Leadership

The medical school administration includes the dean, associate and assistant deans, and department chairs.

Founding Dean

Dean Hal Jenson
Hal B. Jenson, MD, MBA
Founding Dean
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Founding Dean Responsibilities

The dean is president, chief executive officer, chief academic and administrative officer of the medical school. He has direct charge of the business of the medical school subject to the general control and direction of the board of directors. The dean reports to the chair of the medical school board of directors. He is responsible for all aspects of the medical school and has ultimate responsibility and oversight of educational, clinical, research, administrative, financial, and operational components of the institution. The dean is responsible for fostering excellence and collaboration in education, healthcare delivery, research, and community service, and ensuring implementation of curricula and programs that meet or exceed all accreditation standards and regulatory requirements.

Founding Dean Direct Reports

The dean appoints and is supported by associate deans, assistant deans, department chairs, and program chiefs. The associate deans, department chairs, and program chiefs report directly to the dean. The Dean's Cabinet, which is chaired by the dean, is the senior leadership of the medical school and includes all associate deans. The department chairs and program chiefs represent and are advocates for their discipline as well as for department/program faculty. The Chairs Council, which is chaired by the dean, includes all department chairs.

 

Associate Deans

Michael Busha
Michael Busha, MD, MBA
Associate Dean, Educational Affairs
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Associate Dean, Educational Affairs Responsibilities

The associate dean for Educational Affairs is responsible for decanal oversight, coordination, and staff support of the MD program and other degree and certificate programs as delegated by the dean, and continuing education programs for the medical school. He/she collaborates with the Curriculum Committee for the program leading to the MD degree, and individual program committees for other degree and certificate programs. He/she implements learning contracts of the Medical Student Performance Committee and accommodations approved by the Essential Abilities Committee. He/she oversees continuing education through the assistant dean for Continuing Education and the Continuing Education Committee. He/she collaborates with the associate dean for Graduate Medical Education to support residencies and fellowships and their integration with other educational programs of the medical school, including co chairing the Learning and Working Environment Committees at the medical school and major clinical affiliates.

He/she collaborates with the faculty of the department of Medical Education and associate dean for Faculty Affairs to identify curriculum and program needs and to develop solutions that support instructors by providing technical support, training for all aspects of medical education as well as medical education scholarship. He/she is an advocate for education and education research within the medical school and with our affiliates.

The associate dean administers the grading and student advancement and graduation policies and procedures of the medical school. For the program leading to the MD degree, the/she works in collaboration with the Medical Student Performance Committee, and develops the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE). For other degree programs, the associate dean works in collaboration with the individual program committee.

Associate Dean, Educational Affairs Direct Reports

The associate dean for Educational Affairs is assisted by:

  • Assistant Dean for Academic Success
  • Assistant Dean for Clinical Applications
  • Assistant Dean for Simulation
  • Director of Continuing Education
  • Director of Educational Affairs
Cheryl Dickson
Cheryl Dickson, MD, MPH
Associate Dean, Health Equity
and Community Affairs
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Associate Dean, Health Equity and Community Affairs Responsibilities

The associate dean for Health Equity and Community Affairs facilitates community engagement with the medical school, and is responsible for developing and supporting community-based partnerships, coalitions, and outreach programs. This includes pipeline programs for grade school, middle school, and high school students to expand recruitment of underrepresented minorities and disadvantaged students into the health professions.

Associate Dean, Health Equity and Community Affairs Direct Reports

The associate dean for Health Equity and Community Affairs is assisted by:

  • Director of Community Affairs
 
Lisa Graves, MD
Lisa Graves, MD
Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs
Responsibilities
Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs Responsibilities

The associate dean for Faculty Affairs is responsible for developing and implementing faculty development programs, faculty recognition and awards, and all personnel actions related to faculty including implementing the process for faculty appointments and promotions. She collaborates with members of the department of Medical Education, associate dean for Educational Affairs, and associate dean for Graduate Medical Education to identify curriculum and program needs and to develop solutions that support instructors by providing technical support, training, and faculty development for medical education scholarship. She collaborates with the associate dean for Research to identify research and program needs and to develop solutions that support researchers by providing technical support, training, and faculty development for scholarship.

Dr. Keith Kenter
Keith Kenter, MD
Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs
Responsibilities
Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs Responsibilities

The associate dean for Clinical Affairs serves as the chief medical officer and physician champion for the medical school's clinical services.

