University of Central Florida, College of Medicine. She is a founding faculty member and serves as the Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program for the UCF/HCA Florida Healthcare (Fort Walton-Destin). She works closely with regional osteopathic colleges to recruit and train osteopathic internal medicine physicians.

Professor of Medicine

Director of CAth Lab

Director of Clinical Protonomics

Editor in chief of Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions

Outstanding teacher of the year award 2024 Univ of Texas Health Science Center

Teaching Faculty, Section of Infectious Disease, Corewell Health/Botsford Campus
Farmington Hills, MI

Clinical Professor of Medicine
Michigan State University
College of Osteopathic Medicine

Clinical instructor Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education

Chair, Department of Infectious Disease - Duly Health and Care
Director, Clinical Board of Directors - Duly Health and Care
Co-Chair, Infectious Disease Subsection - American College of Osteopathic Internists
Adjunct Clinical Faculty - Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Arash Karnama, DO is a clinical associate professor of medicine at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. He is a board certified interventional cardiologist. He received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Des Moines University. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. He completed his fellowship in cardiology and interventional cardiology at Oklahoma State University.

Tyler Cymet, DO, serves as Chair of Medicine and Primary Care at the newly approved Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine at The Chicago School, while also working PRN in emergency departments for the University of Maryland. Much of his life, he says, has been devoted to work and watching his wife raise their 16-year-old daughter. An extreme introvert, Tyler enjoys reading, writing, and using social media as a way to be social while still alone. Ever curious, he’s known for exploring wherever he goes in search of new knowledge and interesting experiences, finding people both fascinating and perplexing—and still trying to understand them, himself included.

Tyler completed his internal medicine residency at Yale, earned a teaching certificate from Harvard, and was on faculty at Johns Hopkins. He is recognized for co-describing Erondu-Cymet Syndrome and for his work identifying and caring for victims of the 2001 Postal Anthrax Attack. With over a hundred peer-reviewed publications, roughly 20 grants, seven books, two dictionaries, and hundreds of traffic camera citations to his name, he frequently works from home consulting on medical education for clients ranging from the Egyptian Government to the Independent Nation of Samoa, as well as lawyers and a host of other groups—some brilliant and caring, some less so. Tyler cherishes being a “ten-fingered physician,” continuing to practice OMM both in his office and his own living room. He is credited with establishing the core OMM curriculum, authoring the official glossary of osteopathic terminology, and producing a video textbook with Lecturio. His contributions also include work for AACOM and writing over 60 segments for Discovery Network’s Untold Stories of the ER and other series. Above all, Tyler is known as a kind person who wants to make everyone healthy and happy.

Dr. MarkAlain Déry is an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist renowned for his humanitarian work and commitment to public health. As the founder of 102.3FM WHIV-LP, a community radio station in New Orleans dedicated to human rights and social justice, Dr. Déry has utilized media to advocate for health equity and raise awareness about critical health issues such as HIV/AIDS. His international humanitarian efforts are extensive, having been at the forefront of disaster response during events like Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti earthquake, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, and being adjacent to the front lines at the beginning of the Ukraine war. These experiences underscore his dedication to providing medical care in some of the most challenging environments, often employing innovative means of transportation to reach remote areas.

In addition to his hands-on medical work, Dr. Déry serves as the Chief Innovation Officer and Medical Director at Access Health Louisiana, where he continues to lead initiatives to improve healthcare access and outcomes for marginalized communities. His passion for education and advocacy extends to his role as a board member of the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI), where he contributes to shaping policies that enhance medical practice and patient care.

Dr. Déry's career is marked by a profound commitment to addressing health disparities, promoting justice through clinical practice and public engagement. His work exemplifies a holistic approach to healthcare that integrates medical expertise with a deep understanding of social determinants of health, making him a pivotal figure in both local and global health landscapes.

In his free time, Dr. Déry plays bass for several New Orleans bands and has made several award-winning recordings. His passion for music complements his professional life, allowing him to engage with the community creatively while promoting health awareness through events that merge music and advocacy.

Dr. Berry Pierre is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health advocate, and passionate educator dedicated to empowering individuals to take control of their health. With over a decade of experience in patient care, Dr. Pierre has seen firsthand the life-changing impact of small, consistent health choices and the devastating consequences of neglecting one’s well-being.

As a trusted voice in health and wellness, Dr. Pierre uses his platforms—including his popular podcast Lunch and Learn with Dr. Berry and his YouTube series Medicine Mondays—to break down complex medical topics into relatable, actionable advice. His mission is to make healthcare accessible, understandable, and empowering for everyone, especially those in underserved communities.

Inspired by personal experiences, including the loss of his father to preventable health complications, Dr. Pierre has dedicated his career to advocating for early prevention, patient education, and the power of small wins in achieving lasting health transformation.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Pierre is a sought-after speaker, blogger, and content creator whose work has inspired countless individuals to prioritize their health and take charge of their future. He believes that health is not just about numbers or diagnoses—it’s about living with energy, confidence, and purpose.

When he’s not helping patients or creating content, Dr. Pierre enjoys spending time with his family, exploring new ways to stay active, and inspiring others to live their healthiest lives.

