Two College of Medicine grads honored in UF’s 2022 40 Gators under 40 list
Christopher Bucciarelli, M.D. ’12, and Sheyan Armaghani, M.D. ’10, were honored at a ceremony earlier this month
April 22, 2022 — Two UF College of Medicine medical school graduates are among the latest group honored as part of UF’s annual 40 Gators Under 40 list. The distinction recognizes achievements by alumni who are “going greater” in their communities and professions.
The 2022 class was celebrated during an award ceremony at Emerson Alumni Hall April 14.
Sheyan Armaghani, M.D. ’10
Sheyan Armaghani, M.D. ’10
For Orlando Health spinal surgeon Sheyan Armaghani, M.D. ’10, YouTube has allowed him to share his expertise beyond the patients he treats. His recorded discussions about neck and back pain and the various ways they can be managed have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on the video platform.
Armaghani, who grew up in Gainesville and was accepted into the medical honors program as an undergraduate at UF, said he likes to break down a patient’s options with them and try alternatives before heading into elective spinal surgery. Though this is something he normally does in person, he began posting these explanations to his website and YouTube channel, Armaghani Spine, during the pandemic.
“I started doing it for my patients, but even other people who will never be my patients are thanking me for explaining their situation in a way they can understand,” Armaghani said. “Surgery is a scary thing for many people. It may be something you do four or five times a day, but that doesn’t mean it is routine for the patient. I try to exhaust all other options and give my patients confidence in their decision to choose surgery.”
Following surgery or other care, Armaghani’s patients have sent him pictures of vacations they could go on, sports they could play and other things they could do after receiving care.
“It is super rewarding to see a patient who was struggling go back to doing the things they enjoy,” he said. “I get the chance to be part of something that can make a difference in their lives.”
Following medical school, Armaghani completed his residency at Vanderbilt University, where he was named chief resident and granted awards for his research. Armaghani has co-authored over 25 publications and has delivered presentations at national meetings on topics that range from postoperative pain management to the treatment of patients with diabetes. His most recent research interests include identifying factors that influence outcomes following surgery and minimizing complications.
In his new role at Orlando Health, Armaghani will be training the next generation of spinal surgeons.
“My training at the UF College of Medicine was significant to my success, and it means a lot to me to be recognized by UF as part of its 40 Under 40,” he said.
Christopher Bucciarelli, M.D. ’12, M.B.A.
Christopher Bucciarelli, M.D. ’12
Florida-based physician Christopher Bucciarelli, M.D. ’12, M.B.A., is the chief medical officer for St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz, and St. Joseph’s Hospital-South in Riverview.
Born and raised in Gainesville, Bucciarelli’s family members who worked at UF and in the medical field inspired him to become a physician.
“One thing that sparked my interest in medicine was being in anatomy classes and being fascinated with the human body and the way all the body’s different systems interact to create one operating unit,” Bucciarelli said.
Bucciarelli was inducted into UF’s Hall of Fame in 2006, while he was an undergraduate. As a medical student, he was heavily involved with the American Medical Association and was elected national chair for the AMA Medical Student Section, where he participated in policy discussions.
“I think that exposure reflected on my passion for the business side of medicine,” Bucciarelli said. “There is a lot of crossover with policy and business.”
He also took time away from campus while in medical school to serve as a lead analyst for then-Florida Governor Rick Scott’s transition team for the Department of Health. He met with key stakeholders and formulated formal recommendations that were presented to and adopted by the governor. He completed his residency at UF before completing a master’s in business administration at Duke University.
Bucciarelli said that as a chief medical officer, he has a passion for creating a positive environment for the patients his team cares for, as well as the providers.
“I’m making conditions better not just for one patient, but for thousands who come through the doors of our hospital,” he said.