 
John Mosser, PhD
Jack Mosser, PhD
Associate Dean, Development
and Alumni Affairs
Responsibilities
Associate Dean, Development Responsibilities

The associate dean for Development and Alumni Affairs serves as the chief development officer, and fosters a culture of philanthropy to develop donors and contributions to support the mission of the medical school.

David Overton
David T. Overton, MD, MBA
Associate Dean,
Graduate Medical Education
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Associate Dean, Graduate Medical Education Responsibilities

The associate dean for Graduate Medical Education serves as the Designated Institutional Official for graduate medical education, and is responsible in collaboration with the Graduate Medical Education Committee for oversight of all graduate medical education programs at the medical school ensuring compliance with ACGME Institutional Requirements, Common Program Requirements, and specialty/subspecialty specific program requirements. He collaborates with all program directors and department chairs.

He collaborates with the associate dean for Educational Affairs to support medical student education and integration with other educational programs of the medical school, including co chairing the Learning and Working Environment Committees at the medical school and major clinical affiliates.

He collaborates with members of the department of Medical Education and associate dean for Faculty Affairs to identify curriculum and program needs and to develop solutions that support instructors by providing technical support, training for all aspects of medical education as well as medical education scholarship. He is an advocate for education and education research within the medical school and with our affiliates.

Associate Dean, Graduate Medical Education Direct Reports

The associate dean for Graduate Medical Education is assisted by:

  • Director of Resident Affairs
 
Michele Serbenski
Michele Serbenski, MA
Associate Dean, Clinical Operations
and Performance Excellence
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Associate Dean, Clinical Operations and Performance Excellence Responsibilities

The associate dean for Clinical Operations and Performance Excellence is responsible for oversight of the operational and financial performance of the medical school's clinical services, accreditation, strategic planning, continuous improvement, institutional effectiveness, communications, and governance processes.

Associate Dean, Clinical Operations and Performance Excellence Direct Reports

The associate dean for Clinical Operations and Performance Excellence is assisted by:

  • Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs
  • Director of Communications
  • Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Research
Lori Straube
Lori A. Straube, MBA
Associate Dean,
Administration and Finance
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Associate Dean, Administration and Finance Responsibilities

The associate dean for Administration and Finance is responsible for many of the administrative support and financial operations of the medical school, and is authorized as the institutional signatory official. She serves as the Chief Compliance Officer for the institution. The associate works in collaboration with medical school committees that oversee specific functions including Information Technology, the Library, and Facilities.

Associate Dean, Administration and Finance Direct Reports

The Associate Dean for Administration and Finance is assisted by:

  • Director of Accounting and Controller
  • Director of Facilities
  • Director of Human Resources
  • Director of Information Technology
 
Greg Vanden Heuvel
Gregory Vanden Heuvel, PhD
Associate Dean, Research
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Associate Dean, Research Responsibilities

The associate dean for Research is responsible for planning and overseeing the research mission of the medical school. This includes facilitating, fostering, coordinating, and developing research activities that enhance and grow laboratory, translational, clinical, and community-based research within the medical school and with affiliates based on the skills and interests of the faculty, local and national opportunities, and community needs.

He collaborates with the associate dean for Faculty Affairs to identify research and program needs and to develop solutions that support researchers by providing technical support, training, and faculty development for scholarship. The office of Research acts as a resource for identifying funding opportunities and advocacy of faculty and proposals, providing necessary expertise and funding of pilot projects to encourage innovation and creativity, and provides grants and contracts administration in collaboration with accounting and finance.

Associate Dean, Research Direct Reports

The associate dean for Research is assisted by:

  • Assistant Dean for Research Compliance
  • Assistant Dean for Investigative Medicine
  • Assistant Dean for Clinical Research
  • Assistant Dean for the Innovation Center
Pete Ziemkowski
Peter J. Ziemkowski, MD
Associate Dean, Student Affairs
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Associate Dean, Student Affairs Responsibilities

The associate dean for Student Affairs is responsible for overseeing all non curriculum processes for medical student and graduate student success including financial aid, scholarships, career development, career counseling, assisting students with improving their learning skills and finding tutoring, health services, behavioral health services, student recognition, student awards, welcoming and graduation events, and student interest groups.

For medical students, the associate dean is also responsible for the White Coat Ceremony, Medical Student Council, student organizations including Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and Gold Humanism Honor Society, supporting the medical student learning communities in their mentoring responsibilities and overseeing the mentoring and career advising roles of the Scholar-Advisors, identifying and supporting Individual Mentors for medical students, and supporting medical students in residency application (ERAS) and the NRMP Match.

