2025 Speaker Bios

FSA Board of Directors, Co-chair Legislative Affairs

Lauren Berkow MD FASA is a Professor of Anesthesiology and the Chief of Neuroanesthesia at the University of FLorida College of Medicine. SHe is also a UF Faculty Senator and the Co-Chair of the UF Health Shands Sustainability Committee. Nationally, she is a member of the ASA Committee on Environmental Sustainability.

Dr Tiffany L Brainerd is a pediatric and adult anesthesiologist who is active in wilderness medicine. Following medical school at The University of Texas and residency at the University of Arizona, Dr Brainerd completed a fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology at Boston Children's Hospital and subsequently joined the faculty of Harvard Medical School. She holds a Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DiMM) as well as a Fellowship with the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) and serves on committees for the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia (SPA), the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS), and Colorado Search and Rescue (CSAR). She is a member of the Board of Directors for the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE). Dr Brainerd has cared for patients in nine countries, on four continents, in various austere environments, and has considerable experience in mass casualty, emergency deployment responses, backcountry search & rescue, and event medicine. Like many outdoor enthusiasts, she enjoys rock climbing, ice climbing, backcountry skiing, mountain running, and mountaineering. Dr Brainerd has been privileged to reach the summit of many notable peaks including Mt Aconcagua, the highest point in the Western and Southern Hemispheres at 22,837 ft.

Jonathan Cohen is an anesthesiologist at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, and an associate professor at the University of South Florida. He is board certified in both anesthesiology and critical care medicine and holds a Master of Science degree in Patient Safety Leadership. At Moffitt, he is currently the Vice Chair of Quality & Safety in the Department of Anesthesiology and was the recipient of Moffitt’s Excellence in Safety Award for two consecutive years. He has been invited to present on the topic of patient safety at several international meetings and serves on patient safety committees of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation. Dr. Cohen is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Medical Education at University of Illinois Chicago where he is course director for the Essentials for HealthCare Professionals: Patient Safety and Quality Improvement. He also serves as faculty for the Institute of Healthcare Improvement’s (IHI) Certified Professional in Patient Safety Course.

Dr. Jennie Hochman Cohn is an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She is the Associate Chief of Anesthesia and Chief of Obstetrical Anesthesiology at Jackson South Medical Center. Dr. Hochman Cohn is native to Miami and received both her undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Florida. She returned home to the University of Miami for her anesthesiology training and her obstetrical anesthesiology fellowship, which she completed in 2011. She lives in Pinecrest with her husband Adam, a dentist, her two boys (Evan 12 and Jordan 10) and her giant schnoodle daughter, Pacey. She enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her family and friends.

Florida native, but fortunate to have traveled in medicine and have exposure to both academic and private clinical settings. Reside in St. Augustine, FL with wife and 6 mo old!

Dr. Deutch works in Palm Coast and is a member of the FSA Board of DIrectors and an at-large delegate to the ASA HOD. He is a member of the ASA Monitor Editorial Board, Executive Editor of the daily newsfeed Anesthesia Monitor Today (AMT), and a co-host of ASA's Central Line Podcast Series.

Michelle Fletcher, MD, FACOG, is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Miami. She is the Director of Patient Safety and Quality Improvement in her department and also heavily involved in undergraduate and graduate medical education. Dr. Fletcher has been an active member of ACOG, serving on the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee in District XII. She completed her Ob/Gyn residency and served as administrative chief resident at University of Miami/Jackson Health System in Miami, Florida where she honed her skills in quality improvement and was recognized for her leadership and gynecologic surgical skills.

My name is Amanda Frantz, MD, and I joined the Department of Anesthesiology in 2017 as an assistant professor in the Division of Critical Care Medicine. I received my medical degree from St. George’s University school of medicine, and completed an internship and residency in anesthesiology at Virginia Commonwealth University. I completed my Critical Care Medicine Fellowship here at the University of Florida. In addition to my role as an assistant professor of anesthesiology, I am the co-director of the Anesthesiology/Critical Care Clerkship. My clinical interests include cardiac, trauma, and critical care medicine. In 2023, I was honored with the Rising Star award from the University of Florida College of Medicine Faculty Council.

