Kevin G. Mercer joined Wicker Smith in 1997, and became a partner in 2002. In 2011, he joined the Jacksonville office where he currently practices. Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1994, Mr. Mercer has actively litigated throughout Florida in the state and federal courts, primarily handling legal matters in medical malpractice, products liability, premises liability and catastrophic injury, as well as various matters with the Florida Department of Health. He is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Mercer attended the University of Florida earning a Bachelor of Science in 1991 and a Juris Doctor with honors in 1994. He is an active member of The Florida Bar and Duval County Bar Association.
Myka spearheads our Southeast and Mid-Atlantic consultant teams, leveraging over 25 years of extensive experience in healthcare. Her focus over the past 15 years has been on advancing healthcare risk management and patient safety, as she served as the lead chief risk officer and patient safety executive for three large complex healthcare systems.
Throughout her career, Myka has developed skills and expertise in patient safety, clinical risk management, process improvement, enterprise risk management, claims management, healthcare leadership, regulatory compliance, accreditation readiness, quality improvement, and emergency medicine.
Myka is a registered nurse and has a clinical background in emergency medicine and trauma services. She earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration and a bachelor’s degree. In addition to her certifications, she is a TeamSTEPPS® Master Trainer, Just Culture Certified and earned an IHI Masters Patient Safety Certification.
Myka currently serves as an American Society Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) Board Member and ASHRM National Teaching Faculty. She is a Director on the Florida Society Healthcare Risk Management and Patient Safety (FSHRMPS) Board of Directors and actively participates in several ASHRM and FSHRMPS committees.
Inspired by her father, a doctor and surgeon to an underserved rural community, Dr. Tasha Faruqui joined the National Health Service Corps following her graduation from medical school. Her plan was to take over her father’s practice once her commitment was complete, but this was diverted when her second daughter, Soraya, was born with a rare medical condition that remains undiagnosed twelve years later. Tasha’s focus then shifted to pediatrics, with particular attention to advocacy and support for parents of medically complex children and those with a limited life expectancy. Today, she regularly brings her dynamic message of fierce and loving hope to medical students at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, the top pediatric medical facility in the country, Make-A-Wish events, and in her online Instagram community, @thefaruqui5. She was named a top doctor by Cincinnati Magazine in 2022, 2024, and 2025. Connect and learn more at www.tashafaruqui.com.
Jennifer Bryan has been a physician in emergency departments across the country for the last 21 years, and during that time, the thing she often gets thanked for most is truly listening to what her patients and their families are truly worried about.
College of Medicine, working within the Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy. She specializes in treating brain and spinal tumors, employing cutting-edge techniques like laser interstitial thermotherapy, fluorescence-guided surgery, and immunotherapy. Dr. Rahman is deeply committed to providing exceptional patient care while advancing innovative treatments through her work with a multidisciplinary team of neuro-oncologists, radiation-oncologists, and researchers.
Dr. Rahman completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University before earning her medical degree and completing a neurosurgical residency at the University of Florida. She has also trained under renowned experts, including a fellowship in neuro-oncology at Johns Hopkins. Her numerous accolades include the Chuck Shank Award for Excellence in Neurosurgery, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Tumor Fellowship Award, and the Preuss Award for groundbreaking research. She remains active in professional organizations, having served as president of the Florida Neurosurgical Society and on the executive committee of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Rahman leads translational research focused on developing immunotherapy strategies to treat malignant brain tumors. Her lab collaborates with UF’s Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program to create innovative therapies, including vaccine-based treatments and MRI-guided laser ablation. With over 80 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Rahman’s research is supported by the NIH and private foundations, and her findings are actively being tested in clinical trials. Driven by a passion for mentorship, she also teaches and inspires the next generation of neurosurgeons.
Ashley Ghiaseddin is a neuro-oncologist and chief of the division of neuro-oncology in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Florida. Dr. Ghiaseddin specializes in brain cancer treatment, using targeted methods including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and precision medicine for patients with malignant brain tumors, such as glioblastoma.
Dr. Clark believes in order to achieve a safe and outstanding result, there is no substitute for excellent surgical training and experience. Dr. Clark has the training and experience to give you outstanding results.
In addition to 25 years of experience, Dr. Clark has been a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) for 22 years and a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) for over 20 years. Membership in the ASAPS is offered to only a select group of Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons who attain the highest level of achievement in Cosmetic Surgery training.
His practice focus is Cosmetic Medicine and Surgery offering complete cosmetic rejuvenation of the Face, Breast, and Body, from Facelift to Breast Augmentation to Liposuction and Tummy Tuck.
Dr. Clark has practice locations in Bluewater Bay, Niceville, Florida and Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and sees patients from throughout the panhandle of Florida. His excellent reputation and results bring patients from throughout the United States to seek his surgical expertise.
