PRESIDENT AND CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
CHAIR AND PROFESSOR, PSYCHIATRY

One of the most respected academic leaders in the United States, Joseph Flaherty, MD, has more than 40 years of experience in the sector, including being Executive Dean at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, the largest medical school in the US. A James Scholar, Joseph has been published in scores of prestigious, peer-reviewed medical journals and has been the recipient of awards and honors related to his work in the field of Psychiatry and teaching. Dr. Flaherty holds an MD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

PROVOST AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
PROFESSOR, MEDICAL EDUCATION

Paula S. Wales, EdD, is a nationally recognized leader in medical education with more than three decades of experience in academic medicine, accreditation, and institutional leadership. She is a founding member of Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM) and currently serves as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Chief Operating Officer, and Professor, Medical Education. In these roles, she provides strategic oversight of academic operations, institutional effectiveness, accreditation, and student success initiatives.

Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Wales has held senior leadership positions at multiple medical schools, including Founding Executive Associate Dean at Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Senior Associate Dean at Ross University School of Medicine, and Assistant and Interim Associate Dean roles at Indiana University School of Medicine. She has led major accreditation efforts with the LCME, CAAM-HP, and regional accrediting bodies, guiding both established and newly developing medical schools through preliminary, provisional, and full accreditation processes.

A professor of medical education, Dr. Wales is widely respected for her expertise in competency-based curriculum design, assessment, faculty development, student affairs, and leadership development. She has directed large-scale curricular reforms, developed innovative assessment systems including portfolio and OSCE initiatives, and secured significant external funding to support medical education transformation. Her scholarship includes numerous peer-reviewed presentations, national invited talks, and contributions to advancing competency-based education and learner-centered teaching models.

Dr. Wales is a Harvard Macy Scholar and has completed the AAMC Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program, along with multiple executive leadership seminars. She is an active member of national and international medical education organizations and has served as a reviewer, accreditation site visitor, consultant, and advisor to emerging medical schools across the United States and internationally.

Recognized for excellence in medical education leadership, Dr. Wales has received multiple honors, including the inaugural Darrell Kirch Award for Excellence in Medical Education. Her work reflects a deep commitment to student development, faculty empowerment, continuous quality improvement, and advancing the mission of academic medicine through innovation, integrity, and strategic vision.

EXECUTIVE DEAN AND CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER
CHAIR AND PROFESSOR, FAMILY MEDICINE

Over his 35-year career as a physician, Scott Ippolito, MD, has had a long and diversified career in academic, administrative, and clinical medicine, as well as in healthcare leadership and business. He has served as chair of family medicine since 1993 at three different academic medical centers, most recently at the Icahn School of Medicine’s Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in New York. Over the course of his career, he has participated in developing and overseeing medical student programs and residencies, as well as hospital leadership and clinical practice. His previous professional experience also includes being associate dean of clinical sciences and assistant dean of academic affairs at Ross University School of Medicine.

ASSISTANT DEAN AND CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER, MEDICAL ADVANCEMENT PREPARATORY PROGRAM
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, ANATOMICAL SCIENCES

Nicole Reeves, MBA, PhD, is an anatomist and biological anthropologist with teaching and research interests that include human gross anatomy, human variation and adaptation, skeletal biology, digital teaching and learning, and innovation in medical education. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and her first master’s degree from Texas State University, before going on to earn her MBA with a focus on health services in 2018. Nicole’s doctoral dissertation research was completed at the University of Tennessee, where she used computed tomography scans to investigate mechanical and metabolic effects of obesity on cortical bone morphology throughout the human skeleton. After earning her PhD, Nicole taught at the University of West Georgia before joining the Department of Anatomy at Ross University School of Medicine. After teaching medical students for many years, she moved stateside and took over the anatomy lead at the Medical Education Readiness Program.

CAMPUS DEAN
PROFESSOR, ANATOMICAL SCIENCES

An expert in the fields of anatomy and neurobiology, Laura Welke, PhD, completed her doctoral work in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at Boston University School of Medicine. Following the completion of her PhD, she held a faculty appointment in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at SUNY Downstate Medical School. Laura comes to WAUSM from Ross University School of Medicine, where she held several leadership positions, including Vice Chair for the Department of Anatomy, Neuroscience Course Director, and Assistant Dean of Medical Sciences Faculty Affairs. Laura has received numerous accolades and awards for her work teaching medical school students.

VICE PRESIDENT, REGULATORY AFFAIRS AND COMPLIANCE
INSTRUCTOR

With more than 30 years in regulatory and legislative affairs, Jerry Polk has worked with state and national non-profit organizations to promote good governance, corporate compliance, and best practices. Jerry spent 20 years in private practice as an attorney prior to joining WAUSM, were his clients included some of the premier consumer protection organizations in the US. In addition to representing clients in investigations and oversight of corporate finance, capital projects, and customer service, Jerry has also served as general counsel and in-house counsel for clients and has educated and trained staff, volunteers, and members of nonprofit and educational organizations.

VICE PRESIDENT, STUDENT AFFAIRS

With more than 12 years of medical education experience, Danielle McDonald is a highly motivated student affairs leader with a proven ability to lead day-to-day operations to support student success and engagement. Danielle most recently served as the Director for Student Affairs at Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine (NSU MD) where she developed a robust academic and career advising system. During her tenure at NSU MD, she successfully led the first two classes to 100 percent residency attainment rates. Her experience in building comprehensive student affairs departments for both LCME and international medical schools has resulted in strong academic, career, and professional student outcomes. Danielle’s leadership in several functions within student affairs, including student conduct, orientation, campus life and activities, and student engagement and leadership has fostered a learning environment of care and student development.

VICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

Ryan C. Moriarty, MBA, leads strategic enrollment initiatives and institutional partnerships. He has been with WAUSM since 2018 and has played a central role in shaping the school's development and growth, including managing the architectural, engineering, and construction efforts for the campus. In his current role, Ryan helps drive WAUSM's global strategy, working closely with undergraduate partners and to expand pathways for prospective students. Prior to joining WAUSM, Ryan gained project management experience in the construction industry with national firms, where he oversaw complex, fast-paced projects and developed strong skills in coordination, planning, and delivery. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science from Trinity College and an MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business.

Vice President, Strategic Partnerships

lan Little is a higher education strategist with more than 20 years of experience spanning over 50 countries. He specializes in international recruitment, global partnership development, enrollment growth, and institutional expansion across public and private universities. Prior to joining WAUSM, lan founded CDB Solutions, LLC, advising university leadership on international engagement strategies aligned with institutional priorities. He executed more than 30 successful institutional contracts and served in advisory and interim leadership capacities, including Director of International Admissions. lan previously served as Market Development Manager at the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), where he managed institutional partnerships across North America and supported schools in meeting enrollment goals, expanding government partnerships, and developing sponsored programs.

UNIVERSITY REGISTRAR
Assistant Dean, Professional Development

Alyssa K. Eason, EdD, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL, and her Master of Science in Human Resource Management and Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Her professional experience spans 18 years in higher and medical education, academic operations, student services, financial aid, administrative systems, and cultivating professional growth and development opportunities.

She was a founding member of Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, where she played a pivotal role in establishing and strengthening the college’s infrastructure and ensuring that administrative functions ran smoothly during the LCME accreditation process. Her focus on diversity and inclusion contributed to retention and enrollment outcomes that placed the college among the highest percentages of underrepresented students for a new U.S. medical school in 2020 and 2021.

Dr. Eason’s academic background anchors her commitment to enhancing organizational culture and building sustainable, student-centered processes. She is passionate about empowering others, cultivating inclusive learning environments, and creating pathways that support both student and employee success.

SENIOR ASSOCIATE DEAN, STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES

Having spent more than 25 years in student-focused financial aid and operations, Jennifer Dennis' expertise lies in helping medical students attain their goals of becoming physicians. A respected leader with extensive experience in higher education, student financial services, student services, operations, enrollment management, strategic and tactical management, and accreditation and compliance, Jennifer has served as a leader in various US and international medical institutions including Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Ross University School of Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, and the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine.

ASSISTANT DEAN, CLINICAL SCIENCES
CHAIR AND PROFESSOR, INTERNAL MEDICINE

Dawn A. Mellish, MD, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, where she was President of the Phi Sigma Biology Honor Society and Vice President of Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Medical Honor Society.

Dr. Mellish’s professional medical career spans more than forty years. She earned her Medical Doctorate degree from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY. She did Internal Medicine Internship at Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo, NY, and Internal Medicine Residency and Nephrology & Hypertension Fellowship at Health and Hospitals Corporation in affiliation with College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University, NY. After Board Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care, Dr. Mellish participated in Harvard University’s Palliative Care Education and Practice Program. Dr. Mellish has engaged in Internal Medicine faculty practice as well as community-based private practices. She has contributed to medical literature, including co-authoring a book chapter. She was Director of Service, inpatient medicine, at Kings County Hospital Medical Center for more than two decades and Chief of Ambulatory Services at Kings County Hospital and Brooklyn Family Health Network for over five years, overseeing 112 clinics and more than 800,000 patient visits per year. Her responsibilities included managing the largest Diabetes and Hypertension patient Registries in the State of New York. Dr. Mellish was Assistant Professor of Medicine at SUNY Downstate where she was actively involved with resident and fellowship training and medical student education, and was Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at Ross University School of Medicine.

Dr. Mellish has received numerous awards and commendations nationally. She received the Central Brooklyn Family Health Network Recognition Award for outstanding physician leadership and service, saving many lives during a state of emergency. Dr. Mellish has been honored with two Proclamations from the City of New York. In addition, Dr. Mellish was bestowed a Citation Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the United States House of Representatives for excellence in clinical practice, teaching, and leadership.

ASSISTANT DEAN AND CHAIR, MEDICAL EDUCATION
PROFESSOR, CLINICAL MEDICINE

Nancy Selfridge, MD, received her MD from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, where she also completed her residency in family medicine. After residency, she moved to Madison, WI, where she spent 26 years in family medicine clinical practice. She then went on to join Ross University School of Medicine where she spent the next 12 years, first as chair of the Department of Integrated Medical Education, and then as chair of Clinical Foundations, leading faculty and teaching medical students. Nancy’s other professional accomplishments include becoming certified by the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine in 2003, and in 2005 becoming medical chief of the Department of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Group Health Cooperative of South-Central Wisconsin.

Director, Administration

With a background in Accounting, Finance, and Business Administration, Yaremis Vega has navigated the medical education field with positions in Admissions, Student Affairs, and Administration. Yaremis pursued her undergraduate and graduate education from Nova Southeastern University and became one of the founding members of the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine (NSU MD). Yaremis comes equipped with years of experience in medical education, particularly in start-ups and accreditation processes. Leaning on her expertise, Yaremis works alongside leadership as Director of Administration for Western Atlantic University School of Medicine, creating and overseeing administrative processes and supporting the journey towards full accreditation.