OCALA KIDNEY GROUP, INC.
OCALA, FLORIDA

Ocala Kidney Group, Inc., founded in 1984, serves Marion County with a focus on providing world-class nephrological care. It was among the first practices to offer board-certified Critical Care services in local hospitals. The practice boasts an eminent leadership team with various roles and accomplishments: - **Dr. Harold R. Locay** joined Ocala Kidney Group in 1994 after completing a nephrology fellowship at the University of Miami School of Medicine. He has served as Chief of Staff, Chief of Medicine among other leadership positions at Munroe Regional Medical Center. Dr. Locay is also the founder of the group’s research arm, Discovery Medical Research, and holds board certification in Nephrology and Internal Medicine. Currently, he serves as the Medical Director for the DaVita Ocala East Hemodialysis Unit. - **Dr. Suresh** has been with the group since 1998, known for his dedication to patient advocacy in both nephrology and critical care. Dr. Suresh serves as the Medical Director for the DaVita Ocala West Hemodialysis Unit. - **Dr. Izuchukwu E. Nwakoby** moved from Nigeria to join the group in 2002, bringing accolades such as Intern of the Year and Chief Medical Resident from his academic career at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He serves as the Medical Director for the DaVita Ocala North Hemodialysis Unit. - **Dr. Rogers**, having completed his medical education in Connecticut and subsequent fellowships including one at University of Miami, joined in 2003. Notably, he trains to perform interventional procedures on dialysis vascular accesses and is recognized nationally for these services. - **Dr. Vaghela** brought expertise from the kidney transplantation department at the University of Florida when joining in 2007. He holds board certification in Nephrology and Internal Medicine with a special focus on kidney transplantation, serving as Medical Director for the DaVita Silver Springs Shores Hemodialysis Unit. - **Dr. Kovalchuk** joined in 2009 after achieving significant distinctions during his medical training in Ukraine, culminating at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore. He's a board-certified expert in Nephrology and Internal Medicine and serves as Medical Director for the DaVita Acute dialysis program. - **Dr. Chitumalla** moved from Michigan with his family to Ocala, joining the practice in 2011. - **Dr. Saila Ventra**, having trained at prestigious medical centers including Harvard’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Aurora Health Care System in Milwaukee, joined in 2011 and is actively integrated into community life in Ocala. The company, operating under the Florida Models.Dos.FloridaCompanyStatus as a DOMP, is incorporated since August 5, 1985. With headquarters at 2980 S.E. 3rd Court, Ocala, FL, it maintains active communication through multiple phone lines and an online presence via its website (ocalakidneygroup.com). Key directors include Melvin M. Seek alongside Drs. Locay, Nwakoby, and others.