Leadership

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

Dean

Robert G. Sawyer, MD
Robert G. Sawyer, MD
The Hal B. Jenson, MD Dean,
President and CEO
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Dean Responsibilities

The dean is president and chief executive 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.

Dean Direct Reports

The dean is assisted by the executive team which includes:

  • Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
  • Chief of Staff
  • Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
  • Senior Associate Dean for Research
  • Vice President, Clinical Affairs
  • Vice President, Development
  • Vice President, Finance and Business Development
  • Vice President, Institutional Affairs
  • Vice President, People and Culture

Executive Team

Nicole Albee, PhD
Nicole M. Allbee, PhD
Chief of Staff
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Chief of Staff Responsibilities

The chief of staff serves as the liaison and administrative support to the Board of Directors, responsible for effective governance process; advises the dean on internal and external matters important to the organization; and ensures effective management of the day-to-day affairs of the Office of the Dean.

Chief of Staff Direct Reports

The chief of staff is assisted by:

  • Executive Assistants in the Office of the Dean
Carly Burkett
Carly Burkett
Vice President,
Finance and Business Development
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Vice President, Finance and Business Development Responsibilities

The vice president for Finance and Business Development is responsible for many of the administrative support and financial operations of the medical school, and is authorized as the institutional signatory official. The vice president has oversight of facilities, accounting, information technology, contracts, and the Innovation Center.

Vice President, Finance and Business Development Direct Reports

The vice president for For Finance and Business Development is assisted by:

  • Senior Director for Accounting and Finance
  • Senior Director for Facilities
  • Senior Director for Information Technology
  • Director for the Innovation Center
  • Contract and Risk Manager
 
Mike Busha, MD, MBA
Michael Busha, MD, MBA
Senior Associate Dean,
Academic Affairs and Chief
Academic Officer
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Senior Associate Dean, Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer Responsibilities

The senior associate dean for Academic Affairs serves as the Chief Academic Officer with oversight and responsibility for all educational and degree programs including graduate medical education, undergraduate medical education, continuing medical education, and the associated support services for all learners.

Senior Associate Dean, Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer Direct Reports

The senior associate dean for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer is assisted by:

  • Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education
  • Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education
  • Associate Dean for Student Affairs
  • Associate Dean for Simulation
  • Associate Dean for Community Education and Engagement
  • Assistant Dean for Global and Continuing Education
  • Assistant Dean for the Lakeland Regional Campus
  • Chair of the Department of the Medical Library
  • Chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences
  • Co-Directors for the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program
Lauren Piper
Lauren Piper, DO
Vice President, Clinical Affairs
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Vice President for Clinical Affairs Responsibilities

The vice president for Clinical Affairs is responsible for the operational and financial performance of the medical school's clinical inpatient and ambulatory services.

Vice President for Clinical Affairs Direct Reports

The vice president for Clinical Affairs is assisted by:

  • Director of Clinical Services
 
Surangi Pradhan
Surangi Pradhan, MBA, SPHR, CSC
Vice President, People and Culture
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Vice President, People and Culture Responsibilities

The vice president for People and Culture is responsible for human resources, occupational health and infection control, culture, and wellbeing.

Vice President, People and Culture Direct Reports

Vice President, People and Culture is assisted by:

  • Director, Human Resources
  • Manager, Organizational Development
  • Manager, Culture and Wellbeing
  • Program Specialist, Culture and Wellbeing
  • Manager, Occupational Health and Infection Control
  • Director, GME Wellbeing
Robert G. Sawyer, MD
Robert G. Sawyer, MD
Senior Associate Dean,
Research
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Senior Associate Dean, Research Responsibilities

The senior 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.

Senior Associate Dean, Research Direct Report

The senior associate dean for Research is assisted by:

  • Associate Dean for Health Services Research
  • Chair for the Department of Biomedical Informatics
  • Associate Dean for Foundational Research
  • Senior Director for Research Compliance
  • Chair for the Department of Investigative Medicine
 
Paul J. Schenarts, MD, FACS, MAMSE
Paul J. Schenarts, MD, FACS
Associate Dean,
Faculty Affairs
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
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. He collaborates with members of the department of Medical Education, senior associate dean for Academic 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. He 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.

Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs Direct Reports

Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs is assisted by:

  • Coordinator for Faculty Affairs
Michele Serbenski, MA
Michele Serbenski, MA
Vice President, Institutional Affairs and
Chief Compliance Officer
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Vice President, Institutional Affairs Responsibilities

The vice president for Institutional Affairs is responsible for accreditation, strategic planning, continuous improvement, compliance, policies, institutional effectiveness, communications and marketing.

Vice President, Institutional Affairs Direct Reports

The vice president for Institutional Affairs is assisted by:

  • Director of Communications and Marketing
  • Director of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
  • Director of Strategy Implementation and Mission Evaluation
 
Vacant Position
Vacant
Vice President, Development
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Vice President for Development Responsibilities

The vice president for Development is responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing all of the medical school's fundraising programs.

