Medical Education Personnel

Rochester

David M. Thomas, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Preclinical Education

David M. Thomas, Ph.D.David Thomas, Ph.D., is the associate dean for Preclinical Education, responsible for the development, implementation and delivery of the undergraduate preclinical component of the OUWB curriculum. Dr. Thomas previously held the position of assistant dean for Medical Education. He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He received his Doctorate in Biological Sciences from Wayne State University, and completed three years of postdoctoral training at the University of Michigan Medical School. Dr. Thomas joined the Wayne State University School of Medicine as a research assistant professor in 2003 and was appointed assistant professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2007, where he now holds an adjunct professor appointment. He became a founding faculty member and master educator in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at OUWB in 2011 and was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 2014. Dr. Thomas has held leadership positions in medical education at OUWB including course director for the endocrinology organ system course, Biomedical Sciences representative of the Academic Success Team, chair of the Curriculum Evaluation Subcommittee and secretary of the Curriculum Committee. Nationally, Dr. Thomas is a certified Team-Based Learning Consultant-Trainer of the TBL Collaborative (TBLC). He has also served as chair of the TBLC Educational Development Committee and as a member of the TBLC Steering Committee. He served as an LCME Fellow in 2017 and is currently a member of the AAMC Medical Education Senior Leaders community.

Robin Rivest, Ed.D.
Assistant Dean for Medical Education

An image of Robin Rivest

Robin Rivest, Ed.D. is the assistant dean for Medical Education at OUWB. She provides senior leadership, strategic support, and management of the overall effectiveness of medical education instruction across the OUWB curriculum. Dr. Rivest is responsible for developing curricular reports, overseeing the delivery of high-quality assessments, and analyzing programmatic evaluation data to ensure the continuous quality improvement of the educational program.

Dr. Rivest previously served in the role of director of Curriculum Data Management for OUWB and was an eLearning training & development manager in the corporate sector. She has her Master of Education with a major in Instructional Technology from Wayne State University, a Master of Business Administration from Lawrence Technological University, and a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership from Oakland University.

Noah Pollock, M.S.
Director of Curriculum Data Management

Noah PollockNoah Pollock is the Director of Curriculum Data Management for OUWB. His primary role is to design, implement, and manage the database for collecting outcomes data of the undergraduate medical education curriculum, oversee the mapping of the curriculum to ensure adherence to the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME) and accrediting bodies, and provide timely reports for staff, faculty, administration, and accrediting bodies on content in the curriculum. 

Noah has served at Oakland University as a Senior Systems and Data Analyst, Assistant Director of Assessment, Data Transfer Specialist, Instructor, and Research Assistant across various organizations including Student Affairs & Diversity IT, Career Services, Institutional Research and Assessment, and the Office of the Registrar. He has managed a wide variety of information technology and analytic projects including data integrations, software implementations, department and program evaluations, accreditation efforts, and the university-wide effort to collect and report post-graduation outcomes. 

Noah holds a B.A. and an M.S. in Psychology, and an M.S. in Information Technology Management from Oakland University.

Chris Porter, Ph.D.
Curriculum Program Administrator

Chris PorterChris Porter is the Curriculum Program Administrator for OUWB. His primary role is to administer and manage the evaluation program, supervise the curriculum coordinator staff, and support medical education operations. 

Chris has over 10 years of experience in higher education and the corporate sector, serving in various roles. He has held the following positions: Senior Education Consultant, Program Director, Professor, and English as a Second Language (ESL) Instructor. He holds a Ph.D. in Theology, Ethics, and has technical experience with learning management systems and course development software packages. He also has experience as an instructional systems designer, corporate trainer, and educational program evaluator and administrator.

Yongchao Shi, Ph.D.
Director of Student Assessment

Yongchao ShiYongchao Shi is the Director of Student Assessment at OUWB. His primary roles include managing the school’s student assessment system for its validity, reliability, and fairness, supporting and monitoring the assessment planning, blueprinting, standard setting and post-assessment review processes, assessing course and program level student outcomes to inform faculty and the curriculum team of areas for improvement, serving as a resource for faculty on best practices in areas of student assessment, developing and evaluating assessment strategies that support student success and retention, and researching and disseminating information in assessment to both internal and external constituents. Dr. Shi received his Master of Science in Psychology from Beijing University, China and his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from McGill University, Canada with a focus on assessment and student learning. He has 15 years of teaching experience in assessment and measurement and has been dedicated to assessment in medical education in recent years.

