Our Internal Medicine Residency Program is dedicated to fostering leadership and excellence in medicine and welcomed its first class in the #Match2023 Season.
We are now composed of 20 PGY-1 and 20 PGY-2 residents.
In the last two years, our residents have made significant strides in research and scholarly work, garnering recognition from professional societies both in Florida and across the nation. Their accomplishments, from impactful abstracts and posters to prominent publications and conference presentations, highlight the leadership and excellence we cultivate.
A Strong Start of #Winning: The First Six Months-Year One
Within just six months, our residents have showcased exceptional scholarship— earning recognition at major conferences (often taking home top honors in abstract competitions) and securing publications in renowned journals. Below are a few highlights of their ongoing success:
Science Direct Journal, Hematology/Oncology – Aug. 2023
American College of Physicians, Scientific Meeting, Tampa, FL – Oct. 2023
Annals of Internal Medicine, Fresh Look – Nov. 2023
Journal of Cardiology Research – Nov. 2023
Society of American Gastrointestinal & Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) – Dec. 2023
Florida Osteopathic Medical Association – Dec. 2023
American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) – Dec. 2023
Academic Internal Medicine Week (Alliance of IM) – Columbus, Ohio – April 2024
Society of Hospital Medicine – San Diego, California – April 2024
American College of Physicians, Internal Medicine Meeting, Boston, MA – April 2024
A Strong Start of #Winning: The First Six Months-Year
Two
Within just six months, our residents have showcased exceptional scholarship—earning recognition at major conferences (often taking home top honors in abstract competitions) and securing publications in renowned journals. Below are a few highlights of their ongoing success:
American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session & Expo, Atlanta, Georgia – April 2024
Journal of Diabetes & Vascular Disease Research – May 2024
JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology – May 2024
Society for American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Annual Meeting, Cleveland, Ohio – June 2024
American Heart Journal Plus: Cardiology Research and Practice – July 2024
American College of Physicians, Florida Chapter, Annual Scientific Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, FL – Oct. 2024
American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) Annual Meeting, Boston, MA – Oct. 2024
Pulmonary Manifestations of Systemic Disease – American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) Journal – Oct. 2024
American College of Gastroenterology, Annual Scientific Meeting, Philadelphia, PA – Oct. 2024
Science Direct Journal, Current Problems in Cardiology – Oct. 2024
Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics, Washington, DC – Oct. 2024
European Society of Cardiology (ESC Congress Meeting), London, UK – Oct. 2024
Journal of the American College of Cardiology – Oct. 2024
Journal of Clinical Medicine – Oct. 2024
Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology – Nov. 2024
American Journal of Gastroenterology – Dec. 2024
5
Foundations
Setting Our Program
(+You) Apart
You will benefit from a tailored mentorship experience and a range of distinctive elective opportunities, including Medical Spanish, C-Suite Leadership, Interventional Radiology for Advanced Procedural Skills, and master’slevel programs designed to set you apart. Additionally, you’ll gain hands-on proficiency with two of the best EMR systems, ensuring you are well-prepared and highly competitive in the modern healthcare landscape.
Lakeland Regional Health is an Award Winning Campus
Lakeland Regional Health, with over a century of service, stands among the top 50 largest hospitals in the nation with over 900 beds and hosts the second-busiest emergency department nationwide. Its award-winning status reflects a long-standing commitment to excellence, ensuring that residents benefit from exceptional mentorship, cutting-edge technology, and a diverse patient population. This breadth of resources and opportunities supports unparalleled clinical exposure and fosters the development of highly skilled, confident physicians. With nearly 200 residents spanning multiple specialties—from Internal Medicine and Transitional Year to Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Critical Care Surgery, Family Medicine, Psychiatry, and Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship—the institution cultivates a dynamic, interprofessional learning atmosphere that promotes collaboration, support, and collective growth.
Hospital Awards
Most Wired Advanced
Best Large Hospital Workplace
Making a Difference in Well-Being
Excellence in Work-Life Balance
Best Employers for Diversity
2022 – Forbes “Best Places to Work”
2023 – Aetna “Best Places to Work”
2024 – High-Performing Care Hospitals for Black Maternity Health
2024 – America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women
Raising the Bar: Beyond the Beginning—Intern Mastery Series
Intern Mastery: Top 10 Internal Medicine Diagnoses at the Busiest Hospitals in the Nation. A book written by our Founding Internal Medicine Residents.
