“From here you can go anywhere! The USF-MPM residency has always given residents a strong foundational basis in Family Medicine while allowing customization to whatever area of interest the individual has. As someone in the inaugural residency class and a former Program Director, I have the privilege of seeing how supportive the health system has been of the residency from day 1!  The huge breadth of opportunities offered by being part of both an academic institution and a community-based system creates amazing synergy and opportunities for the residents. Coming here 20+ years ago was one of the best decisions I ever made, and has opened many wonderful clinical and administrative professional opportunities. I’ve loved it so much I never left!”

Paul Lewis, MD, FAAFP, ABPM-CI, CPE, CPHIMS
Director, Evidenced Based Medicine & Quality BayCare Health
Vice-Chair CME, BayCare Health System
Class of 2001

“The USF/MPM Family Medicine Residency program at the Turley Family Health Center provided me the training, foundation, flexibility and support to pursue my interests in Medicine.  I was given the time and support to continue my education in Medical Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine.  I would not have been able to accomplish those things if I went to any other residency program. Best Family Medicine Training Program in Florida!”

Jay Poonkasem, MD, FAAFP, ABOIM, LMT, NASM-CPT, NASM-CES
Integrative Palliative Medicine, BayCare Morton Plant Mease
Class of 2008

"The curriculum and faculty at the USF Family Medicine program are “A” quality, which is a quantitative statement as evidenced by each of the faculty’s experiences and credentials. My genuine opinion of the USF/MPM Family Medicine atmosphere is that everyone is valued regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or status. We communicate with one another and with our patients respectfully. The USF/MPM Family Medicine residency has actively spent years fostering a positive work environment, and it is the best environment to learn and grow in."

Reneé Monique Haynes, MD, MPH
District Health Director for the North Central Health District 
Georgia Department of Public Health
Class of 2015

“The USF-MPM Family Medicine Residency Program supported and cultivated my unique interests in LGBTQ health and HIV medicine by enabling me to create elective rotations pertinent to those aspects of medicine. With the ability to purse my interests, I co-founded an LGBTQ Health Curriculum within the program, became a certified HIV Specialist through the American Academy of HIV Medicine, and gained proficiency in performing high resolution anoscopy (HRA) for the diagnosis and management of anal dysplasia. To further my competency in performing HRA, I had the incredible opportunity of traveling to London, England for the BASHH/IANS 5th European HRA course. Without the USF-MPM Family Medicine Residency, I would not be the proud physician that I am today.”

William Hasson II, MD, AAHIVS
Physician, Napa Adult and Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente 
Class of 2020  

“If you are looking for the best family residency in Florida, look no further.  This program encourages and supports residents with unique interests in family medicine like no other program I have seen. They allow residents to pursue interests in international medicine, sports medicine, holistic medicine, hospitalist work and for me it was aesthetic medicine. USF Family Medicine Residency has a stress-free atmosphere, fun attendings/clinic staff, and amazing hospital training. I enjoyed every minute of my time!”

Ginger Urbaniak, MD
Antiaging and Cosmetic Medicine
COO Urbaniak Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa
Class of 2017

 “The USF-MPM Family Medicine Residency program allowed for flexible electives so I could pursue my interests in global health and providing care in limited resource environments. I was able to travel abroad to Thailand and Tanzania for rotations during elective months. Residency leadership also supported my participation in the WVU Tropical Medicine and Travelers Health course, which led to my fellowship training in clinical ultrasound.” 

Cindy Soto Shavor, MD Ultrasound Fellow,
WVU Medicine
Class of 2018

“One of the best decisions I have made in my life was joining the USF Family Medicine Residency Program. The program has faculty that come from all walks of life with so many diverse interests that it is easy to find a mentor for whatever interests you may have (wilderness medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, complementary medicine, women’s health, sports medicine, and the list goes on). It was in this environment that I found my passion for Geriatric Medicine. The faculty strongly supported this passion, which eventually resulted in me doing a fellowship in Geriatric Medicine. The faculty sets such great examples and they are a source of inspiration. If I had to, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!”  

Dani Mathew, MD, MPH
BMG Physician - Family and Geriatric Medicine
Class of 2008

“Every day while working as a hospitalist, I am faced with a new challenge to overcome with my patients. Without my foundation of training and knowledge, I don’t know where I’d be. USF-MPM Family Medicine Residency program prepared me to excel no matter the obstacle and to succeed past my own expectations. I will always be grateful for such a wonderful teaching program!”  

Chinyere “Dr. Chi” Okpaleke, MD
Family Medicine Hospitalist
Class of 2018

“When I think back on my time in residency I feel so extremely fortunate to have matched at USF.  I wouldn’t change my experience for anything.  The staff feel like family and I love each and every one of them.  The faculty have supported, and molded me into the best physician and leader I could be; they truly care about who you are and who you become.  I’m so excited to stay another year as a Sports Medicine fellow.”  

Kristin Hertweck, MD
Current USF/MPM Sports Medicine Fellow
Class of 2020

 “Matching at USF-MPM Family Medicine Program was a dream come true! As a fourth year medical student I had the opportunity to rotate with this program and immediately fell in love with it. I was blessed enough to have matched with my first choice. This program allows you to learn more about things you may be interested in by offering ample elective time to learn about topics you are interested in during your second and third years. While in residency I was also able to participate in a medical missions trip to the Dominican Republic with USF’s Project World Health. I also co-taught Doctoring 1 course at USF with my faculty advisor. After graduation, I will be moving back to Tampa to work in an outpatient clinic. I will definitely miss my co-residents, faculty and staff as I start a new chapter in my life. I am excited and prepared to see what my future holds thanks to the training I received at USF-MPM Family Medicine Program.”

Naa Sika Williams, MD
Tampa, Florida
Class of 2020