Serendipity.

It’s the word DCMS member Christian A. Koch, MD, PhD, MACE, uses to describe how he ended up specializing in endocrinology and internal medicine.

Dr. Koch decided to pursue medicine out of his desire to help others and during his residency training he found himself choosing between gastroenterology, nephrology, and endocrinology.

It was actually a mentor at The Ohio State University that helped guide him toward endocrinology.

“My department chairman at OSU was Dr. Ernest Mazzaferri and he said for an adventurer and medical detective the best job is endocrinology, convincing me that this field is made for me,” Dr. Koch recalled.

An adventurer indeed!

Dr. Koch grew up in Nuremberg, Germany, and attended medical school at the Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen. Seeking a postdoc adventure, he moved to the United States and completed his residency at The Ohio State University and then a fellowship with The National Institutes of Health. Prior to moving to Jacksonville in 2023, Dr. Koch worked at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Koch at the 2026 DCMS Residents’ Graduation Gala with colleague Dr. Payal Shooliz and graduate Dr. Maham Shahid

When he’s not practicing medicine, Dr. Koch enjoys sports, watching movies, and playing piano. He’s also driven the Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) in California three times. But perhaps one of his biggest passions outside of medicine is classic cars.

Dr. Koch with his 1969 Mercedes 280SL Pagoda

“My interest in classic cars sparked after my 40th birthday, likely related to developing more nostalgia while getting older and realizing that modern cars increasingly started looking alike without individualism,” explains Dr. Koch.

He owns several classic Mercedes cars, but his most recent acquisition is a 1955 Mercedes Benz Gullwing Replica made by Speedster Motorcars in Florida.

Dr. Koch shares the Mercedes Gullwing had long been his dream car after first seeing the car during his residency training, but it wasn’t until recently that serendipity struck again.

“Around the new year 2025/2026, I intensely searched the internet to find an affordable Mercedes Gullwing Replica and I guess it was the right time and car meant for me,” says Dr. Koch.

He found a 1955 Mercedes Benz Gullwing Replica that matched exactly what he had been hoping for: Silver exterior, red interior, A/C, a more modern engine, and crank windows.

Dr. Koch’s 1955 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing Replica

As for his next adventure, Dr. Koch says his bucket list has several items to check off. He hopes to drive one of his classic cars along the French Riviera and Italy, as well as drive U.S. Route 66. But for now, he’s enjoying his role as an Associate Editor for various journals, including the Journal of the Endocrine Society.

He attended medical school at Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship year at AdventHealth Redmond in Rome, Georgia and his anesthesiology residency at the University of Central Florida.

Dr. Gilliland was raised in the Jacksonville, Florida area and is proud to serve the community where he grew up through the practice of anesthesiology.

The Duval County Medical Society is excited to welcome new member Christopher Reeder, DO, a transformational healthcare executive and academic leader with over three decades of distinguished service in medical education, clinical practice, and organizational development. Currently serving as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Campus Dean at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – Jacksonville University, Dr. Reeder provides strategic leadership for all aspects of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program, including curriculum development, faculty management, and accreditation compliance.

Dr. Reeder's academic career reflects a consistent trajectory of leadership excellence. As Dean of School of Medicine and Dean of International Affairs at Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, he led an international medical school serving over 1,300 U.S. students, pioneered groundbreaking cross-border partnerships with UC Berkeley, and established a robust research infrastructure. His tenure as Senior Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs at Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine involved spearheading accreditation processes and establishing clinical partnerships across the United States. Throughout his career, he has maintained faculty appointments at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine and Ohio Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine , where he has educated and mentored hundreds of medical students and surgical residents.

Beyond academia, Dr. Reeder has demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial acumen and clinical expertise. As CEO and Founder of Premier Plastic Surgery & Dermatology Associates, he grew a single-location practice into a 15-office network spanning Southwest Ohio before orchestrating a strategic merger that created the nation's fourth-largest dermatology network with 170+ providers across 85 locations. This achievement exemplifies his unique ability to scale healthcare enterprises while maintaining clinical excellence.

Dr. Reeder's influence extends throughout the osteopathic profession. As President of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (2021-2022), he modernized surgical education programs and advocated for expanded recognition of osteopathic surgery at the national level. His decade-long service on the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, including six years as Chairman of the Bureau of Examiners for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, shaped certification standards that continue to define professional competence in the field.

Board-certified in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, Dr. Reeder is a Fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons. He completed his plastic surgery residency at the Plastics Institute and Affiliated Hospitals in Des Moines, Iowa, and general surgery training in New York. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathy degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Most recently, he completed fellowships in Senior Leadership Development and GME Development through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (2024).

