New Physicians Begin Training at Lee Health’s Family Medicine Residency Program

(Fort Myers, Fla. – August 2, 2019) --- Eight first-year family medicine residents started seeing patients this week as part of the Florida State University College of Medicine Family Medicine Residency Program at Lee Health. Based at Lee Memorial Hospital, the program was created to address a national shortage of primary care physicians.

Lee Health is proud to welcome:

• Gabriela Aviles, M.D. – Pembroke Pines, Fla.
• Brandon Bentley, M.D. – Orlando
• Silvia Caswell, D.O. – Curitiba, Brazil
• Christopher Galletti, M.D. – Oviedo, Fla.
• Moises Perez, D.O. – Miami
• Jordan Reid, M.D. – Buffalo, N.Y.
• Tiffany Smith-Sutton, M.D. – Riviera Beach, Fla.
• DeLayna Sterling, M.D. – Port Charlotte 

“We are happy to welcome these eight physicians who are passionate about their training and about this program.” “said Alfred Gitu, M.D., Director of the Family Medicine Residency Program. “This incoming class—the class of 2022—is academically gifted and we are thrilled to have them start their family medicine training with Lee Health.”

Medical school graduates are required to complete residency training in their chosen specialty to become independently practicing physicians. Statistically, about 60 percent of residents will practice medicine in the same area in which they are trained. 

The Lee Health program received more than 1,500 applications from U.S. medical students and physicians from around the world. This is the third full class of eight residents to join the program since it launched in 2014. 

The Florida State University College of Medicine Family Medicine Residency Program at Lee Health takes residents through 36 months of training, which is divided into four-week blocks. These rotations are completed at Lee Memorial Hospital, HealthPark Medical Center and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, as well as several community physicians’ offices. 

About Lee Health

Since the opening of the first hospital in 1916, Lee Health has been a health care leader in Southwest Florida, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community. A non-profit, integrated health care services organization, Lee Health is committed to the well-being of every individual served, focused on healthy living and maintaining good health. Staffed by caring people, inspiring health, services are conveniently located throughout the community in four acute care hospitals, two specialty hospitals, outpatient centers, walk-in medical centers, primary care and specialty physician practices and other services across the continuum of care. Formerly known as Lee Memorial Health System, the organization began its second century of service with a new name in 2016. Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org.