USF Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism

I'm currently working as an Assistant Professor in the University of South Florida Physician Assistant Program. On Fridays, I continue to provide care to patients that require same day (acute care) appointments for USF Family Medicine.

Since graduating from The Ohio State University Sports Medicine Fellowship in 2000, working for the Buckeyes as a team physician, and then coming to USF into 2001, we have worked to develop a world-class sports medicine Institute dedicated to the care of athletes of all levels. From the professional athlete to the young pediatric athlete, we continue to work through education, research, and clinical innovation to optimize the care of all athletes.

The secret to caring for the patient is to actually CARE for the patient. Francis Peabody, MD
Living in crescendo and paying my mentors forward.

Dr. Karyn Gerstle is a dedicated general pediatrician who specializes in nutrition and lactation medicine. She is a board certified lactation consultant and is available to work with families for visits that include well child care and breastfeeding support. She also helps to coordinate the healthy lifestyle program at USF, which includes a series of visits that provides support for children experiencing obesity, metabolic syndrome, or lifestyle factors such as stress that impact overall wellbeing. In addition to her clinical experience, she also has a passion for medical education and serves as faculty for the USF Pediatric Residency Program, and as the Pediatric Medicine Clerkship Director for the Morsani College of Medicine.

Dr. Rene D Gomez-Esquivel is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition. Dr. Gomez-Esquivel completed his medical education at the Universidad de Monterrey, Mexico. He then completed a combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics residency, followed by fellowships in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Adult Gastroenterology at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Dr. Gomez-Esquivel then performed an Advanced Endoscopic fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.

Dr. Gomez-Esquivel is board certified in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Gastroenterology. His clinical practice focuses on therapeutic endoscopy with expertise in performing ERCP, cholangioscopy, EUS w/FNA, endoluminal stenting, RFA / ablative therapy for Barrett's Esophagus, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), endoluminal suturing, deep enteroscopy, Cystgastrostomy / Pancreatic necrosectomy.

Dr. Gomez-Esquivel performs advanced endoscopic procedures at Tampa General Hospital and has clinic at USF Morsani Center.

Dr. Najmabadi is an Assistant Professor at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. She is a clinical psychologist providing services for children, adolescents, young adults, and families with a wide range of concerns, including noncompliance, self-injury, depression, psychotic disorders, anxiety, and trauma.

Dr. Najmabadi's clinical interests include parent-child interactions, depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mood disorders.