Department of Pediatrics

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Fellowships & Internships

Current Fellows

Second Year Fellows

Constance Bindernagel, DO MBA

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and completed my bachelor’s degree at Creighton University in medical anthropology. While remaining in the Midwest, I graduated from the dual degree program at Kansas City University (DO) in conjunction with Rockhurst University (healthcare leadership MBA). I met my husband on the first day of medical school orientation, and we both matched in Tampa Bay. I graduated pediatric residency at the University of South Florida in 2023. During residency, I was induced into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Society and was awarded the USF GME Culture Champion. I was also involved in many research projects in Allergy and Immunology (AI) and attended the national conferences, strengthening my passion for the field. I matched into AI fellowship at USF/ACH. My interests are food allergy and novel IVIG products. Outside of medicine, my husband and I enjoy cooking together, trying new foods and restaurants (my husband and I are self-proclaimed “foodies”), and going shelling at the beach.

Kranthi Nomula, MD

I am from India, and was born and raised in the metropolitan city of Hyderabad. I attended medical school at S.V.S Medical College in a town nearby called Mahbubnagar. After graduating from medical school, I applied for residency in the United States and matched at the pediatric residency program at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital/Memorial Healthcare System, Hollywood, Florida. I rotated through various hospitals in the US before starting my residency to gain exposure to the healthcare system here. One of my rotation sites was with the Division of Pediatric Allergy/Immunology at USF where I found my interest in immunology which strengthened further during my residency training leading to the decision to pursue a fellowship in the specialty. My main interests are immunodeficiency and immune dysregulation disorders. I enjoy reading books and spending time with friends/family (dispersed in the USA and India) in my free time.

First Year Fellows

Phil Mendez, DO MPH

I was born in New York, but grew up on the southwest coast of Florida. While completing my bachelor's degree in biology at the University of Florida, I earned a combined master's degree in public health, concentrating in social and behavioral sciences. After a year working as a tobacco cessation counselor in Gainesville, I pursued medical school at VCOM Carolinas in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It wasn't until my pediatric residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School that I discovered my passion for allergy and immunology, which only deepened through engaging in various projects and national meetings. My focus includes asthma management and education, food allergy, and biologic therapies. Outside of medicine, my wife and I enjoy experimenting with new cooking and baking recipes, exploring local restaurants and markets, and spending quality time with our Maltese dog, Minnie.

 

Serena Shaffren, MD

I was raised in Orlando, Florida and received my Bachelor of Health Science from the University of Florida. I became a "Double Gator" having received my Doctor of Medicine from UF as well. While in Gainesville, I met my husband Jeff who just happened to be raised in the Tampa area. Upon interviewing for the Johns Hopkins All Children's Pediatric Residency Program, I found my perfect match for my next step in training. Fortunately, I took an allergy and immunology elective during my first month of residency, when I realized how my passion to provide continuity of care could be coupled with my personal interest in allergic and immunologic conditions. Outside of medicine, I enjoy playing racquet sports, traveling with my husband, and spending time with our families.