Coming Soon in 2025
Pre-order
Intern Mastery: PGY-1 Excellence: A Roadmap from Med School to PGY-1
Internal Medicine Excellence
Editors
Luis Daniel Lugo, MD, MBA
Parker Williams, DO, MBA
Authors
Joshua Tsai, MD, MBA
Vivek Patel, MD, MPH
Aqeel Khanani, DO, MS
Juan Rivera Martinez, MD
Michael Sabina, DO
Adrian Feliciano, MD
Emma Weiland, MD
Graciela Luna, MD
Zein Barakat, DO, MS
Daniela Carralero Somoza, MD
Christiane Martell Rodriguez, MD
Bryce Green, DO
Christopher Fitts, MD
Samuel Belgique, MD
Dominique Montecino, MD
Andrew Rivera, MD
Structured Simulation and POCUS Training
We have invested over half a million dollars to provide every resident team with state-of-the-art, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) devices integrated with artificial intelligence, ensuring our trainees can access cutting-edge diagnostic tools at the bedside. Our structured curriculum, coupled with dedicated faculty mentors, ensures that POCUS is seamlessly integrated into daily clinical practice, enabling residents to develop advanced skills and improve patient outcomes. By fostering hands-on learning and continuous feedback, we empower our residents to become confident leaders in ultrasound-guided care.
2025
Intubation and CCAT - July 11
Central Lines - August 8
NG Tube, Foley, Venous Puncture - Sept 5
Arterial Lines - October 3
CCAT [rapid response] Simulation - October 31
Thoracentesis - December 26
2026
Lumbar Puncture - January 23
CCAT [rapid response] Simulation - February 20
Joint Injections - March 20
ACLS Update - April 17
Advanced Procedures - May 15
CCAT [rapid response] Simulation - June 13
Corey Thurman, MD | PGY-2 Internal Medicine Resident Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Beyond Redefining Residency: Leading in Research and Academic Excellence
The scholarly output and research quality exhibited by the Internal Medicine Residents at Lakeland Regional Health are without equal, demonstrating a singular standard of academic and clinical inquiry.
Resident Spotlight: Michael Sabina
While in the program, Michael completed over 20+ publications with no previous research experience. Read some of his work by scanning the code or visiting researchgate.net/profile/Michael-Sabina.
Photo taken at The American College of Cardiology’s (ACC) 2024 Annual Scientific Session & Expo
Our IM Program Research Output from July 1, 2024, until Dec 1, 2024: 100+
Books Published: 2
Case Reports Published: 20+
Abstracts/Posters Published: 30+
Retrospective Studies Published: 4
Meta-analyses Published: 4
Literature Reviews Published: 5
Other Scholarly Products: 30+
Omar Zuhdi, MD | PGY-1
Internal Medicine Resident
Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Resident Wellness and Education—Our Perfect Blend
Whether choosing to pursue a career in ambulatory care, or hospital medicine, or opt for fellowship training , our program equips residents with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their chosen path.
Taylor Karns, MD | PGY-1
Internal Medicine Resident
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Andrew Lamb, DO, MBA | PGY-2
Internal Medicine Resident
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus
Emma Weiland, MD | PGY-2
Internal Medicine Resident
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
Zein Barakat, DO, MS | PGY-2
Internal Medicine Resident
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Elevating IM Excellence Year
After Year
With every new class, we welcome residents who have distinguished themselves through leadership, academic honors, substantive publications, and exceptional board performance, underscoring our program’s rising reputation.
Our IM Residency Program Leadership
Guided by accomplished experts, our leaders focus on mentorship and collaboration, training future leaders who will make a lasting impact in academic medicine.
Unique Academic Wards with Point-of-Care Ultrasound Integration
Specialized Inpatient Rotations: Rounding vs. Admissions
Innovative Research Culture & Leadership Development: Graduating residents who redefine standards and chart their own path as visionary healthcare leaders.
Internal
Medicine
Fellowship
Training at Lakeland Regional Health
LUNGS
Pulmonary-Critical Care
Now available at LRH
HEARTBEAT
Cardiology
(Under development)
Actively recruiting PD ✓
More Programs to be Announced
Resident Benefits
A culture that includes high resident satisfaction
Meal stipend (regardless of call)
No jeopardy or 24-hour calls
Competitive salary in one of the most affordable cities in Florida
Generous annual CME support for travel, lodging, meals, licensing, registration, and educational materials
Examination fee reimbursement for USMLE Step 3 /COMLEX Level III
Provision of an electronic device (laptop)
Dedicated Department of Research and Sponsored Studies
Over seven Internal Medicine Residency Program Committees to foster leadership development
Dedicated GME Resident Lounge (includes a resident-only fitness center)
Comprehensive physician financial package with vision, dental, and medical insurance and other benefits
Check us out beyond the workplace
Beautiful Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland, Florida, is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, and its cost of living is lower than the national average.
It is one of the top cities for first-time homebuyers due to its affordability and growth opportunities.
Lakeland’s prime location between Orlando and Tampa, provides easy access to major city amenities, entertainment, and markets.
Living in Lakeland offers a distinctive travel advantage, placing three convenient airports at your fingertips. In addition to Tampa International and Orlando International—both less than an hour’s drive away—residents now have the added benefit of Lakeland International Airport right in their backyard. This new gateway provides direct service to eight popular destinations, ensuring that whether you’re jetting off on a family vacation, heading to a professional conference, or welcoming visiting guests, getting where you need to go is easier than ever:
