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Inspiring Innovation shares the latest research advancements, educational milestones and clinical achievements at UF Health Shands Hospital and the UF College of Medicine.
Department Grand Rounds
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Gator Specialty Series | Alumni Speaker Series
Gator Specialty Series
Created in conjunction with the Office of Student Affairs, the Gator Specialty Series is a platform where UF College of Medicine graduates can provide insight into their chosen specialty. This series explores specialties in different clinical settings across urban and rural communities, as well as academic medicine and private practices. During these sessions, students will hear from alumni who have completed training and work in their chosen specialty.
Apr. 2024
Pediatrics
During our final series for this semester, which focused on pediatrics, alumni Shelley W. Collins, M.D., Kavitha Taschner, M.D. ’98, and Jennifer S. Thielhelm, M.D. ’90, shared their training experiences, accomplishments, challenges, and insights.
Jan. 2024
OB/GYN
Alumni specializing in OB/GYN, Dr. Shireen Madani Sims ’01, Dr. Daniel R. Christie, M.D., HS ’05, Dr. Kendra Sylvester-Armstrong, M.D. ’14, and Dr. Marielle S. Gross, M.D. ’14, graciously shared their training experiences, accomplishments, and the challenges they encountered.
Nov. 2023
Anesthesiology
During the session, we had the honor of listening to distinguished alumni who are experts in the field of Anesthesiology. Dr. Tammy Y. Euliano, Dr. Gregory M. Janelle, Dr. Brooke I. Tsao, Dr. Leshawn Richards, and Dr. Paul M. Campbell generously shared their invaluable training experiences, remarkable achievements, the obstacles they’ve surmounted, and their profound insights. Dr. Chris Giordano skillfully moderated the discussion.
Oct. 2023
Orthopaedic Surgery
During the session, we had the privilege of hearing from distinguished alumni specializing in Orthopedic Surgery. Daniel Murphy, MD, Class of ’93, Michael Moser, MD, Class of ’97, Veronica Diaz, MD, Class of ’04, David Chan, MD, Class of ’06, Justin Deen, MD, Class of ’11, and Joseph Monir, MD, Class of ’18, graciously shared their valuable training experiences, remarkable accomplishments, the challenges they’ve overcome, and their invaluable insights.
Oct. 2023
Orthopaedic Surgery
Dr. Lindsay E. Flynn, MD ’14, and Dr. Constantine Toumbis, HS ’04, have prepared pre-recorded messages sharing their experiences as orthopedic surgeons.
Feb. 2023
Cardiology
Alumni specializing in Cardiology: Dr. David L. Boone, M.D. ’16, Dr. Carl A. Dragstedt, HS ’12, Dr. Suzanne Feigofsky, M.D. ’97, HS ’04, Dr. Matthew S. McKillop, M.D. ’03, HS ’06, Dr. Ki Eun Park, M.D. ’06, HS ’13, Dr. John W. Petersen, M.D. ’04, HS ’10, Dr. Brian C. Taschner, M.D. ’98, shared their training experiences, accomplishments, challenges, and insights.
Jan. 2023
Dermatology
Alumni specializing in Dermatology: Philip G. Barton, M.D. ’92, Kathryn B. Holloway, M.D. ’92, Gina M. Sevigny, M.D. ’94, Amy E. DeVore, M.D., ’03 and Samantha H. Fisher, M.D. ‘18., shared their training experiences, accomplishments, challenges, and insights.
Nov. 2022
Emergency Medicine
Hear from alumni who have the great work ethics necessary to succeed in a fast-paced specialization like Emergency Medicine: Andreea S. Nemes, M.D. ’09, Andrew F. Miller M.D. ’10, Christopher E. Bucciarelli, M.D. ’09, Charles W. Hwang Jr., M.D., ’13, and Beulah D. Castor M.D., ‘18.
Oct. 2022
Family Medicine
Hear from real-life doctors and four energetic alumni as they discuss maintaining balance in the career, army, home, and beyond and how the family medicine specialty affords opportunities, flexibility, variety, and a lot of passion for caring for patients. Alumni specializing in Family Medicine: Patricia Calhoun, M.D. ’89, Holly L. Baab, M.D. ’00, Stacy Lundstedt, M.D. ’13, and Cordell R. Hachinsky, M.D. ’18.
sep. 2022
Internal Medicine
The Gator Specialty Series is back! Alumni specializing in Internal Medicine: Joe L. Lezama Jr., M.D. ’97, Paul D. O’Rourke, M.D. ’11, Mary Solis, M.D. ’18, and Sean M. Taasan, M.D. ’19, shared their training experiences, accomplishments, challenges, and insights.
apr. 2022
General Surgery
During our final series for this semester, which focused on General Surgery, alumni Holly L. Neville, M.D. ’96, Stefanie D. Kolpak, M.D. ’96, Jason A. Shofnos, M.D. ’01, Ana M. Velez-Rosborough, M.D. ’12, Nicholas S. Laconi, M.D. ’17, Anna Beth West, M.D. ’18 and Justin C. Dourado, M.D. ’19, shared their training experiences, accomplishments, challenges, and insights.
