STFM Podcast

Jay-Sheree Akambase, MD, MPH, is a preventive medicine and women's health physician at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, providing personalized, evidence-based care through the Executive Health Program with an emphasis on disease prevention, health promotion and long-term well-being. Dr. Akambase has particular interests in women's health, including perimenopause and menopause care, cardiovascular and metabolic risk reduction, and preventive strategies supporting healthy aging. She partners collaboratively with patients to develop individualized plans based on their health risks, priorities and goals. "My goal is to partner with patients to prevent disease, optimize health and empower them to live healthier, longer lives." She provides comprehensive, individualized preventive care focused on reducing future health risks and optimizing quality of life. This includes comprehensive health assessments, individualized disease-prevention strategies, and evidence-based screening recommendations; prevention and management of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, prediabetes, and obesity; and women's health care across the adult life span, including perimenopause and menopause management, cervical cancer screening and clinical breast examinations. Dr Akambase earned her medical degree from Meharry Medical College and completed her family medicine residency and preventive medicine fellowship at Mayo Clinic, along with a Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota. She is an Assistant Professor of Medicine with joint appointments in General Internal Medicine and Public Health, Infectious Diseases and Occupational Medicine. Her scholarly interests include preventive care, population health, occupational mental health and leadership development in medicine. She has published peer-reviewed research, presented nationally and contributed to health education through podcasts and other media. Outside clinical practice, she enjoys traveling, global health initiatives and making evidence-based medicine accessible to the public.

Omari A. Hodge, MD, is a family physician, medical educator, and healthcare leader committed to developing the next generation of family physicians and expanding access to care for underserved communities. He currently serves as Associate Designated Institutional Official and inaugural Family Medicine Residency Program Director at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, building a new family medicine GME program from the ground up. Previously, he was Founding Program Director for the AdventHealth Wesley Chapel Family Medicine Residency Program, and has also served as Associate Program Director at Northeast Georgia Health System and as family medicine faculty at Wellstar. Throughout his career, he has been deeply engaged in resident and faculty development, curriculum design, mentorship, clinical education, and the growth of academic family medicine. His clinical background spans full-spectrum family medicine, inpatient and outpatient care, maternal care, obstetrics, and clinical procedures. Dr. Hodge's passion for medical education extends beyond the classroom and clinic. He has led and participated in numerous medical mission trips domestically and abroad, driven by a conviction to serve underserved populations wherever the need is greatest. This commitment also shapes his role as President of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations, where he is active in leadership, advocacy, diversity, reconciliation, and global medical missions. Dr. Hodge earned his medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine and completed his family medicine residency at Self Regional Hospital in Greenwood, South Carolina.

Saria Saccocio, MD, MHA, is a regional medical officer for CareMore, a subsidiary of Elevance Health. She provides strategic and operational direction for the delivery of performance in support of the central region. Dr Saccocio has demonstrated a consistent history of leading award-winning programs and improving patient care and safety across the continuum as a chief medical officer for health systems in the southeast. She received her doctor of medicine from the University of Florida, and her executive master of health administration from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She completed her family medicine residency at the University of Miami before opening her own solo family practice. She continues to serve patients at the Greenville Free Medical Clinic. Becker’s Hospital Review has recognized Dr Saccocio as one of the top 100 Hospital and Health System CMOs to Know and has been elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. Her extensive civic and community involvement has included serving with many organizations such as: the Modern Healthcare Women Advisory Board; board member for the Pisacano Leadership Foundation; South Carolina Hospital Association; United Way of Greenville County; Greenville Free Medical Clinic; and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate; the South Carolina Academy of Family Physicians Board. She also is an Alum of the Women’s Leadership Institute and the Diversity Leadership Institute at Furman University.