Dr. Reeder's commitment to global healthcare advancement is evidenced through his international leadership roles, cross-cultural collaborations, and presentations at venues such as the Sino-US Congress of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery in Shanghai. His research has been published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, and he has contributed to medical knowledge through numerous presentations at national and international conferences.

As President and Chairman of The Reeder Foundation since 2015, Dr. Reeder extends his commitment to education through STEM scholarships and charitable initiatives. His civic engagement includes appointment by the Ohio State Senate President to the Board of Directors of BRIGHT New Leaders for Ohio Schools (2016-2019), where he advanced innovative educational leadership in underserved communities.

Currently serving on the Council on Economic and Regulatory Affairs for the American Osteopathic Association (2025-present), Dr. Reeder continues to shape healthcare policy and medical education standards. He maintains active medical licenses in Florida and Ohio, enabling him to continue the clinical practice and teaching that have defined his career. His unique combination of clinical expertise, educational innovation, entrepreneurial success, and organizational leadership positions him as a visionary force in advancing osteopathic medical education and healthcare delivery.

Several members of the DCMS recently traveled to Tallahassee to meet with state lawmakers and advocate on issues directly affecting physicians, their practices, and the patients they serve. During these meetings, our delegation emphasized the importance of protecting physician-led care amid ongoing scope-of-practice expansion legislation, advocated for legislation requiring that a qualified human professional must sign off on any AI denials and take responsibility for denying care that a doctor has deemed medically necessary, and stressed the need to prevent further increases in medical malpractice costs by maintaining reasonable caps on any legislation awarding non-economic damages to adult children in wrongful death medical liability suits.

The DCMS thanks Drs. Mark Dobbertien, Ferdinand Formoso, Tim Groover, Ali Kasraeian, Tom Peters, and Residents' Committee Chair Dr. Brian Li for traveling to Tallahassee to advocate for physicians and their patients.

By Kristy Williford, DCMS Communications Manager

The boxing gloves are on. Two fighters are ready to go. The crowd is wild. And just outside the ring, you’ll find DCMS member Dr. Joe Bhagratie. As a physician for amateur USA Boxing events and professional fight promotions, including mixed martial arts (MMA) and professional boxing, he’s there to ensure the athletes leave the ring as safely as they entered it.

“Serving as a ringside physician allows me to help ensure athlete safety and deliver immediate care during competition,” Dr. Bhagratie explained.

By evening, Dr. Bhagratie may spend his time under the lights, but by day he serves as a Sports Medicine Specialist for Baptist Orthopedics.

“I love that sports medicine allows me to combine hands-on procedures, ultrasound-guided interventions, and holistic care approaches like osteopathic manipulative treatment and acupuncture.” Dr. Bhagratie says his interest in medicine grew from a mix of curiosity about how the body works and a desire to make a direct impact on people’s lives. That path ultimately led him to sports medicine.

“I’ve always been drawn to problem-solving and working with people, and medicine gave me the opportunity to combine both. What ultimately motivated me was the idea of helping others recover, stay healthy, and get back to doing what they love - whether that’s competing in sports or simply living without pain.”

Dr. Bhagratie grew up in Queens, NY, but spent most of his formative years in Orlando. After earning his B.S. in molecular and microbiology from the University of Central Florida, and his M.S. in biomedical science from Barry University, his next stop was medical school at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Bhagratie then made his way north to Jacksonville for family medicine residency at St. Vincent’s Family Medicine, where he stayed on to continue fellowship training in sports medicine.

“Jacksonville became my home when I moved here for residency and fellowship training, and I decided to stay because of the strong sports medicine community, the opportunity to grow professionally, and the great quality of life.”

Along with the more traditional aspects of sports medicine, Dr. Bhagratie also practices in orthobiologics and regenerative medicine.

“I have a strong interest in using treatments such as PRP and stem cell–based therapies to help promote healing and recovery. This specialty keeps me closely connected to athletics and performance while helping patients of all ages recover from injuries and maintain their quality of life.”

An athlete himself, Dr. Bhagratie stays active through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, F45 group fitness, and basketball. He says these activities not only challenge him physically and mentally, but also help him connect with his patients and better understand their recovery process.

“It’s a great way to stay active, build discipline, and connect with the athlete mindset…Training also keeps me humble, as there’s always something new to learn on the mats.”

Beyond his bedside and ringside duties, Dr. Bhagratie extends his passion for sports and medicine into the community. As a former Clinical Director for Special Olympics Florida’s MedFest program, he helped organize athlete health screenings. Dr. Bhagratie has also supported a wide range of events, from Ironman triathlons and Division I athletics with the University of North Florida, to professional minor league hockey with the Jacksonville Icemen, and national golf tournaments like The Players Championship.

