46 th COMMENCEMENT
MAY 12, 2020
Tampa Bay Street Medicine, Class of 2019
The mythical Greek ‘God of Medicine’ was Aesculapius, whose serpent entwined staff is symbolic of medicine. Hippocrates, regarded by his students as descendent from him, is the figure upon whom history has bestowed the title ‘Father of Medicine.’ He lived in Greece in its Golden Age in the 5th century B.C. and he stressed the bedside study of patients and their symptoms. His description of 42 patients was virtually the only such description in the next 1,700 years. In about 1100 A.D., the Oath, to which his name is attached, became a document to which physicians about to enter practice have voluntarily sworn adherence. While the words seem a little strange, few can deny the applicability of these elements of professional behavior to physicians in the 21st century. Roy H. Behnke, MD Professor and Founding Chair Dept. of Internal Medicine
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS Dear Graduates, The faculty, staff, trustees and USF’s hundreds of thousands of global alumni join me in congratulating you on earning your medical degree. This milestone comes not only at the end of an academic journey, but also during one of the most significant global events of our lifetime: the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak. When your entire university experience changed from in-person to completely online, you found ways to stay connected to one another and shared innovative methods for gaining knowledge. Although celebrated in an unconventional way, this achievement is still an important chapter of your life —a time when you will use the knowledge and experience you gained from USF to change the world and shape the future. With your USF medical degree, you join a community of scholars — a community that spans the entire globe — that is driven to discover, to make an impact, to make life better for others. The investment you have made in your education opens up a future without limits. Today you graduate from the fastest-rising public university in the country. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster among U.S. News & World Report’s national university rankings than the University of South Florida. This achievement is yet another reflection of the commitment and hard work of our faculty, our staff, and all of you — our graduates. You can be confident that your degree from USF will equip you to embrace any opportunity or challenge ahead. We hope that your life journey takes you around the world and that you will always find your way back to USF.
Congratulations, and GO BULLS!
Steven C. Currall
President University of South Florida System
DEAN’S ADDRESS
Dear Graduates: Congratulations on reaching this landmark day in your life as a physician. Earning your Doctor of Medicine degree is an extraordinary achievement, and each of you should feel proud of the hard-work, discipline and commitment that made this day a reality. The events of the past two months have shown us that, now more than ever, the world needs the calm, steady and capable hands of great physicians and other principled health professionals. I cannot think of any graduating class in living memory who were beginning their graduate medical education under such extraordinary circumstances, but I also have no doubt that you will rise to the occasion and provide an anxious, confused and frightened world with the source of hope and encouragement it so desperately needs. We are all very confident that your time at the Morsani College of Medicine has furnished you with all the knowledge, skills, and attitudes you need for a long, and happy career in medicine. In the years to come, the values of grit and lifelong learning that got you this far will push you to perfect your craft and meet every challenge that comes your way. As you go out into the world, always remember the reason you entered medicine in the first place—to make life better by providing every person with high-quality, affordable, patient-centered health care. All of us at the Morsani College of Medicine are proud of you and cannot wait to see all that you will achieve in your long and illustrious careers. Wherever your careers take you, know you will always have a home with us.
Congratulations, and GO BULLS!
Charles J. Lockwood
Senior Vice President, USF Health Dean, Morsani College of Medicine
In 1960, the University of South Florida opened its doors
The Morsani College of Medicine is located on the north-
to its charter class of 2,000 students. Eleven years later, the
west corner of the campus in Tampa and is adjacent to the
College of Medicine did the same for 23 medical students.
College of Nursing, founded in 1973, the College of Public
Since then, the Morsani College of Medicine has awarded nearly 4,400 graduates with doctorates in medicine and USF
Health, founded in 1984, and the College of Pharmacy, founded in 2009.
has expanded its facilities and services to support an annual
Together, these four colleges comprise an academic core
enrollment of more than 50,000 students, including an annual
called USF Health. In addition to an educational impact,
freshman class of 170 medical students.
USF Health provides an economic, research, patient care,
Throughout the College’s history, the objectives have remained constant: education, research, and patient service.
and employment influence on the Tampa Bay area and beyond.
Firstly, the College creates an academic environment in
In the 2018/2019 fiscal year, USF Health attracted more
which medical education, the production of new knowledge
than $366 million in contracts and grants, which represents
and community service may be conducted in a quality manner.
70 percent of all USF research awards. Multiple endowed
Secondly, the Morsani College of Medicine is integrated into
chairs and professorships have been established in various
the mainstream of its community and will participate and lead
areas, including cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s Disease,
in the upgrading and improvement of health care standards.
Parkinson’s Disease, pediatrics, swallowing disorders, psychi-
Thirdly, the College functions within the framework of the total university as an integral and valued part of the university community of scholars and students.
atry, surgery, and oncology. Last year, USF Health clinicians oversaw more than one million patient visits.
HISTORY
Originally the Mace was a weapon. In more recent times,
The beam was then sawed longitudinally into four posts,
it symbolizes authority.
the best of which was reserved for the Mace.
