April 2025

Five years ago today, I left the beach to drive back to Tampa to help prepare USF Health for an emerging global pandemic. It’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed since then, and even harder that I would be here today writing these words for our Spring newsletter. The beach where I walk today perhaps serves as an apt metaphor for these brief thoughts. Although its location remains constant, it has undergone innumerable alterations due to the wind, the waves, and the shifting sand of the past five years. Though it looks familiar to me, it feels different because I am experiencing it differently today than I did in the past. It has changed, and so have I. This reminds me of the quote from Heraclitus, who stated, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river and he is not the same man.”

As I mentioned in our last newsletter, I have been thinking a lot about the importance of being adaptable to change. In the words of Charles Darwin, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” This is apropos to our current circumstances in the modern healthcare workplace. We all know that change is necessary to be successful, but it is difficult, and we often don’t like it. Change can leave us feeling harried, rushed, and unsettled due to uncertainty. In some cases, we can reduce that uncertainty by acquiring more data, thoughtful planning, and executing effective coping strategies. But unfortunately, sometimes, all we can do is “absorb” that uncertainty if we are to move forward. To absorb, we must be resilient. To be resilient, we must be intentional.

As I close, let me acknowledge that there is only so much we can do to prepare for change despite knowing it is coming. Sadly, far too much of what happens to us in life lies outside of our direct control. But what we do control is how we invest our limited time and attention, and how we use those precious resources in the agency and good work of serving others. The noteworthy news and accomplishments communicated here are a direct result of your collective investments. What better place to be intentional in our “spend” than directing our limited time and attention toward each other? You are making a difference and doing important work that is meaningful and significant. Thank you for all you do each day to advance the mission of our department.

Shining Moments Celebrating Excellence and AchievementsShining Moments Celebrating Excellence and Achievements

Three members of the Department of Internal Medicine earned

USF Outstanding Staff Awards

Amanda McNamara

Associate Director of Clinical Research Operations

Tessa Slinn

Office Manager

Infectious Diseases

Amethyst Clare Surpris

Research Project Manager

Disease Intervention Specialist Training Academy

Dr. Joe Lezama, MD, MACP, appointed the new Vice-Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Internal Medicine

Joe will be taking on an expanded role, building on his extensive experience and leadership in medical education. He will be responsible for the following:

Serve as the Department's primary liaison to the MCOM Office of Faculty Affairs (OFAA). He will work closely with Dr. Javier Cuevas (MCOM Vice-Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs) to support our faculty, develop structured mentorship opportunities, and to better connect our faculty to career navigation resources and professional development opportunities.
Serve as a resource and subject matter expert for our Division Chiefs, Divisional Administrators, and Program Leaders related to the above topics.
Oversee the DOIM's annual Assignment and Evaluation Process in coordination with the MCOM OFAA.
In coordination with our Department's APT Chair (Dr. Todd Wills) and the MCOM OFAA leadership, oversee DOIM's promotion and tenure process.
In coordination with MCOM OFAA and Main Campus HR, collaborate around the Engagement Survey, AAMC survey, and other assessments of our Department's faculty.
Partner with the Department Chair and Division Chiefs on faculty recruitment and retention efforts.

Dr. Ana Velez selected for the 2025 IDSA Leadership Institute: Community of Leaders

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) offers medical professionals a comprehensive IDSA Community of Leaders Program. This program provides advanced training in strategic decision-making, team leadership, communication, education, conflict-solving, and navigating challenges in healthcare systems.

Dr. Velez’s beautiful art was also featured on the IDSA Science Speaks blog. She donated 5 paintings to benefit the IDSA foundation raising $4700.

Dr. Chris Jackson named one of Emory's "40 under 40" Alumni

Dr. Jennifer Shiroky-Kochavi selected as a LEAD scholar with the Society of General Internal Medicine 2025-2026