Associate Dean, Student Affairs Direct Reports

The associate dean for Student Affairs is assisted by:

  • Assistant Dean for Career Development
  • Director of Admissions and Student Life
  • Director of Financial Aid
 

Assistant Deans

Tom Blok
Thomas Blok, MD
Assistant Dean for Clinical Research
Responsibilities
Assistant Dean for Clinical Research Responsibilities

The assistant dean for Clinical Research is responsible for facilitating clinical research led by faculty, and supporting involvement of residents, fellows, and students.

Sandra A. Cochrane, MBA
Sandra A. Cochrane, MBA
Assistant Dean, Innovation Center
Responsibilities
Assistant Dean, Innovation Center Responsibilities

The assistant dean for the Innovation Center is responsible for facilitating entrepreneurial research and commercialization at the Innovation Center, and supporting involvement of residents, fellows, and students.

 
Kris Gibson
Kristine Gibson, MD
Assistant Dean, Clinical Applications
Responsibilities
Assistant Dean, Clinical Applications Responsibilities

The assistant dean for Clinical Applications in collaboration with the subcommittee for Clinical Applications is responsible for oversight of the clerkships and electives in the MD degree program in years 3 and 4, and the Introductory Clinical Experiences courses. The assistant dean collaborates with the clerkship directors, discipline directors, and elective directors.

Dr. Karen Horneffer-Ginter
Karen Horneffer-Ginter, PhD
Assistant Dean, Wellness
Responsibilities
Assistant Dean, Wellness

The assistant dean for Wellness oversees the development and implementation of programs that improve wellness and champion a healthy environment for all members of the medical school community.

 
Kevin Kavanaugh
Kevin Kavanaugh, MD
Assistant Dean, Career Development
Responsibilities
Assistant Dean, Career Development Responsibilities

The assistant dean for Career Development serves medical students and provides guidance and direction for residency and career planning, oversee programs to improve interviewing skills, and monitors trends for significant changes that may affect career planning for students.

Naren Kumar
Naren Kumar, MBA, DPT, BPT
Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs Responsibilities

The assistant dean for Clinical Affairs is responsible for the operational and financial performance of the medical school’s clinical inpatient and ambulatory services.

Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs Direct Reports

Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs is assisted by:

  • Service Line Manager
  • Clerical Team Manager
  • Nursing Manager
  • Quality Improvement and Allied Health Manager
  • HIM Manager
  • Laboratory Manager
  • Radiology Manager
  • Occupational Health Manager
 
Richard Lammers
Richard L. Lammers, MD
Assistant Dean, Simulation
Responsibilities
Assistant Dean, Simulation Responsibilities

The assistant dean for Simulation is responsible for directing the Simulation Center as a resource for the medical school and a regional resource for southwest Michigan. The assistant dean collaborates with course/clerkship directors, program directors, department chairs, and faculty to develop and implement simulation technologies into the undergraduate and graduate medical education curricula.

David Riddle
David Riddle, PhD
Assistant Dean, Academic Success
Responsibilities
Assistant Dean, Academic Success Responsibilities

The assistant dean for Academic Success oversees academic advising, monitoring of student progress through the curriculum, oversight of student remediation processes, and analysis and reporting of class performance, as well as contributing to curriculum management and evaluation.

 
Jean Shelton, MS
Jean Shelton, MS
Assistant Dean, Admissions
and Student Life
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Assistant Dean, Admissions and Student Life Responsibilities

The assistant dean for Admissions and Student Life is responsible for oversight of the recruitment, selection, and admissions process for the medical and graduate programs. In Student Life, responsibilities include planning WMed events such as Graduation, Match Day, and White Coat Ceremonies, supporting student interest groups spanning the needs of a diverse student body, collaborates for career advising, and connects students with resources to meet their goals

Assistant Dean, Admissions and Student Life Direct Reports

The assistant dean for Admissions and Student Life is assisted by:

  • Director of Student Life
  • Assistant Director of Admissions
Amy Shipley, PhD
Amy Shipley, PhD
Assistant Dean, Research Compliance
Responsibilities
Assistant Dean, Research Compliance Responsibilities

The assistant dean for Research Compliance is responsible for establishing and maintaining systems and processes for responsible conduct of research including laboratory and biological safety, Human Research Protection Program, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and Sponsored Programs Administration.