The idea of a suitable ceremonial Mace to be used in
The absolute clarity of the grain and the nature and
the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine commence-
size of its iron and dowel fittings led wood experts in
ment exercises was developed among the members of
Tampa to conclude that the beam originally had been
the Charter Faculty soon after admission of the first
part of the keel or rib of a sailing ship. The density and
class. Prerequisites were the location and acquisition of
extreme hardness of the oak indicated it had been felled
a piece of wood of genuine significance in the history of
in latitudes far north of Florida, which for Spanish ship
medicine in Florida.
building of the 16th Century, would have been in Europe.
Logically, the search began at St. Augustine where the
USF graduate art student Stephen Estes was asked to
Spanish, under Governor Gonzalo Mendez de Canzo,
submit full scale designs, and then was commissioned
built the first hospital in North America in 1598.
in early 1974 to construct the Mace from the oak and
A massive oaken beam was procured, which could be
from hand-wrought bulk silver and gold.
traced from the period 1763-1784 when the English
Both its design and construction were carried out by Mr.
used old Spanish hospital buildings during recurring
Estes on the USF campus.
epidemics of yellow fever.
The form of the Mace is derived from the traditional
The rectangular beam measured five feet, four inches
ritualistic ornamentation of objects, carried through in
in length, nine inches in diameter, and weighed 157
this instance in the silver, gold and wood, hand-wrought
pounds. When examined by two-dimensional X-ray,
and forged.
several thick, square, hand-forged iron nails with the heads rusted off were found imbedded in the wood and were removed.
There is no part of it that does not represent a functional purpose. Its hammered surface reveals the process of fabrication. The nails are exactly what they are: nails or rivets. The ribs’ actual construction is reminiscent of buttresses (structural elements) that provided simple means for attaching four quarters to make a substantial sphere. The traditional staff of Aesculapius, God of Medicine, with its single entwined serpent has for centuries been associated with medicine and wisdom. Together, with the seals of the University and of its College of Medicine, the symbolism specific to this institution is complete.
THE MACE
HIPPOCRATIC OATH I do solemnly swear, in the tradition of Hippocrates, by whatever I hold most sacred, to bring the following oath and written covenant to fulfillment in accordance with my power and my judgment: That I will dedicate myself to the Profession of Medicine. That I will lead my life and practice this Art with uprightness, honor, and compassion. That I will be just and generous towards others in this profession, and will aid them in need. In respect for those who have led me into the Paths of Medicine, I will lead those who follow me. With eagerness, I will learn from my fellow physicians and, with humility, I will share my knowledge with them. That I will dedicate my career to improving the quality of life for those who seek my assistance. I will ensure that my patients are completely informed about their medical care, and will respect their dignity and autonomy, in living and in dying. I will earn their trust and confidence and make certain to hold their best interest in highest regard. I will keep inviolably secret whatsoever I shall see or hear in the lives of my patients which is not fit to be spoken. That I will recognize the limits of my abilities and seek assistance of others when these limits are exceeded. I will be responsible to continuously improve my skills and endeavor to advance my Profession by seeking new knowledge and by reexamining the ideas and practices of the past. That I will promote the health and welfare of my community and actively strive to improve the quality and access to health care for all. In the presence of my teachers, my colleagues, my family, and my friends, I make these promises solemnly, fully, and upon my honor. Should I be true to this oath, may prosperity and good repute be ever mine; the opposite, should I prove myself forsworn.
ACADEMIC REGALIA
Everyone with a college or university degree may wear the black academic gown. Some universities have designated colors other than black for gowns of their graduates. Hoods are lined with the official colors of the institution conferring the degree and edged and bound with velvet of the color appropriate for the degree.
At USF, the lining of the hood is green with a gold chevron, representing the University colors. Among the trimming colors of hoods worn by the medical faculty, dark blue represents philosophy and green represents medicine. The sleeves of the gown indicate the level of the degree held by the wearer. A long, pointed sleeve indicates a bachelor’s degree. The master’s gown has an oblong sleeve cut in an arc with a slit at either the upper arm or wrists. The doctor’s gown has bell-shaped sleeves, and may also have velvet facing and sleeve bars or
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Version Revised 2002
chevrons. The trimming may be black, or it may match the degree color on the hood edging. Tassels on the caps (mortarboards) worn by the faculty may be black or of a color indicating the degree. Those who hold a doctor’s degree may wear a gold tassel.
