Rosita Petech Stoik, M.D. ’62, retired in 2025.
George Shorago, M.D. ’64, retired in 2024.
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Please update your contact information below so that we can keep you abreast of events, reunions, and other UM Miller School of Medicine news.
Jack Baruch, M.D. ’65, published “The Unvarnished Interiors: Notes from a Life Examined.”
Alvaro Lopez, M.D. ’76, retired in June 2023.
Alan Matarasso, M.D. ’79, was on Newsweek’s list for “America’s Best Plastic Surgeons” in 2024 and 2025.
Clark Springate, M.D. ’83, Ph.D., published “Errors in DNA Replication as a Basis of Malignant Changes,” which has been cited nearly 700 times.
Scott Schomer, M.D. ’87, published “The Thermodynamics of Language: Where Reality and Spirituality Finally Meet.”
Alvaro I. Martinez, M.D. ’94, joined Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, focusing on heart disease prevention.
Jason Goldman, M.D. ’98, B.S. ’94, is president of the American College of Physicians.
Tara Levine, M.D. ’99, joined Baptist Health Concierge Medicine in Delray Beach, Florida.
Rimsky L. Denis, M.D. ’14, M.B.A. ’13, is the newest member of the Miller School’s Medical Alumni Association Board of Directors. Dr. Denis is a structural and interventional cardiologist in Miami with a focus on community, education and prevention.
Alexa Preyer, D.P.T. ’14, is co-founder and lead physical therapist at The Movement Experience, a physical therapy and wellness studio redefining how people recover, train and move.
Sabrina N. Taldone, M.D. ’15, UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Resident ’18, M.B.A. ’15, B.S. ’10, became the new associate dean for clinical affairs at the Miller School in October 2025, bringing a dynamic blend of clinical expertise, educational leadership and operational insight to her new role.
George D. Glinos, M.D. ’18, joined the clinical team at Dermatology of Miami, providing medical and cosmetic dermatology care to patients across South Florida.
Niven R. Narain, Ph.D. ’18, a voluntary assistant professor in the Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, received the Anthony N. Sabga Awards for Caribbean Excellence for biotechnology research and innovation.
Nestor Beltre, M.D., ’20, UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Intern ’21, UM/Jackson Neurology Resident ’24, B.S. ’14, joined Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute, providing comprehensive, evidence-based care to patients with complex neurological conditions.
Daniel R. Bergholz, M.D. ’23, founded Miami Street Medicine, a non-profit organization providing free health care services to the homeless population of Miami-Dade County.
Erin Dandes, M.D. ’23, B.A. ’18, will be starting an NICU fellowship at University of North Carolina Hospital in June 2026.
Natasha Khatwani, Ph.D. ’25, a cancer immunotherapy researcher in the Stelekati Lab at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, won first place at the Southern Regional Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition hosted by the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools. Her winning presentation, which also garnered top honors at Miller School and University of Miami competitions, showcased a promising line of research in lymphoma immunotherapy using a personal, lifelong talent for turning difficult concepts into language people can understand.
Delia Constanza Guaqueta, M.D., joined Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute as a breast hematologist oncologist. Before earning her medical degree from Universidad de La Sabana in Colombia, Dr. Guaqueta completed two research fellowships at the Miller School of Medicine.
Rosita Petech Stoik, M.D. ’62, retired in 2025.
George Shorago, M.D. ’64, retired in 2024.
Jack Baruch, M.D. ’65, published “The Unvarnished Interiors: Notes from a Life Examined.”
Alvaro Lopez, M.D. ’76, retired in June 2023.
Alan Matarasso, M.D. ’79, was on Newsweek’s list for “America’s Best Plastic Surgeons” in 2024 and 2025.
Clark Springate, M.D. ’83, Ph.D., published “Errors in DNA Replication as a Basis of Malignant Changes,” which has been cited nearly 700 times.
Scott Schomer, M.D. ’87, published “The Thermodynamics of Language: Where Reality and Spirituality Finally Meet.”
Alvaro I. Martinez, M.D. ’94, joined Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, focusing on heart disease prevention.
Jason Goldman, M.D. ’98, B.S. ’94, is president of the American College of Physicians.
Tara Levine, M.D. ’99, joined Baptist Health Concierge Medicine in Delray Beach, Florida.
