Postgraduate Year 1
Class of 2028

Subspecialty: Child Abuse Medicine, General Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine 

Becky grew up in the Northeast but fled the snow to enjoy the sunshine at the University of Florida for medical school. She’s excited to spend the next three years making more memories in Gainesville. Outside of medicine, Becky loves reading, hosting game nights with friends, and taking trips to Disney World.

Subspecialty: General Pediatrics

Michelle is originally from northern Kentucky, went to Purdue for engineering, and then to the University of Kentucky for medical school. She has a husband, a daughter who is almost 2, and two little doodles whom she loves very much!

Subspecialty: Child Neurology

Sidney was born and raised in St. Petersburg, FL, and completed both her undergraduate and medical education at the University of Florida. As a new Child Neurology resident, she is incredibly proud to call herself a triple gator! Outside of medicine, she enjoys yoga, rollerblading, and doing escape rooms or karaoke nights with friends and family.

Subspecialty: At this time I am primarily interested in Allergy/Immunology!

Makayla is from Indiana, and found her love for pediatrics from a young age. As a resident, she looks forward to coming alongside families as their kids grow, offering support and guidance every step of the way. She’s passionate about building lasting relationships and doing her best to provide the best advice to the families of her new community in Florida.

Subspecialty: Neonatology 

Originally from Turkey, Muhammed has lived most of his life in Kansas. He completed his undergraduate and medical education at the University of Kansas. In his free time, he enjoys exploring restaurants and cafes, playing golf with his siblings, and relaxing at home with a good book and his two cats.

Subspecialty: Pediatric Endocrinology

Grace is a PGY1 resident from Rome, Georgia. She and her fiance both matched in pediatrics at the University of Florida for residency. Outside of work, Grace enjoys hiking, playing pickle ball, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.

Subspecialty: If not Primary Care, maybe Child Abuse or Developmental subspecialty

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she finds her greatest joy in spending time with her family and unwinding by the beach. After completing her undergraduate studies in New York City, she returned to her roots back to PR to escape the cold, where she went on to complete her medical degree. Her passion for pediatrics stems from her love for working with children, and she is thrilled to start on this exciting new chapter of her career.

Subspecialty: Hematology/Oncology

Emily is a South Florida native and is so happy to be doing her residency back home in the sunshine state. She is passionate about medical education and hematology/oncology. Outside of medicine, she loves watching women’s basketball, listening to Taylor Swift’s music, and playing pickleball.

Subspecialty: General Outpatient Pediatrics

Aimee is originally from Hawaii and spent most of her childhood in the Tacoma, Washington area. Her educational journey has taken her across the country from earning her undergraduate degree at Pepperdine University in California, to completing an MS in Anatomic Sciences, an MBA, and her DO degree at Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee. She completed her clinical rotations in Central Florida and is thrilled to now call it home alongside her husband and growing family. Outside of medicine, Aimee enjoys stand-up paddleboarding through the Sunshine State’s natural springs, devouring audiobooks across genres, and hosting game nights with family and friends. 

Subspecialty: Child Neurology

Donna grew up in Georgia but calls Florida home and loves to spend time with her husband Don and sons Leo and Joseph. Her favorite family pastimes include hiking, camping and hockey. She is a proud product of higher education in Florida including Jacksonville University, the University of South Florida, Nova Southeastern University and now the University of Florida- Go Gators!

Subspecialty: Pediatric EM or Allergy/Immunology

Stefan is a born and raised Floridian. He attended Florida State University for undergrad. He attended VCOM-Auburn for medical school, and is excited to come back to Florida. Some of his favorite hobbies include weightlifting, playing videogames, playing pickle ball, and spending time with his friends and family.

Subspecialty: General Pediatrics

Lauren Jensen is a Florida native and has lived in Gainesville for the past eight years. She bleeds orange and blue, and is thrilled to begin training at Shands Children’s Hospital. Outside of the hospital, you can find her, her husband (Andrew), son (Ethan), and toothless pup (Jessica Day) cheering on the Gators at Ben Hill Griffin, hiking at San Felasco State Park, enjoying a beer at First Magnitude, or attending mass at Queen of Peace Catholic Church. 

Subspecialty: Cardiology, Hematology/Oncology, other procedural subspecialty

Alexis grew up in Carriere, Mississippi. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi for her undergraduate education and the University of Mississippi Medical Center for medical school. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, hanging with friends, and watching reality TV.

Subspecialty: Most likely general pediatrics or child abuse medicine but also open to other fellowship options

Hope is from the Auburn-Opelika area of Alabama and is the middle of three siblings. She studied Biomedical Sciences at Auburn University and earned her medical degree from the University of South Alabama, where she met her husband. Hope enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors, as well as traveling with her family.

Subspecialty: PICU or Hospitalist

Originally from Miami, Florida, Erica Merlino completed her undergraduate studies at New York University before returning home to earn her medical degree from Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, her fiance an OB/GYN resident here at UF, and their two Maine Coon cats, Sheldon and Penny. She is very excited to join the Gator Pediatrics family and begin this next chapter of her training!

Subspecialty: General Pediatrics

Payton is originally from Margate, FL, and attended college at UF and medical school at USF. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, painting, and yoga. She is excited to join the UF Pediatrics team and continue caring for the children of Florida.

Subspecialty: Pediatric endocrinology, academic medicine

Valeriia Muradova is thrilled to join the UF Pediatrics family and is passionate about delivering compassionate, evidence-based care to children and their families. With a background in pediatric endocrinology, she is committed to fostering a supportive environment for her patients while continually expanding her expertise in pediatric medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, baking (especially sourdough bread),and exploring Florida.

Subspecialty: Neonatology 

Chloe grew up in Indiana and attended Purdue University for undergrad. She then attended LMU for medical school where she split her time in Tennessee and Florida. In her free time, Chloe loves to spend time with her husband, Luke and her pets, travel, read, and spend days on the beach. She is thrilled to be joining the Gator Peds family!  

Subspecialty: Rheumatology or Sports Medicine

Ivana is from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and she earned her medical degree from Ponce Health Sciences University. During her free time, she enjoys running, exploring new coffee shops, and spending time at the beach.

Subspecialty: PICU!

David is an incoming resident from Atlanta, Georgia who is a graduate of the University of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia. Despite being a bulldog at heart, he is very excited to join the University of Florida family this year. In his free time he enjoys: watching and playing basketball, weightlifting, and scuba diving.