2020 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
DEAN’S AWARD Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM
INTRODUCTION OF GRADUATES Deborah DeWaay, MD, FACP Kira K. Zwygart, MD, FAAFP (’98)
Senior Vice President, USF Health
FAREWELL FROM THE CLASS Elizabeth Simoneit, MD
Dean, Morsani College of Medicine
Graduate, Class of 2020
Professor, Obstetrics-Gynecology
STUDENT AWARDS
CHARGE TO THE GRADUATES Karim Hanna, MD (‘14)
Kira K. Zwygart, MD, FAAFP (’98)
Associate Professor, Morsani College of Medicine,
Associate Dean, Student Affairs
Family Medicine Associate Professor,
Professor, Family Medicine
Taneja College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice
OATH OF HIPPOCRATES Deborah DeWaay, MD Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education Associate Professor, Internal Medicine
CONFERRING OF THE MD DEGREE Steven Currall ,Ph.D, M.Sc. President, University of South Florida
CLOSING REMARKS Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM
2020
INTRODUCTIONS Amelia Phillips, MPH, CPS
ELECTED SPEAKERS
FACULTY CHARGE
FAREWELL TO CLASS
Karim Hanna, MD (’78) Associate Professor, Morsani College of Medicine, Family Medicine Associate Professor, Taneja College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice
Elizabeth Simoneit, MD Graduate, Class of 2020
G R A D U AT E I N T RO D U C T I O N S
A N N U A L S T U D E N T AW A R D S
During our annual Commencement and Honors Week graduating students are recognized for their academic achievements, contributions to the MCOM community, and furthering the mission of USF Health to Make Life Better. Due to the global pandemic we did not have the opportunity to gather to celebrate this class. The students below were selected by various committees, classmates, faculty, and staff at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN YEAR 1 & 2 Outstanding Achievement in Molecular Medicine Steven DeBiase Outstanding Achievement in Neuroscience Matthew Glicksman Outstanding Achievement in Immunology and Infectious Disease Lawangeen Zeb Outstanding Achievement in Physiology Amy Mickelsen Outstanding Achievement in Pharmacology Zachary Witham The Christopher P. Phelps Award for Excellence in Anatomy Chelsea Schmitt The John U. Balis Award for Excellence in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Leigh Hatch
AWARDS GIVEN BY MCOM ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS Carol M. Petrucelli, MD Memorial Award for the Outstanding Student in Dermatology Leigh Hatch Charles E. Aucremann, M.D. Excellence in Family Medicine Elizabeth Simoneit Outstanding Medical Student Award in Recognition of your Contribution to the Public Sector Medicine Program Elizabeth Simoneit Roy H. Behnke, MD Award for Excellence in Internal Medicine Herman van Besien Laennec Award for Excellence in Clinical Medicine Lisa Veiling-Dykes Florida ACP Student Award Anna Radisic
Outstanding Achievement in Pre-clerkship Clinical Medicine Kyle Sheets
Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Award for Outstanding Performance Kelly McWilliams
Overall Top Award in the Basic Science Jose Jesurajan
Senior Student Excellence in Neurology Alexandra Andes
American Congress of OB/GYN Robert G. Nelson, MD Award, for Outstanding Achievement in OB/GYN as 3rd year Medical Student Lauren Buckley American Congress of OB/GYN James M. Ingram, MD Award, Outstanding Achievement in OB/GYN Indira Ranaweera USF Department of OB/GYN James M. Ingram, MD Award, Outstanding Achievement during 4th year of Medical School Katherine Pressman J. Brown Farrior Award for Excellence in Otolaryngology Matthew Glicksman Department of Pediatrics Outstanding Student Award Ashley Perry FCCAAP Luther W. Holloway Award Madeline Barnes Lewis A. Barness, MD Award Alexandra Towne Outstanding Senior Student in Psychiatry Chemar Davis & Andrea Soto Ordonez
A N N U A L S T U D E N T AW A R D S
Outstanding Student in Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry Rojan Varghese & Katherine Woo
Thomas & Elizabeth Flannery and William & Mary Tibbels Scholarly Award Elliot Pressman
Chairman’s Award for Scholarly Activity in Psychiatry Rebecca Kass
Luther McEachern Memorial Award Sarah Bauch Outstanding Contribution to Student Life Award Nadia Khalil
Department of Surgery Outstanding Student Award Katrina Thomas Philip T. Gompf Award for Excellence in Infectious Disease Attiya Harit INSTITUTIONAL OR FOUNDATION AWARDS Lawrence Kahana, MD Award for Outstanding Physical Diagnosis Skills Chelsea Schmitt Internal Medicine Chairman’s Award Sunny Johl Watson Clinic Foundation Research Award Yumna Ahmad Merck Manual Award for Academic Excellence William Allen, Leigh Hatch, Jordan Karsch & Kyle Sheets AMWA Glasgow-Rubin Certificate of Commendation for Academic Achievement Noura Ayoubi, Carla Hasson, Leigh Hatch, Amanda Holstein, Kelly McWilliams, Amy Mickelsen, Katherine Pressman, & Chelsea Schmitt
Donn L. Smith, MD Award for top student in the Core Class Lawangeen Zeb Morsani College of Medicine Dean’s Award for top student in the SELECT Class Zachary Whitham Doctor’s Doctor Award Elizabeth Simoneit Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Student Award Elizabeth Simoneit Steven Specter Award for Outstanding Contributions in Scholarly Achievement and the Advancement of Medicine Dhiraj Sikaria Silbiger Research Award Nicole Le
LVHN SELECT STUDENT AWARDS Headley White Award for Student Excellence in Family Medicine Andrew Shenoi Schaeffer Award for Clinical Excellence in Surgery Zachary Whitham LVHN SELECT Student Ambassador Award Madeline Barnes Outstanding SELECT Student Award Sabreen Aulakh The Lawrence P. Levitt Medical Student Award in Neurology Alanna Balbi Yehia Y. Mishriki Award for Clinical Excellence in Internal Medicine Attiya Harit Frances Schaeffer Award for Student Excellence in Obstetrics and Gynecology Kristal Ha John Van Brakle Award for Student Excellence in Pediatrics Sabreen Aulakh Student Excellence in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Award Michael Yoon Michael Weinstock Award for Excellence in Emergency Medicine Tennessee Park
MORSANI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE CLASS OF 2020 Abdullah Abou-Samra
Sabreen Aulakh
Alexander Beard
Brandon Regional Hospital Brandon, FL
