Postgraduate Year 2
Class of 2026

Subspecialty: Pediatric Nephrology

Rasha was born and raised in Egypt, where she attended the medical school. She had always been drawn to pediatrics, yearning to provide care to the most innocent and vulnerable population. After she became a mother, she saw her own kids in every pediatric patient, and they could have easily been hers. In her free time, she enjoys art and design.

Subspecialty: Cardiology/Critical Care

Salma is from originally from Morocco. She loves cooking and went to culinary school to improve her skills. She loves spending time with her family and is so excited to enjoy the sunshine of Florida.

Subspecialty: Epilepsy, Neurodevelopmental, Neurophysiology

Joey is a first-generation doctor from the Philippines. During her free days, she loves to travel and discover the local delicacies in these places. She is also an arts and music enthusiast (but she can’t sing for her life!). 

Subspecialty: General Pediatrics with an interest in childhood obesity and mental health

Adriana grew up in South Florida then moved to Gainesville for medical school, and is excited to officially be a double Gator now that she is staying here for residency! She and her husband recently welcomed a baby girl, and their dog Cassie has been enjoying her new role as a big sister. Outside of medicine, Adriana enjoys crafting, lifting weights, cycling, watching stand-up comedy, and relaxing on the beach.

Subspecialty: Plan to pursue a fellowship, but still deciding on which one! 

Kelly grew up in Goldsboro, North Carolina and studied biology and religious studies at East Carolina University before continuing her education at the Brody School of Medicine. Outside of medicine, Kelly enjoys reading, playing board games, and exploring nature with her husband, Jamie, and dog, Meeko! Kelly is very excited to move to the Sunshine State and join the UF family!

Subspecialty: Undecided. I am most interested in General Pediatrics, Pediatric Hospitalist, or PICU. 

Megan grew up in a small town in South Dakota. She attended the University of South Dakota for her undergraduate and medical school education. She is excited to explore the natural beauties of Florida with her sister and brother-in-law, who moved here several years ago. Megan enjoys anything in nature, listening to podcasts, reading, and knitting. 

Subspecialty: General Pediatrics or Cardiology

Mirna Hanna grew up in Egypt then moved to Tallahassee, Florida during high school. She completed her undergraduate and medical education at Florida State University. She is thrilled to embark on the next stage of her journey to becoming a pediatrician by joining the UF family. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her fiance and family, reading, hiking, and walking along new trails. 

Subspecialty: Pediatric Cardiology (but open to other specialties!) 

Laura was born and raised in Cuba before moving to Miami, FL. She attended Florida International University for her undergraduate degree and completed medical school at West Virginia University (Go Mountaineers!!). She is excited to move back to Florida with her partner Abraham to be close to family and friends. Outside of medicine, she loves to cook, sing and spend time outside discovering the city. 

Subspecialty: Most likely general pediatrics or pulmonology, but keeping an open mind!

Ashley was born and raised in Florida. She attended UF for undergrad (go Gators!) and the University of South Alabama for medical school. Outside of medicine, Ashley enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the beach, reading, and spending time with her cat, Ellie.

Subspecialty: I think I would love General Pediatrics, but I have also thought a lot about Infectious Diseases!

Melissa grew up in Powder Springs, GA and Madison, MS then moved far from home to attend Baylor University where she studied Bioinformatics and Classics and stayed for 2 more years to complete her MPH in Community Health Education. She moved with her husband to El Paso where she attended medical school, and is now very excited to get back to the east coast. She loves gardening (particularly, she loves growing sunflowers), playing board games, reading and writing, and spending time outside.

Subspecialty: Pediatric Emergency Medicine 

Jenna Knafo is a South Florida native who earned both her undergraduate degree and her medical degree at Nova Southeastern University. She prides herself on being able to incorporate her creative mind and artistic skills in treating her pediatric patients. She is eager to begin residency and become the best pediatric physician she can be at UF Shands Children’s Hospital. Outside of medicine, you can find her exploring the great outdoors, traveling, exercising, boating, painting sceneries, and spending time with her loved ones. 

Subspecialty: Hospitalist or Emergency Medicine

Michael grew up in a rural farm town in Central Texas as the 7th of 8 children. He attended the University of Dallas where he played baseball before finishing out his undergraduate career and medical school at Texas Tech University. In his free time, you can find Michael outdoors exploring new trails and playing intramural sports, cooking for friends, or playing board games. He is excited to escape the deserts of West Texas and join the Gator family!

Subspecialty: Primary Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, and Critical Care

Ibrahim grew up in Oregon and attended medical school at the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University. He completed his clinical rotations in Florida where he fell in love with the state and is thrilled to stay here for his training! He enjoys camping and exploring nature. His hobbies include fitness, drone photography, and working on his latest project – a campervan!

Subspecialty: Hospitalist, Gen Peds

Taylor grew up in Miami, FL and is excited to be a triple Gator after attending undergrad and med school at UF. She’s looking forward to making more memories in Gainesville and starting residency with her fiance Charlie, a Family Medicine resident. Outside of medicine, she enjoys cooking, reading by the pool, watching sports/playing intramurals, and spending time with her family and their six pups.

Subspecialty: Emergency Medicine/GI 

Anagha was born and raised in India, moved to the United States with her family as a teenager and has since then called South Florida home. She received her undergraduate degree at Nova Southeastern University, MHS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and completed medical school at LECOM-Bradenton. She is an avid tea drinker, loves fashion and dancing, and enjoys exploring new places with her friends. She is excited to join the Gator Pediatrics family.

Subspecialty: Hospital medicine, Pulmonology and Hematology 

Melissa was born and raised in Medellan, Colombia. She moved to the U.S. to join her husband and is the mother of a 4-year-old boy. Outside of medicine, she loves spending time with her family, baking, traveling, visiting Colombia and enjoys being outdoors, especially, going to the beach. 

Subspecialty: PICU or Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Abigail grew up in Houston, Texas then attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas for undergrad and medical school. Wreck ’em forever! In her free time she enjoys going on walks, barre classes, baking, and making dinner with her husband. She is so excited to be at UF for residency and to start taking care of kiddos!

Subspecialty: NICU

Vanessa was born and raised in Maracay, Venezuela.  When she graduated from medical school at Universidad de Carabobo, she knew she wanted to devote the rest of her life to helping restore the health of children. She is looking forward to joining the University of Florida Pediatric Residency and enjoying the wonderful Florida beaches with her family.

Subspecialty: Cardiology

Daniel is from Tampa, Florida and received his bachelor’s in health science and medical degree from the University of Florida. He is ecstatic to become a triple gator! He enjoys all things Gator football and also cheers for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Rays. In his free time, he enjoys weightlifting, running and spending time with friends exploring Gainesville. 

Subspecialty: Child Neuro

Blake was born and raised in Ocean Springs, Mississippi and is one of 3 brothers. He is married to Savannah, and they have one daughter, Charlotte. He attended undergraduate at Mississippi State University and medical school at the University of Mississippi.  Outside of medicine, Blake enjoys spending time with his family, trivia, and watching movies.