JUAN CARLOS ABANSES, MD

CPE, FACEP, FAAP

Medical Director, Pediatric Emergency Department, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital

Dr. Abanses, a Florida native, graduated from the University of South Florida Medical School. He then completed a 3-year Pediatric Residency at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital followed by a 3-year Fellowship in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. After his Fellowship, Dr. Abanses worked for 10 years in a Pediatric Emergency Room in Alabama as well as running a pediatric sedation service before returning to the Tampa area.

Dr. Abanses is board certified in both Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine. His specific areas of interest are in Trauma, orthopedics and sedation. He is actively involved in Trauma and Disaster Planning for St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. He served as the Associate Medical Director for St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Emergency Department for 2 years before assuming the lead role of Medical Director in 2021.

TIMOTHY J. BALLING, MD

Associate Medical Director, Emergency Department, St. Joseph’s Hospital – North

Dr. Balling is a graduate of the University of South Florida School of Medicine. His undergraduate degree was completed at the University of North Florida. Dr. Balling completed his residency at Madigan Army Medical Center, and then served as an Emergency Medicine Physician in the United States Army.

Dr. Balling joined Excelis Medical Associates in 2010. Prior to joining EMA, he served as the Medical Director of the Fort Bragg Emergency Medical Service, and as the Associate Director for the Emergency Department at Womack Army Medical Center. He currently is Board-Certified in Emergency Medicine, a member of ACEP, and serves as the Associate Medical Director for St. Joseph’s Hospital – North Emergency Department.

BRIAN BATT, MD

Associate Medical Director, Emergency Department, St. Joseph’s Hospital

Dr. Batt grew up in New York. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and his medical degree from the University of Buffalo, SUNY. He completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Orlando Health. He joined Excelis Medical Associates in 2013.

Dr. Batt is a member of the EMA Board of Directors and is currently serving as an Associate Medical Director for St. Joseph’s Hospital – Emergency Department.

KATRINA CORDERO, DO

Medical Director, Emergency Department, St. Joseph’s Hospital – North

Dr. Cordero grew up in New York and received an undergraduate dual degree in Biology and Neuroscience while in the Honors program at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. She attended New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency training in emergency medicine at St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey. While at St. Michael’s Medical Center, she was the chief resident.

Dr. Cordero has been with Excelis Medical Associates since 2010 when the St. Joseph’s Hospital – North Campus first opened. She became the Associate Medical Director for the Emergency Department at the North Campus in 2013 and assumed the lead role of Medical Director in 2015. Dr. Cordero currently serves as the Secretary on EMA’s Board of Directors as well as Co-Chair of the EMA Governance Committee. She is Board-Certified in Emergency Medicine and is a member of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians.

JUAN GALLEGO, MD

Medical Director and Emergency Department Chief, St. Joseph’s Hospital

Dr. Gallego is a Board-Certified Emergency Physician, licensed in the state of Florida and working at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida, since 2007. Born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and raised in South Florida, he has been a Floridian since the age of 3. He graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and obtained his medical degree from Saba University. He completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine at the highly regarded Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center/Sinai-Grace program where he was selected as Chief Resident his third year. He joined EMA in 2007 and became the chair of the Evidence-Based Medicine Committee in 2008.

Dr. Gallego became the Director of the hospital-based ED Observation Unit in 2017, Associate Director of the Emergency Department in 2018, and was appointed as the Emergency Department Medical Director and Chief of Department in January 2020. He has worked for the NFL as an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant since 2013. He is an active member of several hospital committees and has chaired the BayCare ED clinical pathways committee since 2019 and was appointed to EMA’s Board of Directors in 2021.

NICOLE GERO, MD, MBA

Associate Medical Director, Pediatric Emergency Department, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital

Dr. Gero grew up in upstate New York and received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Elmira College where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She attended SUNY Upstate Medical University where she received her medical degree. Dr. Gero also obtained her Master of Business Administration from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY. She then went on to complete a residency in Emergency Medicine at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY where she was also the chief resident. Given her passion for pediatrics, she went on to a 2-year fellowship in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Upstate.

Dr. Gero is board certified in both Emergency Medicine and Pediatric Emergency Medicine. She relocated to Florida in 2014 to join Excelis Medical Associates. She works at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South and St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. She became the Associate Medical Director of Pediatric Emergency Services at St Joseph’s South in 2019 and assumed additional responsibly for the Main campus in 2021.