Doctor Kellee is a board-certified internal medicine physician, founder and CEO of Equity Ventures Plus, LLC, equity and inclusion consultant, author, speaker, and health care coach. She earned her doctorate of osteopathic medicine from the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center. She completed her internal medicine training at Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is the creator of “My Medical Journey: Personal Healthcare Management Journal” and “Your Mask First: Finding Peace, Light and Encouragement Through Self-Care.” Doctor Kellee is committed to ending healthcare disparities within black and brown communities. Doctor Kellee is an Assistant Professor at her alma mater, The University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas. She also cares for patients in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. She is a member of ACOI’s Committee on Ethnically and Racially Underrepresented Populations in Medicine.

Dr. Buelt graduated from Des Moines University and completed family medicine residency at in St. Petersburg, Florida. Currently he works as a Hospitalist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Bay Pines, Fl and has worked as an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Medicine and the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Buelt has helped record and produce over 500 hours of continuous medical education.

Helping shape medical guidelines, Dr. Buelt co-authored guidelines on dyslipidemia, headaches, COPD, low back pain, stroke rehabilitation, and depression for the Veteran Affairs and Department of Defense. His prolific work extends to numerous Practice Guideline reviews in the Journal of American Family Physician. Beyond his written contributions, Dr. Buelt co-founded the globally recognized Questioning Medicine podcast, earning a spot on the American Family Physician list of "25 Podcast Episodes Every Family Physician Should Listen To." Dr. Buelt stands as a top-tier speaker, sharing unparalleled insight, expertise, in an evidence based perspective.

Dr. Erika Abel is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and the Program Director of the Med-Peds Residency Program at the University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine. She has led the program since 2008 and is widely recognized for her excellence in medical education, innovation in curriculum design, and unwavering commitment to resident advocacy.

A dual board-certified internist and pediatrician, Dr. Abel completed her Med-Peds residency and chief residency at USF, where she has remained a dedicated educator and leader for nearly two decades. She has played a key role in the development of simulation-based curricula, quality improvement education, and individualized board preparation strategies. Her initiatives include gamified QI training, a pediatric board review series, and structured faculty development in resident scholarly activity.

Dr. Abel currently serves as Chief of Staff at Tampa General Hospital and is a voting member of its Board of Directors. She holds extensive leadership roles on numerous hospital and university committees focused on quality, communication, and clinical learning environments.

She is the recipient of multiple teaching and leadership awards, including the USF Med-Peds Attending of the Year, the ACP Florida Chapter’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award, and the Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Award.

Nationally, Dr. Abel is a frequent speaker on topics ranging from resident diversity and inclusion to the use of AI in individualized medical education. Her work continues to shape the next generation of compassionate, competent, and innovative Med-Peds physicians.

Dr. Candice Mateja is Professor of Medicine at the University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine and Tampa General Hospital, where she serves as Vice Chair of Education for the Department of Internal Medicine. A dedicated academic internist and nationally recognized educator, she has led innovations in graduate medical education for more than a decade.

At USF, Dr. Mateja is Associate Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency and long-standing Chair of the Clinical Competency Committee, where she has pioneered the use of high-reliability and just-culture frameworks to strengthen milestone-based assessment and support learner success. She continues to teach medical students and residents across clerkships, inpatient rotations, and workshops, earning some of the institution’s highest teaching honors, including the Tampa General Outstanding Resident Teaching Award, the Roy H. Bahnke Award for Best Educator in Internal Medicine, and the USF Outstanding Faculty Educator Award, recognizing the top educator across all of Graduate Medical Education.

Beyond her local impact, Dr. Mateja is deeply engaged in national educational leadership through the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine (AAIM) and Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine (APDIM). She has served on multiple committees, presented workshops at national meetings, and advanced faculty development on topics including resident remediation, professionalism, and milestone-based evaluation.

Respected for her mentorship, scholarship, and collaborative leadership, Dr. Mateja continues to shape the next generation of physicians and medical educators while advancing the culture of safety, professionalism, and excellence at USF and beyond.

Dr. Elimarys Perez-Colon is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine and serves as the Associate Program Director of the USF Med-Peds Residency Program. She is a dual board-certified internist and pediatrician, deeply committed to medical education, health equity, and global health.

A highly decorated educator, Dr. Perez-Colon has received numerous honors including the 2025 USF Health Culture Champion Award, the MPPDA Brendan Kelly National Award for advocacy and educational innovation, and multiple teaching awards from USF and Tampa General Hospital. As Chief of Medicine at Tampa General, she leads efforts to enhance quality care, professional development, and interdepartmental collaboration.

She is the lead faculty advisor for the USF International Health Service Collaborative and has led service-learning initiatives in Colombia, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas. Her scholarly work spans topics such as medical Spanish education, coaching for diversity pipelines, and AI-integrated board preparation.

Dr. Perez-Colon is nationally recognized for her contributions to academic medicine, having presented at AAIM, SGIM, APPD, and AMEE. Her teaching portfolio includes directing the Medical Spanish elective, leading DEI-focused clinical case discussions, and mentoring students in public health, disparities, and global medicine. She is passionate about empowering future physician-leaders through culturally responsive education, learner-centered coaching, and service-driven training.