Bio Formerly Professor of Anesthesia and Critical Care at several academic Institutions including Univ Central Florida, Univ South Florida, Ohio State University, University of Miami. College: Univ Wisconsin-Milwaukee, BS Education-Social Studies Masters in Intensive Respiratory Care, Emory University Medical School: Univ of Texas-Houston Anesthesia Residency: Medical University of South Carolina Critical Care Fellowship: The Ohio State University Major, USAF Wright-Patterson AFB Member: FSA, ASA, CHEST, FSRC Abstract Comm FSA Resp Care Comm ASA Abstract review Comm Respiratory ASA Difficult Airway Faculty CHEST Medical Advisor Flor Soc Resp Care

Dr. Garcia Getting is an anesthesiologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, where she has practiced for over 13 years and specializes in oncoanesthesia and ambulatory surgery. She serves as Chair of the Florida Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on Professional Diversity, 3 West District Director, and as a Delegate from Florida to the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

I'm Christopher Giordano, MD, a professor of anesthesiology and chief of the Division of Liver & Transplant Anesthesiology at the University of Florida. I joined UF in 2009 after completing my medical degree at the University of South Florida, followed by training in internal medicine, anesthesiology, and a liver transplantation fellowship. I serve as director of the Anesthesiology/Critical Care Clerkship and work closely with the transplant committee to ensure safe, high-quality care for liver transplant candidates. My clinical focus also includes transfusion medicine, trauma, and echocardiography. Education is a passion of mine. I've transformed our clerkship into a hands-on, simulation-based course that has twice won the College of Medicine’s Golden Apple Award. I'm honored to have received the Exemplary Teacher Award (2013–2021), the ASA’s Distinguished Educator in Anesthesiology Award, and UF’s Hippocratic Award for Excellence.

Mariah Gosling was born and raised in Hawai’i where she attended both undergrad and medical school. Residency at UM/JHS brought her to the state of Florida. On her free time she enjoys traveling, surfing, snowboarding, hiking, and spending time outdoors. In Miami she spends her time sailing Biscayne Bay with her partner/captain. She plans to one day return to her home state and help establish the first anesthesia residency program.

I am an Associate Professor in the department of Anesthesiology at the Moffitt Cancer Center as well as an Associate professor of Oncologic Sciences at the University of South Florida. I am the director of airway management and assistant director of the operating room at the Moffitt Cancer Center Cancer Center. I also serve on multiple hospital committees including the promotion and tenure committee at the cancer center.

Dr. Houseman completed his residency at the University of California - San Francisco and served as an assistant professor at UCSF for 5 years, where he ran an NIH-funded research program in immune modulation following trauma. He then transitioned to Kaiser Permanente, where he served as chief of anesthesiology for two large regional referral centers in the San Francisco Bay Area. He joined Envision Physician Services in 2019 as the founding residency program director for the Memorial Healthcare System. He is a current member of the ASA Program Director Advisory Group, the Envision National Clinician Advisory Group, and the research committees for FSA and the Society for Education in Anesthesia.

Cameron Howard is the district director of enhanced recovery in the Memorial Health System and the Chief of Anesthesiology at Memorial Hospital West. He is core faculty for the MHS Anesthesiology residency and serves on the FSA Executive Committee as Assistant Treasurer. Cameron did his medical school and residency training at UM/Jackson Memorial Hospital. Most recently he completed his MBA from UMass and obtained local mentor status for point of care ultrasound from the ASA. In his spare time he enjoys reading history and traveling with family.

I am a board-certified, fellowship-trained anesthesiologist with nearly 25 years of clinical and teaching experience. I completed my medical training in Belarus and worked as an ICU intensivist and anesthesiologist before moving to the U.S. in 2001. In 2005, I began my anesthesia residency at the University of Florida (UF), followed by a fellowship in Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain, and have since served on the faculty. My primary clinical focus is regional anesthesia and acute pain management, where I perform and supervise thousands of regional blocks annually and round on up to 50 patients daily. I work closely with residents and fellows in the block room, at the Florida Surgical Center, and in the OR, especially for orthopedic procedures. I have also served as a trauma anesthesiologist, covered general OR cases, and provided anesthesia for complex surgical and obstetric patients. Colleagues value my versatility and expertise, often seeking my help with perioperative echo, challenging airways, vascular access, and complex spinals. I’m passionate about teaching and have received multiple teaching awards. I’ve presented at numerous national and international meetings, authored book chapters, and contributed to educational resources, including my own RA websites. At UF, I helped pioneer ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia and co-developed a mixed reality simulator to teach thoracic blocks, helping position our team as a global leader in this area. I’ve served as a faculty member and workshop leader at ASRA for the past decade and continue to teach worldwide. Outside of medicine, I’m a dedicated family man, married for 32 years with two children. I enjoy painting, swimming, adventure travel, and endurance sports. I’m known as an enthusiastic teacher, curious thinker, and positive, approachable colleague who thrives on challenge and growth.

