In Memoriam
1943 – 2026
Willa Drummond, MD
We are saddened to share that Dr. Willa Drummond, former faculty member in the UF Department of Pediatrics, passed away on May 2, 2026. Dr. Drummond will be remembered for her dedication to children and families, her commitment to education, and her many contributions to our department and institution.
Awards, Honors, and Recognitions
Renovations Completed
UF Health Children’s Hospital completed a $30 million renovation of two pediatric units, adding private rooms, advanced medical-surgical areas and family-centered amenities.
The upgrades support growing patient demand, enhanced collaboration among care teams, and improved comfort for children, families, and staff at Florida’s premier academic children’s hospital
Brittany Bruggeman, MD
Selected as the recipient of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2026 Audrey Lincourt Schiebler, R.N., F.A.A.P., & Gerold Schiebler, M.D., F.A.A.P. Advocacy Award.
This award is given annually to a physician who has worked beyond the profession, educated local and state legislators, and diligently advocated to improve the health and welfare of Florida’s children.
Debbie-Ann Shirley, MD
Invited to serve on the UF Health Shands Hospital Infection Control Committee, which oversees and enforces stringent health care-associated infection (HAI) prevention protocols.
Diamond Robinson
Diamond has been selected to serve as a member of the Institutional Program Review Committee (IPRC) for the next two years, beginning July 1, 2026.
Diamond is an Administrative Specialist in the Division of Pediatric Nephrology.
Michele Lossius, MD
Appointed as Associate Dean for Faculty Professionalism.
Diane Howell, MD
Received the 2026 Hippocratic Faculty Award.
This award is bestowed annually by each graduating medical school class to an exemplary teacher and mentor who embodies the ideals of the Hippocratic oath.
Michael Haller, MD
Awarded $5,331,741.16 by Breakthrough T1D and SAB Biotherapeutics
“PRISE-hATG: Personalized Response and Immunologic Surveillance of Endogenous C-Peptide Preservation in New, Recent, and Established Onset T1D Treated with Human Anti-Thymocyte Globulin.”
John Ligon, MD
Received a College of Medicine Rising Star Award in Clinical Science, which recognizes exceptional early-career faculty whose activities exemplify clinical or research excellence well beyond expected levels.
Awarded 2026 Hyundai Hope on Wheels Bridge 2K Grant – $165,000
Elias Sayour, MD, PhD
CNN highlighted his “universal” mRNA cancer vaccine work In its April 2026 article, “After a year of turmoil, cancer researchers see promising signs of mRNA Vaccines”.
Unlike personalized vaccines, his approach broadly stimulates the immune system, potentially speeding treatment.
Studies in Nature Biomedical Engineering showed increased tumor sensitivity to immunotherapy, supporting continued UF-led trials and collaboration.
Congratulation to our Retiring Faculty
On May 21st, we celebrated their remarkable careers and toasted their lasting impact, their dedication to patients and families, and their legacies
Pediatric Rheumatology
Melissa Elder, MD
Pediatric Endocrinology
Desmond Schatz, MD
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
William Slayton, MD
Faculty Service Awardees
| Name | Years of Service | Division |
|---|---|---|
| Manuela Corti | 10 | Child Health Research Institute |
| Angelina Bernier | 10 | Endocrinology |
| Alexandra Stern | 10 | General Academic Pediatrics |
| Paul Castillo Caro | 10 | Hematology and Oncology |
| Diomel De La Cruz | 10 | Neonatology |
| James Wynn | 10 | Neonatology |
| Silvia Delgado Villalta | 10 | Pulmonology |
| Dima Ezmigna | 10 | Pulmonology |
| Maria Kelly | 20 | General Academic Pediatrics |
| Sergei Zolotukhin | 30 | Cellular and Molecular Therapy |
| Carolyn Carter | 30 | General Academic Pediatrics |
| Ellen Bowser | 30 | Pulmonology |
Welcome New Faculty & Staff
Vice Chair of Administration
Welcome Fay Yancey!
Fay Yancey has joined the Department of Pediatrics as the Vice Chair of Administration. Fay comes to us from the Department of Medicine, where she served as Associate Director of Clinical Operations and Clinical Governance. She brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise, and we are truly fortunate to have her join our Department. With her expertise, Fay will play an instrumental role in supporting our departmental goals and strengthening the operational structures across our department.
New Department of Pediatrics Faculty – 2026 – 2027
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
Leora Lieberman
General Academic Pediatrics
Chase Chambers
General Academic Pediatrics
Laura Pineda
General Academic Pediatrics
Melissa Siegert Ospina
Pediatric Neurology
Eduardo Geyer Santos
Pediatric Rheumatology
Ivanna Romankevych
Education Update
Welcome to our New PME leader!
Mirela Vasconcelos
We are excited to welcome Mirela to our team as Assistant Director of Medical Education!
Educational Events
Pediatrics Science Day 2026
The 44th Annual Pediatrics Science Day will take place Thursday, June 11, 2026 from 12pm – 4:30pm in room 125 of the Harrell Medical Education Building.
Join us for an engaging Science Day presentation by Sara Kim, MD, as she explores “Beyond bronchiolitis: Respiratory Syncytial Virus in immunocompromised hosts.” This timely talk will take a fresh look at a familiar virus, spark conversation across disciplines, and offer insights relevant to researchers, clinicians, and trainees alike.
12th Annual FCAAP Medical Student Research Forum
We are excited to invite everyone back to Disney for the 12th Annual Pediatric Research Forum for Medical Students! The year’s event will take place September 5, 2026, at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts in Orlando, Florida. The Pediatric Research Forum for Medical Students is an exciting opportunity for students to share their research with peers.
Interested in Speaking at Peds Grand Rounds?
If you are interested in speaking at Grand Rounds, please let Tyre Johnson know. Our next Grand Rounds will be held on September 3, 2026 and will continue to be held on Thursdays from 12pm-1pm
Awards & Recognition
Revanth Sanagapalli
Received an excellence in patient care award!
Nancy Joseph, MD
The third-year residents began their board review course, organized by Dr. Nancy Joseph, on June 2nd.
We would like to thank Dr. Joseph for continuing to structure and lead the course, engaging high-yield presenters, and spending endless hours with each third-year reviewing their individual study plans. This course would not be possible without you!
Advanced Pediatric Essentials Course
We would like to congratulate and thank Dr. Dima Ezmigna and the residents who organized and taught this well-received course. The medical students enjoyed and appreciated their experience, and the residents shone in their teaching and presentation skills.
Outstanding achievement in Medical Student Education 25-26
Faculty and residents listed below have received three or more mentions by students over the last academic year.
Shychuk ,Meryl
Stern, Mori
Gohsman, Zack
Botzis, Emily
Capote, Jessica
Joseph, Nancy
Kirkconnell, Stephanie
Marsicek, Sarah
Schleuter, Derika
Lossius, Michele
Steadmon, Kendall
Jensen, Lauren
Bradley, Morgan
Gay, Carter
Henry, Nicholas
Bahadir, Samur
Fishman, Keren
2026-2027 Chief Residents
Daniel Valladares
Post Graduate Year Four
Madison Colaw
Post Graduate Year Three
Carter Gay
Post Graduate Year Three
Steven Overlaur
Post Graduate Year Three
Keren Fishman
Post Graduate Year Three
