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Physician Photo

Robert
Metzger

Kidney, Kidney/Pancreas, Living Donor

Full Physician Bio
Metzger
Robert MD
Medical Director of Transplant Center
Chair, Department of Transplantation
Kidney, Kidney/Pancreas, Living Donor

Dr. Robert Metzger, a career nephrologist and transplant physician, helped found the Florida Hospital transplant program in 1973. He is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology and a member of the American Society of Transplantation Physicians and the Transplantation Society, he is former president of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing Board of Directors.

Education

Dr. Metzger received his medical degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

Specialty

As well as overseeing all elements of patient care, Dr. Metzger supervises research and medical aspects throughout the program.

Physician Photo

Michael
Angelis

Kidney, Liver, Kidney/Pancreas

Full Physician Bio
Angelis
Michael MD
Surgical Director of Transplant Center
Surgical Director of Kidney Transplant Services
Vice-Chair, Department of Transplantation
Kidney, Liver, Kidney/Pancreas

Dr. Michael Angelis is a highly skilled, board certified surgeon, whose clinical specialties include kidney, liver, and pancreas transplantation.

Dr. Angelis came to the Florida Hospital Transplant Center from Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston, where he served as director of pancreas transplantation. He also served as Assistant Professor of Surgery and Clinical Assistant Professor of Urology at Tufts University of Medicine. Dr. Angelis performs operations and sees patients post-transplant to ensure proper healing is taking place.

Education

He received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and completed his general surgery residency at the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine.  Subsequently, he completed another residency at the University of Miami.  At Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL Dr. Angelis completed an American Society of Transplant Surgeons approved fellowship in multi-organ transplantation.  Dr. Angelis currently holds the position of Associate Professor in Surgery at both the UCF School of Medicine and FSU School of Medicine.

Specialty

Board Certified in Surgery, and Transplant Surgery

Physician Photo

Bobby
Nibhanupudy

Kidney, Liver, Kidney/Pancreas

Full Physician Bio
Nibhanupudy
Bobby MD
Surgical Director of Pancreas Transplant Services
Kidney, Liver, Kidney/Pancreas

Dr. Bobby Nibhanupudy is a board certified surgeon experienced in kidney and pancreas transplant and laparoscopic surgeries. He joined the Florida Hospital Transplant Center from the Kidney Transplant Program at Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., where he served as Co-Director and Primary Transplant Surgeon. Formerly, he was an Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Transplantation at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Nibhanupudy performs operations and sees patients post-transplant to ensure proper healing is taking place.

 

Education

Dr. Nibhanupudy was Chief Resident at the University of California San Diego Medical Center. It was at UCSD that he completed his fellowship training in abdominal transplant surgery. He received his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine, Washington D.C.

Specialty

Kidney and pancreas transplant and laparoscopic surgeries

Physician Photo

L. Thomas
Chin

Kidney, Liver, Kidney/Pancreas

Full Physician Bio
Chin
L. Thomas MD
Surgical Director of Liver Transplant Services
Kidney, Liver, Kidney/Pancreas

Dr. L. Thomas Chin is a board certified surgeon, specializing in liver transplantation.

He formerly served as Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. In addition to transplantation, Dr. Chin also performs hepatobiliary surgery, laparoscopic splenectomy and hepatectomy, and general surgery in cirrhotics. Dr. Chin performs operations and sees patients post-transplant to ensure proper healing is taking place.

Education

He completed his medical degree at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, followed by a residency at the University of Maryland Health System, where he served as Administrative Chief Resident. Dr. Chin also completed fellowships at the University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery. 

Specialty

Surgery, specializing in liver transplantation.

Physician Photo

Giridhar
Vedula

Kidney, Liver, Kidney/Pancreas

Full Physician Bio
Vedula
Giridhar MD
Multi-organ Abdominal Transplant Surgeon
Kidney, Liver, Kidney/Pancreas

Dr. Giridhar Vedula is a highly skilled, board certified surgeon, whose clinical specialties include abdominal transplantation, hepatobiliary surgery and laparoscopic liver surgery.

Dr. Vedula came to the Florida Hospital Transplant Center from Columbia University in New York, where he completed his Transplant Surgery Fellowship.  Dr. Vedula performs operations, liver resections, donor nephrectomies and sees patients post-transplant to ensure proper healing is taking place.

