General Surgery Residents

PGY 1

Headshot of Rodrigo Alterio, M.D.

Rodrigo Alterio, M.D.

Medical School: Universidad Central de Venezuela Escuela de Medicina Luis Razetti

Additional Degrees/Training: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2026-2027

Fellowship: Undecided

Headshot of Spencer Berman, D.O.

Spencer Berman, D.O.

Medical School: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2026-2027

Fellowship: Undecided

Headshot of Caitlin Marquis, M.D.

Caitlin Marquis, M.D.

Medical School: Florida State University College of Medicine - Ft. Pierce Campus

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2026-2027

Fellowship: Undecided

Headshot of Emmanuel McNeely, M.D.

Emmanuel McNeely, M.D.

Medical School: Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: MHA, Florida Atlantic University College of Business Boca Raton, FL; MS Biomed Sci, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine Boca Raton, FL

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2026-2027

Fellowship: Undecided

Headshot of Joseph Policarpio, M.D.

Joseph Policarpio, M.D.

Medical School: Carle Illinois College of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2026-2027

Fellowship: Undecided

Headshot of Ronny Samra, M.D.

Ronny Samra, M.D.

Medical School: University of Florida College of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2026-2027

Fellowship: Undecided

Headshot of Jennifer Stein, M.D.

Jennifer Stein, M.D.

Medical School: University of Florida College of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2026-2027

Fellowship: Undecided

Headshot of Mehmet Alagoz, M.D.

Mehmet Alagoz, M.D.

Medical School: Hacettepe University Medicine Faculty, Ankara, Turkey

Additional Degrees/Training: UT Health, Houston, TX

Value-Added Year: N/A

Fellowship: N/A

Headshot of Miraziz Ismoilov, M.D.

Miraziz Ismoilov, M.D.

Medical School: Tashkent Medical Academy, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Additional Degrees/Training: Tashkent Medical Academy, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Value-Added Year: N/A

Fellowship: N/A

Headshot of Laila Khoury, M.D.

Laila Khoury, M.D.

Medical School: Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: N/A

Fellowship: N/A

Headshot of Jesse McClure, M.D.

Jesse McClure, M.D.

Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: N/A

Fellowship: N/A

Headshot of Natalie Miller, D.O.

Natalie Miller, D.O.

Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA

Value-Added Year: N/A

Fellowship: N/A

Headshot of Jonah Stein, M.D.

Jonah Stein, M.D.

Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: N/A

Fellowship: N/A

PGY II

Headshot of Fauzi Feris Jassir, M.D.

Fauzi Feris Jassir, M.D.

Medical School: Xaverian Pontifical University, Bogotá, Colombia

Additional Degrees/Training: Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami, FL

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2025-2026

Fellowship: Undecided

Headshot of Michelle Freeman, M.D.

Michelle Freeman, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2025-2026

Fellowship: Undecided

Why FAU

I came to FAU for my surgical training because of the diversity in cases and the opportunity for growth as a surgeon and a scholar. I liked that it was more than general surgery cases with exposure to urology, breast, anesthesiology and vascular surgery. There is also a strong emphasis on research here which I love. What really stood out to me was the family culture between the residents and the support from the attendings. I may be from MN, but FL and FAU feel like home.

Headshot of Matthew Gatewood, D.O.

Matthew Gatewood, D.O.

Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn Campus

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2025-2026

Fellowship: Undecided

Headshot of Ruben Prado, M.D.

Ruben Prado, M.D.

Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: M.B.A., Indiana University Kelley School of Business

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2025-2026

Fellowship: Undecided

Headshot of Omer Sadeh, M.D.

Omer Sadeh, M.D.

Medical School: Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion Israel Institute of Technology

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2025-2026

Fellowship: Undecided

Headshot of Stephanie Yakoubovitch, M.D.

Stephanie Yakoubovitch, M.D.

Medical School: State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2025-2026

Fellowship: Undecided

Headshot of Athina Yoham, M.D.

