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.