Skip to main content Skip to main menu
UF Health University of Florida
Department of Pediatrics College of Medicine
Make a donation

Department Highlights | Summer 2024

Published On
Social Media

In Memoriam

Awards & Honors

Best Pediatrics Clerkship

2024 Golden Apple Award in Clinical Sciences

The Golden Apple Award in Clinical Science is an annual award given by the graduating medical student class to the most outstanding clinical clerkship. This award recognizes superior teaching in a clinical science course and a genuine concern in the development of the young physician.

Michele Lossius, MD

Appointed to a Two-Year Term as Associate Chief of Medical Staff UF Health Shands Hospital.

Michele Lossius

Nancy Joseph, MD & Molly Posa, MD

Rising Star Clinical Faculty Awards 2024.

Nancy Joseph, MD and Molly Posa, MD

Marie Berg, MD

2024 Clinical Excellence Award.

Marie Berg, MD

Charlene Pringle, CPNP-AC/PC, FCCM

Elected to represent North America on the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive & Critical Care Societies Board of Directors.

Charlene Pringle

Jennifer Miller, MD

Featured in an NPR – All Things Considered story that aired in April 2024.

“Persistent shortage of growth hormone Norditropin frustrates patients and clinicians.”

Jennifer Miller

Ruchita Kachru, MD & Blair Cote, MD PGY2

Selected to attend APA’s Collaborative Care Model Residency Education Conference, Washington DC in June 2024.

Ruchita Kachru, MD and Blair Cote, MD

Nithya Raya, MD PGY2

Selected to serve as Co-Chair for 2024-2025 UF GME Housestaff Executive Council Committee.

Nithya Raya

Advanced Pediatric Essentials Course

Outstanding course for MS4 students created by medical education track residents:

Leaders
Emily Botzis, MD and Sallie Lin, MD

Rising Leaders
Paul Asheim, MD and Rebekah King, MD

Emily Botzis, MD; Sallie Lin, MD; Paul Asheim, MD; and Rebekah King, MD

John Coppola, MD

Won awards for both posters presented at the 2024 American Society of Transplantation in Philadelphia.

Best Pediatric Poster Award
Recognized as Best in Show

John Anthony Coppola

Sarah Merritt, Practice Manager at Tioga

Sarah received the Customer Service Excellence Award. She was recognized for her dedication in ensuring our patient’s care was covered by their insurance plan.

Sarah Merritt

Quality Customer Service

Four of our Primary care sites have been highlighted for excellent work and customer service.
#1 – Tioga
#8 – Ocala
#9 Tower Square
#10 Magnolia Parke

New Division Chiefs & Faculty Members

Division Chiefs

Cell/Molecular Therapy

Shannon Boye, PhD

Shannon Boye

Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Debbie-Ann Shirley, MD MPH

Debbie-Ann Shirley, MD, MPH

Interim Chief | Pediatric Critical Care

Lara Nicolas, MD

Lara Nicolas, MD

Genetics and Metabolism

Klaas Weirenga, MD

Klaas Weirenga, MD

Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Conrad Cole, MD, MPH, MSc

Conrad Cole, MD MPH MSc

Neonatology

Mohamed Ahmed, MD, PhD

Mohamed Ahmed, MD, PhD

Faculty Members

  • Karoline Jameson, DO – General Academic Pediatrics
  • Elyse Schrandt – Pensacola – GME Hospital Medicine
  • Romeo Castillo-Melendez – General Academic Pediatrics
  • Valerie Numssen – General Academic Pediatrics
  • Stephanie Prudencio – Pensacola- Hospital Medicine
  • Carolyn Zin – Pensacola- Hospital Medicine
  • Nahla Zaghloul – Neonatology
  • Sang Hoon “Nick” Park – Pensacola Hematology- Oncology
  • Varvara Probst – Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Matthew Minnette – General Academic Pediatrics
  • Christina New – Pensacola Hematology Oncology
  • Ashley Bedner – Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
  • Jacquelyn Crews – General Academic Pediatrics
  • Irene Gamra – Gastroenterology & Hepatology
  • Reem Wassef – General Academic Pediatrics
  • Jade Walter – General Academic Pediatrics

Education

Recognitions

UF PEDIATRICS HOUSESTAFF GRADUATION

Congratulations Class of 2024!

Join us in celebrating the graduating class of 2024 on Friday, June 14th from 6pm to 8pm at the Holloway Touchdown Terrace.

Pediatric Residency Class of 2024

Nancy Joseph, MD

Developed, organized, and conducted a Pediatrics Board Review Course that was extremely well received!

Nancy Joseph, MD

Thank you to our 23-24 Co-Chief Residents!

Matthew Henery, MD and Mahmoud Jaara, MD.

Matthew Henery, MD and Mahmoud Jaara, MD

New Chief Residents

4th Year Chief

Paola Brana, MD

Academic Year 24-25

3rd Year | Curriculum and Wellness CHIEFS

Blaire Cote, MD; Nithya Raya, MD; and Derika Schlueter

July 2024 – December 2024

3rd Year | Adminstration and Recruitment Chiefs

Jessica Pham, MD and Samantha Rodriguez, MD

Academic Year 24-25

3rd Year | Adminstration and Orientation Chiefs

Paul Asheim, MD and Tristian Dorn, MD

January 2025 – June 2025

New Administrative Staff Positions

Michelle Calano
Department: MD-PEDS-MEDICAL EDUCATION

Michelle Calano

Supervisor Of Pediatric Medical Education Programs
Phone: (352) 273-8234
Melissa S Watson
Department: MD-PHARMACOLOGY / THERAPEUTICS

Melissa S Watson

Academic Program Spec II
Phone: (352) 294-5358
Ashley L Tibbs
Department: MD-PEDS-MEDICAL EDUCATION

Ashley L Tibbs

Fellowship Coordinator
Phone: (352) 273-9011
Marisol C Alvarez Builla
Department: MD-PEDS-MEDICAL EDUCATION

Marisol C Alvarez Builla

Pediatric Residency Program Coordinator
Phone: (352) 273-8594

Research

Welcome new Grant Office Research Administrator

Shannon L Daniels
Department: MD-PEDS-ADMINISTRATION

Shannon L Daniels

Research Administrator II
Phone: (352) 273-9981

Research Portfolio by Division

UF Pediatrics Department Research Portfolio by Division

Total Research Portfolio

UF Pediatrics Department Total Research Portfolio