Athina Yoham, M.D.

Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2025-2026

Fellowship: Undecided

PGY III

Headshot of Sana Aksas, M.D.

Sana Aksas, M.D.

Medical School: Université Elhadj Lakhdar Batna Faculté de Médecine, Batna, Algeria

Additional Degrees/Training: Cardiac Surgery, Algiers, Alergeria; Larkin Community Hospital, Miami, Florida

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2024-2025

Fellowship: Undecided

Headshot of Laura Christopher, M.D.

Laura Christopher, M.D.

Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2024-25

Fellowship: Undecided

Why FAU

There were many reasons why I chose FAU for my surgery residency. My interview experience was second to none; it was evident that my interviewers took the time to read my personal statement and curriculum vitae to truly get to know me as an applicant, and the residents were so welcoming and down to earth. I know that I will become an excellent surgeon after graduating from FAU. Also, I get to work where people vacation, what a dream!

Headshot of Maria Herrera Rodriguez, D.O.

Maria Herrera Rodriguez, D.O.

Medical School: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2024-25

Fellowship: Undecided

Why FAU

I chose FAU for my surgical training because I wanted to have both a strong operative experience and the opportunity to pursue research. FAU was perfect for that given all the resources it provides. Additionally, the camaraderie between the residents and faculty allows for a healthy environment that promotes wellness.

Sample of Scholarship

Herrera Rodriguez MG, Mehra D, Saroop S, Srivastav A. Abdominal Supracervical Hysterectomy With Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy as the Surgical Approach for a 22-Week Uterus With Incidental Endometrial Polyp Focal Atypia. Cureus. 2020 Sep 9;12(9):e10344. doi: 10.7759/cureus.10344. PMID: 33062468; PMCID: PMC7549873.

Headshot of Marjorie Kragel, M.D.

Marjorie Kragel, M.D.

Medical School: Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2024-25

Fellowship: Undecided

Why FAU

As a medical student at FAU, I was able to get a glimpse of the resident camaraderie, expansive operative experience, and outstanding faculty in the FAU General Surgery program. I am excited to spend the next several years learning everything I can from my colleagues and faculty, being engaged in research, and training to become an excellent surgeon.

Sample of Scholarship

El Haddi SJ,Kragel M, Klapper A. Creation of skin grafts from traumatic avulsed skin. BMJ Case Rep. 2021 Jul 15;14(7):e239545. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-239545. PMID: 34266814; PMCID: PMC8286758.

Headshot of Sara Lee, M.D.

Sara Lee, M.D.

Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: M Eng, in Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2024-2025

Fellowship: Undecided

Headshot of John Nguyen, D.O.

John Nguyen, D.O.

Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn Campus

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2024-25

Fellowship: Undecided

Why FAU

I chose FAU because the people I interviewed with were down to earth and very honest about the program. Another reason I chose FAU was because of the strong fellowship match into competitive programs. Overall, I knew this is a place I would get great training and support for my future fellowship plans.

Headshot of Prashansha Vaidya, M.D.

Prashansha Vaidya, M.D.

Medical School: Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society Medical College and General Hospital, Gotri, Vadodara, Gujarat, India

Additional Degrees/Training: Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY; Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Value-Added Year: Planned for 2024-2025

Fellowship: Undecided

PGY IV

Headshot of Kendra Batey, M.S., M.D.

Kendra Batey, M.S., M.D.

Medical School: MS, Med Sci., Indiana University School of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Surgical Critical Care, Navicent Health

Fellowship: N/A

Why FAU

I chose FAU because of the awesome potential I felt the program possessed as a newer program. The residents seemed genuinely happy and I appreciated the exposure to surgical specialties besides just General Surgery, such as Neurosurgery, Urology, and Anesthesia.

Headshot of Catherine Donat, M.D.

Catherine Donat, M.D.

Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch

Additional Degrees/Training: General Surgery, Orlando Health. Orlando, Florida

Value-Added Year: N/A

Fellowship: Transplant Surgery

Why FAU

There is early operative exposure, research opportunities, and impressive senior matches to their specialty of choice. This program has achieved so much in so little time. I am most appreciative of how warm and welcoming all the other residents/attendings have been so far. Residency shouldn't be harder than it needs to be, and everyone has been so helpful to make the transition into residency easier. I have seen how competent seniors are in their knowledge and surgical abilities. I also have done multiple skin-to-skin exploratory laparotomies in trauma with an attending by my side giving me a chance to prove myself and teaching me if I messed up. I also have had attendings do progress notes/orders to relieve us residents from our work load because we work as a TEAM and they do not think of us as less than them. These are only a few examples of how this program is teaching me and giving me the appropriate independence to become the best surgeon I can be.

Sample of Scholarship

Dakin Solution: "One of the Most Important and Far-Reaching Contributions to the Armamentarium of the Surgeons" J. Georgiadis (1), V. Nascimento (1), C. Donat (1), I. Okereke (2), M. Shoja (2)

Headshot of Anelia Kassi, M.D.

Anelia Kassi, M.D.

Medical School: University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Breast Cancer Immunotherapy Research, Arizona State University

Fellowship: Breast Surgery

Why FAU

To me FAU was a great option to continue my training because it offered early operative experiences, which is often not the case with academic programs. I have been living in South Florida for several years and of all the places I have lived, it feels like home away from home so I wanted to stay here. Finally, when I interviewed the residents seemed to have good interpersonal relationships within one another and happy. Residency is tough and being around happy people is a plus!

Sample of Scholarship

Kassi, A. A.Y., Clavijo, A., Caliz, D., Lee, S.W., Mahavadi, A., Aminul, I.A., Yokobori, S., Hu, Z., Spurlock, M.S., Wasserman, J.M., Rivera, K.N., Nodal, S., Powell, H.R., Di, L., Leung, L.Y., Rubiano, A.M., Bullock, R.M., & Gajavelli, S.. Frontiers in Neurology. Neuroprotection after acute TBI with neural stem cell transplantation. 2018, May

Diaz, R. J., Chen, S., Kassi, A., Komotar, R. J., and Ivan, M. E.. (2016). Chapter 13: Awake craniotomy for glioblastoma. In S. Brem and K. G., Abdullah (Ed.), Glioblastoma (pp. 176-188). Philadelphia: Elsevier.

Headshot of Sasha Thiel, M.D.

Sasha Thiel, M.D.

Medical School: Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: N/A

Fellowship: MIS/Bariatric Surgery

Why FAU

I choose FAU because the residents were easy to get along with and most were actively engaged in scholarship.

Sample of Scholarship

Edgar S. Fernandez MD, Angel Sanchez MD, Sasha Thiel MS3, Michael DeDonno PhD, Allison Ferris MD, "Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): An Insight into HIV within the LGBTQ Community. In revision to AIDS Care.

Edgar S. Fernandez MD, Angel Sanchez MD, Sasha Thiel MS3, Marisha Philogene MS3, Michael DeDonno PhD, Allison Ferris MD, #InCtrl: the Impact of Sexual Education Programs on Today's Youth. In revision to the Journal of AIDS and Behavior.

Jeremy D. Kauffman, Cristen N. Litz, Sasha A. Thiel, Anh Thy H. Nguyen, Aaron Carey, Paul D. Danielson, Nicole M. Chandler, To scan or not to scan: overutilization of computed tomography for minor head injury.

Headshot of Lauren Thompson, D.O.

Lauren Thompson, D.O.

Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Trauma/Critical Care Research, University of Miami

Fellowship: Trauma/Critical Care

Why FAU

I chose FAU's General Surgery program because I desired a program that valued both scholarly activity and early exposure to the operating room, ensuring I become a competent general surgeon in the future.

PGY V

Headshot of Michael Dedwylder, M.D.