Mar. 2022
OB/GYN
Alumni specializing in OB/GYN, Nyima S. Ali, M.D. ’09, Kendra Sylvester-Armstrong, M.D. ’14, Amelia M. Schaub, M.D. ’16, and Jason A. Schneider, M.D. ’17, shared their training experiences and accomplishments challenges.
Feb. 2022
Pediatrics
Alumni specializing in pediatrics, Sonja Rasmussen, M.D. ’90; Janelle Hayes Barfield, M.D., FAAP, ’06; and Michael Ortiz, M.D. ’10, shared their training experiences and accomplishments challenges.
Jan. 2022
Psychiatry
Hear from real-life psychiatrists: Jennifer L. Goetz, M.D. ’13, Maria L. Llorente, M.D. ’86, Mariam Rahmani, M.D. ’09, HS ’14, Michelle R. Scargle, M.D., HS ’06, and Sarah Y. Vinson, M.D. ’07 on their profession and answer students’ questions and concerns.
Alumni Speaker Series
The Alumni Speaker Series is a platform where UF College of Medicine graduates can provide insight into their medical school and residency experiences, discuss various career paths, and share tips on topics such as work-life balance and budgeting with UF medical students.
NOV. 2024
“What I Wish I Knew in Medical School”
Our young alumni joined for the second time this year to share Insights on Residency. Julia Fortier, MD ’24, Ryan Joseph, MD ’21, Mindy Le, MD ’24, Marlee Mallat, MD ’24, Michelle McCraw, MD ’22, Hassan Perera, MD ’24, Jacob Surges, MD ’24, and Erin Tammi, MD ’24 generously offered their invaluable experiences, guiding on navigating medical school and life beyond. Now, in residency programs, they shared practical advice tips for succeeding in medical school and answered questions from students with gracious enthusiasm.
Jan. 2024
“What I Wish I Knew in Medical School”
Discovering the Insights of Residency: Rachel K. Baker, M.D. ’23, Ryan Joseph, M.D. ’21, Mollie K. Lagrew, M.D. ’21, Michelle C. McCraw, M.D. ’22, and Sean Taasan, M.D. ’19, generously shared their valuable experiences and provided guidance on navigating medical school both during and after. Currently in residencies across various programs nationwide, they offered insights into medical school tips and graciously answered students’ questions.
Oct. 2022
“What I Wish I Knew in Medical School”
Gator graduates: Joanne C. Albert, M.D. ’20, Amber J. Cooke, M.D. ’19, Emily S. Edwards, M.D. ’21, Justin Dourado, M.D. ’19, Talles Sidronio, M.D. ’19, and Sean Taasan, M.D. ’19, who are completing residencies in various programs across the country shared their medical school tips and answered students’ questions.
March 2022
Alternative Career Paths in Medicine
Tune in to hear from two experts on the thriving topic of non-traditional career path opportunities in Medicine with Sarah Fuchs, M.D. ’11 MSCI, and Lauren B. Reoma, M.D. ’11.
Feb. 2022
Mending Fragmentation, Improving Health
Tune in for a nonlinear journey of an alumna Ashwini Zenooz, M.D. ’99, towards a steadfast goal – improving the health system. Dr. Zenooz is a double Gator, and in her current role as the CEO of Commure, the developer platform of healthcare applications, she shares her nontraditional career path in Medicine.
Sep. 2020
“What I Wish I Knew in Medical School”
On Sept. 29, 2020, via Zoom, Gator graduates who are completing residencies in various programs across the country shared their medical school tips and answered students’ questions on how to navigate medical school during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oct. 2020
Finding your fit
On Oct. 26 via Zoom, Suzy Feigofsky, M.D. ’97, an alumna of the College of Medicine and triple Gator, shared her medical school experience and career path within her field of cardiology. She also discussed burnout and Imposter Syndrome.
March 2021
Women in Medicine
On March 9th, we held the panel discussion that celebrates Women in Medicine with our alumnae: Stephanie I. Byerly, M.D. ’92, H.S. ’97, Holly L. Neville, M.D. ’96, Ki Eun Park, M.D. ’06, H.S. ’14, and Stephanie C. Yarnell, Ph.D. ’11, M.D. ’13. They shared their experience about the unique challenges female physicians confront over their careers to foster an environment that promotes female healthcare providers’ growth and development.
May 2021
My Training Journey: Making the Most Out of Medical School Challenges
Do you want to know what emotional intelligence is and how you can use it in your relationships with classmates, patients, and colleagues? Tune in to get answers and other essential pieces of advice from Gary Gomez, M.D. ’02, MBA ’17, who was in your shoes not so long ago. He shared his journey and how he overcame medical school challenges.
Sep. 2019
“What I Wish I Knew in Medical School”
Do you want to know how to choose your specialty? Please tune in to get answers, and other essential pieces of advice from our Gator Graduates who are completing residencies in various programs across the country shared their medical school tips.