PGY-1
Samantha Berner-Cronin, MD
Hometown: Coral Springs, FL
Med school: University of Florida
Undergrad: Florida Atlantic University
About me: I live with my wonderful husband and our cat, Millicent, who definitely runs the house. I'm passionate about psychiatry and mental health, and love being part of a field that makes a real difference in people’s lives. I studied at Florida Atlantic University and will always be a proud FAU Owl—go Owls!
Hobbies: embroidery, crochet, reading
Career interests: inpatient adult psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, advocacy
Lawrence Ku, DO
Hometown: Pomona, CA
Medical School: Kansas City University - Joplin
Undergraduate Studies: California State University, Fullerton
About Me: I was born in Hong Kong and moved to the states when I was 10. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a top chef, but gave up on this path when my mom and paps informed me that I would have to working weekends and holidays. Years later during college, I worked a few years as an EMT, and became fascinated by sheer magnitude of cases that involved mental health. I developed a strong passion for psychiatry. Ironically, that's how I ended up in the field of medical, where I would also be working weekends and holidays.
Hobbies: I enjoy eating (exploring cultures through food), And cooking.
Career interest: Open to all aspects of psychiatry! CL psychiatry, inpatient psychiatry
Carolyn Coles, MD
Hometown: Monroe, Connecticut
Medical school: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Undergraduate Studies: Florida International University, Master’s of Biomedical Sciences from Florida Atlantic University
About Me: I was born in Connecticut and moved to South Florida at the start of High school. I have two older brothers who taught me the importance of enjoying life no matter how busy things get. I’m passionate about pt advocacy and helping the underserved community. I strongly believe in taking things day by day, and residency has taught me there is so much to learn!
Hobbies: Traveling, going to the beach, arts and crafts, collecting Labubus (let’s trade), video games, hosting parties, crocheting
Career Interest: Child and Adolescent psychiatry, psychotherapy, research, Inpatient or outpatient psychiatry
Pooja Patel, DO
Hometown: Wellington, FL
Medical school: Nova Southeastern University- Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate Studies: University of Miami
About Me: I was born in Boynton Beach, Florida! My parents are from Gujarat, Florida and they own a convenience store. I am the first doctor in my family and so thankful for the support my family has always given me! I absolutely love psychiatry and love working with underserved and misrepresented populations! I love advocating for those who may not have a voice to fight for themselves!
Hobbies: Reading, cooking, weight lifting, traveling, hot yoga
Career Interest: Addiction Medicine, Advocacy and fighting mental health stigmas
Ninoshka Hidalgo Martinez, MD
Hometown: Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Medical school: St George's University
Undergraduate Studies: University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus
About Me: I love psychiatry, through MS3 and MS4 it was the only specialty that I could see myself in, so I definitely feel grateful to have made it here. On a personal level, I love sweet treats, listening to music, and going to the beach. Sadly driving 2 hours to the closest beach is not ideal for me, (I only like road trips as a passenger princess) so every trip to Puerto Rico includes a day at Buyé, my favorite beach
Hobbies: Reading and rewatching the same comfort shows and movies on repeat. Yes, I know what’s going to happen, and yes, that’s the point
Career Interest: I'm keeping an open mind, there are too many fascinating aspects of the specialty
Roshni Patel, DO
Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL
Medical school: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Georgia Campus
Undergraduate Studies: University of Miami - Go Canes! 🙌
About Me: As a Florida native, I’m thrilled to be back in my home state for psychiatry residency. My passion for mental health began in high school and has only grown stronger through medical school and clinical training. Being the first doctor in my family, I’m grateful for the opportunity to provide culturally competent care that meets patients where they are. I’m particularly excited to support the South Asian community and work toward de-stigmatizing mental health. I aim to meet every patient with curiosity, compassion, and kindness, because care should feel human, not just clinical.
Hobbies: Traveling, weightlifting, trying out new coffee shops, reading, going to the beach, hiking
Career Interest: Child Adolescent Psychiatry, Holistic/Integrative psychiatry
Cody Holland, DO
Hometown: Aurora, CO
Medical school: Rocky Vista University COM
Undergraduate studies: Celebrating Nattie’s at The University of Alabama
About me: I grew up in Colorado. Fun fact, I’ve never been skiing or snowboarding! I was always interested in the brain and am especially fascinated in sports psychiatry and child adolescent. I loved all of my psych rotations, including rotating here as a med student, and am excited to continue to pursue psychiatry as a career!
Hobbies: coming home to my wonderful wife and our sweet son, listening to T Swift at the gym (throwbacks only), farmers market on Saturdays like an obedient suburban husband, volunteering at church, being the obnoxious Alabama fan everyone hates (RTR)
Career interests: Child adolescent psychiatry, sports psychiatry, faith based psychiatric care, becoming debt free
Lauren Rafanan Strauss, MD
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Medical School: Florida State University
Undergraduate Studies: University of Florida
About me: I am happy to be back in Gainesville and continue my journey in medicine. I love learning more about psychiatry and how to take care of people.
Hobbies: crocheting, reading, Movie watching, singing
Career interest: General psychiatry, telepsychiatry