Rimsky L. Denis, M.D. ’14, M.B.A. ’13, is the newest member of the Miller School’s Medical Alumni Association Board of Directors. Dr. Denis is a structural and interventional cardiologist in Miami with a focus on community, education and prevention.
Alexa Preyer, D.P.T. ’14, is co-founder and lead physical therapist at The Movement Experience, a physical therapy and wellness studio redefining how people recover, train and move.
Sabrina N. Taldone, M.D. ’15, UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Resident ’18, M.B.A. ’15, B.S. ’10, became the new associate dean for clinical affairs at the Miller School in October 2025, bringing a dynamic blend of clinical expertise, educational leadership and operational insight to her new role.
George D. Glinos, M.D. ’18, joined the clinical team at Dermatology of Miami, providing medical and cosmetic dermatology care to patients across South Florida.
Niven R. Narain, Ph.D. ’18, a voluntary assistant professor in the Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, received the Anthony N. Sabga Awards for Caribbean Excellence for biotechnology research and innovation.
Nestor Beltre, M.D., ’20, UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Intern ’21, UM/Jackson Neurology Resident ’24, B.S. ’14, joined Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute, providing comprehensive, evidence-based care to patients with complex neurological conditions.
Daniel R. Bergholz, M.D. ’23, founded Miami Street Medicine, a non-profit organization providing free health care services to the homeless population of Miami-Dade County.
Erin Dandes, M.D. ’23, B.A. ’18, will be starting an NICU fellowship at University of North Carolina Hospital in June 2026.
Natasha Khatwani, Ph.D. ’25, a cancer immunotherapy researcher in the Stelekati Lab at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, won first place at the Southern Regional Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition hosted by the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools. Her winning presentation, which also garnered top honors at Miller School and University of Miami competitions, showcased a promising line of research in lymphoma immunotherapy using a personal, lifelong talent for turning difficult concepts into language people can understand.
Delia Constanza Guaqueta, M.D., joined Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute as a breast hematologist oncologist. Before earning her medical degree from Universidad de La Sabana in Colombia, Dr. Guaqueta completed two research fellowships at the Miller School of Medicine.
Fall 2025
Paul Wetter, M.D. ’75, UM/Jackson Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident ’79, B.S. ’71, has been recognized as a notable member of both Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He is clinical professor emeritus at the Miller School and chairman emeritus of the Society of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons.
Douglas C. Miller, M.D. ’78, Ph.D. ’80, is the 2025 recipient of the Margaret Grimes Distinguished Career in Graduate Medical Education Award of the Association for Academic Pathology.
Roger Medel, M.D., UM/Jackson Pediatrics Resident ’79, M.B.A. ’89, founder and former CEO of Pediatrix, recently became chair of the board of directors of Istios Health Inc., a health care technology company focused on infectious disease care.
Michael A. Kolber, M.D. ’83, Ph.D., professor of medicine, director of the Comprehensive AIDS Program and vice chair for quality, compliance and clinical transformation, received the Citizenship Award at the 2025 Faculty Awards.
Dennis Mihale, M.D. ’86, joined BlueStar TeleHealth, a provider of remote care programs specializing in managing chronic health conditions, as chief medical officer.
Jose Garcia, M.D. ’87, participated on a virtual panel for the Miller School’s Business of Medicine students, who are enrolled as dual M.D./M.B.A. students.
Carlos Santa-Cruz, M.D. ’90, assistant professor of clinical urology, received the Service Excellence Award at the 2025 Faculty Awards Ceremony.
Jude Pierre, M.D., UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Internship ’98, UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Resident ’00, launched The Independent Physician’s Blueprint podcast, offering guidance for physicians seeking to reduce burnout and achieve financial independence beyond traditional residency training.
David N. Kenigsberg, M.D. ’99, UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Resident ’02, B.S. ’95, celebrated 18 years since opening his clinical cardiac electrophysiology practice in South Florida.
Hiram Rodriguez, M.D. ’99, Residency ’02, staff physician of internal medicine, received the Service Excellence Award at the 2025 Faculty Awards.
Carlos Enrique Alfonso, M.D. ’02, UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Resident ’05, UM/Jackson Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship ’08, UM/Jackson Interventional Cardiology Fellowship ’09, was named director of chronic total obstruction and complex percutaneous coronary intervention at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute.
