GME Spotlight: Drs. Karla Bernardi and Sam Freyaldenhoven

Dr. Bernardi is a 2014 graduate of Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago.  Her inspiration to consider USF for her general surgery training came from Dr. Constantine Godellas, professor in surgical oncology at Loyola and himself a graduate of the USF general surgery program.  She came to USF as a fourth-year medical student on an away rotation, fell in love with the program and the people, and ultimately matched here.  We are highlighting her this month to congratulate her on her match into the minimally invasive surgery program at Ohio State University, arguably one of the top programs of its kind in the country.  We cannot wait to see where her journey takes her and have no doubt that she will bring pride to USF wherever she goes.

Dr. Freyaldenhoven comes to us from the University of Arkansas, where he worked as a medical student with a fellow, Dr. Evan Tummel, who was a graduate of the USF general surgery residency program.  He developed an interest in general surgery as a result of Dr. Tummel’s influence and, in no small part due to that inspiration, chose USF’s general surgery program for his residency.  During his residency, he did research at Moffitt Cancer Center with Dr Jacques Fontaine, a thoracic surgeon who trained at Brigham & Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School, a top program in the United States. This led to Dr. Freyaldenhoven spending time at Brigham, where he ultimately matched into the thoracic surgery training program there.  We are proud to highlight Dr. Freyaldenhoven and congratulate him for his achievement.  We are excited to watch his progress and know that he will make USF proud as he continues his journey.