Despite his busy schedule, Dr. Bhagratie prioritizes time with his wife and their dog. Together, they enjoy exploring the outdoors and traveling whenever they can.

“Family time is important to me, and I value maintaining a balance between my professional life and personal well-being.”

The Duval County Medical Society is excited to welcome new member Susmita Pati MD MPH, a nationally recognized physician-scientist with expertise in advancing health outcomes and workforce development via population health analytics, innovation, and system transformation. Her leadership and management experience includes roles and responsibilities to develop and advance the clinical, educational, and research missions at the departmental, school, university, and health-system levels in large academic medical centers.

Dr. Pati is a tenured professor of pediatrics and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine – Jacksonville. Previously, she served as the Division Chief of Primary Care Pediatrics and the Chief Medical Program Advisor for the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science® at Stony Brook University. She joined the Alda Center in 2018 because her more than 20 years of experience strengthened her belief that communication is fundamental to success in building strong health care delivery teams that, in turn, lead to joy and fulfillment at work.

Dr. Pati earned an AB cum laude in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard University, a MD from the University of Connecticut, and a MPH in Epidemiology from Columbia University. She completed her pediatric residency, chief residency, and post-doctoral fellowship in general academic medicine at Columbia University. She served on the Board of Directors of the Medical Center Nursery School in northern Manhattan for nearly 15 years. Her team’s work on health outcomes has been published in top-tier scientific journals and she was the principal architect of the national award-winning Keeping Families Healthy program, whereby community health workers function as a direct extension of the pediatrician’s office to help families follow clinical care recommendations. Her leadership of the Hospital-Medical Home Demonstration grant for Stony Brook Medicine leveraged standardization in the ambulatory setting for the Departments of Medicine, Family Medicine, and Pediatrics to achieve and sustain Patient-Centered Medical Home recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance with a focus on health outcomes and workforce development. Prior to joining Stony Brook University, she was faculty at the University of Pennsylvania and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for 8.5 years where she served on the Dean’s program to recruit and retain women faculty in the School of Medicine. In 2018, she was honored to receive the Stony Brook Medicine Dean’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentorship. Since 2021, she has also served as an External Advisor to McKinsey and Company, Inc. (a consultancy). In 2024, she was honored by the invitation to join the National Scientific Advisory Board of Children and Screens (a non-profit organization dedicated to enhance our understanding of the impact of digital media on children).

The Duval County Medical Society is excited to welcome new member Robert Martin, MD, FAAFP. Dr. Martin is board-certified in family medicine and sports medicine, with additional training in medical acupuncture. He believes in educating and partnering with patients so they can make informed choices and become healthier versions of themselves.

Dr. Martin earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. He served as a physician in the U.S. Navy for 26 years and retired at the rank of captain. During that time, he spent 10 years training family practice residents in sports medicine at NAS Jacksonville. After retiring from the Navy, he continued his work in education as a Sports Medicine Fellowship Program Director from 2019 to 2022.

Dr. Martin was an early adopter of using blood injection therapies and presented results nationally to the American Medical Society of Sports Medicine in 2005. He continues to speak at national CME conferences on a variety of sports medicine topics.

In addition to his clinical and teaching work, Dr. Martin has 10 years of experience in occupational medicine, urgent care and workers’ compensation.

Outside of work, he enjoys biking near the beach, golfing and tackling DIY projects.

The Duval County Medical Society is excited to welcome new member Jennifer Whitelock, MD. Dr. Whitelock is an obstetrician-gynecologist who completed her MD/MPH at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL and her residency in New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. She majored in Biology with a minor in Spanish at Harvard University.

Dr, Whitelock is currently a private practitioner at FABEN with privileges at Baptist Medical Center in downtown Jacksonville. She is a Fellow of American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Dr. Whitelock encourages her patients to lead a healthy and active lifestyle at any stage of life and strives to lead by example. In her spare time, she enjoys the challenge of an occasional hike or 5k run and loves to learn new line dances whenever possible.

