Residency Faculty
Program Director
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Our residents train primarily at Jackson Memorial Hospital and Jefferson Reaves, Sr. Health Center, with rotations at a few other locations within one of the nation’s largest and most prestigious academic medical centers. They work alongside leading specialists and collaborate across disciplines to deliver comprehensive, team-based care. Located in one of the most culturally diverse cities in the U.S., our program offers unmatched opportunities for personal and professional development. Our faculty are deeply passionate about education and service. They are committed to teaching evidence-based medicine, mentoring with purpose, and fostering a sense of community in our department. Our patient population faces significant adversity with remarkable resilience. They hold a special place in our hearts, and our residents are driven by a shared passion for serving the underserved, embracing complexity, and learning from each clinical encounter. This residency is rigorous and rewarding. We seek empathetic individuals— motivated learners, community advocates, and collaborative team players—who embody integrity and a strong work ethic. If you are inspired by challenge and purpose, we invite you to apply to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System Family Medicine Residency Program. It is an opportunity to grow as a physician, advocate, and leader—and a decision that can shape the course of your career. We look forward to welcoming those ready to make a meaningful impact.
Ashley Rojas Mehta, MD
Director, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System Family Medicine Residency Program
“I’ve always believed that medicine is a calling—and matching at UM/JMH felt truly meant to be. Residency here was one of the most transformative periods of my life. I built lifelong friendships, grew as a clinician, and found a community that continues to inspire me. Some might say I loved it a little too much—because I never left.
Like many of my former co-residents who are now colleagues, I’m still here, and I continue to find the same deep meaning in my work as I did on my very first day. Every July, when our new interns arrive, I feel that familiar excitement all over again. I get to relive the first time a patient called me “Dr. Rojas,” the adrenaline spike during my first code blue, the magic of delivering my first baby, the coffee my senior brought me during a long ER shift that changed my whole day, and the late nights and laughs shared making schedules with my co-chief—now one of my closest friends. These moments shaped me into the physician and educator I am today.
Residency at UM/JMH Family Medicine was truly the highlight of my medical training. I had fun, I learned more than I ever imagined, and I rose to the challenge of caring for a high-acuity, underserved patient population. Returning as faculty after fellowship was an easy decision. It’s an honor and a privilege to work alongside our incredible students and residents as we provide compassionate, high-quality care to those who need it most. I’m profoundly grateful for my experience—and I hope every resident who joins us leaves equally inspired.”
Dr. Mehta was chief resident for the class of 2017 and currently serves as program director.
Associate Program Director
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Associate Program Director, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System Family Medicine Residency Program “My family often wonders why my favorite TV shows are both murder mysteries and home renovation programs. What does sleuthing have in common with installing a sink? Interestingly, my answer is the same as when I’m asked, “Why family medicine, and why here?” Simply put, I love answering the “why” and “how” of things—then mending, polishing, and fixing. The more complex the case, the more invigorating it is.
The University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital treat incredibly complex cases and a wide spectrum of pathophysiology in an underserved and often overlooked population. The work is challenging, long, and sometimes daunting as we assess cases and develop treatment plans.
Marilia Nery, MD
Associate Program Director, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System Family Medicine Residency Program
Despite the challenges, practicing medicine in Miami is a beautiful experience—far more intricate than remodeling a house. We serve the hurt, broken, confused, and fearful. We clarify, teach, and reassure our patients, partnering with them on their journey to better health. It’s my honor to help provide relief, guidance, and care.
I bring this same passion to teaching. Welcoming new, eager residents, guiding their learning, and later graduating capable and compassionate physicians is tremendously rewarding. I’m grateful to have found my niche at the University of Miami and Jackson, and hope to continue my work as a doctor, detective, and teacher for many years to come.”
Dr. Nery graduated from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, completed her residency at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System, and joined the faculty in 2014 after serving as chief resident. A Miami native, she’s fluent in Portuguese due to her strong family ties to Brazil. In addition to teaching family medicine residents at Jefferson Reaves, Sr. Health Center, she serves as director of the family medicine pre-doctoral program and sees patients at the UHealth Kendall family medicine practice.
Dr. Nery has received the Faculty Teaching Award from the class of 2021, class of 2022, and class of 2023.
Chair of Family Medicine and Community Health Department
Dr. Kassandra M. Bosire is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. She earned her medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and completed her Family Medicine residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Since joining the University of Miami in 2016, Dr. Bosire has held several key leadership roles, including Medical Director of the School Health Initiative, a collaborative partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and Residency Program Director, a position she held for seven years. From 2023 to 2025, she served in the dual role of Interim Chair and Residency Program Director, providing strategic leadership during a period of continued growth and innovation.
Under her leadership, the Family Medicine Residency Program has distinguished itself as one of the most diverse training programs within the University of Miami/Jackson Health System, with approximately 80% of residents identifying as underrepresented in medicine. Our program has also maintained a remarkable 100% board certification examination pass rate since 2012, reflecting its longstanding commitment to educational excellence.
As Residency Program Director, Dr. Bosire was guided by a simple but powerful philosophy: to provide residents with the supportive, enriching training experience she wished she had received herself. Today, as Chair, she oversees six clinical sites across three counties, leading a team of 25 physicians and five advanced practice providers. She is responsible for the department’s clinical operations, research initiatives, residency training program, and medical student clerkship education, advancing the department’s mission of excellence in patient care, education, and community engagement.
Kassandra M. Bosire, MD
Chair of Family Medicine & Community Health Department
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Dr. Ciraldo is a board-certified family physician and addiction medicine specialist who focuses on women’s health and pregnancy. She provides primary care across the lifespan, and specializes in treating pregnant patients with substance use disorders.
