Graduate Medical Education fall 2025 residents welcomed by Brandon Hospital
Sixty-five new physicians started their residencies this month at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital in the specialties of internal medicine, obstetrics, surgery, pathology, emergency medicine and cardiology.
Graduate Medical Education (GME) is preparing the physicians of tomorrow through the residency programs. There are eight HCA Healthcare hospitals in Tampa Bay that have accredited programs, responding to the need for healthcare providers locally.
By 2035, forecasters estimate a shortage of 18,000 doctors in Florida. The population of Florida will increase by nearly 300,000 new residents each year for the next five years and at the same time, a third of the full-time physicians in the state are nearing retirement.
“At Brandon Hospital, we believe it is essential to the future health of the Brandon community that specialized training is provided. We continue to expand our GME program to meet the needs of our growing community, which includes plans to open a new medical office building in 2026, providing the necessary infrastructure to expand care and the knowledge of our residents. Our experienced and highly trained physicians are preparing the next generation of caregivers in their area of specialty through GME,” said Dr. Christine Van Cott, chief medical officer at Brandon Hospital.
The incoming resident group will have specialized training to further their knowledge at Brandon Hospital. Besides enriching their education, these residents pursue a variety of interests in their leisure time. The residents bring a diverse background of experiences and accolades outside the world of healthcare including: a former beauty pageant winner, a laser tag champion, a musician and even a “fire-eater” performer. The 2025 residency class hails from across the United States and internationally from Canada, Brazil and Pakistan.
“I’ve helped medical students by turning tough topics into simple concepts. Watching their confidence grow is the best reward for me,” said Dr. Ritesh Pahwani, internal medicine physician.
The residency program at Brandon Hospital began July 1, 2015 with 20 residents and has experienced rapid growth to keep up with the demand for more physicians in the greater Brandon area. A total of 1,328 residents have graduated to become physicians from Brandon Hospital.
Physicians must complete residencies after graduating from medical school before they can practice medicine. Most residencies are a four-year program depending on the specialty.