Education

He received his medical degree and completed his general surgery residency from West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia where he served as chief surgical resident from June 2008-June of 2009.  He also completed his undergraduate degree from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology.

Specialty

Board Certified in Surgery

Physician Photo

Uday
Desai

Kidney, Kidney/Pancreas

Full Physician Bio
Desai
Uday MD
Medical Director of Pancreas Transplant Services
Kidney, Kidney/Pancreas

He currently serves as Medical Director of the Pancreas Transplant Program and UNOS designated Transplant Nephrologist for the FHTP. He is a member of various medical associations including American Society of Transplantation and American Society of Nephrology. Dr. Desai sees patients pre and post-transplant to ensure proper healing is taking place.

Education

He has completed his Internal Medicine residency at Hurley Medical Center, Michigan State University, where he also served as a Chief Resident and Clinical Instructor. Dr. Desai has completed Nephrology Fellowship at University Hospital of Cleveland, CWRU and an additional year of UNOS approved Transplant Nephrology fellowship from Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.

Specialty

Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Hypertension, specialized in kidney and pancreas transplantation.

Physician Photo

Nikolaos
Pyrsopoulos

Liver

Full Physician Bio
Pyrsopoulos
Nikolaos MD
Chief of Hepatology
Medical Director of Liver Transplant Services
Liver

Active in academics, Dr. Pyrsopolous has joined the University Of Central Florida College Of Medicine as an Associate professor of Medicine . He is a member of various medical associations such as the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), American Gastroenterology Association (AGA), American Society of Transplantation (AST), American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), American College of Physicians (ACP). Florida Gastroenterologic Society (FGS), European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), international Liver Transplantation Society, and the International Transplantation Society. Active in clinical research, he is the principal investigator of numerous clinical research protocols. He is also the program director of the Hepatology Fellowship.

Education

He completed his medical degrees (MD and PhD) at the University of Athens in Greece, followed by residency and fellowships at Sismanogleio General Hospital in Athens and the University of Miami School of Medicine.  Dr Pyrsopoulos received his masters in Business Administration at the University of Miami as well.

Specialty

Board certified in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology.

Physician Photo

Xaralambos
Zervos

Liver

Full Physician Bio
Zervos
Xaralambos DO
Hepatologist
Liver

Dr. Zervos joins the Florida Hospital Transplant Center from the University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital where he completed his fellowship in Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology.  He is a member of various medical associations such as the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Gastroenterological Association, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the American College of Physicians, the American Medical Association, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the American Osteopathic Association.  He has been involved in research and published numerous articles with associated presentations at both national and international conferences.  In 1997, his research in liver transplantation and hepatitis C was recognized as he was the recipient of the annual Young Investigator Award from the American Society of Transplant Physicians.  He is currently the assistant program director for the Hepatology Fellowship program.

Education

He received his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and a Master of Science from Barry University in Miami.  Dr. Zervos began his residency at Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and completed his senior year of residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida.   

Specialty

Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.

Physician Photo

Badar
Muneer

Liver

Full Physician Bio
Muneer
Badar MD
Hepatologist
Liver

Dr. Muneer completed his Hepatology fellowship at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He completed his Internal medicine training at Michael Reese Hospital affiliated with the University of Illinois in Chicago and completed medical school from Nishtar Medical College, in Multan, Pakistan.  His special interests include the management of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Autoimmune liver diseases, Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, Hepatocellular carcinoma and liver transplant patients.

Education

Dr. Muneer has received national recognition ALF/AASLD Resident Scholar Travel Award. He also has been awarded with The Most Outstanding Intern of the year award, The Robert A. Weinstein Award for Excellence in Teaching and the A.A Goldsmith Award in recognition of professional competence, a warm and humane attitude towards patients and their families. Dr. Muneer is also involved with the Hepatology fellowship program at Florida hospital where he trains fellows and assits in clinical research. Dr. Muneer is an Assistant professor of Medicine at the University of Central Florida School of Medicine. He is a member of the American College of Physicians (ACP), American Medical Association (AMA) and American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).

