Postgraduate Year 1

Subspecialty: Cardiology or GI

Husam was born and raised in Amman, Jordan. He graduated from The University of Jordan. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, pickleball, and tennis.

Subspecialty: General Pediatrics and Newborn Nursery Unit 

Born and raised in South Florida, Begum completed her undergraduate education at the University of Florida and earned her medical degree from VCOM Carolinas in Spartanburg, SC. She is thrilled to return home as a Double Gator and be close to her family and friends. Outside of medicine, she enjoys traveling, exploring nature trails, and listening to Olivia Dean. Fun fact: She speaks Turkish!

Subspecialty: Hematology and Oncology

Fatima comes all the way from Lebanon, where she was born and raised, to join the University of Florida Pediatrics family. She is an avid swimmer, enjoys spending time with animals, and often unwinds by braiding her friend’s hair or experimenting with baking as she builds it into a hobby. In her free time, she is learning to crochet and hopes to continue improving her skills.

Subspecialty: Nephrology

Dr. Altayeb Alshaikh earned his medical degree from Omdurman Islamic University in Sudan. He completed a Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship at the University of Florida, where he developed interests in pediatric kidney diseases, medical education, and translational research. He is now a Pediatric Resident at the University of Florida and hopes to pursue a career as a physician-scientist in pediatric nephrology. Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing chess, and playing tennis.

Subspecialty: General pediatrics or GI

Dana, originally from Lebanon and raised in Abu Dhabi, completed both her undergraduate and medical education at the American University of Beirut. She is thrilled to continue pursuing her dream of becoming a pediatrician at the University of Florida. Outside of medicine, she enjoys social dancing, running, arts and crafts, baking chocolate cake, and listening to Taylor Swift. 

Subspecialty: Endocrinology

As a Gainesville, Florida native, Maggie is thrilled to join the Gator family. She completed her undergraduate studies at Nova Southeastern University and Erskine College and earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys staying active through sports and long walks with her husband, Matt. She is passionate about building strong relationships with patients and supporting the health and well-being of children across Florida.

Subspecialty: Child Neurology

Kenley grew up in a small town in South Mississippi. She enjoys traveling new places with her husband, reading fantasy books, and baking with her grandmother. She is excited to explore all of the outdoor activities that the Gainesville area has to offer!

Subspecialty: Emergency Medicine

Kassandra was born in the Dominican Republic but moved to Miami, FL when she was 10 years old. She is a kid at heart with her favorite movie being Frozen. She loves plants, books, and coffee. She is a dog mom to a mini golden retriever puppy named Elsa and she has been the best decision in Kassandra’s life. 

Subspecialty: General Pediatrics or NICU

Laura is a Miami native with Cuban roots. She moved to Gainesville for undergrad at UF and went on to attend medical school at Indiana University. She is excited to return to the Swamp and become a double Gator. In her free time, Laura enjoys cheering on the Gators, spending time with her dogs, and sharing good food with friends and family.

Subspecialty: Neonatology

Lexi is originally from Lexington, Kentucky, and earned her undergraduate degree from Purdue University before attending medical school at Kansas City University. She is thrilled to begin her pediatric residency at the University of Florida College of Medicine, where she has a special interest in the NICU and caring for the most vulnerable patients. Outside of medicine, Lexi enjoys playing pickleball, traveling, and doing anything with animals. 

Subspecialty: Neonatology

Amal grew up in Amman, Jordan. Inspired by watching her older sister go through medical school, she developed a deep passion for medicine from a young age. She fell in love with pediatrics and chose to pursue it to help children and support their families to the best of her ability. Outside of medicine, she enjoys listening to podcasts and music, and playing competitive trivia games. She is truly excited to begin this new chapter in her life in Gainesville and to join the UF Pediatrics family.

Subspecialty: Cardiology or Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (still figuring out which one wins)

Gayathri was born and raised in Hyderabad, India, and earned her medical degree from Government Medical College Mahabubnagar. She’s thrilled to begin residency and living independently. Outside of medicine, she loves keeping a daily digital diary, cooking, and making handmade gifts for friends,  though most of the time, she’s just talking to herself. She’s also recently picked up the ukulele and swimming, two long-pending hobbies she’s finally excited to explore.

Subspecialty: Open to exploring all that pediatrics has to offer, with current interests in GI, infectious diseases, and general pediatrics.

Raxely was born and raised in Venezuela and later moved to Argentina, where she completed medical school. She is excited to join the UF Pediatrics family and begin her new chapter in Florida, where she looks forward to being close to family. She has always enjoyed being around children, which is where her love for pediatrics began. Outside of medicine, she loves traveling and exploring new places, always in search of the perfect sunset, and spending time with family and friends, cozy movie nights, and long walks and hikes.

Subspecialty: General Pediatrics

Angelica Byrd Mestre is a proud triple Gator and Florida native who is excited to join the UF Pediatrics family. Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time with her husband, a fellow UF resident, and can often be found at Gator sporting events or floating through Florida’s springs with the occasional Saturday spent giving carrots to retired horses.

Subspecialty: Pediatric Hospital Medicine

Nikhita is a lifelong Floridian, from her hometown in Parkland, FL to undergrad at UF here in Gainesville, and medical school at USF in Tampa. She is very passionate about advocacy and injury prevention. In her free time, Nikhita loves to do jigsaw puzzles, jog, or enjoy a movie with a kitty! 

Subspecialty: Child Neurology with interests in Headache and Sports Neurology

Cameron Robins, MD, MPH, is a pediatric resident at University of Florida with an interest in child neurology, particularly headache and sports neurology. He earned his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and his medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Outside of medicine, he enjoys staying active, spending time outdoors, and following college sports, especially supporting the Sun Devils while now proudly cheering for the Gators as well.

Subspecialty: Hospitalist or Cardiology

Alex is originally from Memphis, TN and was a competitive swimmer for 15 years. Nowadays, he enjoys building LEGO sets, running, lifting heavy circles, and going on walks with his dog, Bella! He is excited to move down to The Swamp with his soon-to-be wife, Dani, and enjoy the Saturday night lights!

Subspecialty: Endocrinology

Maren is thrilled to be joining the UF Pediatrics family, a place that already feels like home after completing her undergraduate studies at UF. She is especially excited to train in such a supportive, engaging, and team-oriented environment, and looks forward to learning from her mentors while helping care for the pediatric population in the community. In her free time, Maren enjoys spending time with friends and family, dancing, running, enjoying movies/shows, and being around animals, especially dogs.

Subspecialty: Infectious Disease, Neonatology, or Hospital Medicine

Allison was born and raised in Puerto Rico and completed her undergraduate studies at FIU in Miami, FL. After attending medical school in Arkansas, she is excited to return to the Sunshine State, a place she considers home. In her free time, she enjoys all things Disney, reading, rewatching her favorite comfort shows, going to the beach, and spending time with her husband and their sunbathing Siberian Husky, Fenway. She is so excited to be joining the UF Peds family!