

Dr. Sherief M. Kamel
MD FACE ECNU
- Florida Licensed & Board Certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties for exceptional expertise in the fields of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism & Internal Medicine.
- Fellow of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.
- Certified by the American College of Endocrinology to perform thyroid biopsies & neck ultrasonography.
Board Qualifications:
- Maintenance of Board Certification, Internal Medicine, 2011
- Diplomate, American Board of Endocrinology, 2003
- Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine, 2001
Private Practice Experience:
- Endocrinologist – The Institute of Endocrinology Diabetes Health & Hormones – Panama City: 2006-present
- Valley Medical Group, McAllen Diagnostic Clinic – McAllen, Texas: 2003-2006
Education & Post-graduate Training:
- Fellowship, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2003
- St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, a Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons Hospital, New York, New York. Residency, Department of Internal Medicine, 2001
- St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, a Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons Hospital, New York, New York.
- Graduated with honors (MB.CH.B), 1994 Alexandria University, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt.

Ashli A. Brooks
FNP-BC
Licensed & Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Experience:
- Family Nurse Practitioner- The Institute Of Endocrinology , Diabetes Health & Hormones. 2008-present
- Co-Founder of Institute of Endocrinology, Diabetes Health & Hormones
- Emergency Room Nurse-Bay Medical Center, 2005-2008
Education:
- Master’s Degree of Nursing, Florida State University Graduate 2008
- Bachelor’s Degree of Nursing, University of West Georgia Graduate 2005
Certifications:
- Board Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by ANCC

Dr. Bekele
Double Board Certified both in Endocrinology/Diabetes/Metabolism, and Internal Medicine
We are pleased to welcome Dr. Bekele to the Institute Of Endocrinology. Dr. Bekele will practice in our Panama City Branch starting from Mid May of 2022.
Dr. Genene Bekele is double board certified both in Endocrinology/Diabetes/Metabolism, and Internal Medicine. He is a Fellow of The American College of Endocrinology. He graduated from the Haile Selassie/Addis Ababa University in 1980, with combined 40 years of clinical experience. He did his internship/ residency at the Addis Ababa University, and at the Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas Texas.
He did his fellowships in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the McGill University and Affiliated Hospitals in Montréal Canada, and subsequently at the Good Samaritan Medical Center/Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix Arizona, with rotations at the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, and the National Institute of Health (NIDDK, NIH), Phoenix, Arizona [Clinical and Research Fellow, and subsequently Staff Fellow/Clinical Associate for approximately 1-1/2 year at the NIDDK, NIH]. He has had extensive experience in academics, research, and medical practice. He has published in various international journals. He has received several awards, including the Enol Littmann Scholarship, the 1997 Endocrine Society Travel Award, American Top Physician, for several years in a row, Most Compassionate Doctor 2011/USA, Top Endocrinologist 2021(Washington DC Magazine TOP DOCTORS – ENDOCRINOLOGIST) and others. He has participated in several humanitarian programs, including Executive Board Member at African Aids Initiative International INC., the Smallpox Eradication Program, voluntarily initiated one of the first field hospitals during the 1984 Ethiopian famine, including pleading help in the international media, with additional voluntary works in leprosy rehabilitation programs.

Christine Uy, MD, F.A.C.E
Board Certified Endocrinologist
Dr. Uy is a board-certified physician in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism. She also is board certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine & a member of the Endocrine society & Obesity Medicine Association. In addition, she is a fellow of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.
She completed her endocrinology fellowship from The State University of New York, Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York
She completed her Internal Medicine residency from the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, Connecticut
We are very excited about having Dr. Uy joining our practice & strongly believe that she will be a great addition to the Institute of Endocrinology.

ATLANTA OFFICE NOW OPEN!
Shehzad Topiwala MD, F.A.C.E
Endocrinologist
After completing post-graduate training in Medicine – Endocrinology, from State University of New York in 2009, Dr Topiwala has been a practising Physician in Florida & Georgia for 14 years now. A 2001 Mumbai University medical graduate from India, Dr T has been conferred multiple National & International accolades. In particular, he was bestowed with the prestigious International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Fellowship, making him India’s first and only IDF awardee. In 2013, he was ceremonially recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Endocrinology (F.A.C.E), a life-long privileged distinction.
Dr T is well published, and serves as a peer Reviewer for scientific work in the realm of Endocrine science. He maintains Founding Clinical Faculty status at the Orlando College of Medicine. As a Key Opinion & Thought Leader, he is deemed an Influencer in his arena.
Dr T’s core values are reflected in his high-Quality, Cost-Effective & Coordinated approach to personalized care allowing him to make a meaningful Impact on human lives. He firmly believes in minimizing Pill Burden & Disease-related Distress, emphasizes Quality of Life & Emotional Well-being, focusses on Psycho-Social & Financial considerations while sharing the Decision-making process with the Person he is Empowering to treat collaboratively.
He urges individuals to De-Stress & Sleep adequately. Some of his most rewarding activities include taking patients off Insulin & Thyroid medicine if they don’t seem to need it, and assisting individuals fully Reverse their Diabetes with compulsive lifestyle alterations.
As a distinguished Clinician, he places top-notch patient-care at the heart of everything he does. He adopts modern Digital Tools & Interventions to offer the latest cutting-edge alterations.
Dr T communicates proficiently in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu & Marathi. He often volunteers his time & expertise at Community forums to enhance public health awareness.
Moreover, he has a penchant for Athletic Sports, Fitness, Public Speaking, Medical Journalism & Advocacy. He is an Outdoor & Nature enthusiast.
He treasures his Moral, Ethical & Spiritual inclinations. Dr T considers himself blessed to serve humanity & strives to do so each day with utmost humility.