I always strive to achieve safe results that enhance each person’s natural beauty while preserving individuality and uniqueness. I aim for a sense of personal harmony, cultivating in patients who still look at themselves only better.
Dr. Joshua D. Lenchus is the medical director for Aetna’s Florida market and the Third Vice President of the American Osteopathic Association. He was previously senior VP and CMO at Broward Health and an associate professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
A leader in patient safety, Dr. Lenchus developed a simulation-based curriculum that improved medical procedures and patient outcomes. He has shared his work nationally and is recognized as an expert in the field. He is a past president of the Florida Medical Association, the first DO to hold the position, and has served in leadership roles with the American College of Physicians and Society of Hospital Medicine.
Dr. Lenchus has received numerous awards, including the 2016 BAYADA Award for Technological Innovation. He’s a sought-after speaker on topics like opioids, leadership, wellness, and legislative advocacy. He holds degrees in osteopathic medicine and pharmacy, and completed his residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Rayen Chakra is a board-certified Infectious Disease Physician who earned his Doctor of Medicine from St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine in 2017. He subsequently completed his internal medicine training at Jamaica Hospital in Queens, New York in 2021. During his internal medicine residency, he was a front-line physician combating the COVID-19 pandemic in one of the worst impacted cities in the nation. He subsequently moved to Augusta, Georgia, where he completed his Infectious Disease Fellowship at Augusta University Medical Center in 2023.
During his fellowship, Dr. Chakra was recognized for his leadership skills, clinical acumen, friendly demeanor, and dedication to patient care. He actively participated in antimicrobial stewardship and infection control committees where he contributed to developing multiple protocols at AU Health. He has won multiple poster presentations and presented at the American Federation for Medical Research, where he received the AFMR Trainee Research Travel Award. Additionally, he has presented numerous medical cases and educational topics at various local Infectious Disease conferences in Augusta, Georgia.
He is currently practicing in Panama City, FL, as part of the Emerald Coast Infectious Disease Medical Group, where he is an Infectious Disease Consultant at both HCA Gulf Coast Hospital and Ascension Bay Medical Center. In addition to hospital consults, Dr. Chakra has a robust and busy clinic where he provides infectious disease, wound care, and IV infusion services.
Dr. Chakra is a native of Charlotte, NC, and a graduate of East Carolina University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. He is married with two young children. In his off time, he enjoys spending time with his family on the beach, fishing, hunting, traveling, learning new languages, playing soccer, and practicing Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.
When I was in 7th grade, I decided I wanted to be a dietitian. Ten years later, that dream came true when I graduated with my degree in dietetics and nutrition from Missouri State University. I completed my 9-month Dietetic Internship at MSU with an emphasis in public affairs. During college, I taught group fitness classes and worked in the fitness facility at our campus gym.
After passing my board certification exam and officially becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist, I accepted a position as clinical dietitian at Florida Hospital (now AdventHealth) in Orlando. I worked in many areas of the hospital from oncology to intensive care before specializing in cardiopulmonary nutrition. I began working on the side at Nutrition Awareness until March 2019 when I left the hospital to work full time in private practice.
I am now is on a mission to help individuals break free of disordered eating behaviors and improve their confidence by adopting a healthy, balanced diet. I am fueling my passion and on a journey to raise awareness through speaking, podcasting, coaching, and writing my first book (expected late 2024).
Since starting at Nutrition Awareness, I co-host the Nutrition Awareness Podcast and have been featured on 1520 WBWZ, Keeping it Positive Podcast, The Culinati Podcast, Marky Mark and the Fitness Bunch Podcast, Interested Eater Podcast, and The Nerds Adulting Podcast.
I host a show (Nutrition) Date with Kait on The TĒM app.
I have been a dietitian speaker organizations including Orlando Public Schools, Anytime Fitness, The Florida General Baptist Church Annual Convention, A Tribe Called Venus, Gainesville Academy of Nutrition And Dietetics, F45 Downtown Orlando, and Primus CrossFit. Want a dietitian to come speak? Check out our speaking packages.
I have been featured in Food and Nutrition Magazine, Parade Magazine, & I served on Central Florida’s Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as the Communications Chair for two years.
Dr. Nikita Shah is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and an expert in weight loss science. She is one of fewer than 7,000 physicians in the United States specializing in obesity and overweight healthcare.
Dr. Shah’s dedication to excellence is demonstrated by her significant accomplishments, including:
In addition to her medical qualifications, Dr. Shah is a certified Life & Weight Loss Coach through The Life Coach School. This unique training allows her to bring a personalized approach to weight care, empowering her patients to achieve lasting health improvements.
Dr. Shah’s practice, Weight Sense, is based in Orlando, Florida. At Weight Sense, she combines evidence-based medicine with personalized obesity treatments to help her patients overcome challenges related to obesity and improve their overall health sustainably. Her philosophy centers on providing sensible, practical, and tailored weight care solutions.
