
About the Program
The AdventHealth Sebring Internal Medicine Program in Graduate Medical Education was launched in 2022 and now has a talented full complement of 8+8+8 resident physicians as it continues to equip physicians as leaders in the spheres of patient care, medical education, and scholarship. The program serves patients from the community, region, and all around the world in the fast-growing corridor of Central Florida between Orlando and Miami. While the Central Florida Region in the Sunshine State has attracted seasonal retirees, young professionals and families are also moving in large numbers to Florida, the fastest-growing state in the nation. We are invested in increasing the health and prosperity of the patients we are privileged to serve.
Our hospital and clinic facilities provide hospitable and welcoming places and spaces for us to the meet the needs of our patients with state-of-the-art technology while extending the Healing Ministry of Christ in fulfilling AdventHealth’s mission. Our specialty and subspecialty AdventHealth Medical Group and community-based faculty provide excellent teaching and mentoring for our resident physicians in both inpatient and outpatient settings in Sebring. Our program emphasizes acquiring a depth and breadth of knowledge in all of the subspecialties of internal medicine.
Our program is continuously accredited by the ACGME and has enjoyed excellent outcomes in patient care, with the resident-healthcare-attending physician team achieving Press Ganey Patient Engagement metrics at the 99th percentile since the new Internal Medicine Clinic at Sun ‘N Lake opened in 2022. Resident physicians learn how to evaluate and manage ambulatory patients across the adult life spectrum in this setting, including learning how to approach population health and value-based care of the current and future. We also have kept a sharp focus on career professional development, ensuring that our resident physicians are equipped for whatever field of internal medicine they desire to pursue.
Faculty

Thomas Shimshak, MD
Program Director

Deepti Bhandare, MD
Associate Program Director
SEC - Cardiology

Philip Wong, MD
Core Faculty and Associate Program Director
SEC - Pulmonary and Critical Care

Pankajkumar Patel, MD
Core Faculty
SEC - Gastroenterology

Shahnaz Punjani, MD
Core Faculty

Mahender Yellu, MD
Core Faculty
SEC - Hematology/Oncology

Luis Duharte-Vidaurre, MD
Core Faculty
SEC - Infectious Disease

Fernando Abanilla, MD, FASN
Core Faculty
SEC - Nephrology

Alexander Torres, MD
Core Faculty
SEC - Rheumatology
PGY-3 Residents

Abdelrahman Sherif Abdalla, MD
Minia University Faculty of Medicine

Lanson Colaco, MD
K.V.G. Medical College

Josephine Delos Reyes, MD
Southwestern University-Matias H. Aznar Memorial College of Medicine

Iktej Jabbal, MD
Padmashree Dr. DY Patil Medical College

Sehajpreet Kaur, MD
Government Medical College

Gaayathri Krishnan, MD
P.S.G. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research

Yelena Pleshkova, MD
JSC National Medical University

Puneet Prakash, MD
Pt. B.D.S. Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences
PGY-2 Residents

