Fellowship Program
Alumni
Testimonials
John Sia, MD, Class of 2025
"Choosing the University of South Florida for my Infectious Disease fellowship was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Training across Tampa General Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center, the VA, and the Florida Department of Health offered a diverse and rich clinical experience—from transplant and oncology infections to HIV and general ID. The breadth of pathology kept me constantly learning and engaged. What truly set USF apart were the people. The faculty are not only knowledgeable but also approachable, supportive, and genuinely invested in fellow development. I always felt like I had mentors in my corner, both academically and personally. Just as meaningful was the camaraderie I built with my co-fellows—we supported and learned from each other every step of the way. The program strikes a great balance between education and service, with strong interprofessional collaboration, especially from ID-trained pharmacists, and well-organized conferences. Living in Tampa was a bonus—amazing weather, beaches, and vibrant city life. I’m proud to have trained at USF and would choose it again without hesitation."
Carlos Perez Lopez, MD, Class of 2020
"I am very proud to be a part of this program. There are few places in the nation that can provide what USF can provide. We have the opportunity to go to the VA Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa General Hospital, and the Department of Health HIV Clinic. We get a lot of exposure to different patient populations and different pathologies. They gave me the tools to succeed... I was blessed to find a job back in Puerto Rico (where I will mostly be doing transplant/BMI) - the only reason I got that job is because I trained here (at USF). One of the strongest (assets of the program) are the people here... it's like a big family."
Vidya Sabapathy, MD, Class of 2020
Coming from Ohio, I had no strong ties to Florida and the main reason I chose USF were due to two reasons: the faculty/fellows, and the clinical experience. These past two years have shown me that I had made the correct choice. The clinical training you receive is excellent here and the faculty are passionate about teaching. I am grateful for lifelong mentors and ties to the program!
Natan Kraitman, MD, Class of 2019
"The University of South Florida is a great place to train in Infectious Disease! You will be exposed to many different patient populations in going to the VA, TGH, and Moffitt which allows you to focus your learning and exposure to bread and butter ID, advanced surgical patients, and cutting edge cancer care (CAR-T, BMT, Immunomodulators). The faculty are knowledgeable, nice, and easy to work with. Tampa itself is an amazing city with plenty to do (for both young families and singles). If I had to choose, I would choose USF again."
Garabet Akoghlanian, MD, Class of 2018
"I got everything I was looking for in this program and then some more. Optimal service and education balance. Attendings are very nice, cooperative, and provide quality education. Rounds times are always respected. Huge support from the pharmacists on rounds, and the fact that there are four distinct facilities to work in (Moffitt Cancer Center, JAHVA, Tampa General Hospital, and The FL Health Department). All the above made choosing this program a no-brainer, would do it over again without a doubt!. Not to mention that the program coordinator is the best!. Thankful I matched in this program.”
Shuchi Pandya, MD, Class of 2017
"I thoroughly enjoyed my Infectious Disease Fellowship at USF. The attendings are readily available whether it be during rounds, through the night or on weekends. They motivate me to continually strive to be a better clinician and their support and guidance is constant. Each and every attending always has an open door (policy)… They always carry smiles and passion with them. Training at three different hospitals is such a benefit as each facility has a unique set of patients, giving you a rich experience. Conferences are one of the highlights of the program and I’m glad I was able to contribute to them. I would select USF Infectious Disease all over again as I know I will be trained by some of the best clinicians in the nation!"
Manuel Castro, MD, Class of 2017
"The University of South Florida Infectious Disease Fellowship provides the fellows with the best tools for professional success. The work-load is optimal; fellows are pushed hard to be prepared for future positions in the academic or private world but also given enough flexibility to work on research and enjoy free time outside of work. During our training, we are exposed to a great variety of patient populations and conditions. Having three important hospitals and the health department to rotate at gives us the chance to see the whole spectrum of infectious diseases.
The research opportunities are endless, as is the motivation of the faculty helping us with the projects. The administrative staff is extremely helpful and willing to go the extra mile to help the fellows. Also, Tampa is a wonderful city with great weather and amazing beaches close by. Coming to USF was the best decision - you feel at home and become part of a great family!"