RICHARD RODRIGUEZ, MD

FACEP, FAAEM

Associate Medical Director, Emergency Department, St. Joseph’s Hospital – South

Dr. Rodriguez was born and raised in Miami, FL. He graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s in health science prior to obtaining his medical degree from the Florida State University College of Medicine. He then completed his Emergency Medicine Residency in Philadelphia, PA at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where he served as Chief Resident.

Dr. Rodriguez is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and is a Fellow of both the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. Prior to joining Excelis Medical Associates, Dr. Rodriguez worked at several hospitals within the Baptist Health South Florida health system and also served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.

Dr. Rodriguez has been with EMA since the opening of St. Joseph’s Hospital – South in 2015. He is an active member of the community and in addition to his clinical responsibilities, he works as an Online Medical Control Physician for the Pinellas County EMS Agency and is an alternate member of the Hillsborough County Emergency Planning Council. He also holds a faculty appointment as an Affiliate Assistant Professor at the USF Morsani College of Medicine. He is currently the Associate Medical Director for the St. Joseph’s Hospital – South Emergency Department and serves on EMA’s Board of Directors.

RODOLFO LOUREIRO, MD

Advanced Practice Provider Medical Director

Dr. Loureiro was born and raised in Brazil but has been a Floridian since the age of 15. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Florida where he earned his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science with a minor in Public Health. He obtained his Medical Degree from Florida State University College of Medicine where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society and into the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS).

Dr. Loureiro completed his Emergency Medicine residency training in Boston at Harvard/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where he served as Chief Resident. During his residency training, he worked closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Pledge Health to support the development of the first ever Emergency Medicine residency program in Mozambique, Africa. Most recently, he served as the founding Co-Chair for the Portuguese Task Force with the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) where he helped advance emergency care in Portuguese-speaking countries.

Dr. Loureiro relocated to Tampa, Florida in 2020 to join Excelis Medical Associates (EMA). He is currently a member of the Clinical Excellence Medical Staff Committee at St Joseph’s Hospital and has been the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Director for EMA since 2023.

NIKKI RICHARDSON, MD

Associate Medical Director, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Emergency Department

Dr. Richardson grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. During that time, her family spent their free time vacationing in Pass-A-Grille, Florida. She attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned dual graduate degrees – a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Education in Science Teaching. Dr. Richardson attended medical school at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. She went on to complete her emergency medicine residency and pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. Shortly after completing her fellowship, she and her family moved to Florida so that she could join EMA.

Dr. Richardson is currently a partner in EMA and serves as the Pediatric Associate Medical Director for SJH-Main and SJH-South Children’s Hospitals.

JAMES P. ROBELLI, MD, FACEP

Medical Director, Emergency Department, St. Joseph’s Hospital – South

Dr. Robelli grew up in Sterling Heights, Michigan and received his undergraduate degree in Physical Science from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. He then attended Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan before moving to Orlando, Florida, where he completed his residency in emergency medicine at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Prior to joining Excelis Medical Associates, Dr. Robelli was the Medical Director at Columbia Raulerson Hospital in Okeechobee, Florida and Vice-Director of the Emergency Department at St. Mary’s Hospital, West Palm Beach, Florida. He also served as Medical Director of Indian River Community College’s Paramedic program.

Dr. James Robelli has been with EMA since 1996. Throughout his tenure with the group, he has held several leadership positions including Director of Advance Practice Providers and Medical Director for St. Joseph’s Hospital – North. He has been a member of the EMA Board of Directors for over 10 years and served as group Treasurer. He currently serves as Medical Director of St. Joseph’s Hospital – South Emergency Department as well as President and Chairman of EMA’s Board of Directors.

MICHAEL SANDERS, MD

Associate Medical Director, St. Joseph’s Hospital

Dr. Michael V. Sanders is a Board-Certified Emergency Medicine Physician. He is a Tampa native who was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He attended USF for undergraduate training where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and minor degrees in both Psychology and Biophysics. He graduated with his medical degree from the USF College of Medicine. He completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at Level 1 trauma center Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC).

He accepted a position after residency as an Emergency Medicine Attending Physician with Emergency Medical Associates of Tampa Bay (now Excelis Medical Associates) in 2013. He served as the Chair of the Patient Satisfaction Committee for EMA for several years. Currently he is the Medical Director for EMA’s ED Observation Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Associate Medical Director for the St. Joseph’s Hospital Emergency Department and serves on EMA’s Board of Directors.

