A big welcome to all of this year’s new anesthesiology fellows!
Multidisciplinary Pain Medicine Fellows
Christopher Babl, MD
Dr. Babl completed medical school at the University of Nebraska and came to our residency program at the University of Florida. In addition to publishing in the International Journal of Anesthetics and Anesthesiology, he has presented at the Gulf Atlantic Anesthesia Residents’ Research Conference, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Conference, and UF’s Celebration of Research Day hosted by the College of Medicine. Recent research topics include perceptions and attitudes of anesthesiologists toward pain management. His hobbies entail enjoying new restaurants with family and friends, traveling, and watching Husker football.
Juan Camillo Mora Herrera, MD
Dr. Mora graduated from the National University of Colombia’s medical school and completed residency in anesthesiology at the University of Florida, Jacksonville where he served as Chief Resident. He performed research at the Mayo Clinic Foundation in Rochester, MN on spine contusion and the impact on respiration and recovery of functionality. Dr. Mora spent a year as a rural physician, serving 4000 people in a remote town in Colombia, responding to their medical emergencies, and developing public health policies with the mayor. In his free time, Dr. Mora enjoys playing soccer, scuba diving, and salsa dancing.
Ivan Samcam, MD
Dr. Samcam completed residency in emergency medicine at the University of Florida, Orlando after graduating from medical school from the University of Florida. Dr. Samcam has published in peer reviewed journals, and he has presented at national conferences. He also published a book chapter on acute pain management in the emergency department in 2014. His hobbies include personal fitness training, playing guitar, and traveling.
James Ashford, MD
Dr. Ashford graduated from medical school from the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University, after which he completed residency in anesthesiology at the University of Miami. During residency, he researched trends in hospitalizations of patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I. Dr. Ashford has presented several posters at national meetings to include the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society. He enjoys traveling and playing the piano.
Critical Care Medicine Fellows
Karina Bartlett, MD
Dr. Bartlett graduated from medical school from the University of Texas. She completed residency in emergency medicine at the University of Oklahoma. During residency, she researched difficult airways. In the past, she has served as a research assistant, collecting data for a multi-center major trauma transfusion study. She enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering as a football sports physician in high schools.
Meghan Brennan, MD
Dr. Brennan completed medical school at the University of Miami and came to our residency program at the University of Florida where she was the Chief Resident last year. She has presented at national conferences on topics such as transesophageal echocardiography aiding in intraoperative decision making during resection of renal cell carcinoma. In addition, she conducted research on the influence of the timing of surgical procedures on postoperative pain. Dr. Brennan will be the resident representative on the ACGME Anesthesiology Residency Review Committee.
Iker Unzalu, MD
Dr. Unzalu completed medical school at St. George’s University in Grenada and residency in anesthesiology at SUNY Upstate Medical University. He has presented a poster on a case involving glycine toxicity during transurethral resection of the prostate. Dr. Unzalu is an avid soccer fan, watching the sport and playing in local leagues. He also enjoys camping, birdwatching, and spending time with his family. Dr. Unzalu will start the Critical Care Medicine Fellowship in fall.
Mathew Hernandez, DO
Dr. Hernandez attended medical school at Lake Erie College of Medicine and later completed residency in anesthesiology at the University of Kentucky. He has presented on challenging cases at national conferences such as the American Society of Anesthesiologists conference in 2016. His research interests have included anesthetic management of acute ischemic stroke. In addition, Dr. Hernandez has conducted quality improvement projects on transitions of care and OR readiness. In his free time, he hikes, paints, and kayaks.
Mohammed Almualim, MBBS
Dr. Almualim graduated from medical school at King Saud University and later completed residency at Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, LA. He has presented on treatment of sciatic neuritis with ultrasound guided nerve block and treatment of common peroneal neuropathy. His publication topics include treatment of occipital neuralgia with implantable peripheral nerve stimulation and the delayed emergence in pediatric patients with neurologic disease presenting for ambulatory surgery. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, traveling, swimming, and cooking. Dr. Almualim will start the Critical Care Medicine Fellowship in fall.
Daniel Demos, MD
Dr. Demos joins the Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program with a background in General Surgery. He completed medical school at Wayne State University and went to St. John Hospital and Medical Center for residency. Dr. Demos has presented at the American College of Surgeons Annual Clinical Congress and at the Laparoendoscopic Surgeons Minimally Invasive Surgery Week. His hobbies include hiking, boating, biking, and jogging.
Adult Combined Cardiothoracic Critical Care Fellowship
Melissa Burger, MD
Dr. Burger completed residency in anesthesia at the University of Missouri after graduating from medical school with a Research Distinction from the University of Miami. She has conducted research in improving blood product utilization and novel carborane-derived local anesthetics. She performed sciatic or popliteal nerve blocks in mice and measured loss and recovery of motor and sensory function over time. Her hobbies include fishing in the Florida everglades, cooking, and playing the violin and viola. She will continue her 2-year fellowship this year, combining critical care medicine and adult cardiothoracic anesthesia.
Acute & Perioperative Pain Medicine Fellows
Kathleen Chan, MD, MPH
Dr. Chan completed medical school at George Washington University, after which she completed residency in anesthesiology at Yale University. She earned an MPH at Columbia University where she was the top student in Health Policy. She has presented and published on analgesic strategies for total joint replacement and kidney function after off-pump or on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Adrian Hanson, MD
Dr. Hanson graduated from medical school from the University of Toledo in 2012. Since then, he has been part of the University of New Mexico’s anesthesiology residency program. During his residency, he presented on numerous topics such as the refeeding syndrome. His interests include studying wilderness and disaster medicine, completing wilderness races, and volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America.
Michael Kaminsky, DO
After graduating from medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Kaminsky came to the University of Florida for our anesthesiology residency program where he served as the Chief Resident last year. Dr. Kaminsky is in the Naval Reserves as a medical diving specialist and instructor. His hobbies include scuba diving, hiking, and camping.
Cardiothoracic Fellows
Michael Franklin, DO
Dr. Franklin graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed anesthesiology residency at Louisiana State University. Dr. Franklin’s research interests include hypothyroidism-related complications in patients undergoing anesthesia and bilateral brachial plexus blockades for acute pain control. He enjoys completing triathlons and strength training. He will start his fellowship in September and will work as faculty during July and August.
Todd Jones, MD
Dr. Jones attended medical school at Emory University before completing a residency in anesthesiology at the University of Florida. During his residency, he presented on topics such as apneic oxygenation during endotracheal intubation of the critically ill. Dr. Jones will start his fellowship in September and will work as faculty for July and August.
Mark Simpsen, MD
Dr. Simpsen graduated from medical school from the University of Oklahoma. He completed residency in anesthesiology at the University of Kansas. During residency, Dr. Simpsen presented on the delayed emergence from a dystonic reaction to Propofol at the PGA Conference for the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists. Other research interests include acute aortic dissections upon induction of general anesthesia. In his free time, Dr. Simpsen jogs, tries new restaurants, and enjoys the beach. Dr. Simpsen will start his fellowship in September and will work as faculty for July and August.