Emergency Medicine Residents
Class of 2029
Brian Bailey, DO
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Education
Undergraduate Education: University of Central Florida
Medical School: NSU Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: My rotation at BayCare set the standard for what I sought in Emergency Medicine: broad clinical experience and a genuine commitment to personalized education.
Tanner Besse, DO
Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida
Education
Undergraduate Education: University of Florida
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine-Bradenton
Why Choose BayCare: I rotated there as a medical student, and the faculty at BayCare truly care about your education and the patients you care for. The opportunity to live and work in Tampa at an institution such as BayCare is one I couldn’t pass up, combining high-quality medical education and opportunity for growth unlike any other hospital.
Ariana Cranston, DO
Hometown: Angola, Indiana
Education
Undergraduate Education: Illinois State University
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: I chose BayCare because, from my very first interaction as a medical student rotating there, the people felt like home. From the program leadership to the hospital staff and current residents, everyone was welcoming, supportive and genuinely invested in each other's success. The culture was something I could immediately see myself thriving in. I love Tampa and am excited to spend the next few years learning alongside this incredible group, growing as an emergency medicine physician, and becoming part of the BayCare family.
Trevor Forsberg, DO
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Education
Undergraduate Education: University of Florida
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: I chose BayCare for several reasons: the exceptional support provided by its faculty and staff, its substantial patient volume, its unwavering commitment to patient care excellence and its location in the great city of Tampa.
Brookie Hilburn, DO
Hometown: Thomasville, North Carolina
Education
Undergraduate Education: UNC Charlotte
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: The camaraderie and team-oriented culture at BayCare immediately stood out and made the program feel welcoming. It was clear that faculty and staff are deeply invested in helping residents succeed.
Emily McMahon, DO
Hometown: Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Education
Undergraduate Education: Florida Gulf Coast University
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine-Bradenton
Why Choose BayCare: I chose BayCare because, during my rotation there as a medical student, my experience confirmed that it was a place where I felt supported, challenged and genuinely welcomed. The opportunity to train close to home and near my family also allows me to stay connected to the people who have supported me throughout my journey while pursuing a career in medicine.
Katsiaryna Merhes, DO
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Education
Undergraduate Education: University of Central Florida
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: I chose BayCare St. Joseph’s Hospital because I had the chance to rotate there as a medical student, and it quickly became clear that the trauma experience is incredible—I was amazed by how much the ED team manages and how involved residents are from day one. I also loved the longitudinal pediatric exposure and the faculty’s enthusiasm for teaching. They challenged me, pushed me to grow and made my rotation one of the most rewarding experiences of medical school.
Kaitlyn Mola Alcantara, DO
Hometown: Tarpon Springs, Florida
Education
Undergraduate Education: University of South Florida
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: I chose BayCare for its collaborative culture, commitment to advocacy, supportive learning environment and dedication to developing emergency physicians who make a meaningful impact on their patients and communities.
John Sencaj, MD
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
Education
Undergraduate Education: Purdue University
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: I chose BayCare for its welcoming culture, strong clinical training, and dedicated faculty. I look forward to growing as a physician while serving the Tampa Bay community.
Ryan Sherry, DO
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Education
Undergraduate Education: University of Central Florida
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: I chose BayCare because of its welcoming culture, supportive team environment, diverse patient population and strong commitment to learning. It’s a place where I know I can grow as a physician while enjoying the journey.
Class of 2028
Saba Ali, MD
Hometown: Mysore, India
Education
Undergraduate Education: K.V.G. Medical College
Medical School: Amrita School of Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: It really comes down to heart. From the very first interaction, BayCare didn’t feel like an institution; it felt like a community that truly lives by its values of respect, compassion and service. In the ER, where every second counts and emotions run high, you want to be surrounded by people who support you not only as a clinician but as a person. BayCare offers exactly that. Every person I met, residents, faculty, program coordinators and nurses carried this warmth, this genuine kindness that reminded me why I fell in love with medicine in the first place. Here, you’re not just trained to save lives; you’re taught to see the person behind every case, to lead with compassion even in chaos. Emergency medicine can be intense, unpredictable and humbling. But at BayCare, you never face it alone. There’s this incredible sense of family; people who push you, believe in you and pick you up when you need it most. Matching here wasn’t just a professional milestone or a step in my career but a step toward becoming the kind of responsible physician and solicitous human I’ve always wanted to be.
Giannina Alvarez Calderon, MD
Hometown: Lima, Peru
Education
Undergraduate Education: University of South Florida
Medical School: Medical School of the Americas
Why Choose BayCare: I chose BayCare because it truly cares for the community it serves—delivering compassionate, inclusive care that makes patients and staff feel valued and supported.
Tobias da Silva Araujo, MD
Hometown: Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Education
Medical School: Faculdade de Medicina de Bahia
Why Choose BayCare: I chose BayCare for its reputation of excellence, supported by a dedicated team of highly qualified professionals who are passionate about teaching as well. The environment is both welcoming and collaborative, with a strong focus on prioritizing patient care through compassionate and outstanding service.
Mercedes Erpelding, MD
Hometown: Rochester, Minnesota
Education
Undergraduate Education: University of Minnesota
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: I chose BayCare because it offers a unique opportunity to help shape a new program within a strong, respected hospital system. I'm passionate about social medicine and deeply committed to caring for underserved communities, and BayCare’s mission aligns with those values. Being part of a democratic group (EMA) also means having a voice in meaningful decisions and fostering a truly collaborative environment where both patients and providers thrive.
Alexnys Fernandez-Pacheco, DO
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Education
Undergraduate Education: University of South Florida
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: BayCare offers incredible hands-on training, a supportive learning environment, diverse patient populations and experienced faculty, making it the ideal place to train emergency medicine residents.
Chiara Gonzalez Portillo, MD
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Education
Undergraduate Education: Emory University
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: I chose BayCare for its collaborative environment, strong emphasis on resident education and dedication to high-quality patient care within a supportive community that values both professional growth and personal well-being.
Cynthia Larroque, DO
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Education
Undergraduate Education: Florida International University
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: I chose the opportunity to grow and train to become the best physician I can be, starting from day one through its unique hands-on experience. Coming from Miami, I was drawn to a program that shares my community-centered values. This program prioritizes resident learning and ensures that no time is wasted. That’s BayCare.
Megan Leslie, DO
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Education
Undergraduate Education: University of South Florida
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: I chose BayCare because it’s where I was born and grew up receiving care. Now, as a physician, I’m proud to give back and serve the community that raised me.
Daniel May, DO
Hometown: Yorba Linda, California
Education
Undergraduate Education: Moody Bible Institute
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: BayCare was the perfect fit for me. Tampa is my home, and I believe I can get the best training for my career at St. Joseph's Hospital. It's a great program in a hospital system that supports its residents well.
Annelies Vanderveen, DO
Hometown: Clifton Park, New York
Education
Undergraduate Education: University At Albany, SUNY
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: BayCare is invested in creating a culture of growth, support and wellness, and I believe this shows in the care we provide our patients.
Class of 2027
Michael Sencaj, DO
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
Education
Undergraduate Education: Purdue University
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Choose BayCare: BayCare’s approachable faculty and genuine focus on resident wellness make training here stand out. Paired with strong clinical education, it creates the right balance for growth in a community that I’m proud to be part of!