Dr. Lily Nehring
DNP/FNP-BC - Advance Register Nurse Practitioner: Family Nurse Practitioner
Education
- Doctorate in Nursing Practice College of Nursing
Troy University, Troy, Alabama - Post Masters Certification Family Nurse Practitioner: College of Nursing
Troy University, Montgomery, Alabama - Master of Science in Nursing Education: College of Nursing
Grand Canyon University, Arizona - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Cum Laude): School of Nursing
Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida - Associates of Science Degree in Nursing
Gulf Coast State College
Certification & License
- Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Licensed in the state of Florida
Associations
- Member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
Florida Nurse Practitioners Association
Languages
- English and Fluent in Spanish

Miriam Zapata
Family Nurse Practitioner
Miriam Zapata is Board Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner with over 28 years of experience in Pediatrics, Cardiovascular and Endocrinology. Her passion for nursing is driven by the bonds she builds with her patients. She enjoys working closely with patients and their families to create Personal Care Plans for long healthy life. Miriam loves empowering patients through their health journey and believes in treating the whole person including their families and culture. Family and cultures influence the lifestyle which in turn impacts the health and well being of her patients.
iriam values the provider patient relationship and believes that it is established through building strong communication and engagement. Miriam enjoys gardening and she compares taking care of plants to taking care of the varying needs of her patients ensuring their nourishment, flourishing health and needs.
Education:
- Doctor of Science in Nursing, University of Florida, expected graduation, 2022
- Master of Science in Nursing, University of South Alabama, 2020
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of West Florida, 2017
- Associates of Science in Nursing, Gulf Coast State College, 2015
Certification & License:
- Florida Licensed and Board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Associations:
- Member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

Sumalee Ryan
APRN
Sumalee joined the practice in 2021 at the Panama City location. Her primary goal is to help people achieve better control of their chronic health conditions. She understands that every patient is unique, and uses this as a foundation when designing and customizing a treatment plan. Make an appointment to come in and talk to her about optimizing your health and improving your quality of life.
Education
- Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing,
Georgia State University, 2013 - Master of Science in Nursing
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Pratitioner Program, 2017
Certifications
- Board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2017
Education
- Master’s Degree in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati OH - Bachelor’s of Science In Nursing
UWF, Pensacola, FL
Certifications
- Certified Family Nurse Practitioner – American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- Licensed in the state of Florida as an Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Education:
- Master of Science in Nursing: College of Nursing, University of South Alabama
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, School of Nursing, University of West Florida
- Associates of Science Degree in Nursing, Gulf Coast Community College
Certification & License:
- Certified Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- Licensed in the state of Florida
Associations:
- Member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

Jolie Steverson
MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Education:
- Associate’s in Nursing at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City 2012
- Bachelor’s in Nursing at University of West Florida in Pensacola 2016
- Masters in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner at University of West Florida in Pensacola 2020
Licensure and Certification:
- Florida Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- Covenant Care Inc 2021-2022
- CVS MinuteClinic 2021-2022
- Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center 2012-2017
- Covenant Care, Inc 2017-2021
- North Okaloosa Medical Center 2019-2021

Felix Summers
MSN, AGPCNP-C - Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
Education:
- Master of Science in Nursing: Maryville University, St. Louis Missouri, 2021
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, School of Nursing, Southern New Hampshire University, 2016
- Associates of Science Degree in Nursing, SUSLA. 2008
Certification & License:
- Certified Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- Licensed in the state of Florida
Associations:
- Member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

Dr Umal Azmat
Board Certified physician in Endocrinology
She is a highly motivated and compassionate Endocrinologist who has successfully adapted in different work environments. In the past seven years she has been practicing general endocrinology with a keen interest in endocrine oncology and thyroid related disorders which is where most of her research work is also centered. She also has a keen interest in academics and successfully started the endocrinology fellowship program at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Pakistan. Dr Azmat is a member of several national and International endocrine societies and has had the privilege of presenting there as well.
Education:
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship from Ohio State University- 2015
- Internal Medicine Residency from Indiana University- 2013
- Graduation (MBBS) from Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan- 2007

Brittney White
MSN, APRN, FNP-C, ENP-C
Education:
- Master of Science in Nursing (Dual Family & Emergency program), University of South Alabama, 2021
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of West Florida, 2018
- Associates of Science in Nursing, Gulf Coast State College, 2017
Certification & License:
- Board Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by AANP
- Board Certified as a Emergency Nurse Practitioner by AANP
Experience:
- Nurse Practitioner: The Institute Of Endocrinology , Diabetes Health & Hormones. 2023-Present
- Nurse Practitioner: Urgent Care, 2022-2023
- Emergency Room Registered Nurse- HCA Gulf Coast Hospital, 2018-2022
- Medical Surgical RN- Bay Medical Center, 2017-2018

Max Sosa Pagan
Internal Medicine and Endocrinology
Education:
- Internal Medicine Residency Training: Lincoln Medical Center. New York
- Endocrinology Fellowship Training: Ochsner Medical Center. Louisiana
- Associates of Science in Nursing, Gulf Coast State College, 2017
Certification & License:
- Board Certifications: Internal Medicine and Endocrinology
Interests in Endocrine:
- General endocrinology with special interests in Diabetes, Thyroid and adrenal diseases.
Personal interests:
- Spending time with family and friends, swimming, hiking, surfing, reading, volunteer work and cooking.
I enjoy talking and listening to my patients in order to help them and provide the best care possible. I believe that not every patient is the same even if they suffer from similar conditions and understanding this is key to provide dedicated quality care. My mission is to empower and give my patients the tools needed to live a healthy and productive life.