Chancellor Donald, M.D. ’03, is assistant professor of medicine, hematology and medical oncology at Tulane University School of Medicine.
Christian Diez, M.D. ’04, Residency ’08, M.B.A. ’12, B.S. ’00, professor of clinical anesthesiology and vice chair for clinical affairs, received the Citizenship Award at the 2025 Faculty Awards Ceremony. He also is the new president of the Medical Alumni Association.
Brenda L. Tesini, M.D. ’08, an expert in pediatric and adult infectious diseases, joined the editorial board for MerckManuals.com, a comprehensive medical information source.
Zoukaa B. Sargi, M.D., Fellowships ’06/’08, M.P.H. ’13, professor of otolaryngology and neurology, and medical director of quality improvement surgical services at UHealth Tower, received the Service Excellence Award at the 2025 Faculty Awards.
Jodie Barkin, M.D. ’11, president-elect of the Florida Gastroenterologic Society, was co-director of the Miami Gastroenterology Congress, hosted by the Miller School, which showcased the school’s accomplished faculty and solidified its reputation as a national force in gastroenterology.
Marvin Smith, M.D. ’12, UM/Jackson Orthopedic Surgery Internship ’13, UM/Jackson Orthopedic Surgery Resident ’17, recently spoke to MCAT and STIR summer program students, sharing insights into crafting strong medical school applications, balancing the rigorous demands of medical school, and highlighting the importance of building meaningful mentor relationships.
Lila Shoshana Chertman, M.D. ’13, UM/Jackson Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship ’18, B.S. ’08, and High Holy Days cantor at Temple Emanu-El of Miami Beach, received rabbinic ordination in June 2025. She has served on the board of Jewish National Fund-USA in South Florida and is a graduate of the American Jewish Committee Shepard Broad Fellowship.
Nadir Bhuiyan, M.D. ’15, UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Resident ’18, won the 2024 General Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award from the Mayo Fellows’ associations in Arizona, Florida, and the Midwest; the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education; and the Mayo Clinic Alumni Association.
Kimberly Bennett, M.D. ’17, M.P.H. ’17, B.S. ’12, an internal medicine physician, has joined Holy Cross Medical Group, a multispecialty physician-employed group of more than 180 physicians providing services throughout Broward County.
Janeiro Valle Goffin, M.D., UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Resident ’17, was spotlighted at the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center for his ongoing dedication at its Houma, Louisiana, location.
Nitya Ramreddy, M.D., UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Resident ’17, UM/Jackson Rheumatology Fellowship ’20, joined Mountainside Medical Group in New Jersey. She is dedicated to helping patients manage complex, chronic autoimmune conditions through a comprehensive and individualized approach.
Edward Suarez, Jr., Psy.D. ’20, M.B.A., research assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and behavioral health director of the IDEA Exchange, received the Community Engagement Award at the 2025 Faculty Awards.
Gabi Leibowitz, Speech Pathology Clinical Fellowship ’25, joined ElevenLabs as part of the Impact Operations team, using voice technology to power accessibility, education and the arts.
Paul Wetter, M.D. ’75, UM/Jackson Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident ’79, B.S. ’71, has been recognized as a notable member of both Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He is clinical professor emeritus at the Miller School and chairman emeritus of the Society of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons.
Douglas C. Miller, M.D. ’78, Ph.D. ’80, is the 2025 recipient of the Margaret Grimes Distinguished Career in Graduate Medical Education Award of the Association for Academic Pathology.
Roger Medel, M.D., UM/Jackson Pediatrics Resident ’79, M.B.A. ’89, founder and former CEO of Pediatrix, recently became chair of the board of directors of Istios Health Inc., a health care technology company focused on infectious disease care.
Michael A. Kolber, M.D. ’83, Ph.D., professor of medicine, director of the Comprehensive AIDS Program and vice chair for quality, compliance and clinical transformation, received the Citizenship Award at the 2025 Faculty Awards.
Dennis Mihale, M.D. ’86, joined BlueStar TeleHealth, a provider of remote care programs specializing in managing chronic health conditions, as chief medical officer.
