Fall 2024: HCA Florida Brandon Hospital Emergency Medicine

Welcome to the HCA Florida Brandon Hospital Emergency Medicine Program! Over the past year, our team has demonstrated exceptional dedication and hard work, leading to significant progress and transformative changes.

We begin with a heartfelt acknowledgment of our former program director, Dr. Anthony Furiato, whose leadership has earned him a promotion to Designated Institutional Officer (DIO) for HCA West Florida Division of Graduate Medical Education. His contributions have been foundational to our success, and we are grateful for his continued guidance in his new role.

Stepping into the role of program director, Dr. Harold Gomez Acevedo is focused on enhancing the resident experience and expanding our academic presence. His efforts have already resulted in substantial improvements, including an overhauled academic curriculum and increased scholarly activity. Dr. Gomez Acevedo’s leadership is setting a high standard for excellence and innovation.

Joining him in leadership, Dr. Raphael Colon-Hernandez, an expert in hyperbaric medicine, has been appointed associate program director. His academic focus, alongside Dr. Kelly Grabbe, is instrumental in driving our program’s continuous growth and success.

We also congratulate Dr. Kirk Szustkiewicz on his new role as residency director of quality improvement. His leadership is vital in refining our clinical protocols and enhancing patient-centered care. He is hard at work to improve the experience for residents to better understand the quality improvement process for patient care.

Our residents have been active in national conferences such as CORD, SAEM, ACEP, and FCEP Symposium by the Sea, showcasing their research and clinical prowess. They have also engaged in high-profile competitions like the Clinical Pathologic Cases (CPC) at CORD and Symposium by the Sea, reflecting the high caliber of our program.

We are pleased to announce the election of Krishen Gosine, Benjamin Duppstadt, and Nikolas Foresteire as our new chief residents, bringing dedication and enthusiasm to their leadership roles within the program.

This year also marks the launch of “Emerging Insights,” a resident-run blog that has quickly become a cornerstone for academic discussion within our community. The blog provides in-depth analyses of landmark trials and covers a broad spectrum of emergency medicine topics.

As we welcome a new class of talented interns and celebrate the successes of our graduating seniors, who have secured prestigious positions across the country, we are reminded of the bright future that lies ahead for our program. Though still young, the trajectory of the HCA Florida Brandon Hospital Emergency Medicine Program promises even greater achievements and innovations in the years to come.