Mohammad Asghar, MD

Rajkaran Banga, MD

Veerkaran Banga, MD

Jordan Casola, DO

Abuoma Ekpendu, DO

Muhammad Majid, MD

Gregory May, DO

Ganesh Natarajan, MD
PGY-1 Residents

Gilbert Alvarez, DO

Rupesh Andani, MD

Khawaja Talha Aziz, MD

Shehar Bano, MD

Moustafa Hegazi, MD

Woo Joo Lee, MD

Maryam Masood, MD

Jatin Passi, MD
Curriculum
PGY-1 | Block(s) |
---|---|
Night Float | 1 |
Inpatient Medicine | 4 |
Cardiology |
1 |
Infectious Disease | 1 |
Nephrology | 1 |
Elective | 1 |
Gastroenterology | 1 |
Community Medicine | 1 |
Intensive Care | 1 |
Emergency Medicine | 1 |
PGY-2 | Block(s) |
---|---|
Gastroenterology | 1 |
Community Medicine | 1 |
Neurology |
1 |
Geriatrics | 1 |
Infectious Disease | 1 |
Inpatient Medicine | 3 |
Palliative Care Research | 1 |
Night Float/Research | 1 |
Elective/Research | 1 |
Cardiology | 1 |
Intensive Care | 1 |
PGY-3 | Block(s) |
---|---|
Gastroenterology | 1 |
Pulmonary | 1 |
Inpatient Medicine |
2 |
Cardiology | 1 |
Community Medicine | 1 |
Night Float/Research | 1 |
Elective | 1 |
Rheumatology | 1 |
Endocrinology | 1 |
Elective/Research | 1 |
Intensive Care | 1 |
Hematology Oncology | 1 |
Hear From Our Residents
Benefits and Eligibility
- Benefits
-
CME/Educational Allowance
- PGY-1 residents receive CME expenses reimbursed up to $500.
- PGY-2 residents receive a 5-day leave to attend conferences and CME expenses reimbursed up to $800.
- PGY-3 residents receive a 5-day leave to attend conferences and CME expenses reimbursed up to $1,300.
Medical and Prescription Insurance
- At AdventHealth, we are caring for the whole you. That's why we’re pleased to offer our team members a comprehensive Total Rewards program that includes benefits to support your whole person health. Medical insurance is offered through the AdventHealth Employee Health Plan and includes prescription coverage.
Vision, Dental and Disability Insurance
- Plans available at additional charge.
Life Insurance
- Basic coverage at base salary is provided. Additional coverage available at additional charge.
Professional Fees
- State of Florida Medical Training License, necessary certifications and malpractice are covered by the program.
- Full unrestricted Medical and DEA Licenses are reimbursed at prorated amounts.
- If applicable, we provide reimbursement for USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX Level 3 exams.
Relocation/Moving Expense
- Up to $1,500 will be reimbursed for applicable expense incurred upon initial entry into the program.
Uniforms
- Two GME lab coats are provided during first year in program and Hospital scrubs provided at each hospital campus.
- Eligibility
-
LCME Graduates:
- Passed USMLE I and II. Include test scores
- Doctor of Medicine diploma without reservations
- Proof of US citizenship or appropriate visa status
- Personal statement, 1 page
- Three letters of recommendations
Osteopathic Graduates:
- Passed COMLEX I and II. Include test scores
- Doctor of Osteopathy diploma without reservations
- Proof of US citizenship or appropriate visa status
- Personal statement, 1 page
- Three letters of recommendations
International Graduates:
- Passed USMLE Step I; USMLE Step 2 II CK and CS
- Doctor of Medicine diploma without reservations, received after 2018
- Proof of US citizenship or appropriate visa status
- Current ECFMG certification (certificate must be provided)
- Personal statement, 1 page
- Three letters of recommendations
We will be participating in the ERAS and NRMP match process. An interview is required at the AdventHealth Sebring to be considered for the Match.

Application Process
For consideration to our residency program, applications must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). The deadline for applications will be November 1st. Applicants who meet eligibility requirements will be granted an interview, which will be held from October through January. Resident appointments are made through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Applicants must register through the NRMP website in addition to applying through ERAS.

Care You Can Count On Right in the Florida Heartland
AdventHealth Sebring has offered personalized healing and leading-edge treatments right in the Florida Heartland since 1948. Our three hospital locations in Sebring, Lake Placid, and Wauchula actively promote the eight universal aspects of CREATION Life — Choice, Rest, Environment, Activity, Trust, Interpersonal Relationships, Outlook, and Nutrition. That means patients get a choice in their care decisions, including the option for a second opinion. Patients and their visitors can take a moment for quiet reflection and uplift their outlook in our hospital chapels. We also extend our mission throughout Florida's Heartland, partnering with local organizations and missions that help everyone in our community live healthier lives.
