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

With more than 25 years of experience in US and international medical education, Paula Wales, EdD, is among the foremost experts in both accreditation standards and curriculum oversight in North America and was most recently a founding member for the start-up of Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine. A Harvard Macy Scholar, Paula has given more than 126 invited talks, peer-reviewed presentations, and faculty development workshops and has published more than 48 peer-reviewed abstracts, papers, and chapters, the majority of which focus on curricular evaluation and assessment in branch and/or geographically separated campuses.

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.

UNIVERSITY REGISTRAR
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL EDUCATION

Alyssa K. Eason, EdD, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts/Sociology from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL, and her Master of Science in Human Resource Management and Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Her previous professional experience includes 15 years in higher education, operations, and finance where she ensured the integrity of student academic records, created, and adhered to college policies, maintained compliance with state and federal regulations, provided financial counseling, and managed over 18+ million scholarship dollars. She was most recently a founding member of Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine where she ensured administrative functions ran smoothly during the LCME accreditation process. Her focus on diversity and inclusion lead in retention and enrollment results with one of the highest underrepresented percentages for a new US medical school in 2020 and 2021.

SENIOR ASSOCIATE DEAN, STUDENT FINANCE

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, PRE-CLERKSHIP STUDENT AFFAIRS
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL EDUCATION

Dr. Shannon Evans is a licensed clinical social worker and has provided clinical care to clients since 2005. Informed by cultural humility, antiracist principles, and a strengths-based approach to counseling, Dr. Evans conceptualizes the challenges people face within the context of social systems. As such, she understands her role not only as a clinician, but as an advocate, ally, and activist. With a passion for medical students and healthcare provider wellbeing, Dr. Evans believes that relationships are essential to creating a culture of care where all community members feel supported, heard, and seen. She views self-care as a community affair and strives to create systems that promote and model behaviors that support overall community wellness.

ASSISTANT DEAN, CLINICAL SCIENCES
CHAIR AND PROFESSOR, INTERNAL MEDICINE

ASSISTANT DEAN, COLLEAGUE PROFESSIONAL AND SCHOLARLY DEVELOPMENT
PROFESSOR, MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY

Dr. Elisabeth Schlegel earned both a Master of Science and PhD (Genetics and Microbiology/ Education) from the University of Salzburg, Austria, and conducted postdoctoral studies in herpes virology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Inspired by New York’s multicultural communities, she immersed herself in nonprofit medical school models promoting accountability and global healthcare leadership and went on to earn an MBA from The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business at Post University. In 2019, Dr. Schlegel completed a Master of Science in Health Professions Pedagogy and Leadership at Hofstra University. With a joint PhD in Microbiology/Science Education, Dr. Schlegel is inspired by insights on innovation in education, she aims to help medical students – and fellow science educators – to engage in new teaching methodologies, develop and deploy educational curricula, and improve already existing programs.

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, IT

Dariano Joseph is a native of Grand Bahama and a seasoned Information Technology professional with two decades of experience, highlighted by 13 years in medical education. He has held IT leadership roles at institutions such as the Medical Education Readiness Program, Ross University School of Medicine, and the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. He has also supported Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Chamberlain University. Dariano's extensive certifications, including Six Sigma Green Belt, CITM (Certified IT Manager), CompTIA, Apple, and ITIL, display his commitment to excellence in IT. His work has spanned countries like The Bahamas, Sint Maarten, St. Kitts, Barbados, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Dariano continues to contribute to the future of medical education through his unwavering dedication to positive student outcomes and technological innovation.

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.