Vice President for Development Direct Reports

The vice president for development is assisted by:

  • Associate Director for Major Gifts
  • Assistant Director for Leadership Gifts

Associate and Assistant Deans

Tim Bauler, PhD
Timothy J. Bauler, PhD
Assistant Dean, Admissions
Responsibilities
Assistant Dean, Admissions Responsibilities

The assistant dean for Admissions is responsible for admissions policies and procedures, development of partnerships with undergraduate institutions, and serving as a thought leader for holistic admissions processes to increase diversity, among other responsibilities.

Nancy Bjorklund, EdD, MPA
Nancy Bjorklund, EdD, MPA
Assistant Dean,
Global and Continuing Education
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Assistant Dean for Global and Continuing Education Responsibilities

The assistant dean for Global and Continuing Education is responsible for the medical school's global education and the Office of Continuing Education.

Assistant Dean for Global and Continuing Education Direct Reports

The assistant dean for Global and Continuing Education is assisted by:

  • Program Specialist
  • Data and Development Specialist
  • Program Coordinator
  • Conference and Events Planning Coordinator
 
Kelly Brown, MD
Kelly A. Brown, MD
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. She collaborates with all program directors and department chairs.

She collaborates with the senior associate dean for Academic Affairs to support medical student education and integration with other educational programs of the medical school.

She 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. She 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
Cheryl Dickson
Cheryl Dickson, MD, MPH
Associate Dean, Community Education
and Engagement
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Associate Dean, Community Education and Engagement Responsibilities

The associate dean for Community Education and Engagement 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 increase interest in health professions.

Associate Dean, Community Education and Engagement Direct Reports

The associate dean for Community Education and Engagement is assisted by:

  • Manager, Pathway Programs
  • Coordinator, Community Education and Engagement
 
John Hoyle
John D. Hoyle, Jr, MD
Associate Dean, Simulation
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Assistant Dean, Simulation Responsibilities

The associate dean for Simulation is responsible for overall oversight of simulation education and the Simulation Center as a resource for the medical school and the region.

Associate Dean for Simulation Direct Reports

The associate dean for Simulation is assisted by:

  • Assistant Dean for Simulation
Neil Hughes, MD
Neil Hughes, MD
Assistant Dean, Simulation
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Assistant Dean, Simulation Responsibilities

The assistant dean for Simulation is responsible for day-to-day operations in the Simulation Center and 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.

Assistant Dean for Simulation Direct Reports

The assistant dean for Simulation is assisted by:

  • Administrative Director, Simulation
  • Director, Clinical Simulation
 
Matthew Hysell, MD
Matthew Hysell, MD
Assistant Dean,
Lakeland Regional Campus
Responsibilities
Assistant Dean, Lakeland Regional Campus Responsibilities

The assistant dean for the Lakeland Regional Campus is responsible for all medical education activities on the Lakeland Regional Campus.

Philip J. Kroth, MD
Philip J. Kroth, MD
Associate Dean,
Health Services Research
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Associate Dean, Health Services Research Responsibilities

The associate dean for Health Services Research is responsible for clinical research, community-based participatory research, research partnerships, and data science services.

Associate Dean, Health Services Research Direct Reports

The associate dean for Health Services Research is assisted by:

  • Director of Clinical Research Operations, Center for Clinical Research
 
Gustavo Patino
Gustavo Patino, MD, PhD
Associate Dean,
Undergraduate Medical Education
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education Responsibilities

The associate dean for Undergraduate Medical Education is responsible for the development, implementation and ongoing renewal of our MD degree program including program operations, student performance, program evaluation, faculty recruitment, clinical site recruitment, LCME accreditation, and collaboration with faculty across the curriculum.

Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education Direct Reports

The associate dean for Undergraduate Medical Education is assisted by:

  • Assistant Dean for Foundations of Medicine
  • Assistant Dean for Clinical Applications
  • Director for Professional Education
  • Director for Educational Affairs
Kathryn Redinger, MD
Kathryn E. Redinger, MD
Assistant Dean, Clinical Applications
Responsibilities
Assistant Dean, Clinical Applications Responsibilities

The assistant dean for Clinical Applications is responsible for oversight of the clerkships and electives during the clinical applications phase of the MD curriculum.

 
David Riddle, PhD
David Riddle, PhD
Assistant Dean,
Foundations of Medicine
Responsibilities
Assistant Dean, Foundations of Medicine

The assistant dean for Foundations of Medicine is responsible for the development and implementation of the Foundations of Medicine medical student curriculum.

Maria L Sheakley
Maria L. Sheakley, PhD
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 advising, academic advising, 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, 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 Admissions
  • Director for Admissions
  • Director for Student Life and Wellbeing
  • Director of Financial Aid
  • Director for Academic Advising
  • Director for Career Development
 
Greg Vanden Heuvel
Gregory Vanden Heuvel, PhD
Associate Dean, Foundational Research
Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Associate Dean, Foundational Research Responsibilities

The associate dean for Foundational Research is responsible for laboratory research, laboratory animal services, and research-related graduate programs.

Associate Dean, Foundational Research Direct Reports

The associate dean for Research is assisted by:

  • Director for Laboratory Animal Resources