University of Michigan
Anna Abbott, MD
Subspecialty: Primary Care, Neonatology, Mental Health, Global Health
Anna grew up in Ann Arbor, MI and attended the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) for college and medical school. She is thrilled to be joining her partner Ken (general surgery resident) at UF. Other than taking great care of children and families, she dreams of one day visiting every national park, raising backyard chickens, and petting all the dogs. In her free time, you can find Anna outside soaking up the Florida sun or searching for her new favorite coffee shop.
Chicago Medical School
Paul Asheim, MS, MD
Subspecialty: Hospitalist, PICU
Paul grew up in the Chicago suburbs with a childhood dream of becoming a pediatrician and he cannot wait to take care of all of the baby Gators in Florida. Outside of the hospital, Paul is on a quest to explore all of the national parks in the U.S. He enjoys doubles tennis and rollerblading when the sun is shining and cooking original recipes with family and friends at night.
Florida State University
Blaire Cote, MD
Subspecialty: General Pediatrics
Blaire Cote, originally from Tallahassee, FL, attended University of Florida for undergrad and Florida State University for medical school. She is excited to be returning to Gainesville for Pediatric Residency at UF Shands with the goal of becoming an amazing primary care pediatrician working with underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys playing alto saxophone and piano, trying new recipes, and spending time with her husband, Justin, and their two rescue kittens.
UT San Antonio
Tristan Dorn, MD
Subspecialty: Critical Care or Emergency Medicine (but open to other specialties!)
Tristan grew up in Dallas, Texas. She studied Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Wisconsin and was fortunate to spend a semester abroad studying art in Florence, Italy before completing her MD/MPH at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, playing with her Labrador Retriever, Scout, painting, and playing soccer. Tristan is excited to join the Gator family and enjoy the Florida sunshine!
Wayne State University
Areen Goraya, MD
Subspecialty: Undecided
Areen is from Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) for her undergraduate studies and Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit for medical school. She enjoys traveling, reading, history, and sunshine. She is looking forward to escaping the snow, starting residency, and meeting new people in Gainesville!
University of Florida
Rebekah King, MD
Subspecialty: Fellowship probably, but unsure which!
Rebekah Fitzpatrick is from Orlando, Florida and went to medical school at the UF College of Medicine. During her free time, she enjoys watching movies with her husband, exploring narrative medicine and comics, writing science fiction, and playing basketball. She is excited to stay in Gainesville and continuously eat at Las Margaritas.
University of Utah
Alex Knudson, MD
Subspecialty: General Pediatrics, GI, or Endocrine
Alex grew up in Bountiful, Utah. He studied music at Boise State for undergrad before moving back to Utah for his MPH and medical school. Outside of medicine, Alex loves to watch sports and spend time with his wife and kids. He is excited for this new adventure in Florida and his kids are especially excited to be closer to Disney World!
Nova Southeastern University
Sarafina Musto, DO
Subspecialty: Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Sarafina has called Florida home since her family moved here from New Hampshire when she was ten years old. In her spare time, she can be found in a yoga session or at the local running park. She loves any opportunity to sing, dance, and laugh with her loved ones.
Medical College of Georgia
Niki Patel, MD
Subspecialty: Currently interested in specializing and thinking about A&I or GI but not set on a subspecialty yet!
Nirali (aka Niki) Patel is a native of Macon, Georgia who attended the University of Georgia for her undergraduate degree and the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta for her medical education. She has been in Georgia for most of her life and is excited to join the UF family and explore all that Gainesville has to offer! In her free time, Niki enjoys cooking and baking new recipes, traveling, relaxing with a good book, hiking, walking along new trails, and spending time with friends and family.
Indiana University
Erin Perez, MD
Subspecialty: General Pediatrics
Erin was born and raised in Whiting, IN. She attended Indiana University for undergrad and medical school. She is excited to venture to Florida with her husband and son to become the best pediatric physician she can be at the Shands Children’s Hospital. Outside of medicine, she loves the great outdoors, spending time with her loved ones, rollerblading, playing tennis, and relaxing.
University of South Alabama
Jessica Pham, MD
Subspecialty: Cardiology
Jessica was born in Canton, Ohio and raised in Alabama. She attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham for undergrad and the University of South Alabama College of Medicine for medical school. In her free time, you can find Jessica taking care of her freshwater aquariums, crafting, exploring nature with her husband, or reading.
UT Southwestern
Jenny Raman, MD
Subspecialty: Undecided
Jenny was born and raised in Central Florida. She moved to Texas for college and stuck around for medical school. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with family and friends, thrift shopping, spending time outdoors, working out, and exploring events in the community.
University of Toledo
Nithya Raya, MD
Subspecialty: Not entirely sure yet, really hoping to explore specialties during residency and find the one I love!
Nithya grew up in Pickerington, OH (a suburb of Columbus) and completed her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience and Global Public Health at Ohio State. She then attended University of Toledo in NW OH, where she not only completed her medical degree but also met her husband, Shailen, who couples matched with her into Internal Medicine! Aside from being really excited to join the Gator family, Nithya enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, playing board games, and exploring new places.
Florida International University
Samantha Rodriguez, MD
Subspecialty: Hematology-Oncology and Legislative Advocacy
Samantha is a Miami-native excited to be starting this new journey as a Gator with her partner, Chase, and their puppy, Loki! She is interested in pediatric hematology-oncology and climate change advocacy. In her spare time, find her in her garden, doing yoga, or playing with her pup!
Derika Schlueter, MD
Subspecialty: Undecided
Derika was born and raised in Clarion, PA and graduated from Penn State College of Medicine. Outside of medicine, she enjoys traveling to new places and getting to know other cultures as well as spending time outdoors. She is looking forward to living in Gainesville and finally being closer to Disney World!
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kelly Tran, DO
Subspecialty: General Pediatrics, Heme/Onc, Palliative Care
Kelly was born and raised in Orange County, California. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (Go Bruins!) and then became a nanny for 2 years before moving to Florida for medical school at LECOM – Bradenton. She met her partner in med school and he will also be a resident at UF in the Neurology program. She loves anything Disney, Bruin and now Gator Athletics, trivia, and calligraphy.
Rush Medical College
Zak Woods, MD
Subspecialty: Pediatric Cardiology
Zak is from a suburb of Chicago named McHenry, Illinois and went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for undergrad. Following completion of medical school at Rush Medical College in Chicago, he is excited to continue his medical training at the University of Florida! Outside of Medicine, he loves to play/watch/participate in anything related to football, baseball, and basketball. He is a huge fan of the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Bears!