Specialty

Board Certified in Internal Medicine

Physician Photo

Hicham
Khallafi

Liver

Full Physician Bio
Khallafi
Hicham MD
Hepatologist
Liver

Dr. Khallafi joins the Florida Hospital Transplant Center from Easton Hospital, Drexel University College of Medicine, Pennsylvania where he completed his residency in Internal Medicine.  He is a member of various medical associations such as the American College of Physicians, the American Medical Association and the American Association for the study of liver diseases.  His clinical interests include viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma among others.

Education

He received his medical degree from Faculte de Medecine et de Pharmacie de Rabat, in Rabat, Morocco.  Dr. Khallafi completed his internal medicine residency at Easton Hospital, Drexel University College of Medicine in Pennsylvania as Chief Medical Resident.  Following his residency he joined the Florida Hospital Hepatology Fellowship in Orlando, Florida.       

Specialty

Board Certified in Internal Medicine

Physician Photo

Barbara
Czerska

Heart

Full Physician Bio
Czerska
Barbara MD
Medical Director of Heart Transplant Services
Heart

Prior to joining Florida Hospital, Dr. Czerska was head of the Advanced Heart Failure Section and Medical Director of the Cardiac Transplantation Program at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She also served as the Champion Physician in the Henry Ford Health System's Office of Quality and Safety, and the Health Alliance Insurance Plan, which involved the development of the heart failure program with a chronic disease management approach across the entire Henry Ford Health System. Dr. Czerska is the recipient of an American Heart Association Fellowship and National Health Institute grants based on her work at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Education

She earned her medical degree at the Academy of Medicine in Warsaw, Poland, completed her residency at the National Institute of Cardiology and University of Warsaw, and completed her fellowship in cardiology and heart failure/transplantation at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Specialty

Internal medicine, specializing in the treatment of advanced heart failure patients

Physician Photo

Donald
Botta

Heart

Full Physician Bio
Botta
Donald MD
Associate Surgical Director
Heart

Dr. Botta joins the Florida Hospital transplant team from the Yale University School of Medicine where he directed the cardiac transplantation and mechanical circulatory support programs.  His clinical interests include heart transplantation, mechanical support of the circulation, left ventricular assist device (LVAD), right ventricular assist device (RVAD) , coronary artery disease, aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, and cardiac valve disease.   

Education

Donald M. Botta, Jr., MD received his medical degree from the University of Alabama.  He completed his general surgery residency at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  He then completed a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at Yale-New Haven Medical Center, in New Haven, Connecticut.

Specialty

Board Certified in Surgery and Thoracic Surgery.

Physician Photo

Andres
Pelaez

Lung

Full Physician Bio
Pelaez
Andres MD
Medical Director of Lung Transplant Services
Lung

Dr. Pelaez has been actively engaged in clinical and basic science research in the area of lung transplantation, focusing on donor management and donor optimization. He is currently pursuing clinical research trying to determine different phenotypes that may predispose the development of primary graft dysfunction (PGD); which is the main cause for early mortality following lung transplantation.

Dr. Pelaez's background is helping Florida Hospital establish the lung transplant program to become the pre-eminent resource for patients and physicians seeking excellence in research, education, diagnosis and a multidisciplinary treatment approach of complex lung diseases through lung transplantation/novel medical therapies.

Education

Dr. Pelaez received a fellowship in interventional bronoschopy and lung transplant at the University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio (UTHSCSA) and a fellowship in pulmonary disease and critical care medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. He did his residency in internal medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio (UTHSCSA) and went to medical school at the Centro de Estudios de la Salud in Medellin, Colombia, South America.

Specialty

Fellowship trained in interventional bronchoscopy and specializes in the treatment of complex airway conditions.

Physician Photo

Moeed
Azam

Kidney, Liver, Kidney/Pancreas

Full Physician Bio
Azam
Moeed MD
Anesthesiologist
Kidney, Liver, Kidney/Pancreas

Dr. Azam joins the Florida Hospital Transplant Center team from Johns Hopkins Hospital where he completed his residency in Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine.  He is a member of various medical associations such as the International Liver Transplant Society, the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Florida Society of Anesthesiologists. He is currently the director of abdominal transplant anesthesiology.