Olga Klinkova, MD, Class of 2017
"Fellowship at USF Infectious Disease Division was a great experience! Three training sites provide an in-depth exposure not only in the field of general Infectious Disease, but also in infections seen in patients post-transplant, hematologic malignancies, spinal cord injury patients, and HIV/AIDS. The program was able to tailor my schedule so I could receive more experience in the area I was most interested. I am grateful I was able to work with such outstanding faculty that makes fellows’ education their highest priority!"
Alumni
Graduation Year | Fellow Name | Current Activity |
2027 | Abdulah Barakat, DO | Current Fellow |
2027 | Nathan Haverstick, DO | Current Fellow |
2027 | Taylor Hermann, DO | Current Fellow |
2027 | Katarzyna Karpinska-Leydier, MD | Current Fellow |
2027 | Eryn Percenti, MD | Current Fellow |
2027 | Nicholas Massanet, MD | Current Fellow |
2026 | Daniel Boan, DO | Infectious Disease Physician, Private Practice - Clearwater, FL |
2026 | Fernando Cordero-Baez, MD | Infectious Disease Physician, Private Practice - Infectious Disease Consultants of West Florida, Tampa, FL |
2026 | Rajshri Joshi, MS | Infectious Disease Physician, Private Practice - Columbus, OH |
2026 | David Kornblum, MD | Critical Care Fellowship, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL |
2026 | Sreenath Varma, DO | |
2025 | Kirtan Amin, MD | Physician, Private Practive Deaconess Midtown Hospital Indiana |
2025 | Cilia Nazef, MD | Academic ID, Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina |
2025 | Rebecca Nowacki, MD | Physician, Private Practice Suncoast Health Georgia |
2025 | Lauren Rybolt, DO | Physician, University of South Florida Infectious Disease, Tampa, FL |
2025 | John Sia, MD | Physician, First Coast Infectious Disease Consultants, Jacksonville, FL |
2024 | Jesus Diaz Vera, MD | Physician, Hospital based Infectious Disease Private Practice with Hyperbaric Oxygen Wound Care & General ID Clinic |
2024 | William Greene, DO | Physician, Monument Health in Rapid City, South Dakota |
2024 | Jessica Kennedy, MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Consultants West Florida |
2024 | Puja Kohli, MD | Physician, Private practice in Tampa, FL |
2024 | Urial Spak, MD | Physician, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Miami Clinic providing HIV primary care |
2024 | Arun Sunny | Physician, Infectious Disease Associate of Tampa Bay, FL |
2023 | Jaraad Dattadeen, MD | Physician, Infectious Disease, Critical Care Medicine, University of Florida, FL |
2023 | Amro Elshereye, MD | Physician, Stormont Vail Health, Topeka, Kansas |
2023 | David Rutenberg, DO | Physician, Critical Care, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL |
2023 | Nikhut Siddique, DO | Physician, University of Utah Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah |
2023 | Anna Sikora, MD | Physician, San Antonia Infectious Disease Consultants, San Antonio, TX |
2022 | Thomas Burkhead, MD | Physician, Infectious Diseases at The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, OH |
2022 | Alberto Contreras, MD | Physician, Lovelace Medical Group, Albuquerque, NM |
2022 | Tuhina Cornelius, MD | Physician, Mid-South Infectious Disease Associates, Memphis, TN |
2022 | Michele Davis, MD | Critical Care Medicine Fellowship, University of Tennessee, TN |
2022 | Christian Lopez-Padilla, MD | Critical Care Fellowship, Montefiore/Einstein Division of Critical Care Medicine, NY |
2022 | Suhel Sabunwala, MD | Physician, Mid-South Infectious Disease Associates, Memphis, TN |
2021 | Edward Drehs, MD | Physician, Consultants in Infectious Diseases, LLC, Pinellas County, FL |
2021 | Jarelys Hernandez Jimenez, MD | Physician, Cleveland Clinic, Stuart/Port St. Lucie, FL |
2021 | Cody Horn, DO | Physician, Adena Regional Hospital, Chillicothe, OH |
2021 | Zola Nladu, MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Consultants of Georgia, Atlanta, GA |
2021 | Hareesh Singam, MD | Advanced Fellowship, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