OFFICERS:

• President - Timothy Groover, MD
• President-elect – F. Huson Gilberstadt, MD
• Vice President – Leigh Speicher, MD
• Vice President – Catherine Madaffari, MD
• Treasurer – Ali Chahlavi, MD
• Secretary – Veronica Antoine, MD
• Immediate Past President – Ali Kasraeian, MD

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Terms Expiring 2028

• Pauline Rolle, MD
• Jason Miles, MD
• William Eng, MD
• Travis Smith, DO

Terms Expiring 2027

• Turner Vosseller, MD
• Mario Pulido, MD
• Lee Irwin, MD
• Al Holt, MD

Terms Expiring 2026

• Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, MD
• Rana Alissa, MD
• Sandeep Grover, MD
• Shilpa Amin, MD

FMA DELEGATES:

Terms Expiring 2028

• Cynthia Anderson, MD
• Tra'Chella Johnson Foy, MD
• Suny Caminero, MD
• Catherine Madaffari, MD
• Sandeep Grover, MD
• Gregory Lewis, MD
• Irina Todorov, MD
• James Toldi, MD

Terms Expiring 2027

• Elizabeth DeVos, MD
• Parveen Khanna, MD
• James Kerr, MD
• Ali Kasraeian, MD
• Tracy Sinha Khona, MD
• Yazan Khatib, MD
• Claudio Vincenty, MD
• Janet West, MD
• Ferdinand Formoso, DO
• Malleswari Ravi, MD
• Jason Phillips, MD
• Jayme Looper, MD

Terms Expiring 2026

• Todd Sack MD
  
• Thomas Peters, MD
• John Montgomery, MD
• Julie Greenwalt, MD
• Sunil Joshi, MD
• Ruple Galani, MD

Bold indicates new term; italic indicates continuation of an existing term.

Thank you to our Nominating Committee: Ferdinand Formoso, DO (Chair), Rana Alissa, MD, Mark Dobbertien, DO, Catherine Madaffari, MD, Leigh Speicher, MD, Ali Kasraeian, MD (Ex-Officio)

The Duval County Medical Society is excited to welcome new member Kristina Buller, DO, MS. Dr. Buller is an Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Florida - Jacksonville. She completed her residency in integrated plastic surgery at the University of South Florida in Tampa, where she gained broad expertise in reconstructive and aesthetic procedures, including treatment of traumatic and oncologic defects. Her clinical interests include aesthetic surgery, both implant-based and autologous breast reconstruction, and complex reconstruction following cancer or injury.

Dr. Buller lives in Avondale with her husband, Mitchell Buller, a pediatric plastic surgeon at Nemours Children’s Hospital, and their son, Nicolas.

The Duval County Medical Society is excited to welcome new member Rajiv Raman, MD. Dr. Raman is an ophthalmologist, researcher, and educator with over two decades of experience advancing care for retinal diseases. He is currently Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville, and also serves as Professor of Practice at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.

A fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon, Dr. Raman has combined clinical excellence with innovation in teleophthalmology, artificial intelligence, and imaging biomarkers. He has authored 400+ peer-reviewed publications, contributed to landmark studies on diabetic retinopathy, and has been consistently listed among the world’s top 2% of scientists.

Dr. Raman is widely recognized for his pioneering work in artificial intelligence (AI) for ophthalmology. He has led and collaborated on projects that developed and validated deep learning models for diabetic retinopathy detection, prediction of treatment response, retinal age estimation, and AI-driven biomarkers. His work with global partners—including Moorfields Eye Hospital, UNSW Sydney, IIT Madras, and industry leaders like Google and Microsoft—has helped shape AI applications that are scalable, affordable, and clinically impactful. Dr. Rajiv Raman co-authored the landmark Google study that pioneered AI in diabetic retinopathy detection, a paper now cited over 8,400 times worldwide.

He has played leadership roles in national and international ophthalmic societies, including the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology, the Asia-Pacific Ophthalmic Trauma Society, and the Asia-Pacific Teleophthalmology Society. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, such as the Prof. B.N. Mathur Award (2025) for excellence in medical retina and the American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award.

A passionate mentor and collaborator, Dr. Raman has guided many postgraduate and PhD students across India and abroad. Through his work, he continues to bridge clinical practice, research, and technology—driving forward innovative solutions to prevent blindness and improve vision health globally.

The Duval County Medical Society is excited to welcome new member Sirisha Talari, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer at HCA FL Memorial Hospital. Dr. Talari is a foreign medical graduate who completed Family Medicine residency at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. She also has a Physician Executive MBA from the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Talari graduated from medical school in 1997, and has over 28 yrs of clinical experience and a multitude of leadership roles. As Chief Medical Officer at HCA FL Memorial Hospital, she oversees clinical operations, quality improvement initiatives, and the integration of patient care strategies to enhance healthcare delivery within the organization.

Dr. Talari is committed to fostering a culture of excellence in patient care through collaborative leadership and continuous improvement. Her approach emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practices, efficient clinical operations, and the integration of innovative solutions to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the community.