University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA
George Washington University Washington DC
Transitional
Ophthalmology
Pediatrics
Psychiatry
Noura Ayoubi
Gabriela Bou
Alisha Agrawal
Brandon Regional Hospital Brandon, FL
Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Lebanon, NH
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA
Psychiatry
Transitional
Dermatology
Transitional Neurology
Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA
Yumna Ahmad
Sarah Azari
Dominic Bracero
Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals Milwaukee, WI
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Washington, DC
Wright-Patterson Medical Center Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Ohio
Internal Medicine
Urology
Internal Medicine
Katherine Akeley
Desiree Babin
Douglas Bryant
Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC
Eastern Virginia Medical School Norfolk, VA
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, TN
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Pediatrics
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Olivia Akker
Jongin Julia Baek
Robert Bubar
Brandon Regional Hospital Brandon, FL
Florida State University College of Medicine Tallahassee, FL
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Pittsburgh, PA
Transitional
Radiology-Diagnostic
Surgery-General
Pathology-Anatomic and Clinical
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Alanna Balbi
Lauren Buckley
William Allen
NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center New York, NY
Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland, OH
University of Louisville School of Medicine Louisville, KY
Charmi Balsara
Anh Bui
Alexandra Andes
Aventura Hospital Aventura, FL
Orlando Health Orlando, FL
University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Madison, WI
Madeline Barnes
Hernando Castillo
Emily Ankus
University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis, MN
Kendall Regional Medical Center Miami, FL
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
Sarah Bauch
Navdeep Chahal
Hema Arikala
NYU Winthrop Hospital Mineola, NY
Lehigh Valley Hospital Allentown, PA
Surgery General
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Pediatrics
Internal Medicine
Virginia Commonwealth University’s Health Systems Richmond, VA
Neurology
Psyciatry
Internal Medicine-Pediatrics
Pediatrics
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Internal Medicine
Emergency Medicine
Transitional
Anesthesiology
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA MORSANI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
Sharon Chaing
Chemar Davis
Cyrus Farazmand
Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Lehigh Valley Hospital Allentown, PA
Psychiatry
Psychiatry
Brent Cham
Steven DeBiase
University of Texas Medical School Houston, TX
University of Miami/Jackson Health System Miami, FL
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine
Allison Cheng
Mark Derasmo
Nova Southeastern University Davie, FL
Kessler Medical Center Keesler Air Force Base, MS
Psychiatry
Internal Medicine
Joyce Chung
Kathryn Dere
University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA
Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland, OH
Anesthesiology
Internal Medicine
Ian Ciesielski
Thomas Dougherty
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point Hudson, FL
Memorial Healthcare System Pembroke Pines, FL
Transitional
Surgery-General
Kathryn Cline
Catherine Doyle
Memorial Healthcare System Pembroke Pines, Fl
Geisinger Health System Daville, PA
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Orthopedic Surgery
Transitional
Radiology-Diagnostic
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
Caroline Fryar Surgery-General
University of Kentucky Medical Center Lexington, KY
Anthony Gak Surgery-General
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point Hudson, FL
Samuel Gidanian Internal Medicine
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Matthew Gliksman Otolaryngology
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Emily Golan
Emergency Medicine
J. Harrison
Kyler Dykes
Kaweah Delta Health Care District Visalia, CA
Kettering Health Network Beavercreek, OH
Vincent Costers
Lisa Dykes
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Wright-Patterson Medical Center Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH
Lauren Daneman
India Eaford
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Howard University Hospital Washington, DC
Eugene Dao
Kerry Ellenberg
Lehigh Valley Hospital Allentown, PA
Western Pennsylvania Hospital Pittsburgh, PA
Transitional Orange Park Medical Center Orange Park, FL Yale New Haven Hospital New Haven, CT
Seyed Falasiri
Kristal Ha
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Psychiatry
Emergency Medicine
Psychiatry
Transitional
Radiology-Diagnostic
West Virginia University School of Medicine Morgantown, WV
Family Medicine
Internal Medicine
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Urology
University Hospitals Jackson, MS
Gabrielle Gostigian Emergency Medicine
University of Alabama Medical Center Birmingham, AL
Kaitlyn Grayson Family Medicine
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Lawrence Guan Radiology-Diagnostic
Obstetrics and Gynecology
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA MORSANI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
Matthew Hamilton
Michelle Hong
Jordan Karsch
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital St. Petersburg, FL
Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CA
Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC
Pediatrics
Surgery-General
Surgery General
Kevin Hansen
Eric Hopkins
Rebecca Kass
Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals Green Bay, WI
University of Florida College of Medicine - Shand’s Hospital Gainesville, FL
Largo Medical Center Largo, FL
Psychiatry
Attiya Harit Internal Medicine
George Washington University Washington DC
Rahman Hashimie Internal Medicine Oak Hill Hospital Brooksville, FL
Carla Hasson Psychiatry
Butler Hospital-Brown University Providence, RI
Leigh Hatch
Medicine-Preliminary
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Jordana Herr Transitional