2020 | Ju Hee Katzman, MD | Assistant Professor, USF Infectious DiseaseAssistant Program Director, USF ID Fellowship Program, Tampa, FL |
2020 | Andrew Nguyen, MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Associates, Boca Raton, FL |
2020 | Carlos Perez-Lopez, MD | Physician, TCT Oncology, San Juan, PR |
2020 | Vidhya Sabapathy, MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Services of Georgia, Atlanta, GA |
2020 | Sarah Shewayish, MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL |
2020 | Greg Teo, MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Physicians, PA: Virtua Health System South NJ Healthcare & Hospital, NJ |
2019 | Johonna Asquith, MD | Physician, Private Practice,Wausau, WI |
2019 | Cristina Garcia, MD | Physician, ID Team, Pinellas County, FL |
2019 | Natan Kraitman, MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Associates, Sarasota, FL |
2019 | Shylah Moore Pardo, MD | Ambulatory Care Physician, HIV/ID, James A Haley VA Hospital, Tampa, FL |
2019 | Mindy Sampson, DO | Physician, Charlotte, NC |
2018 | Anteneh Addisu, MD PhD | Physician, Infectious Diseases Specialty Associates, Ocala, FL |
2018 | Garabet Akoghlanian, MD | Infectious Disease and Antibiotic Stewardship Director, Lafayette, LA |
2018 | Muhammad Chughtai, MD | Physician, Private Practice, Orlando, FL |
2018 | Louise Lane Gutierrez, MD | Physician, ID Team, Pinellas County, FL |
2018 | Adam Pettigrew, MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Services of Georgia, Atlanta, GA |
2018 | Misbahuddin Syed, MD | ID Hospitalist, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL |
2017 | Manuel Castro MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Services of Georgia, Atlanta, GA |
2017 | Robert Castro MD | Physician, Private Practice, Ft. Myers, FL |
2017 | Marijesmar Gonzalez MD | Hospitalist, USF Internal Medicine |
2017 | Olga Klinkova MD | Physician, Moffitt Cancer Center |
2017 | Shuchi Pandya MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay |
2016 | Meghan Harris, MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay |
2016 | Minh Ho, DO | Physician, Orlando Health Medical Group Infectious Disease, Orlando, FL |
2016 | Kelly Kynaston, DO | Physician, Redding, CA |
2016 | Joseph Paruolo, MD | Physician, Private Practice, FL |
2016 | Flor Sanchez Vargas, MD | Hospitalist, Mease Countryside Hospital, Safety Harbor |
2016 | Kaley Tash, MD | USF Assistant Professor, James A. Haley VA Attending,Medical Director, USF Physician Assistant Program |
2015 | Ileana Acevedo MD | Physician, Private Practice, Tampa |
2015 | Jane Mai MD MPH | Physician, Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL |
2015 | Suganya Manivannan MD | Physician, Private Practice |
2015 | Lysenia Mojica MD | Physician, Orlando VA Medicial Center/Bellezza Aesthetics |
2015 | Jeniffer Torres-Velazco MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL |
2014 | Joseph Halliday DO | Physician, AnMed Health Medical Center, Anderson, SC |
2014 | Lily Jones DO | Physician, West Coast Infectious Disease, Safety Harbor, FL |
2014 | Mitsuya Katayama MD | Physician, National Hospital Organization, Tokyo Medical Center |
2014 | Nancy Rihana MD | Physician, Eagle Telemedicine, FL |
2014 | Rey J. Rivera MD | Physician, Physicians of Central Florida, Leesburg, FL |
2014 | Vivian Vega MD | ID Faculty, James A. Haley Veteran’s Administration Hospital, Tampa, FL |
2013 | Christine Ayarza MD | Physician, Private Practice, Fort Myers, FL |
2013 | Pamela Damisse Noel, MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL |
2013 | Patrick Kenney DO | Physician, Cleveland Clinic, Weston, FL |
2013 | Phuong Nguyen MD | Physician, Florida Medical Clinic, Tampa, FL |
2012 | Joseph Katta DO | Physician, Infectious Disease Consultants, Orlando, FL |
2012 | Elias Maroun MD | Physician, Physicians of Central Florida, Leesburg, FL |
2012 | Tienchai Narach MD | Physician, Private Practice, Las Vegas, NV |
2012 | Georgina Nasr MD | Physician, Medical Director, AIDS Task Force, Cleveland, OH |
