Councils and Committees for 2023-24


FMA Council on Ethical & Judicial Affairs
The Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs is responsible for providing guidance on the issues pertaining to questions of medical ethics, including the imposition of unethical fees, dissension and disputes referred to the FMA by members of the FMA, questions of membership and disciplinary action.

Committee Members

 

  • Chair, Mark Dobbertien, DO, Jacksonville
  • Vice Chair, Marc Inglese, MD, Tallahassee
  • Mara Cvejic, DO, Tampa
  • Claudia Emmons, MD, Ocala
  • Ronald Giffler, MD, Pompano Beach
  • Robert Lastomirsky, MD, Sarasota
  • Charles Riggs, MD, Gainesville
  • Arthur Palamara, MD, Ft. Lauderdale

Staff contacts: Jeff Scott

 

FMA Council on Legislation
The Council on Legislation is responsible for making recommendations to the FMA Board of Governors regarding state legislative and regulatory matters. The primary function of the Council on Legislation is to provide a vetting process for legislative proposals to be considered for inclusion on the FMA’s state legislative agenda. The Council is also periodically called upon to provide guidance related to specific bill language or amendments filed during the legislative session. Staff support is provided by the FMA legal and legislative team.

 

Committee Members

 

  • Chair, Michael Patete, MD, Sarasota
  • Vice Chair, Eva Crooke, MD, Tampa
  • Maya Babu, MD, Melbourne
  • Robert Bader, MD, Deerfield Beach
  • John Bailey, DO, Tallahassee
  • Andrew Borom, MD, Tallahassee
  • Angel Bosch-DeLeon, Miami
  • Monique Butler, MD, Tallahassee
  • Michelle Falcone, MD, Coral Springs
  • Vania Fernandez, MD, Hollywood
  • Adam Fier, MD, Melbourne
  • Andy Gardiner, Orlando
  • Steven Gayer, MD, Miami
  • Brad Glick, MD, Pompano Beach
  • Ryan Hall, MD, Lake Mary
  • George Douglas Letson, MD, Tampa
  • Charles Lockwood, MD, Tampa
  • Neva Lundy, MSS, Miami
  • Darby Miller, MD, Jacksonville
  • Jessica Walsh O’Sullivan, MD, Lakeland
  • Michael Patete,MD, Sarasota
  • Jon Ward, MD, Inlet Beach
  • Stacie Wenk, DO, Clearwater
  • Jason Wilson, MD, Clearwater

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Staff contacts: Chris Clark, Shari Hickey, and Mary Thomas

 

FMA Council on Medical Education, Science & Public Health
The Council on Medical Education, Science & Public Health is responsible for providing guidance to the FMA Board of Governors on issues relating to medical education in the State of Florida. The Council on Medical Education serves as the FMA’s liaison with the Council of Florida Medical School Deans and works closely with the medical schools on public policy matters. The Council develops and presents programs, including the scientific programs for the FMA Annual Meeting and serves as the continuing medical education accrediting body for the association.

Committee Members

 

  • Chair, Amra Resic, MD, Palm Harbor
  • Vice Chair, Elizabeth Devos, MD, Jacksonville
  • Amer Beitinjaneh, MD, Miami
  • Christopher Cogle, MD, Gainesville
  • Deborah DeWaay, MD, Tampa
  • Michael Dogali, MD, Tarpon Springs
  • Tra’chella Johnson Foy, MD, Jacksonville
  • Eugene Fu, MD, Miami
  • Shelley Glover, MD, Clermont
  • Himangi Kaushal, MD, Miami
  • Kristin Kelly, MD, Vero Beach
  • John Kiel, DO, Jacksonville
  • Lauren Loftis, MD, Cocoa Beach
  • Alexandra Mannix, MD, Jacksonville
  • Dino Pantages, MD, Palm Harbor
  • Thomas G. Peters, MD, Jacksonville
  • Charles Riggs, MD, Gainesville
  • Natalia Solenkova, MD, Miami
  • Upman Suneja, MD, Tampa
  • Tisha Val Pelt, MD, Tampa
  • Harshna Vadavala, MD, Tampa
  • Zachary Wilson, MD, Niceville

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Staff contact: Melissa Carter

 

FMA Committee on Accreditation and CME
The Committee on CME and Accreditation serves the Council on Medical Education by performing the responsibilities necessary to accredit CME providers in Florida and to approve activities for CME credit through direct sponsorship and joint sponsorship with the FMA.

