Program Leadership » Pediatric Residency Program » College of Medicine

Interim Department Chair

Desmond Schatz, M.D.

Professor and Interim Chair, UF College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics; Interim Physician-in-chief, UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital; Medical Director of the Diabetes Center and Associate Director of the GCRC at the University of Florida, Gainesville.

Dr. Schatz earned his medical degree from the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School in Johannesburg, South Africa. Following his internship and mandatory two-year conscription serving as a physician, he completed his residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at the University of Florida. He joined the UF faculty in 1989 and has demonstrated a commitment to collaboration, integrity and the pursuit of excellence over the past three decades.

Dr. Schatz is a pediatric endocrinologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Named one of “America’s Best Doctors,” he is a devoted clinician to his pediatric patients. He has served in numerous capacities for the American Diabetes Association (ADA), including his 2016 appointment as ADA President. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Mary Tyler Moore and S. Robert Levine Excellence in Clinical Research Award, the ADA Banting Medal for Leadership and Service, and the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) Prize for Achievement.

A nationally and internationally renowned Type 1 diabetes researcher, Dr. Schatz has published more than 360 manuscripts and book chapters. The majority of his research is related to the prediction, natural history, genetics, immunopathogenesis and prevention of the disease, as well as the management of children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. He holds several National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants and has maintained continuous funding from the NIH for more than 30 years.

Dr. Schatz is married to Nadine and has three adult children, all pursuing health-related careers. An avid sports fan, he spends his free time watching the Florida Gators athletic events or reading about sports strategy.

View Dr. Schatz’s distinguished career outlined in his curriculum vitae.

Email: schatda@peds.ufl.edu

Pediatric Medical Education Director

Nicole Paradise Black, M.D., M.Ed.

Associate Professor
Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine

Dr. Black received her undergraduate degree from The College of William and Mary and her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and went on to do a chief residency year at The Barbara Bush’s Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center. She spent two years working as a community hospitalist for The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and then joined the UF faculty in 2005. Her professional areas of interest include incorporating technology into resident and medical student education, patient- and family-centered rounds, and breastfeeding. Dr. Black receives local and national recognition for her work, including the Association of Pediatric Program Directors’ Walter W. Tunnessen, Jr., MD. Award for the Advancement of Pediatric Resident Education and the UF David A. Paulus Award for Clinical Excellence. Dr. Black’s husband, Erik, is a PhD in Educational Technology and they have a son named Brennan and a daughter named Ryan. She enjoys spending time with her family and participating in CrossFit and endurance sports such as marathons and long distance triathlons.

Email: blacknm@peds.ufl.edu