Naval Medical Center San Diego San Diego, CA
Hunter Hewitt Neurology
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, TN
Michael Hirschi Anesthesiology Lahey Clinic Burlington, MA
Dean Holliday
Pathology-Anatomic and Clinical Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, TN
Amanda Holstein Transitional
Blake Medical Center Bradenton, FL
Medicine-Preliminary Radiology-Diagnostic
Psychiatry
University of Florida College of Medicine - Shands Hospital Gainesville, FL
Roger Kayaleh
Areg Hovsepyan
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
UHS Southern California Medical Education Consortium Temecula, CA
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Pittsburgh, PA
Internal Medicine
Surgery-Preliminary
Radiology-Interventional
Sarah Iqbal
Sarah Keville
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Springfield, IL
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, TN
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Medicine
Masi Javeed
Nadia Khalil
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point Hudson, FL
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Internal Medicine
Neurology
Matthew Jeong
Sabrina Khalil
Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland, OH
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Internal Medicine
Jose Jesurajan Orthopedic Surgery Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CA
Sunny Johl
Internal Medicine
Medicine-Preliminary Ophthalmology
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Azeem Khan
Pathology-Anatomic and Clinical Orlando Health Orlando, FL
UC Davis Medical Center Sacramento, CA
Mahnoor Khan
Andrea Johnson
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis, MN
Ryan Johnson
Emergency Medicine Oak Hill Hospital Brooksville, FL
Surgery-General
Esther Kim
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine at Holy Cross Hospital Fort Lauderdale, FL
Ryan Kim
Research - Orthopedic Surgery Boston University Boston, MA
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA MORSANI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
Jacob Kinskey
Marc Lozano
Elnara Muradova
Methodist Hospital Houston, TX
Citrus Memorial Inverness, FL
Brandon Regional Hospital Brandon, FL
Pathology-Anatomic and Clinical
Internal Medicine
Aditi Kothari
Thu Anne Mai
University of Connecticut School of Medicine Farmington, CT
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine
Hailey Krzyston
Kamal Makati
University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago, IL
Oak Hill Hospital Brooksville, FL
Surgery-Preliminary
Radiology-Interventional
University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL
Amra Kuc Plastic Surgery
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Matthew Lazzara Pediatrics
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Timothy Lee Internal Medicine
Blake Medical Center Bradenton, FL
Nicole Le Plastic Surgery
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Alex Leonard Urology
University of Texas - HSC Houston Houston, TX
Shawna Le
Internal Medicine
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA
Jonathan Littell Emergency Medicine
University of Central Florida College of Medicine GME Consortium Kissimmee, FL
Internal Medicine
Bradley Maller Internal Medicine
Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Richmond, VA
Jonathan Marks Internal Medicine
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Kelly McWilliams Emergency Medicine
Denver Health Medical Center Denver, CO
Amy Mickelsen Surgery-General
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas, TX
Michael Milligan Surgery General Mt. Sinai Center Miami, FL
Matthew Monte Transitional
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point Hudson, FL
Abdullah Muftah Internal Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX
James Muller Internal Medicine
Brooke Army Medical Center San Antonio, TX
Transitional
Dermatology
University of Connecticut School of Medicine Farmington, CT
Jasmine Murchison Psychiatry
Gateway Behavioral Health Community Service Savannah, GA
Suraj Nagaraj Internal Medicine
University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago, IL
Elliot Neal
Neurological Surgery
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Max Needham Family Medicine
Memorial Health University Medical Center Savannah, GA
Nana Yaa Nimo Psychiatry
University of Maryland Medical Center Baltimore, MD
Jarrod Olafson Surgery-General
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Amelia Ordonez Internal Medicine
Florida State University College of Medicine Tallahassee, FL
Rodney Owen Emergency Medicine Aventura Hospital Aventura, FL
Kapland Owens Vascular Surgery
Louisiana State University School of Medicine New Orleans, LA
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA MORSANI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
Sri Harsha Palakurty
Elliot Pressman
University of Central Florida College of Medicine GME Consortium Gainesville, FL Tennessee Park
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Emergency Medicine Emergency Medicine University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA
Alexander Perez
Pathology-Anatomic and Clinical Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, TN
Ashley Perry
Internal Medicine-Pediatrics
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Katherine Pressman Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Kevin Phan Family Medicine
Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center San Jose, CA
Victoria Phoumthipphavong
Neurological Surgery
Cory Quinlan Internal Medicine
Blake Medical Center Bradenton, FL
Anna Radisic Internal Medicine
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Daniel Ramon Family Medicine
West Kendall Baptist Hospital Miami, FL
Indira Ranaweera
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Boston, MA
Jackson Randolph Otolaryngology
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Washington, DC
Medicine-Preliminary
Talha Rashid
Neurology
Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh, PA
Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Richmond, VA Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Richmond, VA
Zachary Poliacoff Psychiatry
Largo Medical Center Largo, FL
David Polito