Katrina Ciraldo, MD
Residency Faculty/Women’s Health
Born and raised in Miami, Dr. Ciraldo attended Columbia University, where she studied history and anthropology. She earned her medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine and completed her residency at Boston Medical Center. She pursued additional training in an obstetrics fellowship for family physicians in San Jose, California, followed by the primary care addiction medicine fellowship at the University of California-San Francisco and San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH).
At SFGH, she provided prenatal care at Team Lily, a low-barrier clinic serving patients experiencing homelessness, addiction, or severe mental illness. She also worked with the street medicine and shelter health team, provided inpatient addiction consult services, and connected hospitalized patients to harm reduction resources.
Dr. Ciraldo joined the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System in November 2021 and works in multiple settings, including:
- THRIVE Prenatal Clinic – Serving survivors of human trafficking and pregnant patients with substance use disorders.
- IDEA Syringe Services Program Wellness Clinic – Providing harm reduction and primary care services.
- Jefferson Reaves, Sr. Health Center – Supervising family medicine residents.
- Community Methadone Clinic – Helping link hospital and UHealth patients to opioid use disorder treatment.
Dr. Ciraldo is committed to compassionate, family-centered care for vulnerable populations, particularly pregnant patients with addiction and their families.
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“It’s a unique experience to have trained and continue working in the program that started it all. The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System Family Medicine Program was the first academic family medicine residency in the country.
Behnam Djahed, MD
Inpatient Director/Core Residency Faculty
I was privileged to have known and worked with Dr. Lynn Carmichael, one of the founding fathers of family medicine in the United States. Under the leadership of our department this program continues to uphold its original mission: to provide quality care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
For more than half a century, our University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System program has thrived in a large, academic, tertiary care center with rigorous clinical training and a strong scholarly foundation. This setting provides our residents with a comprehensive experience in patient care that’s unparalleled. They encounter both routine and highly complex medical cases, fostering confidence and competence in physicians who go on to elevate the health of their communities.”
Dr. Djahed is a proud graduate of the class of 1990. He received the faculty teaching award from the Class of 2026.
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“When choosing a residency, the decision was obvious once I interviewed here. The faculty, residents, and staff made my experience truly exceptional. On top of that, I was able to care for patients from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Jennifer Green, MD
Inpatient Team and Core
My passion lies in serving underserved populations, and this program gave me the privilege to do just that. During my residency, I was encouraged to develop my leadership skills, which led to my role as chief resident. The patient diversity and unique learning opportunities in this health system make it a hidden gem. I enjoyed my experience so much that I was thrilled to stay on as faculty.”
Dr. Green served as chief resident for the class of 2024.
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Our program is more than a training ground – it’s a family. Rooted in support, cultural diversity, and community commitment, we reflect the vibrant tapestry of Miami itself. We are dedicated to serving those with limited access to care. We learn from the complexity and resilience of our patients, and in turn, we become their strongest advocates, delivering the highest standard of care we can provide.
Marie Denise Gervais, MD
Core Residency Faculty
Dr. Gervais is a clinician, educator, and advocate for South Florida’s Haitian community. A native of Montreal, she came to Miami in 1997 as a resident. She served as chief resident for the class of 2000 and joined the faculty that same year.
A Creole-speaking physician from a Haitian family, Dr. Gervais understands the healthcare and cultural issues affecting her patients. She precepts residents at the family medicine practice, oversees board review sessions, and serves as assistant director of the family medicine clerkship at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
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“I love teaching because there’s nothing more rewarding than the moment a resident finally ‘gets it.’ It’s a great feeling for both the resident and the teacher.”
Luis Ramos Gonez, MD
Inpatient Team and Core Residency Faculty
Dr. Ramos graduated from the program in 2012 and joined the faculty in 2013. Before coming to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Health System, he had extensive clinical experience as a practicing physician in Cuba and South Africa. He was honored with the Faculty Teaching Award by the Class of 2020, the Class of 2024, and the Class of 2025.
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“I’m passionate about community medicine and health equity. Every individual deserves access to quality health care, and the opportunity to lead a healthy life. It’s an incredible privilege to work with residents in a community setting, where I have the chance to shape the future of medicine by mentoring compassionate, competent physicians who will positively impact countless lives.”
Christie Thomas, MD
Core Residency Faculty
Dr. Thomas earned her undergraduate degree in neuroscience from the University of Miami. She then spent a year with AmeriCorps, providing health education at a community clinic—an experience that solidified her commitment to public health.
A National Health Service Corps Scholar, Dr. Thomas completed medical school at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and residency at Kaiser Permanente, an integrated managed care consortium. She later worked at a the Miami Beach Community Health Center, where she taught both medical students and residents.
Dr. Thomas is dedicated to holistic patient care and passionate about nutrition and preventive medicine. Outside of medicine, she enjoys traveling, hiking national parks, running, and playing tennis. In Miami, she nurtures her garden and spends time with her family, embracing the city’s vibrant lifestyle.
Dr. Vanessa Villacorta is a board-certified Family Medicine physician with advanced expertise in women’s health, maternal-child health, and menopause care. Her work emphasizes holistic, patient-centered care with a strong focus on prevention, wellness, and behavioral health integration. Originally from Lima, Peru, Dr. Villacorta immigrated to the United States at the age of 13. Her personal journey informs her deep commitment to serving underserved communities and addressing health disparities related to language, culture, and access. Dr. Villacorta serves as faculty in the Family Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology departments at the University of Miami and has held prior academic roles at Northwestern University. Leadership experience includes Medical Director roles in Chicago and Miami and most recently Regional Medical Director for One Medical in South Florida.
Vanessa Villacorta, MD
Core Residency Faculty/Women’s Health