Michael Dedwylder, M.D.

Medical School: University of Mississippi School of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: B.F.A, Mississippi State University

Value-Added Year: N/A

Fellowship: Trauma/Critical Care, Univ of Tennessee 

Why FAU

I chose FAU for the the fellowship I felt among the residents and the opportunities provided by the program to develop me professionally and academically.

Sample of Scholarship

Clark, Paul & Smith, Andrew & Dedwylder, Michael & Wise, Jeremy & Duke, Sean & Washington, Chad. Intrathecal Nicardipine for Treatment of Cerebral Vasospasm after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. Congress of Neurological Surgeons. 2018, Jul

Weaver, Tony & Horriat, Narges & Dedwylder, Michael & Hutchison, Richard. Hazards of the Harvest: Occult Intestinal Perforation and Cross Contamination in Fat Grafting. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2018, May

Headshot of Max Jackson, M.D.

Max Jackson, M.D.

Medical School: Albany Medical College

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: N/A

Fellowship: Trauma/Critical Care, UT Southwestern

Why FAU

I was looking for a program that coupled high case volumes in an academic environment with excellent research opportunities. Importantly, I was also looking for a program that was composed of people who were like a family. A group of individuals who want each other to succeed and better themselves. A program that is constantly trying to improve itself. I found all of this in the General Surgery program at FAU.

Sample of Scholarship

Anderson, C., & Weber, R., & Patel, D., & Lowrance, W., & Mellis, A., & Cookson, M., & Lang, M., & Barocas, D., & Chang, S., & Newberger, E., & Montgomery, J.S., & Weizer, A.Z., & Lee, C.T., & Kava, B.R., & Jackson, M., & Meraney, A., & Sjoberg, D., et al. A 10-Item Checklist Improves Reporting of Critical Procedural Elements During Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor. Journal of Urology. 2016, Oct; 196(4): 1014-1020. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 27044571.

Crawley, D., & Haddock, P., & Jackson, M., & Kamradt, J., & Kesler, S. Penoscrotal Lymphedema Associated with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma. Canadian Journal of Urology. 2015, Aug; 22(4): 7932-7934. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 26267035.

Cusano, A., & Haddock, P., & Jackson, M., & Staff, I., & Wagner, J., & Meraney, A. A Comparison of Preliminary Oncologic Outcome and Postoperative Complications Between Patients Undergoing Either Open or Robotic Radical Cystectomy. International Brazilian Journal of Urology. 2016, Jul; 42(4): 663-670. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 27564275.

Headshot of Daud Lodin, M.D., M.P.H.

Daud Lodin, M.D., M.P.H.

Medical School: San Juan Batista School of Medicine, Puerto Rico

Additional Degrees/Training: MPH, Emory University

Value-Added Year: Burn Surgery Fellowship, Weill Cornell Medicine

Fellowship: Trauma/Critical Care, NYU Langone

Why FAU

During my interviews, I had the opportunity to see many general surgery programs across the country. FAU was the best fit. I felt at home from the beginning and believed that they would nurture my personal and academic goals. Most importantly, I felt that this program would offer me the autonomy I needed to become an excellent surgeon.

Sample of Scholarship

Hermes W, Alvarez J, Lee M, Chesdachai S, Lodin D, Horst R, Tangpricha V, A. A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Comparative Effectiveness Clinical Trial Comparing a Powder Vehicle Compound of Vitamin D With an Oil Vehicle Compound in Adults With Cystic Fibrosis. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 2016, Feb; 2016(0148607116629673): 1-7.

Hermes W, Alvarez, Lee M, Lodin D, Tangpricha V. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3 Response to a Large Bolus Dose of Cholecalciferol in Adult Patients with CF. The Official Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 2015, Apr; 29(1 Supplement): 758.5.

Kearns M, Binongo J, Watson D, Alvarez J, Lodin D, Ziegler T, Tangpricha V. The effect of a single, large bolus of vitamin D in healthy adults over the winter and following year: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2014, Aug; 69(2): 193-197.