The Duval County Medical Society is excited to welcome new member Lori Le, DO, a physician in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at UF Health Jacksonville. Dr. Le majored in Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania before earning her medical degree from Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM). She went on to complete her Internal Medicine residency at Palmetto General Hospital in Miami and her Sleep Medicine fellowship at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Today, Dr. Le practices as a Sleep Medicine physician at UF Health Jacksonville, where she helps patients improve their health and quality of life by addressing sleep disorders. Her practice philosophy is simple yet powerful: work hard, play hard, and sleep hard. She also believes in embracing growth as a lifelong learner.

Outside of the office, Dr. Le's love for soccer began just before medical school and only grew stronger during her time as a student at NSU. Dr. Le would often pack her cleats and head straight from a 7 a.m.–7 p.m. ICU shift to the soccer field. This summer, Dr. Le represented the United States in the United Medical Football Championship in Dublin, Ireland, competing on the inaugural U.S. Women’s Medical Soccer Team. The team finished 5th place out of 14 countries.

Additionally, Dr. Le enjoys a wide variety of recreational activities, including golf, running, tennis, surfing, and yoga. She believes community-based fitness and wellness activities are key to long-term health.     

By Kristy Williford, DCMS Communications Manager

When Dr. John Montgomery walks around his Fleming Island neighborhood, his Bichons, Bailee and Brinlee, are usually by his side. These walks are part of his regular routine.

“I am a people person so I’m always talking to and meeting people while walking.”

But it’s not just people he meets along the way.

“There is a duck in my area that I have named Buddy. He can be anywhere on the lake and when I see and call him, he comes over to see me.”

The Muscovy duck sometimes joins their morning walk, waddling along right beside the dogs! These walks have become a great way to get his daily exercise in and get ready for a day’s work in the business of healthcare. After over 30 years as a physician, Dr. Montgomery can still remember the moment he decided to go into medicine. He was just 15 years old, and was drawn to the profession while watching his mother battle breast cancer for the two years prior.

“The night she died was the night I decided I was going to become a doctor and fight cancer. 39 years later, I was named Chair of the Board of the Florida Division of the American Cancer Society.”

Dr. Montgomery had dedicated his professional life to patient care, though his path to medicine was somewhat nontraditional. Inspired by a professor in his undergrad sociology of medicine class at Brown, he decided to first obtain a Master’s of Public Health at Yale’s School of Medicine.

“My professor told me I should train as an epidemiologist first and learn how to take care of populations before you take care of individuals so I got my MPH in Infectious Disease Epidemiology.”

From there, Dr. Montgomery returned to Brown for medical school, the beginning of his road to studying Family Medicine.

“After getting my MPH, it was only fitting that I go into Family Medicine. As a family physician, I get to take care of patients from the womb to the tomb and then some as we continue to help in caring for the needs of the family of a patient that has passed. Family Medicine is very fulfilling.”

Dr. Montgomery’s training began as a Navy family physician, and he later transitioned to private practice at Family Medical Centers in Orange Park. In 2001, he took a position as Director of Health Services for the Duval County Health Department, as well as an Assistant Professor of Community Health and Family Medicine with University of Florida. But that’s only the beginning.

Alongside treating patients, Dr. Montgomery has also made a huge impact in the public health and advocacy space. In 2003, he transitioned to a career with BCBSFL (now Florida Blue), where he served in numerous leadership roles including Vice President of Senior Care Solutions and Vice President of Professional Relations for over seven years. Dr. Montgomery then spent the following 12 years as a leader with Humana where he served in a number of leadership roles including Lead Market Medical Officer for all of Humana’s Commercial Business. Additionally, he served as the Medical Director for Humana, Inc. where he oversaw the population health care of tens of thousands of Humana employees. Dr. Montgomery retired from Humana in 2023 after serving as their Regional Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for their Medicare business in South Florida.

Post-retirement, he continues to drive clinical and financial decision making within practices as President and CEO of a health care consulting company.

“For decades, I have worked to improve and increase the interaction and relationship between physicians and health plans, and helped drive improved health care quality and physician reimbursement across the country and that work continues today as a health care consultant.”

Along with his work with physician groups, Dr. Montgomery also stays busy advocating for the profession. He’s a longtime member of the Duval County Medical Society, having served as DCMS President in 2007 and remaining active today on the DCMS Foundation Board of Directors. Dr. Montgomery also serves as a Northeast Florida Delegate to the Florida Medical Association and as an FMA Delegate to the American Medical Association.

“Being involved is important and it means being able to be a voice for our profession and to represent our views as it relates to our health care system and the practice of medicine. And to be an uncompromising voice is standing up for physicians and the autonomy of the doctor patient relationship.”

Juggling these many responsibilities throughout his career has required balance, and Dr. Montgomery is a big believer in physician work-life, balance.

“I love to travel the world with my son. We have been to six of seven continents with only Antarctica remaining. Our goal is to scuba dive every continent, and see all the Wonders of the World."

