RIMA SANKA, D.O.

Dr. Sanka is originally from upstate New York and attended Cornell University (‘97). She spent a year volunteering with the AmeriCorps in Washington DC, after which she attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of osteopathic medicine, graduating in 2002.

She is married with a son and daughter. She lives in Tampa and enjoys outdoor sports and traveling in her free time.

Dr. Sanka maintains an active interest in teaching medical students, residents and fellows in addition to patient care.



EDUCATION

7/05–7/07 Allergy and Immunology fellowship, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg FL
7/02-6/05  Pediatric Residency, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg FL
8/98-6/02  D.O., Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia PA
8/93-6/97  B.S., Cornell University, Ithaca NY

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES

10/08/07   American Board of Allergy and Immunology Certification Examination #2007005440. Expires 2016.
11/01/05   American Board of Pediatrics Certification Examination #84842. Expires 12/31/12
10/8/07     American Board of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Certification Examination, Expires 10/2018.
2/15/06     State of Florida Unrestricted Medical License.
6/13/07     DEA and Controlled Substance Registration Certificate.

HONORS & AWARDS

2023 - Tampa Top Doctors List : Allergy & Immunology
2007   Research Honorarium – Florida Allergy Asthma and Immunology Society – Sarastota, FL
2006   Travel Grant – American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Annual Conference – Phila, PA
2005   Travel Grant – Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Annual Conference – Miami, FL
2005   PCRC Grant – $20,000 award to research project, “Harmful Marine Algal Blooms: The Inflammatory Effects on the Respiratory System of Children”
2003   Delegate, American Academy of Pediatrics – nominated by program director
2000   Member, Sigma Phi – National Osteopathic Honor Society, merit based
2000   Vice President, Student Government – nominated and elected by classmates
’93-’97   New York State Scholarship, merit based award
’93-’97   Dean’s List – Cornell University
’93-’96   Varsity Track & Field, Ivy League Champions (1999)
1993   National Merit Finalist – based on scholastic aptitude test scores

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

11/04 -7/07 All Children’s Hospital, IRB approved research project “The Effect of Red Tide Exposure on Nasal Cytokines”, Co-investigator.
1/96-8/96   National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. Mentor: Dr. Birandra Sinha, PhD.
Conducted experimental anti-neoplastic drug trials including synergy, both in vitro
and in a mouse model.
7/01-8/01   National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Mentor: Dr. George Chrousos,
MD. PhD. Administered pediatric endocrinology human protocols for Cushing syndrome.

PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS

8/08   Grand Rounds lecturer “Asthma and Red Tide” to pediatricians and residents at All Children’s Hospital.
6/08   Suncoast Annual Conference lecturer “Asthma and Red Tide” Tradewinds Resort, St Petersburg FL.
5/08   Asthma Family Day speaker “Asthma and Red Tide” to patients and their families at All Children’s Hospital.
10/07   Primary Author, “Complete DiGeorge Syndrome Associated with CHD7 Mutation” published in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Letter to the Editor, Oct 2007.
6/07   Fellow Speaker, “Red Tide: What the Allergist Needs to Know” Florida Allergy Asthma and Immunology Conference.
2/07   Poster and Abstract, “Complete DiGeorge Syndrome Associated with CHD7 Mutation” American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Annual Conference – San Diego, CA.
11/06   Poster and Abstract, “Sweet Syndrome – The Youngest Case” American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Annual Conference – Philadelphia, PA.
3/06   Poster and Abstract, “An Unusual Case of Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning” Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Annual Conference – Miami, FL.
7/04   Article, Sanka, Kumar. “An Unusual Newborn Rash” Fetal and Pediatric Pathology. Vol 23/Issue 4.
10/03   Poster and Abstract, “4 year old with Weakness and Areflexia” American Academy of
Pediatrics National Conference – New Orleans, LA.
9/03   Poster and Abstract, “Effects of Aerosolized Exposure to Harmful Algal Blooms on Pediatric
Patients” World Allergy Organization Conference – Vancouver, BC.
Mentor: Dr. John Sleasman, MD., Director of Allergy Immunology, University of South Florida
8/96   Poster, “Effect of Topoisomerase Inhibitor Drug Therapy in Neoplastic Mice”. National Cancer
Institute, National Institutes of Health Poster Symposium.

VOLUNTEER WORK

7/99-8/99    Christian Medical College – Vellore, India.
Delivered health care in mobile clinic vans to families with limited or no access to a hospital.
‘97-‘98   AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, Washington DC. Initiated programs to
provide public safety, immunizations, and cleaner environments for inner city children.

CONFERENCES AND SYMPOSIUMS

6/07   Florida Allergy Asthma and Immunology Society Annual Meeting, Sarasota, FL
2/07   American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Meeting, San Diego, CA
11/06   American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.
3/06   American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunolgy Meeting, Miami FL.
3/05   American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Meeting, San Antonio TX
10/03   American Academy of Rheumatology, Annual Scientific Meeting, Orlando FL
10/03   American Academy of Pediatrics, New Orleans LA
9/03   World Allergy Organization, Vancouver BC
7/03   9th Annual Summer Allergy Conference, Albany Medical College, Saratoga NY
9/02    Annual Primary Care Residents Conference, Orlando FL
11/01   Pennsylvania Asthma and Allergy Association, Hershey PA

LANGUAGES AND SKILLS

Proficient in Spanish and Telugu speaking.
Skilled in Power Point, Sigma Stat, Excel.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology
American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology
Florida Allergy Asthma and Immunology Society
American Academy of Pediatrics