Charity Yen, M.A.
Assessment & Evaluation Coordinator

An image of Charity YenCharity Yen is the Assessment & Evaluation Coordinator for OUWB. Her primary role is to coordinate and support assessment plans and perform exam administration that includes scheduling, proctoring, and facilitating exam delivery. Charity will also maintain the exam administration system and train faculty, students, and staff on assessment processes and tools.

Charity has nearly 10 years of experience in education across K-12 and higher education. She has extensive experience as a Curriculum Assistant at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine scheduling, proctoring, and administering exams, as well as implementing accommodations for medical students. In addition, Charity led the implementation of ExamSoft at her prior medical school with students, faculty, and staff at the Detroit campus.

Charity received her Bachelor of Arts in English and her Master of Arts in Teaching from Oakland University.

Christine Schwartz, M.A.
Longitudinal Course Coordinator

Christine SchwartzChristine Schwartz is the Longitudinal Course Coordinator for OUWB. She works closely with the course directors and faculty to ensure that the operational needs of each course are met. Christine earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Hillsdale College and a Master of Arts in Secondary Education/Teaching from Wayne State University. She has more than eight years of experience working in education and most recently served as the M1 Coordinator for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Julie Jagmin
Embark Program Coordinator

julie-strongJulie Jagmin is the Embark Program Coordinator for OUWB.  She works closely with the program directors and faculty to facilitate the operational needs of the program, and support students’ Embark project endeavors, across all four years of the curriculum. Prior to joining the Medical Education Team, Julie served as an office assistant in the Dean’s administration, and previously, for the Oakland University School of Nursing. Julie has more than 15 years experience working with diverse populations in customer service and administrative support roles in business, K-12 and higher education. 

Karen Smith
PRISM Program Coordinator

Karen SmithKaren Smith is the PRISM Program Coordinator for OUWB.  She works closely with the program directors, faculty, and PRISM mentors to meet the operational needs of the four-year program. Prior to joining medical education, she served as an office assistant in the Dean’s administration.  Karen came to OUWB from Ohio University where she held the position of the M3 and M4 program coordinator for over ten years and has extensive experience in higher education. Karen earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University at Teaneck, N.J.

Cheryl Lim, M.Ed. 
M1 Curriculum Coordinator

An image of Cheryl LimCheryl Lim is the M1 Curriculum Coordinator for OUWB. Her primary role is to work with faculty and physicians to ensure the operational needs of the M1 courses are met. Previously, Cheryl held the position of Registrar Office Coordinator for OUWB Records and Registration. She has over 10 years of higher education experience which includes conducting degree audits, managing transcripts, delivering verification letters, and providing excellent customer service to students all while maintaining confidentiality and sensitivity regarding student information. She also works closely with students to support the learning environment and academic experience. Cheryl holds a Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership degree from Oakland University, with a focus on social justice, to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community.

Catherine (Katie) Hitt 
Curriculum Coordinator
Supporting Multiple Courses for OUWB

HittDuring the Fall Semester, Katie supports the M1 courses for OUWB. Her primary role is to assist the curriculum coordinator team, course directors, and faculty to ensure that the operational needs of the M1 courses are met. During the Winter Semester, Katie is a Preclinical Recruitment Coordinator. Her primary role is to coordinate recruiting, scheduling, training, and evaluating of physician receptors and leads at the multidisciplinary sites. Prior to working at Oakland University, Katie held administrative positions in the automotive sector working in Global Service Operations and Customer Relations. Her responsibilities included assisting the senior manager along with direct personnel, resolving out of warranty inquiries with financial authority, and reinforcing the brands commitment to the customer. Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Michigan State University.

Mary Beth VanBuskirk, M.A.
Preclinical Recruitment Coordinator

VanBuskirkMary Beth VanBuskirk is the Preclinical Recruitment Coordinator for OUWB. Her primary role is to coordinate recruiting, scheduling, training, and evaluating of physician preceptors and leads at the multidisciplinary clinical sites. Prior to this position, Mary Beth served as the OUCARES Assistant Program Coordinator. Before coming to OU, she worked in local school districts as a service-learning coordinator and school-to-career coordinator. Her responsibilities included identifying and coordinating the administrative partnerships between instructors, students, and business mentors. Mary Beth holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University.