Even when he’s not in the water, he’s usually not too far from it. Walking the ocean or the lake beside his home remain some of his favorite ways to recharge and reflect.

“When all is said and done, what better way for a doc to relax than on a walk with his dogs and a duck!”

Want to see Dr. Montgomery with his dogs and the duck? Click here for a cute video that also won him a prize in a local American Diabetes Association challenge that raised money for the organization.

On this Fourth of July, as fireworks illuminate the skies and families gather in celebration, we are reminded not only of our nation’s independence but of the enduring ideals that gave rise to it—freedom, justice, and a collective commitment to a better tomorrow.

In moments like these, we reflect not only on our country’s founding but on the ongoing responsibility we each carry as physicians, leaders, and citizens. Amidst the challenges of today’s world—from unrest and uncertainty abroad to division and complexity at home—we stand at the crossroads of medicine and society, where our work does more than heal the body. It upholds the very values upon which this nation was built.

In a book his first-grade class wrote this year titled “When I Grow Up,” my son shared that he wants to be a doctor “to help people with cancer.” It reminded me then—as it reminds me now—that our calling is not just a profession, but a purpose. It is a declaration of service. And on this day of national reflection, that purpose takes on even deeper meaning.

As our healthcare system continues to evolve—through shifting policies, expanding technologies, and the pressures that weigh heavily on physicians—we must remain anchored in the heart of what we do. Our voice, as a medical society, matters now more than ever. We must use it to advocate for our patients, protect the sanctity of our profession, and support one another in navigating the journey forward.

So today, as we celebrate our country’s independence, let us also celebrate the quiet courage of every physician who wakes up with a commitment to care. Let us honor the idea that patriotism is not only found in grand gestures—but in the daily dedication to healing, serving, and leading with integrity.

Wishing you and your families a safe, joyful, and meaningful Independence Day.

With gratitude and respect,

Ali Kasraeian, MD, MHA, FACS
President, Duval County Medical Society

By Kristy Williford, DCMS Communications Manager

As president of the Health Division for Sulzbacher, an agency that cares for the homeless and at risk in Duval County, DCMS member Dr. Colleen Bell works with some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

“I have a passion for working with those with severe and persistent mental illness who are underserved, often unhoused with substance use disorders and known to the correctional system.”

At Sulzbacher, Dr. Bell is responsible for a $9 million budget and more than 90 employees, as well as training residents and medical students. But she also provides clinical care, and through her work as a psychiatrist, she has seen it all. One patient had been arrested more than 120 times by 2020.

“I want to lift up those in our community who don’t have a lot of champions.”

Despite the challenges, Dr. Bell never sees a lost cause. She just sees needs, and focuses on how to answer them.

In 2021, with the support of then Chief Judge Mark Mahon and Jacksonville City Councilmember Ronald Salem, Dr. Bell and Sulzbacher founded the Mental Health Offenders Program (MHOP), a pretrial court diversion program for nonviolent offenders with severe and persistent mental illness. The program links participants to services such as mental health treatment, housing, and benefits, with a goal of keeping them in the community, and, ultimately, preventing re-arrest. It’s a partnership between Sulzbacher, the local courts, City of Jacksonville, State Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and LSF Health Systems.

“During the first few months of MHOP, we discovered that we were serving the most acute and severely affected individuals with mental illness in our community. These MHOP participants were not only living their lives not stabilized for their own safety and well-being, but this instability affects the community in Duval County.”

Now there is hope. That patient with more than 120 arrests became MHOP’s first participant, successfully transitioned to an assisted living facility, and not been arrested since. The data says it all.

“Prior to diversion to MHOP in 2024, 86.7 percent were homeless. After acceptance to MHOP, 88.9 percent were in permanent housing, and 11.1 percent are pending permanent housing,” Dr. Bell shared of the program’s success.

There has also been a dramatic decrease in the monthly average of arrests prior to diversion into the program, compared to post-referral to MHOP: 92% decrease in 2021, 88% decrease in 2022, 81% decrease in 2023, and 76% decrease in 2024.

Given Dr. Bell’s passion for compassion, you would think she’d always planned to pursue psychiatry. But as the first and only physician in her family, her path to medicine didn’t fully crystalize until her father battled ALS.

“Seeing him disintegrate in front of me made me want to help others, or at least to try to ease their suffering.”

That pursuit for dignity ultimately led her to psychiatry.

“I feel like as a psychiatrist I really get to know my patients deeply. The patient is the expert on themselves; I serve as a guide to recommend options to help them improve their quality of life and relationships.”

