Excellence in Leadership

With decades of experience in medical education, WAUSM’s leadership team knows what effective measures to look for to best predict student success in medical school.

Made up of experienced educators and proven administrators who have dedicated their lives to the furthering of the medical profession, our leadership team’s commitment to medical education is second to none.

Their collective impact on current practice has been enormous. This is evidenced by the fact that – over the course of their careers leading US and international medical schools – thousands of their students have earned their MDs and gone on to launch successful careers across every specialty of medicine.

Leadership Team

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Joseph Flaherty, MD

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER AND PROFESSOR, MEDICAL EDUCATION

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Joseph Flaherty, MD

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER AND PROFESSOR, MEDICAL EDUCATION

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. Joseph was also Dean and Chancellor of Ross University School of Medicine from 2011 to 2017, where he created the 'One School, One Mission' initiative that involved streamlining and strengthening the student experience through their basic sciences and clinical training and helping them prepare for residency. 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. Joseph holds an MD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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Paula S. Wales, EdD

EXECUTIVE DEAN AND CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER AND PROFESSOR, MEDICAL EDUCATION

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Paula S. Wales, EdD

EXECUTIVE DEAN AND CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER AND 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.

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Laura Welke, PhD

CAMPUS DEAN AND PROFESSOR, ANATOMICAL SCIENCES, MEDICAL EDUCATION

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Laura Welke, PhD

CAMPUS DEAN AND PROFESSOR, ANATOMICAL SCIENCES, MEDICAL EDUCATION

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.

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James Drucker, MBA

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

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James Drucker, MBA

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

James Drucker is a creative, results-driven leader with over 25 years of experience in the marketing and communications fields. An expert in brand building, his focus over the last 18 years has been in higher education, where he has developed award winning campaigns to increase engagement and enrollment at institutions including Ross University School of Medicine, Baruch College of the City University of New York (CUNY), and Montclair State University.

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Jerome Polk, JD

VICE PRESIDENT, REGULATORY AFFAIRS AND COMPLIANCE AND INSTRUCTOR, MEDICAL EDUCATION

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Jerome Polk, JD

VICE PRESIDENT, REGULATORY AFFAIRS AND COMPLIANCE AND INSTRUCTOR, MEDICAL EDUCATION

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.

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Jennifer K. Dennis, MA

SENIOR ASSOCIATE DEAN, STUDENT OPERATIONS AND FINANCE

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Jennifer K. Dennis, MA

SENIOR ASSOCIATE DEAN, STUDENT OPERATIONS AND 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.

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Scott Ippolito, MD

CHAIR, FAMILY MEDICINE AND PROFESSOR, FAMILY MEDICINE

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Scott Ippolito, MD

CHAIR, FAMILY MEDICINE 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.

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Nadia Castriota, PhD

ASSISTANT DEAN, ADMISSIONS AND ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, MEDICAL EDUCATION

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Nadia Castriota, PhD

ASSISTANT DEAN, ADMISSIONS AND ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, MEDICAL EDUCATION

Nadia Castriota, PhD, has nearly 20 years’ experience in professional/graduate school admissions and student development and is truly dedicated to student success. Nadia is originally from New York and relocated to South Florida to be closer to family and continue her career in academia, specifically admissions and student engagement. She earned her BS from Florida International University, MS from Nova Southeastern University, and recently completed her PhD in Ethical Leadership at St. Thomas University.

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Shannon Evans, DSW

ASSISTANT DEAN, PRE-CLERKSHIP STUDENT AFFAIRS

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Shannon Evans, DSW

ASSISTANT DEAN, PRE-CLERKSHIP STUDENT AFFAIRS

Shannon Evans, DSW, 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, Shannon 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, Shannon 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.

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Danielle McDonald

ASSISTANT DEAN, CLERKSHIP STUDENT AFFAIRS

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Danielle McDonald

ASSISTANT DEAN, CLERKSHIP 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.

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Nancy Selfridge, MD

ASSISTANT DEAN AND CHAIR, MEDICAL EDUCATION AND PROFESSOR, CLINICAL EDUCATION, MEDICAL EDUCATION

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Nancy Selfridge, MD

ASSISTANT DEAN AND CHAIR, MEDICAL EDUCATION AND PROFESSOR, CLINICAL EDUCATION, MEDICAL EDUCATION

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.

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Nicole Reeves, MBA, PhD

DIRECTOR, MAPP AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, MEDICAL EDUCATION

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Nicole Reeves, MBA, PhD

DIRECTOR, MAPP AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, MEDICAL EDUCATION

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.

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Yaremis Vega

MANAGER, OPERATIONS

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Yaremis Vega

MANAGER, OPERATIONS

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 Operations Manager for Western Atlantic University School of Medicine, creating and overseeing administrative processes and supporting the journey towards full accreditation.