Internal Medicine
Benjamin Reinhold Internal Medicine Oak Hill Hospital Brooksville, FL
Michael Reintgen Medicine-Preliminary
Medicine-Preliminary
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Radiology-Diagnostic
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Orlando Health Orlando, FL
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Chicago, IL
Robert Postlethwaite Internal Medicine
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas, TX
Radiology-Diagnostic
Gabriel Rivera-Delgado Psychiatry
University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA
Sophia Rizvi Surgery-General
Icahn School of Medicine Mt. Sinai New York, NY
Alan Roberts Internal Medicine
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Madeline Rollins Family Medicine
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Chelsea Schmitt Medicine-Preliminary
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Radiology-Diagnostic Barnes-Jewish Hospital St. Louis, MO
Benjamin Seifer Internal Medicine
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Lebanon, NH
Andrew Sephien Internal Medicine Citrus Memorial Inverness, FL
Khalid Shakfeh Surgery-General
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Kyle Sheets
Medicine-Preliminary
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Radiology-Diagnostic
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Andrew Shenoi Family Medicine
Lehigh Valley Hospital Allentown, PA
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA MORSANI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
Dhiraj Sikaria
William Ueng
Jianhua Wu
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine at Holy Cross Hospital Fort Lauderdale, FL
University of California Irvine Medical Center Orange, CA
University at Buffalo School of Medicine Buffalo, NY
Transitional
Radiology-Interventional
Medicine-Preliminary Neurology
Internal Medicine
University of California San Diego Medical Center San Diego, CA
Michael Yoon
Elizabeth Simoneit
Amanda Vakos
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Lebanon, NH
Ventura County Medical Center Ventura, CA
Western Pennsylvania Hospital Pittsburgh, PA
Nabeel Zafrullah
Charles Soares
Herman van Besien
Oak Hill Hospital Brooksville, FL
Coliseum Medical Center Macon, GA
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Boston, MA
Family Medicine
Emergency Medicine
Andrea Del Mar Soto OrdoĂąez Psychiatry
Massachusetts General Hospital Boston, MA
Nisha Sunku Internal Medicine
Olive View UCLA Medical Center Sylmar, CA
Masuma Syed Internal Medicine
Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CA
Katryna Thomas Surgery-General
San Antonio Military Med Center Fort Sam Houston, TX
Alexandra Towne Pediatrics
Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA
Lillian Tung Internal Medicine
Rush University Medical Center Chicago, IL
Adam Turner Internal Medicine
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Winston-Salem, NC
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Internal Medicine
Rojan Varghese Psychiatry
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Saksham Varshney Family Medicine
St. Petersburg General Hospital St. Petersburg, FL
Ali Wells
Research - Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Zachary Whitham Surgery-General
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas, TX
Anna Williams Emergency Medicine
University Hospital Cleveland Medical Center Cleveland, OH
Katherine Woo Psychiatry
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Michael Wright Surgery-General
University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis, TN
Psychiatry
Transitional
Ophthalmology
Nicholas Zamith Surgery-General
Brandon Regional Hospital Brandon, FL
Lawangeen Zeb Surgery-General
University of Florida College of Medicine - Shands Hospital Gainesville, FL
2 0 2 0 G R A D U AT E S O F T H E S E L E C T M D P RO G R A M
The Scholarly Excellence, Leadership Endeavors, Collaborative Training
lean approach to driving efficiency in health care, the Lehigh Valley Health
(SELECT) MD program focuses on many areas of leadership skills develop-
Network in Allentown, PA. Students admitted to SELECT spend their first
ment to prepare future physicians with the knowledge, resources, and network
two years taking classes at MCOM in Tampa, and then transition to the
to change the health care landscape for the better. One of the most distinc-
Lehigh Valley site for two years of their clinical education. MCOM gradu-
tive features of the SELECT program is the opportunity for medical students
ated its first class of SELECT students in 2015. By completing all require-
to shape their educational experiences at both a student-centered medical
ments of the SELECT program, graduates are eligible to earn a USF
school, the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) in Tampa, FL,
Graduate Certificate in Scholarly Excellence, Leadership Experiences,
and at one of the country’s health networks known for its quality, safety, and
and Collaborative Training.
Alisha Agrawal
Anthony Gak
Tennessee Park
Hema Arihala
Kaitlyn Grayson
Alexander Perez
Sabreen Aulakh
Kristal Ha
Victoria Phoumthipphavong
Sarah Azari
Matthew Hamilton
Robert Postlethwaite
Jongin Baek
Attiya Hari
Talha Rashid
Alanna Balbi
Hunter Hewitt
Sophia Rizvi
Madeline Barnes
Michelle Hong
Benjamin Seifer
Sarah Bauch
Sarah Iqbal
Andrew Shenoi
Douglas Bryant
Matthew Jeong
Charles Soares
Hernanado Castillo
Andrea Johnson
Masuma Syed
Navdeep Chahal
Ryan Johnson
Lillian Tung
Sharon Chaing
Esther Kim
Adam Turner
Eugene Dao
Aditi Kothari
William Ueng
Kathryn Dere
Thu Ann Mai
Zachary Whitham
Catherine Doyle
Michael Milligan
Michael Wright
Cyrus farazmand
James Muller
Michael Yoon
Caroline Fryar
Max Needham
SELECT Class of 2020
ALPHA OMEGA ALPHA HONOR MEDICAL SOCIETY GAMMA CHAPTER
In 1902, William Webster Root led five other
States and Lebanon. The Gamma Florida
100 years, has been to recognize and enhance
medical students at the College of Physi-
Chapter at the University of South Florida
professionalism, academic excellence, service,
cians and Surgeons in Chicago, Illinois, to
Morsani College of Medicine was established
and leadership within the profession.
charter Alpha Omega Alpha with its mission “to
in 1976.
