What is your favorite thing about the University of Florida?
“In my opinion, UF is the best combination of academic learning while still maintaining a sense of community and togetherness. I’ve been surprised by how welcomed I’ve felt since day one and how many great connections I’ve already made!”
Cameron Mellow, MD, PGY 1
“The UF name extends well beyond the University and has come to be well associated with excellence in all things whether it’s academics, sports, or healthcare. Despite this UF has not lost the strong sense of community that makes it feel less like work and more like home.”
Ishana Shetty, MD, PGY 4
What is your favorite thing to do in Gainesville?
“Eat!! I am extremely food motivated and Gainesville more than meets my food needs. There’s a small but dedicated community of Gainesville natives who have experience in bigger cities with huge restaurant scenes that have settled back in Gainesville and brought that experience with them, giving Gainesville more diversity than expected for its size.”
Ishana Shetty, MD, PGY 4
“My favorite thing to do in Gainesville is to enjoy year-round outdoor seating at local bars and restaurants. I am a restaurant repeater and there are some incredible restaurants that I frequent and take any and all friends/family that visit. Aside from eating, there is expansive greenery that makes the perfect backdrop for sunrise or sunset views from the car, hospital, or home! Both of these activities are made even better with friends, especially my co-residents.”
Alexandra Minnihan, MD, PGY 1
“I have lived my entire adult life in Gainesville, having been here through my undergraduate years, medical school, and now residency – just as I grew over the past 10 years, so have my interests in the city. My favorite things to do have morphed, demonstrating how this place has. something to offer for everyone. For those that are foodies, you can find almost every specialty cuisine. There are places to go dancing, play or watch games, listen to live music, or hang in a cozy setting. There is a plethora of locally-sourced food and drink, as well as multiple farmer’s markets and breweries (both of which have become some of my most frequent weekend activities). Ease of travel is lovely, with most destinations within 20 minutes of you at all times. The city has its own personality, with a deep-rooted community that is highly invested in its people and culture. Catch me at live music events or the best pizza in town at Satchel’s – the restaurant that doubles as an art fixture in of itself, with every inch of the building covered in art made of recycled materials and retro goods. That’s the Gainesville I’ve grown to love.”
Erika Wert, MD, PGY 3
What attracted you most to the University of Florida?
“Growing up my entire family were Gator fans so I have always been interested in coming to University of Florida, but as a grew up and continued my education I further realized the weight behind university of Florida’s name. It’s an institution that is well respected and connected anywhere you go. What makes the institution so special are the people, becoming a member of the University of Florida family means you will always have someone in your corner and the OBGYN department is no different. From interview to match to my first day I have felt so supported by everyone I’ve met. Gainesville is also a great place to live with the charm of a small town but has everything you need!”
Lindsey Fragale, MD, PGY 1
What has been your favorite rotation and why?
“My favorite rotation has been our Nights rotation as a PGY-2, as it teaches you to start to stand on your own two feet as a generalist OBGYN. You are shielded from the busyness of daytime schedules and are able to focus on honing in on your surgical skills and synthesizing acute clinical pictures. Nights on Labor & Delivery are special, mainly because there is a real sense of family among the staff, nurses, and physicians – as if we are all going to get through this together. I was able to have significantly more one-on-one time with faculty members in the operating room, which challenged me to not lean on my upper levels to develop my own surgical intuition. This also gave me daily opportunity to improve my techniques in a variety of procedures, even knowing how to manage getting things done without necessarily having all of the luxuries of a scheduled clinic setting. I got significantly more comfortable with OBGYN care as it relates to the Emergency Department, and was able to make a lot of friends among other specialties such as Emergency Medicine and Anesthesia. I really felt myself gaining confidence as a physician during this rotation.”
Erika Wert, MD, P 3
What do you love to do during a weekend off?
“There is no shortage of activities in and around Gainesville. My family and I enjoy “herping” on one of the many trails (so much wildlife in general!), going to Depot Park for a picnic, free outdoor concerts during the Spring-Fall downtown, trying out the new beer on tap at First Magnitude, Swamp Head, or Black Adder; biking (Hawthorne trail is great!); day trips to St. Augustine or Amelia Island (1.5hours away!); or of course attending one of the many Gator Sports events. There is no shortage of new food options, we have yet to visit all of the fan favorites even after four years! Some of our favorites are: Public and General, Superette Wine & Provisions, and Satchels. We can’t wait to show our new friends around Gainesville!”
Nathan Burke, MD, PGY 1
“There are so many fun ways to fill a free weekend in Gainesville but a few of my favorites are visiting nearby farmers markets, trying a new restaurant, taking my dogs on a hike, or taking a short trip to a nearby beach and spending the day outside.”
Emily Allard-Phillips, MD, PGY 3