2024-2025 Promotions

Saurabh Agrawal, MD

Associate Professor

Digestive Diseases & Nutrition

Sally Alrabaa, MD

Professor

Infectious Diseases

Wojciech Blonski, MD, PhD

Associate Professor

Digestive Diseases & Nutrition

Brent Forget, MBA

Associate Director

Basic Science and Virology

Susan Goldsmith, MD

Associate Professor

Digestive Diseases & Nutrition

Theresa Grandoff

Clinical Research Associate

Ganesh Halade, PhD

Professor

Cardiovascular Sciences

Yevgeniya Kushchayeva, MD

Associate Professor

Endocrinology

Fadi Matar, MD

Professor

Cardiovascular Sciences

Candice Mateja, DO

Professor

Hospital Medicine

Marla Sevilla-Alsina, MD

Associate Professor

Endocrinology

Tessa Slinn

Office Manager

Infectious Diseases

Elena Suvorova, PhD

Associate Professor

Infectious Diseases

Camille Thelin, MD

Associate Professor

Digestive Diseases & Nutrition

Anthanasios Tsalatsanis, PhD

Professor

Office of Research

Nathan Visweshwar, MD

Emeritus Professor

Hematology & Medical Oncology

Natalia Weare-Regales, MD

Associate Professor

Endocrinology

Promotion and Tenure

What's the process?

The 2025-2026 Promotion and Tenure process will kick off in April. Faculty are eligible for promotion after having completed 5 years at their current rank at the time of application.

The MCOM Office of Faculty Affairs will offer three workshops via Microsoft Teams this year to provide faculty details about the P&T process and how applicants can best present their accomplishments. These workshops are scheduled for:

April 23, 2025 - 1 PM - 3 PM

May 12, 2025 - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

June 11, 2025 - 10 AM - 12:00 PM

It is important for all promotion candidates to attend one of these sessions to best complete their application. Archived workshops are also available on the faculty affairs website.

In addition to attending the workshops, promotion candidates should meet with their division director to discuss their application, director support, and potential external/internal reviewers of the application. Identification of suitable letter writers in your specialty area is an important part of the promotion process. The departmental and college-level committee find letters vital in identifying the impact of your work within your field.

Two important deadlines occur in July.

July 14, 2025:

The Internal Medicine Department must supply a list of all promotion applicants to the Office of Faculty Affairs.

July 21, 2025

Applicants submit a list of external/internal application reviewers AND the promotion Part A application and CV. (A CV sample template format is available on the faculty affairs website above.)

The departmental AP&T committee will review applications in September and October and make recommendations to the college-level AP&T, which formally meets and votes on candidates in early December.

The full process is outlined in a flow diagram here.
Checklist for faculty following the P&T timeline can be found here.
The complete MCOM Promotion and Tenure Guidelines are available here.

Department of Internal Medicine 1st Annual Education Retreat - March 2025

The Department of Internal Medicine held its first all-day Education Retreat on Wednesday, March 5th, at the USF downtown medical school. Approximately 45 outstanding education leaders and administrators from our Department came together to spend 8 hours discussing the future vision and journey of our educational mission.

Our Chair, Dr. Mark Moseley, emphasized "the sense of belonging" that he has stressed throughout the year and the experience of so many educators from different divisions being together for the first time since the COVID pandemic was going to be one of the major takeaways of the day.

Jacqueline Reyes Hull and Caitlin Wolf facilitated the event which featured the Discover-Dream-Design-Deliver model through a series of interactive small group sessions throughout the day.

The first faculty photo from the 1977-1978 academic year was displayed at the event, and the educators and administrators took a team photo at lunchtime in the spirit of that first photo.

The major themes of the day centered around the need for formal mentoring of faculty at all stages of their careers and the potential for the disruptive technology of artificial intelligence in making the lives of faculty more efficient and meaningful.

USF Health mock commercials acted out by Mark Moseley, Fadi Matar, Joe Lezama, Natalia Regales, Brijesh Patel, Claude Bassil, Naveen Narayanankutty, and Austin Follett, added humor to the mix of the day.

The work from the day will carry over to the Education Committee team members to complete the tasks during the next several months of meetings.

It was a memorable event that highlighted the importance of outstanding graduate medical education as one of the missions of the Department of Internal Medicine.

Joe Lezama, MD, MACP

Professor

Vice Chair of Education

Vice Chair of Academic Affairs

#MatchDay2025

A warm welcome to our incoming residents!

Internal Medicine - Categorical

Hiam Allan, DO

Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C Patel College of Allopathic Medicine

Luis Alvarez, DO

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Matthew Bajaj, MD

University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita

Karla Collazo Melian, MD

Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

Zulneika Cordero Mendez, MD

Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine

Jerry Cruz Rodriguez, MD

Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine

Joselyn de Jesus Gonzalez, MD

Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine

Lara Diez Asad, MD

Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine

Lauren Dyer, MD

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

Inochi Gonzalez Calvo, MD

Georgetown University School of Medicine

Neha Gutta, MD

University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine

Keid Idrizi, MD

Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center

Cody Jacob, MD

Indiana University School of Medicine

Max Joseph, MD

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

Kalie Kopecek, DO

Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Chirag Lodha, DO

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus

Erika Lytle, DO

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus

Anjali Mahapatra, MD

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

Cameron Martin, MD

Indiana University School of Medicine

Matthew Nalls, MD

Georgetown University School of Medicine

Mark Potesta, DO

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Varsha Ramachandran, MD

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

Ryan Reed, MD

Florida State University College of Medicine

Patrick Rogers, DO

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Maria Sagatelian, MD

Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

Asra Sami, MD

University of Central Florida College of Medicine

Stephanie Sanchez, DO

Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

Rojesh Shakya, MD

Charles E Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University

Paul Slota, MD

Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

Ayda Soltanian, MD

Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

Jacob Thomas, MD

Indiana University School of Medicine

Kayla Tran, MD

Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Vanessa Vasquez, MD

Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine

Michael Wu, DO

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

Steven Zeldin, MD

Tulane University School of Medicine

Medicine - Preliminary

Michael Cisneros, MD

New York Medical College

Mary DesRosiers, MD

Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

Pratiksha Patra, MD

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

Logan Smith, MD

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

Medicine - Preliminary/Dermatology

Rama Abdin, MD

Charles E Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University

Anika Pulumati, MD

University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine

Medicine - Preliminary/Ophthalmology

Nathaniel Ashby, MD

Creighton University School of Medicine

Haider Ghumman, MD

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

Kristie Labib, MD

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

Youssef Mohamed, MD

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

Medicine - Preliminary/Radiation Oncology

Bryce Comstock, MD

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine - Rochester

James Trosper, MD

University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Medicine - Preliminary/Radiology

Lisa Cochran, DO

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

Max Hurley, MD

West Virginia University School of Medicine Morgantown

EDUCATION RECOGNITION

Dr. Jennifer Caputo-Seidler won the 2025 Southern Society of General Internal Medicine (SSGIM) Excellence in Clinical Education Award.

Recognized for her work in humanities and civic engagement in medicine as well as clinical skills development at the Morsani College of Medicine, Dr. Caputo-Seidler’s innovations in curricular design and delivery have made a lasting impact on both learners and peers.

Leyla Aponte, MD, received the

MCOM Exceptional Educator Award

Medical student, Shreya Chapyala, was selected to present a poster at the ACP Internal Medicine Meeting 2025 in New Orleans, LA. The title of the selected abstract is “Bridging Clinic and Community: Empowering Health Through Home Visits in Santa Cruz”.

Nikesh Kapadia, MD, was selected for induction into the Barness Behnke Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society

The ACGME granted the Rheumatology Fellowship Program “Continued Accreditation” with no citations following a recent site visit. This is a testament to the outstanding dedication, hard work, and commitment of our faculty, staff, and fellows in maintaining excellence in education, clinical training, and patient care.

A special thanks to Dr. Valeriano, whose leadership and meticulous preparation played a crucial role in this successful outcome.

Congratulations to the graduates of the 2025 Stanford Faculty Development Certificate Program for Clinician Educators

Dr. Jackie Sherbuk (ID)

Dr. JuHee Katzman (ID)the

Dr. Avan Armaghani (Breast Oncology)

Dr. Kevin Huang (Hospital Medicine)

Dr. Ashley Perry (Hospital Medicine)

Dr. Allison Hales (Hospital Medicine)

Dr. Jean-Claude Guidi (PGY 4 Med-Peds resident)

Ideal for early-career clinician educators, the Stanford 2-day professional development program uses an educational framework to enhance clinical teaching analysis and versatility. Participants engage with the facilitator and each other through didactic presentations, group discussions, application exercises (role plays, worksheets), video vignette reviews, and personal and institutional goal-setting.

The Office of Educator Development at MCOM offers this program annually. Look out for our future offerings!

Thursdays, 12:00 to 1:00 PM

Watch previous Grand Rounds on the department’s

YouTube channel.

Spotlight on Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine

Stephen Liggett, MD and Jose Herazo-Maya, MD team

Jose Herazo-Maya, MD

Ubben Endowed Chair and Associate Professor

Chief, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine

The research in the USF Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine has been focusing on growing its basic science, translational, clinical, and outcomes-research portfolio with emphasis on Advanced Lung Disease, Asthma, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Pulmonary Infections, and Sleep Disordered Breathing. Our division has adopted and integrated new research technologies, such as single-cell RNA sequencing and regional transcriptomics, into conventional murine models and molecular biology techniques. Our goal is to develop novel therapies for the treatment of patients with chronic lung diseases, sleep disorders, and the critically ill. Some key discoveries in 2024/2025 by our division’s investigators include:

Stephen Liggett’s group

Identification of the underlying molecular mechanisms of ligand-induced activation in the human bitter taste receptor TAS2R5. The investigators found that the activation energy of the opening of the Gα subunit for GDP–GTP exchange, rather than binding affinity alone, correlated highly with agonist potency. This finding refines our understanding of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation, paving the way for the rational design of new therapeutic agents targeting these receptors.

The investigators developed an in vitro method known as frequency-locked optical microtoroids for label-free characterization of membrane interactions for highly sensitive, real-time characterization of membrane embedded protein binding kinetics at zeptomolar concentrations. This rapid and label-free novel method has potential applications for drug discovery and toxin screening among others.

Identification of the bitter taste receptor type 5 (TAS2R5) as a more favorable therapeutic receptor for agonist-receptor interactions that preserve primary signaling while minimizing desensitization. This finding has implications for drug development for patients with asthma and COPD who require frequent dosing of inhaled beta agonist and are at increased risk of drug tolerance.

Jose Herazo-Maya’s group

Investigators identified that MCEMP1, a gene predictive of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) mortality, is highly expressed in circulating classical monocytes and alveolar macrophages in IPF, is regulated by Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGFβ), and participates in the chemotaxis, adhesion, and migration of circulating monocytes by modulating the effect that TGFβ exerts in RHO activity.

Identification of changes in gene expression of CD14⁺HLA-DR^lowCD163⁺ monocytes, CD4 and CD8 T cells associated with increased mortality in COVID-19, pulmonary fibrosis resolution post-COVID-19 and IPF progression. The main implication of this research is that reduction of HLA-DR^low circulating monocytes should be investigated as a novel therapy to reduce IPF progression. The article resulting from this work was highlighted by USF Health and the American College of Chest Physicians and selected by the American Physiological Society as one of the best articles in January of 2025.

Risa Richardson’s group

Identification that reduced sleep depth is associated with poor cognitive outcome in persons with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The main implication of these findings is that future research should examine whether improving sleep (e.g. increasing deep sleep) during acute recovery can improve cognitive recovery following TBI.

In this study, investigators demonstrated that phased approaches utilizing screening and diagnostic tools were more effective in diagnosing and allocating treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) than all alternatives in patients with mild to severe and moderate to severe OSA. They also identified that usual care was more costly and less effective than all other approaches for mild to severe and moderate to severe OSA.

RESEARCH RECOGNITION

Risa Nakase-Richardson, PhD selected as the Brain Injury Association of America's 2025 William Fields Caveness Award winner

Undergraduate student El Ghissassi Awab, mentored by Dr. Narasaiah Kolliputi, earned the Basic Science Award at the 2025 USF Research Day for the presentation of the poster "Role of cadmium toxicity: a critical target in oxidative stress?"

Dr. Daniella Crousillat chaired the Cardio-Obstetrics Forum at the national Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's SMFM Pregnancy Meeting in Denver.

Dr. Christopher Jackson elected Councilor for the Southern Society of Clinical Investigation

Dr. Kami Kim and Dr. Lauren Rybolt took part in an IDSA group that visited the Florida congressional offices on March 12, 2025, to discuss Infectious Disease workforce development, Antimicrobial Resistance, and support for NIH and CDC funding.

Dr. Lauren Rybolt (ID Fellow) presented at ID week on "Trends in HIV-related Mortality Among Reproductive-Aged Women in the U.S." and was awarded a Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) grant on "High-Resolution Anoscopy Trends in Patients Living with HIV with a History of Malignancy: A Retrospective Single Center Observational Study."

ID Fellow Dr. Kirtan Amin travels to South Africa.

I had the opportunity to go on an international rotation to see complicated Infectious diseases in severely immunocompromised individuals living with HIV, and how such cases are handled in very resource limited setting in my home country of South Africa. I was able to visit King Edwards Hospital, Durban, Albert Luthuli Hospital, Durban and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg and follow along with Infectious Disease providers. I spent some time at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), which is a world-class HIV and Tuberculosis research center, and learnt how such research is done at the ground level. I also got the opportunity to volunteer medically within my community towards the end of my trip. An international rotation like this is always beneficial to students, residents and fellows alike to give them a worldwide view on medicine and its challenges and to learn how we can better our care back home. I am grateful and thank the University of South Florida and the Infectious Diseases Division who made this experience possible.

ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY

Casale TB (2025). Omalizumab: The Journey of the First Anti-IgE Approved for Asthma and Allergic Disorders. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 155(1):70-71. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.11.016
Chinthrajah RS, et al. (2025). Dupilumab as an Adjunct to Oral Immunotherapy in Pediatric Patients With Peanut Allergy . Allergy, 80(3):827-842. doi: 10.1111/all.16420
Cox JK, et al. (2025). Cough-Variant Asthma: A Review of Clinical Characteristics, Diagnosis, and Pathophysiology . J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract,13(3):490-498. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.11.005
Gandre JR, Ledford DK (2025). Update on Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease with Chronic Rhinosinusitis . Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol, 25(1):10-18. doi: 10.1097/ACI.0000000000001054
Kaliner MA, et al. (2025). Proposed Mechanism of Cardiovascular Responses for Bolus Injection of Epinephrine from Epinephrine Autoinjectors . J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract, 3:S2213-2198(24)01277-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.12.028
Ledford DK, et al. (2025). Asthma and Respiratory Comorbidities . J Allergy Clin Immunol, 155(2):316-326. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.11.006
Min HK, et al. (2025). Global Incidence and Prevalence of Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review . Clin Exp Allergy, 55(1):52-66. doi: 10.1111/cea.14592
Navuluri N, et al. (2025). Heme Unleashed: NLRP12 Orchestrates PANoptosis in a Symphony of Cell Fate . Cell Biochem Biophys. doi: 10.1007/s12013-025-01712-7
Oppenheimer J, Casale T (2025). Care of Asthma-A Rapidly Moving Story . Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol, 134(1):1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2024.10.022

CARDIOVASCULAR SCIENCES

Ammon JP, et al. (2025). What Is Calcific Aortic Stenosis? JAMA. doi: 0.1001/jama.2025.0667
Coombes T, et al. (2025). The RUCkus Around Plaque . J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr, 19(1):159-161. doi: 10.1016/j.jcct.2024.12.002
Countouris M, et al. (2025). Hypertension in Pregnancy and Postpartum: Current Standards and Opportunities to Improve Care . Circulation, 151(7):490-507. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.073302
de Oliveira Silva T, et al. (2025). Senescent Cell Depletion Alleviates Obesity-Related Metabolic and Cardiac Disorders . Mol Metab, 91:102065. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.102065
Desai S, et al. (2025). Management of Stable Coronary Artery Disease and Acute Coronary Syndrome in Patients with Cancer . Curr Cardiol Rep, 27(1):65. doi: 10.1007/s11886-025-02214-x
Devries S, et al. Nutrition Education in Cardiology Training: Unmet Needs and Impactful Opportunities . Am J Med, 138(3):428-431.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2024.11.020
Henning RJ, Anderson WM (2025). Sleep Apnea is a Common and Dangerous Cardiovascular Risk Factor . Curr Probl Cardiol, 50(1):102838. doi: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2024.102838
Henning RJ, Hoh FABL. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis . Curr Probl Cardiol, 18:102992. doi: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2025.102992
Herweg B, et al. (2025). Conduction System Pacing for CRT: A Physiological Alternative . Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev, 4:e04. doi: 10.15420/aer.2024.10
Lee DH, et al. (2024). Targeted Circulating Lipid Mediators and Immune Cell Gene Transcripts After ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction . Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00494.2024
Marmagkiolis K, et al. (2025). Structural Heart Disease Interventions. Year in Review 2023-2024 . Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. doi: 10.1002/ccd.31436
Marmagkiolis K, et al. (2025). Yellowish Nodules on a Man Consuming a Carnivore Diet . JAMA Cardiol,10(3):297. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2024.5209
Pan B, et al. (2025). Trbp Inhibits Cardiac Fibrosis Through TGF-β Pathway Mediated Crosstalk Between Cardiomyocytes and Fibroblasts . Clin Sci (Lond), 19:CS20242397. doi: 10.1042/CS20242397
Reddy M, (2025). Can Timely Outpatient Visits Reduce Readmissions and Mortality Among Heart Failure Patients? J Gen Intern Med, 40(2):493-494. doi: 10.1007/s11606-024-09146-2
Reilly C, et al. (2025). Evaluation of the Feasibility and Efficacy of Point-of-Care Antibody Tests for Biomarker-Guided Management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 . J Infect Dis, 231(3):677-683. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiae452
Sachs V, et al. (2025). Regional and Socioeconomic Disparities in Calcium Scans . J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr, 19(1):169-172. doi: 10.1016/j.jcct.2024.08.002
Sagalov A, et al. (2025). Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair Versus Annuloplasty in Functional Mitral Valve Regurgitation: A Comparison of Cardiovascular Outcomes . Cardiol Res, 16(1):15-21. doi: 10.14740/cr1728
Schlossnagle CM, et al. (2025). Safety and Clinical Outcomes of a Complete "Minimalist" Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Pathway . Catheter Cardiovasc Interv, 105(2):399-403. doi: 10.1002/ccd.31297
Sequeira A, (2025). Unlocking the Gates: Uptake of Cardiac CT and Barriers to Wider Adoption Among Primary Care Providers . J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr, 19(1):149-151. doi: 10.1016/j.jcct.2024.07.013