Education

Dr. Azam received a bachelor of arts in political science from Rutgers College, in New Brunswick New Jersey.  He then attended the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, New Jersey where he received his medical degree.  Dr. Azam completed a medical internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida followed by a residency in Anesthesiology and Critical Care at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Specialty

Board Certified in Anesthesiology.

Physician Photo

Jared
Weiner

Heart, Lung

Full Physician Bio
Weiner
Jared MD
Anesthesiologist
Heart, Lung

Dr. Weiner joins the Florida Hospital Transplant Center team from the Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia where he completed his fellowship in Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology.  He is a member of various medical associations such as the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the International Anesthesia Research Society, the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology, the Florida Society of Anesthesiology and the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation.  He is currently the Medical Director for the division of Thoracic Transplant Anesthesiology.

Education

He received his bachelor's degree in Microbiology and Cell Science with honors from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida.  He then earned his medical degree from the University of Miami, School of Medicine.  Dr. Weiner performed his general surgery residency at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.  He then completed an additional residency in anesthesiology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia followed by a fellowship in cardiothoracic anesthesiology at Emory. 

Specialty

Board Certified in Anesthesiology.

Our Physicians

Kidney, Liver, and Pancreas Advanced Practitioners

Esther Elder, MPAS, PA-C
Inpatient Kidney, Liver, and Pancreas Transplant Physician Assistant

Esther is a nationally certified Physician Assistant.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Sciences from the University of Central Florida and her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Florida.  She worked as a Registered Respiratory Therapist in trauma and intensive care at Orlando Regional Medical Center before becoming a Physician Assistant.  She has hospitalist and ER experience as a Physician Assistant before joining the Florida Hospital Transplant Center team working with the kidney, liver, and pancreas surgeons.

Bianca Guerrero, MMS, PA-C
Inpatient Kidney, Liver, and Pancreas Transplant Physician Assistant

Bianca is a nationally certified Physician Assistant.  She earned her Bachelor degree in cardiopulmonary sciences from University of Central Florida and her Masters Degree in Medical Science from Nova Southeastern University.  She has over ten years experience as a respiratory therapist at Florida Hospital and a year working exclusively with hepatology patients.  She now works as a Physician Assistant at Florida Hospital Transplant Center with the kidney, liver, and pancreas surgeons.

Keeley Haas, MSN, ARNP, NP-C
Inpatient Kidney, Liver, and Pancreas Transplant Nurse Practitioner

Keeley is a board-certified Family and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Ottawa, her Master of Science degree at the University of Central Florida, and her post-Masters Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at the University of Florida.  She is currently studying for her Doctorate of Nursing Practice at Troy University in Alabama.  Keeley has spent her many years as a nurse in critical care before joining Florida Hospital Transplant Center as inpatient Transplant Nurse Practitioner working with the kidney, liver, and pancreas surgeons.

Annette Needham, MSN, ARNP, NP-C, CNN-NP, CCTC
Outpatient Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Nurse Practitioner

Annette is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nephrology Nurse Practitioner.  She received her registered nurse diploma in West Yorkshire, England, her Bachelor of Science degree at Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, her Master of Science degree at the University of Central Florida, and she is currently studying for her Doctorate of Nursing Practice at George Washington University in DC.  Annette worked for ten years as a Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator before her role as outpatient Kidney Transplant Nurse Practitioner here at the Florida Hospital Transplant Center. 

Heart and Lung Advanced Practitioners

Ingrid Dutton, MSN, ARNP, ANP-BC
Heart Transplant Nurse Practitioner

Ingrid is a board-certified Adult Nurse Practitioner.  She has had over seven years of practice in cardiology as a registered nurse. During her six years of experience as a Nurse Practitioner she has specialized in cardiology and organ transplantation.  She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Winona State University and her Master of Science degree from the University of Central Florida.

Eveline Wallace, MSN, ARNP, NP-C
Lung Transplant Nurse Practitioner

Eveline is a board-certified Advanced Nurse Practitioner. She has had over sixteen years of critical care experience as a registered nurse and ten years as a Nurse Practitioner specializing in cardiology and internal medicine. She graduated with a Masters degree in nursing from the University of Florida and completed her undergraduate studies from the University of Southern Mississippi. 

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