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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 inclusive environment that promotes female healthcare providers’ growth and development.