As her career developed, Dr. Bell found her calling in working with the homeless and incarcerated populations, which brought her to Jacksonville and Sulzbacher.

Last June, outgoing City Council President Ronald Salem awarded the Mental Health Offenders Program the Melody Starr Anne Bishop Community Service Award. The program also received the Psychiatric Services Achievement Gold Award from the American Psychiatric Association in May 2024.

So far, 32 participants have graduated from MHOP. There are also 46 current participants, and 22 in aftercare.

“I have seen people come back literally from the brink and integrate back into society. It is a beautiful thing and happens more than people may think.”

The Duval County Medical Society is excited to welcome new member Luther D. Quarles IV, DO, MS. Dr. Quarles was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and is board-certified in family medicine and neuromusculoskeletal medicine. He specializes in acupuncture, osteopathic manipulation medicine, sports medicine, and primary care, with a focus on musculoskeletal and nervous system health-related issues. Prevention is a cornerstone of his practice, with emphasis on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This includes proper nutrition, regular exercise, and stress management to prevent illness and injury before they occur. His philosophy of care is centered on providing comprehensive, integrative, and compassionate care that respects the uniqueness of each patient.

Dr. Quarles pursued a bachelor’s degree at Hampton University in Virginia, majoring in molecular biology, and earned a master’s degree in interdisciplinary health sciences at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During his time at Drexel, he studied the impact of food deserts in urban populations. He received his medical degree in osteopathic medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

After obtaining his medical degree, Dr. Quarles completed residency training in integrated family medicine and neuromusculoskeletal medicine at Stonybrook University Southampton Hospital in New York. He also received training in sports medicine at VCOM-Auburn and traditional Chinese medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Dr. Quarles’ approach to patient care is rooted in a holistic understanding of the body as an interconnected system. He believes in treating the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — rather than just addressing symptoms. His practice is guided by the principles of osteopathic medicine, which emphasizes the body’s inherent ability to heal itself when properly supported.

In his leisure time, Dr. Quarles enjoys spending time with family, podcasting, reading, and a writing sci-fi book series. Additionally, he volunteers as a team physician for William M. Raines High School football and Edward Waters University athletics. He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

The Duval County Medical Society is excited to welcome new member Raphael Parrado, MD, MS. Dr. Raphael Parrado is the director of the Pediatric Intensive Care unit and the Associate Trauma Medical Director at the University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville. 

Dr. Parrado is a graduate of the general residency program at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) where he distinguished himself as a medical student teacher in addition to his surgical training. He earned his degree in medicine at Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, Colombia, where he is from. Pertinent to his work in trauma, he additionally holds a specialization in Data Science from John Hopkins and finished a Masters in Clinical and Translational Science with a focus on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Cincinnati.

The Duval County Medical Society is excited to welcome new member Colleen Bell, MD, FACHE, DFAPA. Dr. Bell is the President for the Health Division at Sulzbacher where she leads the Federally Qualified Healthcare Center Clinics, and is responsible for a staff of over 90 employees. In her role, Dr. Bell also teaches medical students and residents, and engaged in clinical care twice a week.

Dr. Bell is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Bell is a current member of the Brooks College of Health Dean’s Council at University of North Florida, and serves as Vice President for the Florida Psychiatric Society and Secretary for the American Association for Community Psychiatry.

By Kristy Williford, DCMS Communications Manager

Sometimes you know what your future holds, but not exactly where it will take you. That’s the path DCMS member Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA has been on since he was just a child.

“I’ve wanted to be a physician since I was five years old. Even at that young age, I felt a strong calling to help people and make a meaningful difference in their lives,” said Dr. Refai.

The inspiration came from his uncle, who was a well-respected physician.

“He had a profound influence on me. I saw firsthand how he cared for his patients, how deeply he was connected to the community, and how his presence brought comfort and healing to those around him. I knew I wanted to be that kind of positive force — someone who could blend compassion with expertise and give people hope when they needed it most.”

The early influence stuck with him, though he wasn’t sure which specialty he would pursue. That decision came during his time as an undergraduate student at the University of North Florida.

“I was working in the library and earning $5 an hour like many students, just trying to make ends meet. A friend of mine at the time, Matthew George, told me about his job as a psychiatric technician at a local hospital called Ten Broeck, where he was making three times what I was. It sounded like a great opportunity, so I applied and got the position.”

Little did he know what started as a way to pay the bills would turn into something much more meaningful.

“I worked there for three years before starting medical school, and during that time, I witnessed the profound impact that psychiatric care could have on people’s lives. The patients, their stories, and the real transformation I saw, it all stuck with me.”

