award recipient
Graduate School 
2025

Fogarty Summer Research Fellow
Graduate School
2019

NIH Summer internship award
Graduate School
2017

Full Ride Scholarship
Undergraduate
2014

Who’s Who Among Colleges in American
Undergraduate
2014

Dean’s List (all semesters)
Undergraduate

Tri-beta member
Undergraduate

Publications

Juan Carlos Cespedes. Avoiding dedicated prep blues. Mercer U Newsletter
June 2022

Harbuzariu A, Nti A, Harp KO, Cespedes JC, Driss A, Stiles JK. Neuregulin-1/ErbB4 signaling modulates Plasmodium falciparum HRP2-induced damage to brain cortical organoids. iScience
May 2022

Nti AM, Botchway F, Salifu H, Cespedes JC, Harbuzariu A, Onyekaba J, Chambliss C, Liu M, Adjei A, Jolly P, Stiles JK. Effects of Iron Supplements on Heme Scavengers in Pregnancy. Am J Trop Med Hyg.
September 2021

Chambliss C, Richardson T, Onyekaba J, Cespedes J, Nti A, Harp KO, Buchanan-Perry I, Stiles JK, Gee BE. Elevated neuregulin-1β levels correlate with plasma biomarkers of cerebral injury and high stroke risk in children with sickle cell anemia. Endocr Metab Sci
June 2021

Annette M. Nti, Felix Botchway, Hassana Salifu, Juan Carlos Cespedes, Adriana Harbuzariu, John Onyekaba, Nelly Yatich, Mingli Liu, Andrew Adjei, Pauline Jolly, Jonathan K. Stiles. Alteration of heme and heme scavengers in Ghanaian pregnant women by iron supplementation. Am J Trop Med Hyg
September 2021

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Get to
Know Me

Dr. Cespedes serves as Clinical Director for Pacifica Counseling & Psychiatry, where he collaborates closely with the administrative and leadership teams on practice development, strategic growth initiatives, and overall management. His role includes supporting best-practice clinical standards, contributing to interdisciplinary decision-making, and helping guide the long-term vision of the organization.

Dr. Juan Carlos Cespedes is an MD-PhD physician with extensive training in developmental science, child and adolescent health, and biomedical research. He completed his doctoral in philosophy at Morehouse School of Medicine and earned his doctorate in medicine through Mercer University School of Medicine. His research and clinical experience include participation in programs supported by the National Institutes of Health and Harvard University. He has contributed to research in behavioral health, neuroscience, and minority health disparities. This scientific foundation informs his relational, developmentally attuned approach to pediatric care.

Dr. Cespedes is currently completing residency training in pediatrics. Dr. Cespedes is known for his steady leadership, curiosity, and deep commitment to service with excellence.

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