DIGESTIVE DISEASES & NUTRITION

Blonski W, et al. (2025). The History and Use of the Timed Barium Esophagram in Achalasia, Esophagogastric Junction Outflow Obstruction, and Esophageal Strictures . Neurogastroenterol Motil, 37(1):e14928. doi: 10.1111/nmo.14928
Bolla R, et al. (2025). Self-Assembling Hemostatic Peptide Gel Used to Successfully Treat Rectal Ulcer in Radiation-Associated Vascular Ectasia: A Case Report . Am J Case Rep, 26:e946886. doi: 10.12659/AJCR.946886
Dayto DC, et al. (2024). A Systematic Critical Appraisal of Clinical Practice Guidelines in Barrett's Esophagus Using the AGREE II Tool . J Clin Gastroenterol. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000002121
Diab AF, et al. (2025). The Use of Knives with Versus Without Integrated Water-jet Function During Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy for Patients with Achalasia: A Meta-analysis . Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. doi: 10.1097/SLE.0000000000001356
Kahlon S, et al. (2025). Evaluating the Concordance of ChatGPT and Physician Recommendations for Bariatric Surgery . Can J Physiol Pharmacol, 103(2):70-74. doi: 10.1139/cjpp-2024-0026
Nehila T, et al. (2025). Discrepancies in the Reporting of Hiatal Hernia Size: A Review . Am Surg, 20:31348251329465. doi: 10.1177/00031348251329465
Prajapati SK, et al. (2025). Protection of Alzheimer's Disease Progression by a Human-Origin Probiotics Cocktail . Sci Rep, 15(1):1589. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-84780-8
Shargo R, et al. (2025). Dumping Syndrome and Bile Acid Reflux Following Pyloroplasty and Gastric Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (G-POEM) for Refractory Gastroparesis: A Systematic Review . Cureus, 17(2):e79056. doi: 10.7759/cureus.79056

GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE

Dao TH, Jackson CD (2025). What Is Community-Acquired Pneumonia? JAMA, 333(5):442. doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.22251
Dao TH, Jackson CD (2025). When Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Goes Rogue . Postgrad Med J. doi: 10.1093/postmj/qgae192
Henderson H, et al. (2025). Anonymous Opt-Out HIV and Hepatitis C Screening at a Syringe Services Program in Florida . Harm Reduct J, 22(1):30. doi: 10.1186/s12954-025-01182-3
Thomas ML, et al. (2025). Increasing Communication about Fall Risk and Prevention between Internal Medicine Residents and Older Adults . South Med J, 118(2):114-117. doi: 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000001786

HEMATOLOGY

Thapa SB, et al. (2025). Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Budd-Chiari Syndrome . Eur J Haematol, 114(3):566-572. doi: 10.1111/ejh.14363

INFECTIOUS DISEASES & INTERNATIONAL MEDICINE

Benyahia SA, et al. (2025). Navigating Cytomegalovirus Retinitis in a Patient With Myelodysplastic Syndromes Transitioning to Acute Myeloid Leukemia Post Transplant: A Case Study . Cureus, 17(2):e78491. doi: 10.7759/cureus.78491
Cui L (2025). Predicting Plasmodium Drug Resistance Through in vitro Evolution . Trends Parasitol, 41(3):170-171. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.01.008
Fisk-Hoffman RJ, et al. (2025). What Matters Most for Long-Acting Antiretroviral Therapy? A Best-Worst Scaling Discrete Choice Experiment . J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000003609
Mourad A, et al. (2025). Long-term Outcomes of Passive Immunotherapy for COVID-19: A Pooled Analysis of a Large Multinational Platform Randomized Clinical Trial . Clin Microbiol Infect, 6:S1198-743X(25)00060-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2025.02.002
Prins C, et al. (2025). Infection Prevention and Control in Long-Term Care Facilities in Florida: A Needs Assessment Survey . Am J Infect Control, 53(2):210-221. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2024.10.008
Tapaopong P, et al. (2025). Molecular Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity of Disappearing Plasmodium Vivax in Southern Thailand . Sci Rep, 15(1):2620. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-86578-8

