Bill W. Akins III, MD ’83*, recently retired after a 35-year career as an interventional radiologist in Naples. He is a member of the UF College of Medicine’s Alumni Ambassador Network, where he welcomes new medical students from Naples into the Gator family.

Gordon Burtch, MD ’80, is a general, vascular and transplant surgeon at Surgical Specialists of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers. Burtch, who started the kidney transplant program in Fort Myers in 1990, specializes in dialysis access, arterial disease and kidney issues.

Joel K. Lipman, MD ’77, of Naples is a retired neuroradiologist and former clinical associate professor of radiology and nuclear medicine at Stanford Medical School. He is also director of the board for the Immokalee, Florida-based Lipman Produce Inc., the largest field tomato grower in North America.

Richard D. Murray, MD ’93, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Southwest Florida OBGYN in Fort Myers, recently launched the web and mobile application Pregnancy Approved, which is designed to inform pregnant women about over-the-counter medications that are approved for safe use by obstetricians.

George Rego, MPAS ’00, is a senior clinical specialist for medical device company Arthrex Inc., and a member of the UF School of PA Studies Alumni Advisory Council. Sady M. Rego, MPAS ’01, specializes in dermatology with a focus on prevention, detection and treatment of skin cancers at Fort Myers Dermatology. The Regos are members of the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants.

Brian C. Taschner, MD ’98*, is a cardiologist with Lee Physician Group in Fort Myers and a member of the UF College of Medicine Alumni Board. Kavitha S. Taschner, MD ’98*, is a pediatrician at Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida in Cape Coral. The Taschners also welcome new UF medical students from the region into the Gator family through the college’s Alumni Ambassador Network.

*Legacy Challenge member

The Legacy Challenge supports medical student scholarships. For more information visit scholarships.med.ufl.edu.