RIMA SANKA, D.O.

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south florida allergist

Dr. Sanka is a fully licensed, board-certified allergy, asthma, and immunologist trained and educated in the United States. According to her patients, she is a trusted and reliable allergist in Florida.


She completed her Internship and Residency in Pediatrics at the University of South Florida/All Children’s Hospital in 2005. She then completed her Fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at the same institution in 2007. During her fellowship, she published research on red tide, inhalant allergies, and primary immune deficiency.

Dr. Sanka is a distinguished lecturer at multiple state and local conferences and is well recognized in the medical community.

  • Originally from upstate New York, she attended Cornell University (‘97). She volunteered for a year with AmeriCorps in Washington, DC, before attending medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in 2002.

  • She lives in Tampa with her husband and two children. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor sports and traveling. Dr. Sanka remains actively involved in teaching medical students, residents, and fellows, alongside her 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)
  • 10/08/07 – American Board of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Certification Examination (Expires 10/2018)
  • 02/15/06 – State of Florida Unrestricted Medical License
  • 06/13/07 – DEA and Controlled Substance Registration Certificate


HONORS & AWARDS

  • 2023 – Tampa Top Doctors List, Allergy & Immunology
  • 2007 – Research Honorarium, Florida Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Society, Sarasota, FL
  • 2006 – Travel Grant, American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA
  • 2005 – Travel Grant, Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Annual Conference, Miami, FL
  • 2005 – PCRC Grant – $20,000 award for 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
  • 1993–1997 – New York State Scholarship, merit-based award
  • 1993–1997 – Dean’s List, Cornell University
  • 1993–1996 – 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,” Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Letter to the Editor
  • 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 and 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 healthcare 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 Immunology 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 Conference, 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 PowerPoint, Sigma Stat, and 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