PULMONARY, CRITICAL CARE & SLEEP MEDICINE

Casanova NG, et al. (2025). eNAMPT Is a Novel DAMP and Therapeutic Target in Human and Murine Pulmonary Fibrosis . Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2024-0342OC
Tourki B, et al. (2025). Convergent and Divergent Immune Aberrations in COVID-19, Post-COVID-19-Interstitial Lung Disease, and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis . Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, 328(1):C199-C211. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00528.2024

EXTRA-DIVISIONAL

Dismuke-Greer CE, et al. (2025). Department of Defense Military Treatment Facility and Community Care Costs After Traumatic Brain Injury in Service Members and Veterans Treated in Veterans Affairs Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers: A VA TBI Model Systems Study . J Head Trauma Rehabil. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000001028
Guidi JC, (2025). The Role of Primary Care Physicians in the Loneliness Epidemic . Am J Med, 138(3):e38. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2024.05.018
Hammad N, et al. (2024). Nitazoxanide Controls Virus Viability Through its Impact on Membrane Bioenergetics . Sci Rep, 14(1):30679. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-78694-8
Kim D, et al. (2025). TAS2R5 Screening Reveals Biased Agonism that Fails to Evoke Internalization and Downregulation Resulting in Attenuated Desensitization . PLoS One, 20(2):e0315820. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0315820
Kinney AR, et al. (2025). Decisional Needs of Veterans with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Initiating Treatment for Insomnia Disorder and Obstructive Sleep Apnea . J Head Trauma Rehabil, 01;40(2):E144-E153. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000978
Lernmark Å, et al. (2025). Looking Back at the TEDDY Study: Lessons and Future Directions . Nat Rev Endocrinol, 21(3):154-165. doi: 10.1038/s41574-024-01045-0
Silva MA, et al. (2025). Environmental Barriers are Associated with Rehabilitation Needs 10 to 15 Years After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Veterans Affairs TBI Model Systems Study . J Head Trauma Rehabil, 40(2):125-136. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000001011
Templeman EL, et al. (2025). A Type 1 Diabetes Prediction Model has Utility Across Multiple Screening Settings with Recalibration . Res Sq [Preprint], Feb 6:rs.3.rs-5773430. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5773430/v1
Triolo TM, et al. (2025). Genetic Associations With C-peptide Levels Before Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis in At-risk Relatives . J Clin Endocrinol Metab,110(4):e1046-e1050. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgae349
Tsen J, et al. (2025). Long-Term Family Needs After a Traumatic Brain Injury: A VA TBI Model Systems Study . J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2025 Jan 24. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000001015

Spotlight on Infectious Diseases and International Medicine

The mission of the USF Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine is to provide expert, compassionate care and innovate in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases. The division offers premier clinical services at four primary institutions: Tampa General Hospital (TGH), H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC), James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital (VA), and the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). Now seeing steady growth in staffing and services, the division has established itself as a clinical leader locally and nationally by implementing evidence-based practices in complex care settings. Key areas of growth include the care of immunocompromised patients, where clinical services, research, and teaching have expanded in tandem. Our faculty members are nationally recognized for excellence in infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, and clinical education, all of which have contributed to increased consult volumes and enhanced institutional support. The division has a robust basic and clinical research program with particular strength in global health, parasitology, and HIV. The division is also home to an NIH-funded International Center for Excellence in Malaria Research.

The division is guided by a strategic plan focusing on operational efficiencies and multidisciplinary collaboration. We have incorporated faculty and partner feedback by aligning clinical workload, increasing protected time, and investing in initiatives that increase engagement in our academic missions. Targeted recruitment efforts have successfully attracted clinician-educators and subspecialists to help meet growing demand, particularly in the care of the immunocompromised.

The division's longstanding expertise in HIV and sexual health has led to the integration of services at the VA and FDOH, including expanded telehealth and longitudinal care models. These clinical advances have been matched by national recognition—through faculty-led CDC-funded initiatives, training grants, and honors such as Castle Connolly's Top Doctors and the USPTO "Patents for Humanity" award—highlighting the division's growing influence in public health and academic medicine.

