Doctors help get Carondelet facility going

When Carondelet Medical Group opened its new office at Rancho Marketplace in mid-November three physicians moved from the Green Valley Carondelet office and are now treating patients in the long-awaited new space in Sahuarita.

Wilfred Miller

Board certified in family medicine, when Dr. Wilfred Miller moved from Louisiana to Southern Arizona he was enticed by the opportunities to join Carondelet and treat patients of all ages.

“I was glad to leave the hurricanes behind,” he said.

Miller is a graduate of Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth, and completed his residency at Earl K. Long Hospital in Baton Rouge, La.

He believes it’s important to teach children good health habits when they’re young. He enjoys sports, travel and reading — his favorite genres are “a good mystery and some science fiction.”

What would Miller like patients to know about him? “I’m easy to talk to and easy-going. I’m concerned about the patient and their family.”

Maria Sifontes

A woman who smiles easily, Dr. Maria Sifontes is a native of Puerto Rico, and a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine.

She completed her internship at the Health Science Center in Galveston, Texas, and her pediatric residency at University Children’s Hospital in San Juan.

She loves living in nearby Vail and said, “I love being busy. I love people, the community and this place.”

Sifontes’ medical interests include treating children with disabilities, childhood cancer, childhood obesity and behavioral problems.

Outside the medical office she enjoys hiking and biking with her husband and professional medical partner, Edgardo Laguillo.

“Our mountains and deserts are beautiful,” she said.

Sifontes also enjoys painting portraits of children. She doesn’t paint from photographs or models, but from her imagination.

What would she like patients to know about her? “I’m a believer in vaccines but am very respectful of those who don’t. I’ll give you the facts and you decide what to do.”

Edgardo Laguillo

Also from Puerto Rico, Dr. Laguillo completed his medical residency at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine.

A man of varied interests, his biographical information indicates he loved genetics class as much as Latin American literature.

Laguillo believes that a successful patient-doctor relationship should be a partnership based on trust and a willingness to work together in a respectful and friendly environment.

At home, Laguillo said he’s constantly looking to do new things.

“We have lots of space... I built a fire pit. It’s a comfortable sitting and relaxing area where we’ll talk and roast marshmallows.”

He also does all the yard work and tree trimming.

Board certified in family practice, Laguillo said he enjoys the “full breadth of family practice medicine and the single-specialty geriatric experience... especially patients who are 65 and older.”

Drs. Miller, Sifontes and Laguillo accept most health insurance plans and are accepting new patients. The Carondelet Medical Group is at 15920 S. Rancho Sahuarita Blvd., Suite 120; 520-777-2277.

Contact Green Valley freelance reporter Ellen Sussman at ellen2414@cox.net.