UCF College of Medicine

The University of Central Florida's College of Medicine and Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences. #UCF #meded

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

109 students walked in for Commencement today. One ceremony later, 109 doctors walked out. 🎓

And the UCF College of Medicine couldn't be more proud. 💛🖤

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

Patients with acid reflux know the symptoms all too well: heartburn, chest pain and trouble swallowing, while also increasing the risk of esophageal cancer.

UCF College of Medicine Associate Professor Claudia Andl, a throat and oral cancer researcher, is investigating how a simple probiotic could treat and prevent both conditions.

Using a a healthy bacteria called Lactobacillus spp. Dr. Andl is creating a treatment to repair the esophageal damage caused by acid reflux and improve the microbial environment in the esophagus to reduce the risk of cancer.

See how this research can make a healthier future for the millions with acid reflux at https://t.co/On6XAmxSlZ.

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

UCF's Dr. Renee Fleeman is refining a powerful therapy to tackle one of medicine's most pressing emerging threats - antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 🦠

Using a peptide naturally found in cows, this therapy pierces the gooey coating that protects the germs from the drugs we take, allowing treatments to become effective again.

Learn more about how this research works and where it is going next: https://t.co/dDpE8WM6BE.

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

How do we improve healthcare for everyone, from newborns in intensive care to veterans suffering from heart failure?

The 12th annual Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Forum brought clinicians together from the UCF-@HCAhealthcare Graduate Medical Education Consortium, the Orlando VA Healthcare System and @Nemours Children's Health to share what they are doing to improve costs, comfort and outcomes for patients.

Learn more about the ways healthcare is improving in our community at https://t.co/qy1QG3Qa3l.

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

When engineers and doctors work together, patients have better outcomes 🦾🩻🔬

More than 60 students and faculty from @UCF's Biionix Cluster recently gathered at the College of Medicine for their 5th Annual Biionix Symposium where they shared their current projects and highlighted opportunities to collaborate. The interdisciplinary cluster brings together researchers from @Limbitless3D and @UCFCECS, doctors from the College of Medicine and scientists from @UCFSciences to develop better technologies and rehab methods to enhance patient quality of life.

Some projects discussed at the symposium included AI-assisted gait analysis for physicians, biodegradable implants and targeted nanoparticle therapies that may improve bone and joint health. This year, some of the most emerging and exciting topics involved machine learning, space medicine and simulation technologies.

All student research was impressive, but four students received special recognition for their efforts:

✨Best Posters✨

Sophie Bennett from Limbitless Solutions and Michael Freeland, from Luigi E. Perotti’s Lab.

✨Best Oral Presentations✨

Om Vishanagra from Limbitless Solutions and Najla Adel Saleh from Tom Kean’s lab.

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

Healing hearts ➕ killing cancer, all with a cell 500 times thinner than a human hair. 🤏

UCF's Dr. Dinender Singla is partnering with Orlando investor and UCF donor Chakri Toleti to create a patent-pending technology to deliver therapies to prevent heart disease and kill cancer cells precisely to where they are needed.

By placing therapeutics inside minuscule exosomes and coating them with cell-specific markers, the cells know exactly where to bring the treatment, potentially delivering powerful treatments at lower doses - meaning less collateral damage and severe side effects from chemotherapy for patients.

Learn more about the future of this research at https://t.co/NxIYdnrhV0.

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

Relive the pride, celebration and joy of M.D. Commencement! 🎓

Check out our full photo album at https://t.co/hRH66Q6gax. 📸

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

UCF graduated 109 new physicians last week, who will go onto residency training at leading programs in Florida and across the nation.

Members of the Class of 2026 include a physician-scientist who will advance research and patient care and military officers who will care for our nations heroes. Some met the loves of their lives in medical school and will go on to complete their residency training together.

But what they all have in common is that they are now UCF Physician Knights, striving to become what their dean calls one of "The Good Doctors - A UCF Tradition"

Read about our graduating Class of 2026 at https://t.co/1Yf55km8w2.

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

Four years ago, they first put on their white coats, marking the first day of medical school. 🥼

And today, they leave as Physician Knights. 🩺⚔️

Congratulations Class of 2026!

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

https://t.co/BBV8UPGpXw

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

Our UCF Health rheumatologist, Dr. Neha Bhanusali, was recently honored by the Arthritis Foundation for her dedication to patient care 🏆

At the Night of Hope & Innovation fundraiser, she advocated for better treatments and more compassionate care for patients living with arthritic pain.

Dr. Bhanusali believes integrating lifestyle medicine, such as nutrition or physical activity, is an essential component of managing arthritis.

Meet Dr. Bhanusali and learn more about her philosophy on patient care in our story:

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

We're so close to commencement, and future physician Knights like Brandon Molligoda are leading by example! 🎓➡️🥼

Brandon, who joins more than 100 of his classmates in graduating this spring, was recently recognized with a Medical Student Prize for Excellence by the American Academy of Neurology (@AANmember) for his early achievements in academia and patient care. 🏅🧠

Brandon will do his residency at @DukeU as he works toward fulfilling his dream of becoming a neurologist - a goal he's maintained since he became fascinated throughout childhood with how the brain works.

He says the most unforgettable part of his journey so far are connections he made with patients and lessons he learned while at @UCF:

"During my third year rotation, I was at the VA Clinic in St. Pete. I was with an attending physician who had to tell a patient they had ALS. The physician approached that situation with such kindness and warmth. I could see it helped that that veteran and his wife be able to digest the news a little bit easier. That really inspired me to want to be that kind of physician."

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

Tomorrow's medical breakthroughs start right here, at the UCF College of Medicine's FIRE conference! 🔥

From advancing cancer treatments to studying better ways to care for newborns harmed by a lack of oxygen during birth, UCF medical students aren't just learning to practice medicine, they're shaping it.

Read about more impactful research and a full recap of the event below 👇.

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

https://t.co/Yxfom8Cb4m

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

https://t.co/Yxfom8Cb4m

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

https://t.co/d62e1ub0Qu

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

Meet Dr. Sampathkumar Shanmugham, known to learners as Dr. Sam, a community neurologist and preceptor who has been involved in teaching UCF College of Medicine students since 2009.

Dr. Shanmugham received his medical degree at the Colmbatore Medical College/Madras University in India before completing Neurology residency at Mount Saini Hospital in Chicago and the University of Illinois. Today he is site director of Florida Neurology, PA, where third-year UCF medical students complete their Neurology Clerkship training.

"Dr. Sam is an amazing teacher. He explained very clearly, pushed my clinical and presentation skills, and let me do a lot of hands-on practice. One of the best preceptors I’ve worked with!" - UCF medical student.

Learn more about Dr. Shanmugham and hear what other students have to say about his guidance at https://t.co/RZrA3cVcZg.

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

Another step forward in addressing Florida's physician shortage! ✨

The UCF College of Medicine and HCA Florida Healthcare are launching two new graduate medical education programs - a Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Fellowship at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and a Transitional Year Residency Program at HCA Florida Capital Hospital in Tallahassee.

The pulmonary critical care fellowship is the consortium's first and only the second such program in the region.

Learn more about these programs before they welcome their first classes in July at https://t.co/HNcvi1Mk3j

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

https://t.co/N9WkhOBC1K

[UCF College of Medicine @UCFMed]

Last Friday, we celebrated our soon-to-be 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ graduates at Class Day! 🎊🥂🎓

Seniors gathered outside on the Tavistock Green and piazza one last time before commencement for a relaxed social event and recognition ceremony. The Class Day celebration also included additional recognition for exceptional student efforts.

Here's to you, Class of 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ - we'll see you at commencement!