Kami Kim, MD

Andor Szentivanyi Professor of Medicine

Director, Division of Infectious Disease & International Medicine

CLINICAL RECOGNITION

Congratulations to Dr Colleen McIntosh and Dr. Ashley Perry for taking the 1^st and 2^nd prizes on their Quality Improvement projects at the abstract competition for the 2025 USF/TGH Hospital Medicine Conference.

Colleen McIntosh, DO

Assistant Professor of Hospital Medicine

1^st prize

Defining Imaging Priority Categories decreases number of STAT orders and Time from Image Order to Completion Across Multiple Radiologic Modalities

Ashley Perry, MD

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Fellow

2^nd prize

Use of Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Adherence to Blood Utilization Guidelines

'23-'24 Patient Experience Top Performer Awards

Joseph Ashmore APRN (Pulmonology)

Darlene Baysa APRN (GIM)

Joy Gaziano MA (GI)

Anant Kharod MD (Cardiology)

William Miller MD (Pulmonology)

Bibhu Mohanty MD (Cardiology)

Hugo Narvarte MD (IM)

Kevin O'Brien MD FACP (IM)

Aylin Ozgen APRN (Cardiology)

Megan Moore Pearce APRN (GI)

Xavier Prida MD (Cardiology)

John Ramirez MD (Cardiology)

Jennifer Shiroky-Kochavi MD (GIM)

Chakrapol Sriaroon MD (Pulmonology)

Farnaz Tabatabaian MD (Allergy & Immunology)

Dr. Sarah Burbank was selected for the Boston University School of Medicine CARE Faculty Scholars (CFS) Program in Addiction Medicine.

Tyana Chestnut

Administrative Specialist

Infectious Diseases

Alexa Cuesta

Research Technician

Infectious Disease

Amber Lynn Goerner

Research Scientist

Infectious Diseases

Laura Harrison, MD

Assistant Professor

Hospital Medicine

Moshe Miller, MD

Assistant Professor

Hospice & Palliative Medicine

Maggie Morris

Office Manager

Infectious Diseases

Marisol Ortega

Research Technician

Infectious Diseases

Eric Southers

Research Support Specialist

Infectious Diseases

Camilla Summers

Research Scientist

Infectious Diseases

Not Pictured

Joy Lynn Merschdorf

Operations Manager

Hadassah Carmona

Research Support Specialist

Anna Nguyen

Associate Director of Finance

Chairman's Office

Justin Tank, APRN

Instructor I

Nephrology

Philanthropic Efforts: Ways to collaborate with USF Health Developments

Grateful Patient Program – Sometimes, patients wish to express their gratitude by exploring philanthropy to help further IM’s clinical work and help the patients and families who will rely on your team for similar care in the future.

Keys to finding and soliciting Grateful Patients:

Meet with your development officer regularly or in your clinic’s physician work room (Arthur Santos, arthursantos@usf.edu, (302) 423-1313---consistent but brief time on your calendar.
Keep your ears open to gratitude from your patients.
Referrals (Refer patients you have seen with successful or multiple treatments who are happy and grateful they are your patient, even family members who express they’re grateful for how you care for the patient). Remember, your relationship with the patient is the most important thing (we do not reach out without your permission) and you are never responsible for asking any patient for money.

Research Funding – Funding for research can be obtained through patients, grants, or private donors who are patient about a specific illness. We can create a fund if necessary with an initial gift of at least $1000.

Grant applications (Corporate and Foundation) – The USF Foundation has staff to help you locate grant opportunities and apply. Please work with us in the beginning of the discussions and applications to prevent hold-ups and interfering with active University/USF Health proposals with donors/organizations.

Events – If your department would like to have a fundraising event, and if you have a special initiative/occasion to celebrate or raise funds for, our office can assist.

GME – Residents, Fellows, and Alumni of your department are just as valuable as private donors. They care about your department and the future health care providers more than you realize, and they often invest by making gifts toward their specialty.

Messaging – We have templates for fundraising letters, proposals, etc., and often send them signed by department chairs or primary investigators of specific research projects. We even have a communications team that can develop concept papers and proposals related to philanthropy.

Connecting with donors – See the Grateful Patient Program for patient connection. You may connect with personal and professional relationships, but a development officer should be aware of your discussions and participate in them early on to assist in philanthropy. Referrals are highly encouraged and give development officers the chance to meet with prospects and have discussions on the interest of philanthropy. Faculty are always welcome to join, especially if making an introduction.

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