Committee Members

 

  • Chair, Zachary Wilson, MD, Niceville
  • Vice Chair, Lauren Berkow, MD, Gainesville
  • Danish Bhatti, MD, Orlando
  • Lilia Correa, MD, Tampa
  • Jean Yves Dastain, MD, Naples
  • James Dunnick, MD, Bonifay
  • Kelechi Esoga, MD, Lakeland
  • Pran Kar, MD, Orlando
  • Richelle Malott, MD, Longboat Key
  • Arthur A. Mauceri, MD, Gainesville
  • Joseph Parker, MSS Tallahassee
  • Mohammed Ruzieh, MD, Gainesville
  • Jill Ward, MD, Jacksonville

Staff contact: Melissa Carter

 

FMA Council on Medical Economics and Practice Innovation
The Council on Medical Economics and Practice Innovation is responsible for providing recommendations and guidance to the FMA Board of Governors related to the economic aspects of the delivery of medical care. The Council is charged with overseeing and protecting the interests of physicians on Medicare, Medicaid and other government health program issues, and in matters relating to health care finance and relations with private insurance carriers. The Council studies, evaluates and recommends policies to the Board of Governors relating to health care system reform, health information technology, managed care, accountable care organizations, patient safety, and quality improvement. The Council is also responsible for developing tools and resources for practice physicians in all areas of health care delivery with a specific focus on new payment models and health information technology.

Committee Members

 

  • Chair, Aaron Sudbury, MD, Bradenton
  • Vice Chair, Michael Howell, MD, Lake Mary
  • Daniel Bendetowicz, MD, Ft. Myers
  • Jeffrey Berman, MD, Palm Beach
  • Henry Cusnir, MD, Ft. Lauderdale
  • Douglas Dew, MD, Palatka
  • Marek Hirsch, MD, Jacksonville
  • Ross Jones, MD, Fleming Island
  • Ali Kasraeian, MD, Jacksonville
  • Robert Keenan, MD, Tampa
  • Philip Kondylis, MD, Kissimmee
  • Rudolph Moise, DO, Miami
  • Barbara Montford, MD, Miami
  • John Montgomery, MD, Orange Park
  • Sandra Schwemmer, DO, Boca Raton
  • Amay Parikh, MD, Orlando
  • Christopher Pittman, MD, Tampa
  • Michelle Rossi, MD, Gainesville
  • Michael Zimmer, MD, St. Petersburg
  • Zachary Zippi, MSS, Miami

Staff contact: Jarrod Fowler

 

Audit Committee
The primary function of the FMA Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Governors in fulfilling its financial oversight responsibilities

Committee Members

 

  • Chair, Mark Dobbertien, DO, Jacksonville
  • Rebekah Bernard, MD, Naples
  • Ajoy Kumar, MD, St. Petersburg

Staff contact: Kristy Jones

 

Committee on Bylaws, Policies and Procedures

The Committee on Bylaws is responsible directly to the Board of Governors and annually recommends necessary changes to the FMA Bylaws and governance and operations policies.

Committee Members

 

  • Chair, Michael Patete, MD, Sarasota
  • Vice Chair, Douglas Murphy, MD, Ocala
  • William Adams, MD, Sarasota
  • Vania Fernandez, MD, Hollywood
  • Ronald Giffler, MD, Pompano Beach
  • Tra’chella Johnson Foy, MD, Jacksonville

Staff contact: Jeff Scott

 

Committee on Finance & Appropriations
The Committee on Finance and Appropriations shall annually prepare for consideration by the Executive Committee and the Board of Governors a proposed budget of the Florida Medical Association.

Committee Members

 

  • Chair, Charles Chase, DO, Orlando
  • Vice Chair, Alma Littles, MD, Tallahassee
  • Lisa Cosgrove, MD, Jacksonville
  • Jason Goldman, MD, Coral Springs
  • Joshua Lenchus, DO, Ft. Lauderdale
  • Sanjay Pattani, MD, Orlando
  • Ashley Norse, MD, Jacksonville
  • Mark Rubenstein, MD, Jupiter

Staff contact: Kristy Jones

 

FMA Committee on Physician Wellness
The Committee on Physician Wellness is responsible for providing recommendations and guidance to the FMA Board of Governors related to aspects of physician burnout, coping and preventative strategies, and work/life balance.

Committee Members

 

  • Co-Chair, Naren Vellanki, MD, Oviedo
  • Co-Chair, Samantha Cotler, DO, Orlando
  • Heidi Allespach, PhD, Miami
  • Jennifer Bickell-Young, MD, Tampa
  • Martha Brown, MD, Gainesville
  • Samantha Cotler, DO, Orlando
  • Jorge Del Toro, MD, Ft. Lauderdale
  • Emily Gansert, MSS, Tallahassee
  • Michelle Lanspa, MSS, Hollywood
  • Jordyn Lee, MSS, West Palm Beach
  • Miriam Zylberglait Lisigurski, MD, Miami
  • Amanda Marsch, MD, Lake Worth Beach
  • Mark McIntosh, MD, Jacksonville
  • Alka Singh, MD, Pompano
  • Naren Vellanki, MD, Oviedo

Staff contact: Melissa Carter

 

Foundation for Healthy Floridians
The Foundation for Healthy Floridians is the FMA’s philanthropic vehicle for supporting physician leadership training, medical education, public health, and physician health.

Committee Members

 

  • President, Vincent DeGennaro, MD, Jacksonville
  • Treasurer, Ronald Giffler, MD, Pompano Beach
  • Secretary, Jeff Scott, FMA General Counsel
  • Treasurer, Kristy Jones, FMA CFO
  • Chris Clark, FMA CEO
  • Alan Pillersdorf, MD, Palm Beach
  • Douglas Murphy, MD, Ocala
  • Ralph Nobo, MD, Bartow

 

FMA Services
FMA Services is the for-profit corporate entity that does marketing for the FMA including products and services.

Committee Members

 

  • President, Ronald Giffler, MD, Pompano Beach
  • Vice President, Jason Goldman, MD, Coral Springs
  • Secretary, Douglas Murphy, MD, Ocala
  • Treasurer, David Becker, MD, Safety Harbor
  • Joshua Lenchus, DO, Ft. Lauderdale
  • Alma Littles, MD, Tallahassee
  • Ashley Norse, MD, Jacksonville
  • Mark Rubenstein, MD, Jupiter


Women’s Physician Task Force

The purpose of the task force is to evaluate the needs of women in medicine and recommend FMA resources to support these needs, including but not limited to the possibility of a Women in Medicine section.

Task Force Members

 

  • Chair, Rebekah Bernard, MD, Ft. Myers
  • Christina Adams, MD, Jacksonville
  • Megan Core, MD, Orlando
  • Shanaz Fatteh, MD, Ft. Lauderdale
  • Catherine Kowal, MD, Naples
  • Ajoy Kumar, MD, St. Petersburg
  • Jay Milson, Jacksonville
  • Doug Murphy, MD, Ocala
  • Vicki Norton, MD, Boca Raton
  • Nikita Shah, DO, Orlando
  • Diana Twiggs, MD, Fernandina Beach
  • Stacie Wenk, DO, Sarasota

Task Force on Membership Engagement

The purpose of this task force is to study the demographics of the state of Florida, physician workforce and FMA, and evaluate the current services and resources available to ensure that the needs of the membership are met and represented with a focus on both organizational structure, member and nonmember outreach, and representation.

Task Force Members

 

  • Chair, Tra’Chella Johnson Foy, MD, Jacksonville
  • Farhad Askarian, MD, Pompano Beach
  • Carmel Barrau, MD, Miami
  • Watson Ducatel, DO, Brandon
  • Roger Duncan, MD, Palm Beach
  • Shelley Glover, MD, Clermont
  • Naresh Pathak, MD, Lauderhill
  • Alex Tolbert, MSS, Tallahassee
  • Richard Wyderski, MD, Vero Beach


Physician Union Task Force
The purpose of this task force is to determine the feasibility, and desirability of the FMA forming a physician union in the state of Florida.

Task Force Members

 

  • Chair, Douglas Murphy, MD, Ocala
  • Eva Crooke, MD, Tampa
  • Akeim George, MSS, Miami
  • John Montgomery, MD, Jacksonville