Lodin D, Guerra O, Zarei S. The Impact of Surgical Treatment and Radiation Therapy on The Survival Rate of Patients with Primary Cardiac Neoplasms – An Analysis of Cases from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, andEnd-Results Registry. The Official Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 2016, Apr; 30(1 Supplement): 1178.14.

Lodin D, Mavrothalassitis O, Haberer K, Sunderju S, Quek R, Peyvandi S, Moon- Grady A, Karamlou T.. Revisiting the Predictive Utility of Technical Performance Scores: A Single Center Analysis of Surgical Factors Associated with Complications, Cost, and Length of Stay Following Tetralogy of Fallot Repair. The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 2017, Apr; 154(2): 585-595.

Mavrothalassitis O, Lodin D, Subramanyan R, Reemsten B, DiBardino D, Moon-Grady A, Tabutt S, Peyvandi S, Sunderji S, Karamlou T.. Leveraging the First Statewide Congenital Cardiac Consortium to Reduce Variation in Modifiable Preoperative Management Among Neonates Undergoing Arterial Switch Operation. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 2016, Mar; 9(Suppl 2): A216.

Mavrothalassitis O, Lodin D, Swami N, Moon-Grady A, Tabutt S, Sunderji S, Peyvandi S, Karamlou T.. Towards standardization: Analysis of specific modifiable perioperative process measures among neonates undergoing arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum–A mini-pilot for the CCCC. Progress in Pediatric Cardiology. 2016, Sep; 42(X): 71-72.

Zarei, S, Carr K, Reiley L, Diaz K, Guerra O, Fernandez P, Pagani W, Lodin D, Orozco G, Chinea A. A comprehensive review of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Surgical Neurology International. 2015, Aug; 6(171): 9-31. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 26629397.

Mavrothalassitis O, Lodin D, Quek R, Subramanyan R, Reemsten B, DiBardino D, Setty S, Moon-Grady A, Karamlou T.. Perioperative Management Variation Among Neonates Undergoing Arterial Switch Operation: A California Congenital Cardiac Consortium Pilot Study.. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. 2017, Apr; Pub Status: Submitted.

Lodin D, Karamlou T, Moon-Grady A. (2016). Role of Multicenter Registries to Assess Outcomes of Fetal Interventions. In Gianfranco Butera, John Cheatham, Carlos AC Pedra, Dietmar Schranz, Gerald Tulzer (Ed.), Fetal and Hybrid Procedures in Congenital Heart Diseases (pp. 11-21). Cham: Springer International Publishing.

Hermes W, Lodin D, Rao A.. (2017). Nutritional Knowledge Assessment Score is Not Associated with Gastrointestinal Risk in Adults with Cystic Fibrosis. Poster presented at: North American Cystic Fibrosis 2017 Conference; Indianapolis, IN.

Lodin D, Guerra O, Zarei S.. (2016). The Impact of Surgical and Radiological Treatment on The Survival Rate of Patients with Primary Cardiac Neoplasms – An Analysis of Cases from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results Registry Poster presented at: Experimental Biology National Conference; San Diego, CA.

Lodin D, Hamm M, Munesi Y, Serrano R, Sanchez T.. (2014). Football and Better Health - An Evaluation of Deportes Para La Vida, an HIV Education, Prevention and Leadership Program For at-risk Youth in the Dominican Republic. Poster presented at: Third Global Symposium on Health Systems Research; Cape Town, ZAF.

Serrano R, Lodin D. (2014). The Association between Political Voting Behavior and Smoke-Free County Ordinances Poster presented at: Academy Health 2014 Annual Research Meeting; San Diego, CA.

Serrano R, Philyaw M, Lodin D.. (2015). What Individual and Contextual Factors are Associated with Rapid HIV Test Utilization in the U.S.? Poster presented at: International AIDS Society 2015 Conference; Vancouver, BC CAN.