Though Dr. Refai is originally from Tampa, Jacksonville became home during his years at the University of North Florida, where he completed all three of his bachelor’s degrees in Biology, Economics, and Health Sciences. After graduating from UNF in 2002, he headed to St. George’s University for medical school, followed by residency at University of Hawaii and John Peter Smith Hospital.

“After finishing residency, I knew I wanted to give back to the community that played such a significant role in my development. Returning to Jacksonville felt like the right thing to do, not just professionally, but personally. I’m proud to contribute to the health and growth of a city that gave me so much.”

In 2013, Dr. Refai returned to the First Coast and began practicing at Baptist Medical Center. The following year, he helped introduce Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to the Jacksonville community by providing a proposal to Baptist and coordinating with Neurostar, the company offering TMS, to ensure its availability.

“My goal was to expand access to innovative, evidence-based treatments for individuals facing severe depression who hadn’t found relief through traditional approaches. Bringing TMS to the area created new hope for many patients, and since then, it’s been encouraging to see other providers adopt this modality as part of the broader mental health landscape.”

Now Dr. Refai is embarking on a new journey, the launch of his telepsychiatry platform, shrinkMD.com, which provides patients the ability to connect with a mental health professional from the privacy of their own home. “By removing traditional barriers like long commutes, traffic, scheduling conflicts, and the discomfort some people feel in waiting rooms, we're making it easier for people to seek help when they need it most.” And Dr. Refai’s introduction to psychiatry at Ten Broeck has now come full circle.

“That same friend, Matthew, is now a nurse practitioner and we work together today at ShrinkMD. It’s been an incredible journey from those early days to where we are now.”

While Dr. Refai is available on the platform as much as possible, he also makes sure to connect with the people and activities he loves outside of the office.

“I believe that being present, whether it’s with family, friends, or even in quiet moments alone, is essential to living a full and balanced life. That mindset also helps me stay connected to my purpose as a physician.”

Along with spending time with loved ones, Dr. Refai enjoys trying new restaurants and rotating through an ever-growing library of audiobooks. He also loves to travel and has visited more than 30 countries.

“It fascinates me to see how people live in different parts of the world including their values, customs, and everyday lives.”

The Duval County Medical Society is excited to welcome new member Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA. Dr. Refai is a board certified psychiatrist and the founder and medical director of shrinkMD, a multi-state virtual psychiatry platform dedicated to making high quality mental health care accessible. He also earned a Master of Business Administration from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

Trained at St. George’s University School of Medicine with residencies in Hawai‘i and Texas, Dr. Refai now holds licenses in ten states and consults for the NFL including the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is also on the mental health directory for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Team taking care of our Olympic athletes. 

Frequently featured as a Florida Top Doc, Dr. Refai blends cutting edge clinical skills with a holistic biopsychosocial and spiritual approach, championing innovative, tech enabled solutions that remove barriers to care and empower his patients to thrive.

It is with a profoundly heavy heart and sadness that I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the heartbreaking events that unfolded yesterday at Florida State University. As a father, a surgeon, and president of the Duval County Medical Society, I cannot begin to imagine the pain, fear, and grief that so many in our Florida community are experiencing in this moment.

To the students, families, faculty, and all who call FSU and Tallahassee home—please know that we mourn with you. Our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones, those who are injured, and everyone left shaken by this senseless act of violence.

I also want to express sincere gratitude to the first responders, law enforcement officers, emergency physicians, nurses, trauma teams, and hospital staff whose courage, training, and preparedness helped save lives. Their quick and compassionate response in moments of chaos reminds us of the critical importance of readiness and coordinated action in the face of the unthinkable.

While we pray that none of our communities ever have to face such horrors again, we must also be honest about the realities of the world we live in. As such, I am both proud and humbled to share that the Duval County Medical Society—alongside our dedicated partners at the now unified Florida and Jacksonville Chapters of the American College of Surgeons—is working to expand the ACS Stop the Bleed program across our community.

This program empowers everyday people—teachers, parents, students, and community members—with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to act swiftly in the event of a mass casualty emergency. It is a vital step in turning tragedy into preparedness and fear into resilience.

It saddens me that such programs are necessary, but I am grateful to be part of the team bringing this life-saving initiative to our community. Together, we can honor those we’ve lost not only with our prayers, but through purposeful action that may help protect others in the future.

May we hold the FSU community close in our hearts and remain united in hope, healing, and the shared duty to care for one another.

Though I wish such efforts were never necessary, I remain committed—both as a physician and as a father—to doing all I can to help protect our children, our schools, and our communities. Let us honor those lost not just with our grief, but with action rooted in compassion, preparation, and unity.

With heartfelt solidarity and resolve,

Ali Kasraeian, MD, MHA, FACS
President, Duval County Medical Society