Dr. Sanders also currently serves as a member of the Credentialling, Utilization, and Bylaws Committees at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Additionally, he is the ED physician lead for the Stroke Committee and the Baycare Physician Champion for Marchman and Baker Acts.

CHRISTIAN SOBKY, MD

Medical Director, Disaster Planning

Dr. Sobky is a Tampa native. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Biomedical Sciences then continued to Meharry Medical College for his medical degree. He completed his residency at Louisiana State University Health Science Center- Baton Rouge where he served as chief resident. Dr Sobky also has a Master of Theological Studies and is pursuing an MBA from the USF Muma College of Business. Prior to joining Excelis Medical Associates (EMA), Dr. Sobky worked as an emergency physician and held a clinical faculty position at the USF Morsani School of Medicine.

Dr. Sobky served as the Chair of EMA’s Patient Satisfaction Committee through 2023. Currently, he serves as the Medical Director of Disaster Planning for St Joseph’s Main, Women’s and Children’s Hospitals, co-Medical Director of Emergency Transport Services, and co-Chair of the Hillsborough County Bypass Committee. He is also a member of the Hillsborough County Emergency Medical Planning Council.

Medical Directors

Excelis Medical Associates

JUAN CARLOS ABANSES, MD

Medical Director

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital

Pediatric Emergency Department

TIMOTHY BALLING, MD

Associate Medical Director

St. Joseph’s Hospital – North

Emergency Department

BRIAN BATT, MD

Associate Medical Director

St. Joseph’s Hospital

Emergency Department

KATRINA CORDERO, DO

Medical Director

St. Joseph’s Hospital – North

Emergency Department

JUAN GALLEGO, MD

Medical Director

St. Joseph’s Hospital

Emergency Department

Department Chair

CLINTON KEILMAN, MD

Medical Director

Moffitt Cancer Center Urgent Care

RODOLFO LOUREIRO, MD

Advanced Practice Provider Medical Director

NIKKI RICHARDSON, MD

Associate Medical Director

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital

Pediatric Emergency Department

JAMES ROBELLI, MD

Medical Director

St. Joseph’s Hospital – South

Emergency Department

RICHARD RODRIGUEZ, MD

Associate Medical Director

St. Joseph’s Hospital – South

Emergency Department

JUAN CARLOS ABANSES, MD

CPE, FACEP, FAAP

Medical Director, Pediatric Emergency Department, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital

TIMOTHY J. BALLING, MD

Associate Medical Director, Emergency Department, St. Joseph’s Hospital – North

BRIAN BATT, MD

Associate Medical Director, Emergency Department, St. Joseph’s Hospital

KATRINA CORDERO, DO

Medical Director, Emergency Department, St. Joseph’s Hospital – North

JUAN GALLEGO, MD

Medical Director and Emergency Department Chief, St. Joseph’s Hospital

NICOLE GERO, MD, MBA

Associate Medical Director, Pediatric Emergency Department, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital

RICHARD RODRIGUEZ, MD

FACEP, FAAEM

Associate Medical Director, Emergency Department, St. Joseph’s Hospital – South

RODOLFO LOUREIRO, MD

Advanced Practice Provider Medical Director

NIKKI RICHARDSON, MD

Associate Medical Director, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Emergency Department

JAMES P. ROBELLI, MD, FACEP

Medical Director, Emergency Department, St. Joseph’s Hospital – South

MICHAEL SANDERS, MD

Associate Medical Director, St. Joseph’s Hospital

CHRISTIAN SOBKY, MD

Medical Director, Disaster Planning

Medical Directors

JUAN CARLOS ABANSES, MD

Medical Director

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital

Pediatric Emergency Department

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TIMOTHY BALLING, MD

Associate Medical Director

St. Joseph’s Hospital – North

Emergency Department

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BRIAN BATT, MD

Associate Medical Director

St. Joseph’s Hospital

Emergency Department

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KATRINA CORDERO, DO

Medical Director

St. Joseph’s Hospital – North

Emergency Department

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JUAN GALLEGO, MD

Medical Director

St. Joseph’s Hospital

Emergency Department

Department Chair

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CLINTON KEILMAN, MD

Medical Director

Moffitt Cancer Center Urgent Care

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RODOLFO LOUREIRO, MD

Advanced Practice Provider Medical Director

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NIKKI RICHARDSON, MD

Associate Medical Director

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital

Pediatric Emergency Department

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JAMES ROBELLI, MD

Medical Director

St. Joseph’s Hospital – South

Emergency Department

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RICHARD RODRIGUEZ, MD

Associate Medical Director