Dr. Keith Jenkins is a board-certified anesthesiologist with experience in both private practice and independent contractor/locums market. He earned his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine, where he also completed his anesthesiology residency at the University of Florida. He obtained his Masters of Business Administration from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. Following residency, Dr. Jenkins spent two years in private practice before transitioning into a traveling position focused on helping grow anesthesia contracts as an Ambassador for Sound Anesthesia. As Ambassador he helped with short term clinical needs and served as interim medical director at sites ranging from small hospitals to major level 1 trauma center. Through this work, he collaborates extensively with locum tenens anesthesiologists and CRNAs, gaining deep insights into regional market trends, employer structures, and contract dynamics. He also does 1099 and consulting work with several other companies in the south florida area.

My name is T. Everett Jones, MD, and I am an assistant professor in the UF Department of Anesthesiology. I joined the department in the Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia in 2018. I earned my medical degree at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA, and completed both my anesthesiology residency and Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship here at the University of Florida. My research areas of focus are lung transplantation, cardiac surgery, point of care ultrasound education, and coagulation/coagulopathy. I am currently enrolling patients in clinical trials studying the use of PCCs in patients on anti-Xas requiring urgent/emergent surgery and in patients with acute/active bleeding.

Hi! I am an anesthesiologist fortunate to work with an amazing team of clinicians and researchers to study the disparities in acute pain management at Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. I trained at the University of Florida and completed a fellowship in regional anesthesia there. I am passionate about using regional anesthesia procedures to control pain, minimize opioids, and facilitate mobility and recovery after surgery. Feel free to reach out at [email protected]

Dr. Liang is a senior associate consultant at Mayo Clinic, specializing in cardiothoracic anesthesia. She completed her residency at Mayo Clinic Florida and went on to complete a cardiothoracic fellowship at Duke University. With a unique background, Dr. Liang holds a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering and a master's degree in Computer Science, which have helped shape her innovative approach to anesthesia management and patient care.

I am an assistant professor of anesthesiology in the University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology and medical director for CRNA/CAA services. In addition to these roles, I am also an anesthesiology clinical staffing and scheduling coordinator and the resident rotation director on the general surgery rotation. I mainly work in the Divisions of Obstetric Anesthesia, Liver & Transplant Anesthesia, and Perioperative Medicine. I completed my internship, anesthesiology residency, and obstetric anesthesiology fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. My clinical and research interests include liver transplantation, trauma, nitrous oxide for labor, maternal congenital cardiac conditions, and quality in the perioperative area.

Dr. Carmen Manresa is the Associate Program Director of the Pediatric Anesthesia Fellowship Program at UM/Jackson. She is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology in the Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology. She is an active educator at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and lectures residents across all years in pediatric anesthesia, pharmacology and physiology, and problem based learning discussions. She is also regularly involved in simulation sessions with residents and fellows at the Center for Patient Safety. Dr. Manresa is a proud graduate of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and continued on to complete both her Anesthesiology residency and Pediatric Anesthesiology fellowship at the UM/Jackson Health System. Her research interests include multimodal opioid sparing analgesia, optimization of systems based practices, patient safety and quality improvement projects.

Neil Masters is a pediatric anesthesiologist at the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.  He obtained his bachelor’s and medical degrees at the University of Miami.  Afterwards, he completed anesthesia residency and fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology at Columbia University Medical Center / New York Presbyterian Hospital. His interests include pediatric ophthalmic anesthesia and international medicine. His most recent paper is on contemporary anesthesia perspectives for ophthalmic surgery.

Sonia Deshmukh Mehta is an Associate Professor at the University of Florida. She has subspecialty training in Pediatric Anesthesiology. Her passions include Global health, education, and pediatric difficult airway.