Jose Garcia, M.D. ’87, participated on a virtual panel for the Miller School’s Business of Medicine students, who are enrolled as dual M.D./M.B.A. students.
Carlos Santa-Cruz, M.D. ’90, assistant professor of clinical urology, received the Service Excellence Award at the 2025 Faculty Awards Ceremony.
Jude Pierre, M.D., UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Internship ’98, UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Resident ’00, launched The Independent Physician’s Blueprint podcast, offering guidance for physicians seeking to reduce burnout and achieve financial independence beyond traditional residency training.
David N. Kenigsberg, M.D. ’99, UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Resident ’02, B.S. ’95, celebrated 18 years since opening his clinical cardiac electrophysiology practice in South Florida.
Hiram Rodriguez, M.D. ’99, Residency ’02, staff physician of internal medicine, received the Service Excellence Award at the 2025 Faculty Awards.
Carlos Enrique Alfonso, M.D. ’02, UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Resident ’05, UM/Jackson Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship ’08, UM/Jackson Interventional Cardiology Fellowship ’09, was named director of chronic total obstruction and complex percutaneous coronary intervention at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute.
Chancellor Donald, M.D. ’03, is assistant professor of medicine, hematology and medical oncology at Tulane University School of Medicine.
Christian Diez, M.D. ’04, Residency ’08, M.B.A. ’12, B.S. ’00, professor of clinical anesthesiology and vice chair for clinical affairs, received the Citizenship Award at the 2025 Faculty Awards Ceremony. He also is the new president of the Medical Alumni Association.
Brenda L. Tesini, M.D. ’08, an expert in pediatric and adult infectious diseases, joined the editorial board for MerckManuals.com, a comprehensive medical information source.
Zoukaa B. Sargi, M.D., Fellowships ’06/’08, M.P.H. ’13, professor of otolaryngology and neurology, and medical director of quality improvement surgical services at UHealth Tower, received the Service Excellence Award at the 2025 Faculty Awards.
Jodie Barkin, M.D. ’11, president-elect of the Florida Gastroenterologic Society, was co-director of the Miami Gastroenterology Congress, hosted by the Miller School, which showcased the school’s accomplished faculty and solidified its reputation as a national force in gastroenterology.
Marvin Smith, M.D. ’12, UM/Jackson Orthopedic Surgery Internship ’13, UM/Jackson Orthopedic Surgery Resident ’17, recently spoke to MCAT and STIR summer program students, sharing insights into crafting strong medical school applications, balancing the rigorous demands of medical school, and highlighting the importance of building meaningful mentor relationships.
Lila Shoshana Chertman, M.D. ’13, UM/Jackson Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship ’18, B.S. ’08, and High Holy Days cantor at Temple Emanu-El of Miami Beach, received rabbinic ordination in June 2025. She has served on the board of Jewish National Fund-USA in South Florida and is a graduate of the American Jewish Committee Shepard Broad Fellowship.
Nadir Bhuiyan, M.D. ’15, UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Resident ’18, won the 2024 General Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award from the Mayo Fellows’ associations in Arizona, Florida, and the Midwest; the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education; and the Mayo Clinic Alumni Association.
Kimberly Bennett, M.D. ’17, M.P.H. ’17, B.S. ’12, an internal medicine physician, has joined Holy Cross Medical Group, a multispecialty physician-employed group of more than 180 physicians providing services throughout Broward County.
Janeiro Valle Goffin, M.D., UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Resident ’17, was spotlighted at the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center for his ongoing dedication at its Houma, Louisiana, location.
Nitya Ramreddy, M.D., UM/Jackson Internal Medicine Resident ’17, UM/Jackson Rheumatology Fellowship ’20, joined Mountainside Medical Group in New Jersey. She is dedicated to helping patients manage complex, chronic autoimmune conditions through a comprehensive and individualized approach.
Edward Suarez, Jr., Psy.D. ’20, M.B.A., research assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and behavioral health director of the IDEA Exchange, received the Community Engagement Award at the 2025 Faculty Awards.
Gabi Leibowitz, Speech Pathology Clinical Fellowship ’25, joined ElevenLabs as part of the Impact Operations team, using voice technology to power accessibility, education and the arts.
Connect and Share
Please update your contact information below so that we can keep you abreast of events, reunions, and other UM Miller School of Medicine news.