2012 | Luis Rosas MD | Physician, South Texas Infectious Diseases Consultants PA, McAllen, TX |
2012 | Kevin Smith MD | Physician, Private Practice, Torrance, CA |
2011 | Moise Carrington MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL |
2011 | Elvis Castillo MD | Physician, Florida Medical Clinic, Tampa, FL |
2011 | Ulyee Choe DO | Director, Pinellas County Health Department, Associate Professor, USF Infectious Disease and International Medicine |
2011 | Rachel Franck Irby MD | Physician & President, ID Team, Pinellas County, FL |
2010 | Sally Alrabaa MD | Associate Professor of Medicine, USF Infectious Disease, Tampa, FL |
2010 | Aliyah Baluch MD | Physician, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa FL, USF Courtesy Faculty |
2010 | Fariba Donovan MD | Physician, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ |
2010 | Dhanashree Kelkar MD | Physician, Private Practice, Polk County |
2010 | Tran Phung MD | Physician, VA Medical Center, Orlando, FL |
2010 | Marela Velez Vassak MD | Physician, Rockland County Department of Health, Pomona, NY |
2009 | Michelle Mizrachi MD | Physician, Private Practice, Dallas, TX |
2009 | Theingi Oo MD | Independent Infectious Disease Physician, CA |
2009 | Tri Pham MD | Physician, Watson Clinic, Lakeland, FL |
2008 | Daniela Chiriboga MD | Assistant Professor, UF Shands Hospital, Jacksonville, FL |
2008 | Yagneshvari Patel DO | Physician, Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL |
2008 | Chakrapol Sriaroon MD | Assistant Professor, Pulmonary & Critical Care, USF, Tampa, FL |
2007 | Abigail Chandler MD | Currently not practicing |
2007 | Juan Diaz MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Consultants, Altamonte Springs, FL |
2007 | Anibal Maldonado DO | Physician, Private Practice, Apopka, FL |
2007 | Javier Marinez MD | Physician, Hidalgo Medical Services, Lordsburg, NM |
2007 | Ana Paula Velez MD | Associate Professor, USF Division of Infectious Disease |
2006 | Patricia Leon MD | Physician, Acevedo Medical Group, Miami, FL |
2006 | Igor Melnychuk MD | Physician, Asheville VA Medical Center, Asheville, NC |
2006 | Charles Phillips MD | Physician, Private Practice, Vero Beach, FL |
2005 | Beata (Herman) Casanas DO FACP | Professor, USF Infectious Disease; Program Director, Infectious Disease Fellowship Program, Executive Medical Director, Hillsborough County Health Department, Tampa, FL |
2005 | Aaron Cooks MD | Physician, Private Practice, Bradenton, FL |
2005 | Philbert Ford MD | Physician, Capital Regional Medical Center, Tallahassee, FL |
2005 | Sheeren Saba MD | Physician, Brooksville, FL |
2004 | Christopher Cooper MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Consultants, Altamonte Springs, FL |
2004 | Lucinda Elko MD | Lead Medical Director, Pharmacovigilance, North America, Pharmaceutical Product Development Inc. |
2004 | Michael Tan MD | Assistant Professor, Summa Health System, Akron, OH |
2003 | Nadeem Khan MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL |
2003 | Brent Laartz MD | Physician, West Coast Infectious Disease, Safety Harbor, FL |
2003 | Charurut Somboonwit MD FACP | Professor, Associate Director, USF Infectious Disease; Communicable Disease Director, Hillsborough County Health Department, Tampa, FL |
2003 | Todd Wills MD | Assistant Dean and Director, USF Physician Assistant Program,Director, USF Health Office of Continuing Professional Development,Professor, Division of Infectious Disease, Tampa, FL |
2002 | Nikolaos Almyroudis MD | Faculty, University of Buffalo-Roswell Park Cancer Institute |
2002 | Wendy Carter DO | US Food & Drug Administration, Silver Springs, MD |
2001 | Kenneth Cole MD | Physician, The Baton Rouge Clinic, Baton Rouge, LA |
2001 | Keith Rosenbach MD | Physician, Pasco Regional Medical Center, Dade City, FL |
2001 | Jason Sniffen DO | Physician, Infectious Disease Consultant, Altamonte Springs, FL |
2001 | Petros Tsambiras MD | Physician, Private Practice, Zephyrhills, FL |
2000 | Edgardo Li-Espino MD | Physician, Private Practice, Pensacola, FL |