Serrano R, Philyaw M, Lodin D.. (2014). Who Uses Rapid HIV Tests? Characteristics from a Nationally Representative Sample. Poster presented at: Academy of Health 2014 Annual Research Meeting; San Diego, CA. Lodin D, Mavrothalassitis O, Swami N, Karamlou T.. (2016). Another Look at the Appropriateness of Technical Performance Scores: A Single Center Exploratory Analysis of Surgical Factors Associated with Complications, Reoperation, and Length of Stay Following Tetralogy of Fallot Repair Oral Presentation presented at: American Association of Thoracic Surgeons National Conference; Baltimore, MD.

Headshot of Roberto Lorenzi-Mendez, M.D., M.P.H.

Roberto Lorenzi-Mendez, M.D., M.P.H.

Medical School: Ponce Health Sciences University School, Puerto Rico

Additional Degrees/Training: MPH, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science

Value-Added Year: Breast Surgery Research, Massachusetts General Hospital

Fellowship: Burn Surgery, Akron Children's Hospital

Why FAU

I chose the FAU General Surgery Program for its highly academic curriculum, well prepared and engaged attendings, and the abundance of resources to help me prepare. Boca Raton is a nice place to live.

Sample of Scholarship

Roberto D. Lorenzi, B.S., Prateek Thatikunta, B.S., Kenneth Gresham, Dr. Julian Stelzer. Distribution of cMYBP-C phosphorylation among mouse atrial models under baseline and stressed conditions Poster presented at: AEMPR 5th Annual Research Symposium; San Juan, PR, USA.

Roberto D. Lorenzi, B.S., Prateek Thatikunta, B.S., Kenneth Gresham, Dr. Julian Stelzer. Distribution of cMYBP-C phosphorylation among mouse atrial models under baseline and stressed conditions Poster presented at: at Case Western School of Medicine Summer Program Presentation; Cleaveland, OH, USA.

Roberto Lorenzi Mendez, Jessica Rivera Perez, Gabriel Vazquez Vives, Maria Chiques Amador.Prevalence of mecA and methicillin-resistant enterococci in recreational waters and sand Poster presented at: PuertoRico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting (PRISM); Carolina, PR, USA.

Headshot of Adam Mann, M.D.

Adam Mann, M.D.

Medical School: St. George's University

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Critical Care Fellowship, University of Florida

Fellowship: N/A

Headshot of Fred Qafiti, M.D.

Fred Qafiti, M.D.

Medical School: Oakland University

Additional Degrees/Training: MSBE, Florida Atlantic University

Value-Added Year: Masters, Biomedical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University

Fellowship: Bariatric Surgery, Eastern Carolina University

Value Added Year

Headshot of Justin Dourado, M.D.

Justin Dourado, M.D.

Medical School: University of Florida, College of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: General Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC

Value-Added Year: Colorectal Surgery Research, Cleveland Clinic Florida

Fellowship: Colorectal Surgery

Why FAU

I chose FAU because after my interview day, I not only felt it would provide me the surgical training and academic support to achieve my goals, but it would do so in an environment that I wanted to be in. The residents seemed like a family and I was immediately comfortable among them. Additionally, it combined the mix of academic and community practice that I felt would allow me do develop into a well rounded and skilled surgeon.

Headshot of Michelle Dugan, M.D.

Michelle Dugan, M.D.

Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: Advanced GI and Hepatobiliary Surgery Research, Advent Health, Tampa

Value-Added Year: Surgical Oncology Research Fellowship, Moffit Cancer Center

Fellowship: Surgical Oncology

Why FAU

I chose FAU because I wanted to give back to my home community. I grew up in Boca Raton and can’t imagine a better place to live. The FAU General Surgery program stands out with it’s excellent case volume, enthusiastic teaching faculty, state-of-the-art technological resources, and unique balance of an outstanding academic institution with a community focus.