Loretta Trader 
M2 Curriculum Coordinator

Loretta TraderLoretta Trader is the M2 Curriculum Coordinator for OUWB. Her primary role is to work with faculty and Beaumont physicians to ensure the operational needs of the M2 courses are met. Previously, Loretta held positions at Oakland University as an office assistant for the School of Education & Human Services and a processing assistant for Undergraduate Admissions. Prior to working for Oakland University, Loretta was a senior business analyst at EDS/Hewlett-Packard assigned to the General Motors account where she was responsible for workforce planning, project staffing, budget creation, managing profit and loss statements, and leading cost reduction initiatives.

Royal Oak

Francisco Davila, M.D.
Assistant Dean for Medical Education, M4


An image of Dr. Davila

Francisco Dávila Grijalva, M.D., MHPE, is the assistant dean for Medical Education, M4 year. He is an associate professor of Internal Medicine. He earned his M.D. degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. He came to the United States for residency training at Beaumont - Royal Oak and then served for a year as chief resident. He then joined the Department of Internal Medicine teaching faculty, currently working in the inpatient hospitalist service. He has also earned a Master’s degree on Health Professions Education from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Davila is involved in graduate medical education as the Transitional Year Residency program director since 2014. In his previous role in undergraduate medical education he was the internal medicine sub-internship clerkship director for seven years.

He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians (ACP) and was recognized with the ACP Michigan Chapter Governor's Award for his active contributions to the chapter as reviewer, judge and facilitator.

He is passionate about medical education and has actively sought further training in this area. He is a trained facilitator of the Stanford curriculum for medical teachers and has delivered the seminar to many faculty and residents within and outside the institution. Other courses in which he has participated are the AAMC Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) certificate program, Harvard Medical School Train to Teach in Medicine certificate program, Harvard Macy Institute Program for Educators in Health Professions and Leading Innovations in Health Care and Education.

Pradeep Kaminoulu, M.D.
Assistant Dean for Medical Education, M3

kaminoulu-pradeepPradeep Kaminoulu, M.D., is the Assistant Dean for Medical Education, M3. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and a fellow of the American College of Physicians. He received his medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean and completed his internal medicine residency with an additional chief residency year at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak.

Dr. Kaminoulu previously served as a Clerkship Director of OUWB’s Internal Medicine clerkship. He currently serves as a hospitalist and core faculty member for the internal medicine residency program at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. He also has a strong interest in the fields of patient safety and quality improvement and is responsible for incorporating them into the curriculum and education within the internal medicine residency program.

Dawn Burgess
Operations Manager 

Dawn BurgessDawn Burgess is the UME Operations Manager at Beaumont, Royal Oak. She has been employed at Beaumont Hospital for 15 years and has worked in the Department of Undergraduate Medical Education for the past 6 years. In this position, she supervises the M3/M4 Clerkship Coordinators and is responsible for all Undergraduate Medical Education experiences at the Royal Oak, Troy, and Grosse Pointe campuses.

Troy

Stephanie Goike, M.D.
Troy Site Director

[email protected]

Stephanie GoikeStephanie Goike, M.D., is the OUWB Troy Site Director. She is an assistant professor of Emergency Medicine and Faculty in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Corewell Health's Beaumont Hospital, Troy. She was a member of the charter class of OUWB where she received her medical degree in 2015. She completed her emergency medicine residency at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, where she also served as chief resident. Prior to entering medical school, Dr. Goike completed her Master’s Degree in Education at Loyola Marymount University while teaching secondary science in Los Angeles, Calif. She has strong interest in the fields of medical education and physician wellness.

Lindy Owiesny
Troy Site Coordinator

Lindsay OwiesnyLindy Owiesny is the OUWB Troy Site Coordinator and works in the Department of Undergraduate Medical Education. Lindy’s responsibilities include the coordination of medical student education for clinical clerkships and electives. She also assists the Office of Faculty Affairs in organizing and delivering faculty development programs on Corewell Health's Beaumont Hospital, Troy campus. She oversees medical student activities on the Troy campus as well as assisting with the Art and Practice of Medicine (APM) through the Clinical Skills Training and Simulation Center. She has her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and she has a diverse work history in the medical field that has aided in her transition to OUWB.