A lifelong honor, election to and membership
encourage high ideals of thought and action in
Alpha Omega Alpha, commonly referred to as
in the Society confers recognition of a physi-
schools of medicine and to promote that which
AΩA, can be thought of as the “Phi Beta Kappa
cian’s outstanding dedication to the profession
is the highest in professional practice.” Today,
for medical schools.” As the first national honor
and art of healing. The AΩA motto is “Be Worthy
there are 132 active chapters in the United
medical society, its mission, developed for over
to Serve the Suffering.”
William Allen*
Cyrus S. Farazmand
Robert Postlethwaite*
Alexandra Andes
Matthew Gliksman*
Elliot Pressman
Sarah Azari
Carla Hasson*
Chelsea Schmitt
Madeline Barnes
Leigh Ann Hatch*
Kyle Sheets*
Robert Bubar
Jordan S. Karsch*
Andrea Soto Ordonez
Navdeep Kaur “Navi” Chahal
Kelly McWilliams*
Lillian Tung
Joyce Chung
Amy Mickelsen
Herman van Besien
Vincent Costers
Elliot George Neal
Zachary Whitham*
Steven DeBiase*
Katherine Pressman*
Lawangeen Zeb*
Catherine Doyle*
David Polito
*Inducted as Juniors (Spring 2019)
Junior Inductees, Class of 2020
BARNESS-BEHNKE CHAPTER OF THE
GOLD HUMANISM HONOR SOCIETY
The Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS), an
ship. Election of exemplars to the GHHS makes
were convened to explore and research the
Arnold P. Gold Foundation initiative, honors senior
a significant statement to medical school faculty,
viability of an honor society to promote humanistic
medical students, residents, role-model physician
students, and the public that an institution places
values and behaviors and transform the culture of
teachers, and other exemplars recognized for
high value on the interpersonal skills and attitudes
medicine. At the end of the exploration, in 2002,
“demonstrated excellence in clinical care, leader-
essential for excellent patient care.
pilot chapters were begun at Columbia University
ship, compassion, and dedication to service.”
Inspiration for the GHHS began in the late
College of Physicians and Surgeons, University
Organized to elevate the values of humanism and
1990’s, when medical educators and residency
of Iowa College of Medicine, and University of
professionalism within the field of medicine and its
program directors expressed the need for a
Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert
constituent institutions, the Society has become
mechanism to identify applicants for residencies
Wood Johnson Medical School. Currently, 162
integrated into the educational environment.
who have outstanding clinical and interpersonal
schools of medicine have GHHS chapters. The
skills.
Barness-Behnke Chapter of the GHHS at the
The GHHS is a steadfast advocate for
Thanks to a series of grants from the
humanism through activities on campus and has
Robert
continuing involvement with its inclusive member-
medical educators, and experts in assessment
Wood
Johnson
Foundation,
deans,
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine was founded in 2004.
Sabreen Aulakh
Leigh Hatch
Anna Radisic
Madeline Barnes
Sarah Keville
Alan Roberts
Alexander Beard
Nadia Khalil
Madeline Rollins
Lauren Buckley
Sabrina Khalil
Chelsea Schmitt
Hernando Castillo
Ryan Kim
Elizabeth Simoneit
Kathryn Cline
Esther Kim
Amanda Vakos
J. Harrison Collins
Aditi Kothari
Ali Wells
Catherine Doyle
Katherine Murphy
Anna Williams
Kristal Ha
Max Needham
Carla Hasson
Sri Harsha Palakurty
RO B E RT A. G O O D H O N O R S O C I E T Y
The Robert A. Good Honor Society (RGHS)
Good’s name because as a physician scien-
the practice of medicine. RGHS membership is
was established in 2017 to recognize and
tist and practicing clinician, he embodied the
open to MSIII (Jr.) and MSIV (Sr.) students at
honor medical students, faculty, residents and
very values that USF Health Morsani Collge of
MCOM who have demonstrated excellence in
alumni who have demonstrated exemplary
Medicine (MCOM) strives to emulate. RGHS
scholarly endeavors. Potential inductees must
commitment
outcomes
looks to establish a community of scholars for
be in good academic and professional standing
through research, innovation and scholarly
the exchange of ideas and opportunities and to
reflecting the highest ideals of the profession
endeavors. RGHS was established in Dr.
foster a spirit of lifelong scholarly approach to
of medicine.
to
improve
health
Abdullah Abou-Samra *
Rebecca Kass
Sri Harsha Palakurty
Noura Ayoubi
Nadia Khalil *
Ashley Perry *
Alana Balbi *
Sabrina Khalil
Elliot Pressman *
Lauren Buckley *
Amra Kuc *
Andrew Sephien *
Catherine Doyle
Nicole Le*
Dhiraj Sikaria
Shayan Falasiri *
Anne Mai *
Amanda Vakos
Attiya Harit *
Bradley Maller*
Herman van Besien *
Leigh Hatch *
Elnara Muradova *
Ali Wells
Andrea Johnson
Elliot Neal *
Lawangeen Zeb *
*Inducted as Juniors (Spring 2019)
S C H O L A R LY C O N C E N T R AT I O N S P RO G R A M
The Scholarly Concentrations Program (SCP) is an academic elective
and encourages relationships between students and faculty. Each of the
program for students to focus on areas of interests beyond the medical
11 concentrations include elements of course work, practical application,
school core curriculum that enhances the overall training for medical
scholarly presentations and projects allowing for a 4-year scholarly experi-
students. It allows the student to diversify, specialize and individualize a
ence. The Scholarly Concentrations Program was founded at the USF
program to realize their interests. The Scholarly Concentrations Program
Health Morsani College of Medicine in 2007 and students are recognized at
facilitates self-directed learning, enhances interactions between students
commencement through the wearing of the SCP Honor Cord.
BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
HEALTH DISPARITIES
William Allen Emily Ankus Kathryn Cline Steven DeBiase Lawrence Guan Dean Holliday Masi Javeed Roger Kayaleh Elliot Pressman Katherine Pressman Michael Reintgen Alan Roberts Kyle Sheets Dhiraj Sikaria Lawangeen Zeb
Desire Babin James Harrison Collins Chemar Davis Sarah Keville Jasmine Murchison Nana Yaa Nimo Elizabeth Simoneit Andrea Soto OrdoĂąez Katryna Thomas
HEALTH SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
INNOVATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BUSINESS IN MEDICINE
Nadia Khalil Azeem Khan Hailey Krzyston Shawna Le Jonathan Nilson Herman van Besien Anna Williams
Seyed Ahmad Falasiri Emily Golan Gabrielle Gostigian Areg Hovsepyan Amra Kuc Timothy Lee Alex Leonard
S C H O L A R LY C O N C E N T R AT I O N S P RO G R A M
INTERNATIONAL MEDICINE
LAW & MEDICINE
MEDICINE & GENDER
PUBLIC HEALTH
Abdullah Abou-Samra Katherine Akeley Olivia Akker Alexander Beard Gabriela Bou Brent Cham Ian Ciesielski Vincent Costers Attiya Harit Rahman Hashimie Kelly McWilliams Amelia Ordonez Rodney Owen Indira Ranaweera Jackson Randolph Gabriel Rivera-Delgado Khalid Shakfeh Nisha Sunku Amanda Vakos Nabeel Zafrullah Nicholas Zamith
India Eaford Jordana Herr Jarrod Olafson Daniel Ramon Saksham Varshney
Lauren Buckley Amy Mickelsen Chelsea Schmitt Ali Wells
MEDICAL EDUCATION
Allison Cheng Lauren Daneman
Yumna Ahmad Alexandra Andes Joyce Chung Kerry Ellenberg Matthew Gliksman Carla Hasson Jose Jesurajan Sunny Johl Sabrina Khalil Mahnoor Khan Nicole Le Jonathan Littell Marc Lozano Elnara Muradova Suraj Nagaraj Kapland Owens Sri Harsha Palakurty Ashley Perry Kevin Phan Anna Radisic Madeline Rollins Alexandra Towne
MEDICAL HUMANITIES
Leigh Ann Hatch Amanda Holstein Eric Hopkins Jordan Karsch Matthew Lazzara Bradley Maller Cory Quinlan Andrew Sephien
NUTRITION RESEARCH & HEALTH
Charmi Balsara Dominic Bracero Mark Derasmo Samuel Gidanian Jonathan Marks
MORSANI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
ALUMNI SOCIETY
The mission of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM)
• A ssisting in advocacy and philanthropic endeavors of the Morsani College of Medicine;
Alumni Society is to support MCOM alumni and students in their roles as
• P roviding counsel on matters related to the Morsani College of Medicine’s advancement as requested by College leaders; and
advocates, advisors, benefactors and educational partners. The Society’s fundamental objectives include: • E ngaging and maintaining relationships with alumni of the Morsani College of Medicine;
• P romoting and supporting the mission of the USF System Alumni Association.
• P romoting fellowship and professional relationships among Society members;
We congratulate the graduates of the Class of 2019. As new MCOM alumni,
• A dvocating on behalf of alumni, medical students and physicians enrolled in graduate medical education programs at the Morsani College of Medicine;
Society. You have a new journey ahead of you that will change your life and
CHAIR Sion “Bill” Carter, MD ’87 CHAIR-ELECT Jane Messina, MD ’88 SECRETARY/TREASURER Aman Bhullar, MD ’07 IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR VALERIE RIDDLE, MD ’89
we welcome you to the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Alumni the lives of your patients. We proudly celebrate your achievement and wish you much success.
DIRECTORS David Cooper, MD ’96
EX-OFFICIO Diane Duffy, MD ’89
Eva Austin Crooke, MD ’08
Carolyn Nicolosi
Roger Greene, MD ’87
Gregory Nicolosi, PhD
Evita Henderson-Jackson, MD ’10
Steven Specter, PhD
Corey Howard, MD ’90
Cyndi Yag-Howard, MD ’93
Dolores Lowe, MD ’93 Rahul Mehra, MD’92 C. Christopher Pittman, MD ’88 Douglas Rodriguez, MD ’92 Elizabeth Sagatys, MD ’03 Deborah Trehy, MD ’78
STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT Amy Mickelsen, Class of 2020