2000 | Mario Lopez MD | Physician, Private Practice, Pembroke Pines, FL |
1999 | Craig Hutchinson MD | Physician, Private Practice, East Lansing, MI |
1999 | Gregory Thomas MD | Physician, Lowcountry Infectious Disease, Charleston, SC |
1998 | Lindell Busciglio MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL |
1998 | Eva Quiroz MD | Physician, Private Practice, Fremont, CA |
1998 | Charles Callahan MD | Physician, Private Practice, Vero Beach, FL |
1998 | Ines Mbaga MD | Physician, Private Practice, Boca Raton, FL |
1998 | Jose Montero MD FACP | Professor, USF Division of Infectious Disease, Tampa, FL |
1997 | Richard Oehler MD FACP | Professor & Director of Clinical Education, USF Infectious Disease; Program Chief for Academics & Training, Assistant Epidemiologist, Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Chairman, James A. Haley Veteran’s Administration Hospital, Tampa, FL |
1997 | Sarah Poblete MD | Physician, Tampa General Hospital Family Care Center, Tampa, FL |
1996 | Mark Brown MD | Physician, Private Practice, Naples, FL |
1996 | Michelle Carney MD | Physician, Private Practice, Spartanburg, SC |
1996 | Emilio Dominguez MD | Physician, Private Practice, Zephyrhills, FL |
1996 | Sandra Gompf MD FACP | Professor, USF Infectious Disease; Infectious Disease Chief, James A. Haley Veteran’s Administration Hospital, Tampa, FL |
1996 | Daniel Haight MD FACP | Professor, Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine, Vice President, Community Health, Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Medical Director, Physician Group, Lakeland Regional Medical Center, FL |
1995 | Asim Jani MD | CDC Epidemiologic Intelligence Service, Orlando, FL |
1995 | Julie Larkin MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Associates of Sarasota, Sarasota, FL |
1995 | Scott Ubillos MD | Physician, Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL |
1994 | Ileana Vila MD | Physician, Private Practice, Pembroke Pines, FL |
1994 | Gary Bergen MD | Physician, Private Practice, Naples, FL |
1994 | Thomas Rushton MD | Associate Professor & Director of Infectious Disease, University of West Virginia |
1993 | Ledya Cobian MD | Physician, Private Practice, Fort Lauderdale, FL |
1993 | Patricia Emmanuel MD | Professor, USF; Director, USF Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Tampa, FL |
1993 | Vincent Spoto MD | Physician, Orlando Health Medical Group Infectious Disease, Orlando, FL |
1992 | Cathy Farrell MD | Physician, Private Practice, Winter Haven, FL |
1992 | Cynthia Mayer DO | Physician, Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL |
1992 | Jose Prieto MD | Physician, Private Practice, Brandon, FL |
1991 | John Greene MD FACP | Professor, USF; Chief Infectious Diseases & Tropical Medicine, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL |
1991 | Inga Himelright MD | Deceased |
1991 | Luis Villanueva MD | |
1990 | Sally Houston MD | Associate Professor, USF Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine |
1989 | Douglas Holt MD FACP | Associate Director, USF Infectious Disease; Andor Szentivanyi Professor of Medicine, USF; Director, Hillsborough County Health Department, Tampa, FL |
1989 | Michael Milam MD | Physician, Private Practice, Sarasota, FL |
1988 | Margarita Cancio MD | USF Trustee; President, Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL |
1987 | James Cullison MD | Deceased |
1986 | Clinton Holder MD | Physician, Palmetto, FL |
1986 | John Toney MD FACP | Director of Healthcare Epidemiology, Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, James A. Haley VA Hospital, Professor, USF Infectious Disease, Tampa, FL |
1985 | Doreece Norris MD | |
1984 | James McClelland MD | Physician, Private Practice, Orlando, FL |
1983 | John Sinnott MD FACP | Chairman, Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, USF, Cullison Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine, USF, Tampa, FL |
1982 | Juan Martinez MD | Physician, Private Practice, Tampa, FL |