The University of Florida Department of Surgery was honored to send its graduating general surgery residents off with style June 21 at the Hilton UF Conference Center. The graduation ceremony, along with a separate education awards dinner on June 20, celebrated the achievements and accomplishments of residents and faculty.
Graduating residents were Kathleen Ehresmann, M.D., M.B.A.; Anne-Marie Fassler, M.D.; Brian Fazzone, M.D.; Kelly Herremans, M.D.; Nicholas Laconi, M.D., M.S.; Alexandra Ladd, M.D.; and Jennifer Munley, M.D.
Congratulations to each of our graduates and to everyone honored for their contributions to the department in the 2024-25 academic year!
Read on for more information about our graduates and education awards.
Graduating Residents
Kathleen Ehresmann, M.D., M.B.A.
Dr. Ehresmann is a retired Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy and is a triple Gator, having completed her undergraduate studies, medical school and residency training at UF. She will continue that trend as she moves to the UF Department of Anesthesiology for a critical care medicine fellowship.
Anne-Marie Fassler, M.D.
Dr. Fassler attended medical school at UF and will remain with the UF Department of Surgery to complete an acute care surgery fellowship. She chose to pursue a career in surgery because she said it is “intellectually fascinating, technically challenging, research-driven and deeply service-oriented.”
Brian Fazzone, M.D.
Dr. Fazzone attended medical school at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville and will be staying at the UF Department of Surgery to complete a vascular surgery fellowship. He said the strengths of the UF Department of Surgery residency program include great relationships with co-residents, high operative volume and opportunities to interact with leaders in the field.
Kelly Herremans, M.D.
Dr. Herremans is a triple Gator, having completed her undergraduate studies, medical school and residency training at UF. She is headed for The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where she will complete a surgical oncology fellowship. When asked about the strengths of the UF Department of Surgery residency program, her answer was simple: “Hands down, the people.”
Nicholas Laconi, M.D., M.S.
Dr. Laconi is yet another triple Gator, having completed his undergraduate studies, medical school and residency training at UF. He also holds a Master of Medical Sciences from the University of South Florida Morsani School of Medicine. He will be heading to the UF Department of Anesthesiology to complete a critical care medicine fellowship. Dr. Laconi praised the strong collaboration among surgical specialties at UF, as well as the large volume of approachable faculty who are invested in resident education.
Alexandra Ladd, M.D.
Dr. Ladd completed medical school at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and will return to New York to complete a breast surgical oncology fellowship. She said the UF Department of Surgery offers excellent clinical and research training and that attending physicians in the department provide residents with an optimal balance of autonomy and guidance.
Jennifer Munley, M.D.
Dr. Munley received her medical degree from the University of Maryland and will be returning to her alma mater to complete an acute care surgery fellowship. She praised the Department of Surgery’s residency program for its enthusiastic mentorship and opportunities for autonomy in patient care and in the operating room.
Medical Student Awards
The Robert R. Donahoe Memorial General Surgery Award was established to recognize a senior medical student who has chosen a career in the field of general surgery and who has exhibited superior skill and dedication to patients.
- Hudson Shaw, M.D.
The Edward R. Woodward Surgical Award was established to recognize the senior medical student who best demonstrated strengths of moral and ethical fiber, social consciousness and the traits of intelligence, tenacity and perspicacity.
- Madison Wnuk, M.D.
Academic Achievement Awards
Given to a resident in each clinical year for superior achievement on both the ABSITE and level-specific didactic course.
- PGY1: Jennifer Yang, M.D.
- PGY2: Alya Barq, M.D.
- PGY3: Xizhao Chen, M.D.
- PGY4: Evan Barrios, M.D.
- PGY5: Kelly Herremans, M.D.
Gold Humanism Honor Society 2025 Inductees
Awarded to residents and nominated by UF medical students for their demonstrated excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion and dedication to service.
- Elizabeth Hansen, M.D.
- Michael Kabbash, M.D.
Teacher of the Rotation Awards
Chosen by UF medical students and awarded to faculty and resident educators
Best Faculty Teacher of the Rotation
- Aditya Shirali, M.D.
- Johan Nordenstam, M.D., Ph.D.
- Ben Jacobs, M.D.
- Lisa Spiguel, M.D.
- Kevin Behrns, M.D.
Best Resident Teacher of the Rotation
- Elizabeth Hansen, M.D.
- Kelly Herremans, M.D.
- Alexandra Ladd, M.D.
- Brian Fazzone, M.D.
- Pavel Mazirka, M.D.
Student Teaching Awards
Given based on teaching evaluations of residents and fellows, as completed by medical students.
- PGY 1&2: Michael Spinosa, M.D.
- PGY 3-5: Kelly Herremans, M.D.
- Fellow: Dong-Kha Tran, M.D.
Additional Housestaff Awards
The Surgical Quality Award is given in recognition of the best resident-led quality improvement initiative that advances surgical care.
- Johan van Nispen, M.D.
The Outstanding Resident Educator Award from the Society of Teaching Scholars at the 25th Celebration of Excellence in Medical Education
- Evan Barrios, M.D.
Peer-nominated Awards
The Ray Bierstedt Memorial Award is given each year by housestaff and faculty in recognition of an outstanding surgical intern.
- Jennifer Yang, M.D.
The Hugh A. Walters Humanitarian Award is given to a general surgery resident, as nominated by their fellow residents, who embodies Dr. Walters’ qualities of compassionate care and selfless dedication to excellence.
- Kelly Herremans, M.D.
The Outstanding Teaching Resident Award is presented in recognition of academic excellence in service to housestaff, students and faculty.
- Brian Fazzone, M.D.
The Edward R. Woodward Surgical Resident’s Award is awarded to the general surgery resident who embodies outstanding qualities in scholarship, teaching and patient care.
- Brian Fazzone, M.D.
Faculty Awards
The Lester R. Dragstedt Physician-Scientist Award is presented by the chief residents to the attending surgeon who exemplifies Dr. Dragstedt’s idea of the surgeon-physiologist.
- Salvatore T. Scali, M.D., FACS, DFSVS, RPVI
The Edward M. Copeland Faculty Award is presented to a surgical faculty member in recognition of academic excellence, leadership and lifetime mentorship.
- Johan Nordenstam, M.D., Ph.D.
The Outstanding Faculty Award General Surgery is presented in recognition of academic excellence in service to housestaff and students.
- Ibrahim Nassour, M.D., MSCS
