Leadership
Dr. Monica Alba-Sandoval, Program Director:
Monica Alba- Sandoval, MD, joined the University of Miami in July 2014, as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Critical Care. Prior to her joining our institution, she was on faculty at University of Florida and the University of Illinois at Peoria. She received her medical degree at the Universidad Nacional in Colombia. She trained in Pediatrics at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, New York and pursued her Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship at the University of Florida at Shands in Gainesville. She became the Pediatric Residency Program Director in 2020.
Dr. Barry Gelman, Associate Chair for Education, CMO of Holtz:
Barry Gelman, MD, is Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Gelman received his undergraduate degree from the University of Miami. He earned his MD from the University of Florida College of Medicine and then completed a residency at North Shore University Hospital/Cornell and a fellowship at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine / Jackson Memorial Hospital through the Affiliated Medical Education Program. Dr. Gelman is board-certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine and has research interests in medical education, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and hypothermia. Dr. Gelman holds roles as the Department of Pediatrics Associate Chair for Education, as well as the Director of Pediatric Residency Training and Chief Medical Officer at Holtz Children’s Hospital / Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
Dr. Donna Wiener, Associate Program Director:
Donna Wiener, MD, is Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of General Pediatrics. Dr. Wiener received her MD from New York University School of Medicine and went on to residency at Children's Hospital National Medical Center. She completed fellowships in Endocrinology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She joined the University of Miami/Jackson Health System Pediatrics program in 1995 and was appointed at the Associate Program Director of the Pediatric Residency Program in 2011. She practices at the ACC Pediatric Resident Continuity Clinic and precepts PGY3s at Mt. Sinai Medical Center.
Dr. Garcia-Chacon, Associate Program Director:
Luis E. Garcia-Chacon, MD / PhD, is Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and the Interim Section Chief of Pediatric Hospital Medicine within the Division of General Pediatrics. He received his undergraduate degree from Brown University and his MD from the Universidad Central del Caribe. He completed his residency at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine / Jackson Memorial Hospital. Prior to residency he received a PhD in Physiology and Biophysics from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He is board certified in General Pediatrics as well as Pediatric Hospital Medicine. He was appointed Associate Program Director in 2022.
Dr. Payal Shah, Associate Program Director:
Payal Shah, DO, is Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics in the Division of General Pediatrics. Dr. Shah received her D.O. from the Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine and went on to complete both her residency in Pediatrics and Chief Residency at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine / Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. Shah is board-certified in Pediatrics and works in a unique variety of Pediatric Primary Care Practices throughout Miami while also serving as Associate Program Director for the Pediatric Residency Training Program. She is currently involved in the Primary Care Tract for trainees interested in becoming well rounded advocates and leaders in child health within the changing health care environment.
Dr. Evan Grabois, Chief Resident:
Evan Grabois, D.O. serves as the 2023-2024 pediatric co-chief resident at Holtz Children's Hospital. Evan obtained his BS in Psychology from the University of Central Florida. He received his D.O. from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-COM). Evan was a Student Ambassador at NSU-COM, representing Nova at national meetings and driving many changes locally. His energy, enthusiasm, and humanistic approach establish him as an outstanding peer role model. He was a driving force for residency recruitment in the past two years, helping the program to address such an important task during most challenging times.
Dr. Sarah Sukkar, Chief Resident:
Sarah Sukkar, M.D., serves as the 2023-2024 pediatric co-chief resident at Holtz Children's Hospital. Sarah obtained her BS in Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida. She received her MD from our very own University of Miami. Sarah has held leadership positions starting early in her career. Among others, she was CoDirector of DOCS at the University of Miami Miller school of Medicine. Not surprisingly, she continues to demonstrate commitment to underserved communities and has been a leader in promoting patient care continuity on ACC5.
Vivian Dechard-Martell, Director of Graduate Medical Education:
Vivian Dechard-Martell, is the Director of Graduate Medical Education for the Department of Pediatrics. Vivian has a BBA from Florida International University. She joined the program in 1995 and has worked with the Program Director and Associate Program Directors to transform the educational environment in Pediatrics. She enjoys getting to know her residents during their training and especially welcoming them to the Holtz Family. Vivian’s door is always open for residents old and new to stop by say hello.