Sample of Scholarship

Dugan M., Crandall M., Letter H., Jasra B. Intramuscular cavernous hemangioma of the breast. The American Surgeon. 2018, Aug

Dugan M., Sosin M., Caso R., Vadlamudi C., Bayasi M., Marshall M.B. Considering the role of incidental appendectomy during colonic interposition gastroesophageal reconstruction. General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 2018, Aug

Headshot of Alex Dunham, M.D.

Alex Dunham, M.D.

Medical School: Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Vascular Surgery Outcomes Research, Florida Atlantic University/Baptist Health

Fellowship: Undecided

Headshot of Roni Garbar, D.O.

Roni Garbar, D.O.

Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship, Florida Atlantic University

Fellowship: Undecided

Why FAU

The surgery program at FAU fell on my radar amongst all the other program options because of the various educational opportunities offered at the clinical sites. I was looking for a program with depth and breadth to give me the best training and I believe the surgery program here at FAU will deliver it. Residency is a long time commitment and I felt that the resources provided to each and every resident were built to ensure a successful career.

Sample of Scholarship

"Empty Sella Turcica: A Case Report of a Rare Condition" 1st place winner at the Womack Army Medical Center XIII Annual Research Sympos

"Intracellular zinc trafficking and metallothionein gene activation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) treated with Crotalus atrox venom" Publication in The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Journal vol. 31 no.1 April 2017

Headshot of Ariel Wolf, M.D.

Ariel Wolf, M.D.

Medical School: FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

Additional Degrees/Training: N/A

Value-Added Year: Trauma/Surgical Critical Care Research, University of Colorado

Fellowship: Trauma/Critical Care

Why FAU

I chose FAU for my General Surgery training first and foremost because of the camaraderie that was evident to me during the interview day between the residents themselves as well as the residents and faculty. Additionally, I wanted a combination community and academic program because I knew this would provide me with a strong operative experience as well as the option to pursue research if I chose to do so.

Sample of Scholarship

Wolf, A., Balkan, W., Hare, J. “The Use of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells on Acute and Chronic Heart Disease”. The Biology and Therapeutic Applications of Mesenchymal Cells. January 2017.

Golpanian, S., Wolf, A., Kassira, W. “Z-Plasty for Scar Contracture”. Operative Dictations in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In: Anh Tran T., Panthaki Z., Hoballah J., Thaller S. (eds) Springer, Cham. 2017.

Natsumeda, M et al. (18th of 26 authors). “A Combination of Allogeneic Stem Cells Promotes Cardiac Regeneration”. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Nov 2017.

S, Kulandavelu, Karantalis., Fritsch, J., Hatzistergos, KE., Loescher, VY., McCall, F., Wang, B., Bagno, L,. Golpanian, S., Wolf, A., Grenet, J., Williams, A., Kupin, A., Rosenfield, A., Mohsin, S., Sussman, MA., Morales, A. Balkan, W., Hare, JM. “Pim1 kinase overexpression enhances Ckit+ cardiac stem cell cardiac repair following myocardial infarction in swine”. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Dec 2016.

Golpanian, S et al. (9th of 13 authors). “Rationale and design of the allogeneic human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) in patients with aging fRAilTy via intravenoUS delivery (CRATUS) study: A phase I/II, randomized, blinded and placebo controlled trial to evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of allogeneic human mesenchymal stem cell infusion in patients with aging frailty”. Oncotarget. 2016.

Golpanian, S., Schulman IH., Ray EF., Heldman, AW., DiFede, DL., Yang, PC., Wu, JC., Bolli, R., Perin, EC., Moye, L., Simari, RD., Wolf, A., Hare, JM. “Concise Review: Review and Perspective of Cell Dosage and Routes of Administration from Preclinical and Clinical Studies of Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Disease”. Stem Cells Translational Medicine. Feb 2016.

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The Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine offers students a variety of educational programs and degrees.
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Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road, BC-71
Boca Raton, FL 33431