Developing Strong Leadership

DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Dean Eric Elster

Eric Elster, MD, CAPT, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy (RET)

The Dean is the Chief Academic Officer of the School of Medicine and is responsible for the SoM’s degree program curricula. In addition to overseeing the curriculum, the Dean is responsible for recruiting and hiring qualified faculty, and guiding the SoM’s research portfolio to emphasize military-relevant research areas. The Dean also works to foster a safe, inclusive, and productive environment for student and faculty development.

 

VICE DEAN FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Brian Reamy

Brian V. Reamy, MD, Col (Ret), USAF, MC

The Office of Academic Affairs plays a key role in guiding the school's medical education programs, substantially shapes our approach to LCME accreditation, and ensures that USU graduates physician-leaders of the highest caliber for the Military Health System and the Public Health Service.

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION

Catherine Witkop

Catherine Takacs Witkop, MD, MPH, Col (Ret), USAF, MC

The Associate Dean for Medical Education oversees the SoM’s programmatic evaluation process, maintaining familiarity with the standards and policies of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the Association of American Medical Colleges, and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Additionally, the Associate Dean for ME coordinates institutional self-studies and submits recurring and/or interim reports required to maintain institutional and programmatic accreditation.

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS

COL Ashley Maranich

Ashley M. Maranich, MD, MHPE, COL, USA MC

The Associate Dean for Student Affairs (ADSA) oversees the quality of student life and serves as an ombudsman, charged with understanding and representing the student viewpoint in policy decisions. The ADSA, along with the Assistant Dean for Clinical Science, is responsible for the School of Medicine’s academic standard in the clinical sciences as well as the continued personal and professional growth and development of individual students throughout their clinical years. The ADSA serves on standing committees that directly affect students, including the Curriculum Committee, Student Promotions Committee, Awards Committee (Chairman), and Board of Review for Inter-Service Transfers; as well as serving as the Dean’s representative in national organizations that involve students, such as the Association of American Medical Colleges.

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR FACULTY AFFAIRS

Jessica Servey

Jessica Servey, MD, MHPE, Col (Ret), USAF, MC

The Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs serves as an advocate for all School of Medicine faculty, and oversees appointments and promotions within the School of Medicine. Through the Faculty Development Certificate Program and the Faculty Development Self-Service Site, the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs promotes professional and academic development for all educators teaching within the Military Health System. The Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs serves as a faculty advisor and promotes a supportive and inclusive academic environment that enhances and rewards the activities of all SOM faculty on campus, throughout the United States, and around the world.  

ASSOCIATE DEAN OF COMMUNITY AND EDUCATIONAL CULTURE

Jessica Bunin

Jessica L. Bunin, MD, COL, USA, MC (Ret)

The Associate Dean of Community and Educational Culture ensures that the School of Medicine prepares students to care for a diverse patient population, lead in complex cultural environments, and adapt to our nation’s future needs.

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR CURRICULUM

Arnyce Pock

Arnyce R. Pock, MD, Col (Ret), USAF, MC

The Associate Dean for Curriculum manages day-to-day implementation of the School of Medicine’s “Molecules to Military Medicine” curriculum. Working closely with the Executive Curriculum Committee, the Associate Dean for Curriculum works to ensure that the School of Medicine’s curriculum provides an exemplary medical education, while also preparing students for careers in military medicine and advanced leadership positions.

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR GRADUATE EDUCATION

Saibal Dey

Saibal Dey, PhD

The Associate Dean for Graduate Education oversees the School of Medicine’s graduate programs, preparing students for productive and rewarding careers in the biomedical sciences and public health, and maintaining a commitment to excellence in the didactic and research training of masters and doctoral degree students.

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION

Jerri Curtis

Jerri Curtis, MD, CAPT, MC, USN (Ret)

The Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education acts as a liaison to the National Capital Consortium, ensuring that Consortium-sponsored programs comply with ACGME program requirements, and instilling in students the ethical values and standards expected of professionals in public service.

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RECRUITMENT & ADMISSIONS

Danielle Holt

Danielle Holt, MD, COL, USA MC

The Associate Dean for Recruitment and Admissions manages the gateway to military medicine for one-fifth of the future active component of physicians. The Office of Recruitment and Admissions comprises two divisions: the Recruitment Division and the Admissions Division. The Recruitment Division actively cultivates prospective student interest through campus visits, via traditional and social media, and by collaborating with networks and partners, including the medical recruiting branches of each service. The Admissions Division accepts and processes applications to the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine and manages the admissions process. Admissions counselors are available to answer applicant questions by phone (800-772-1743) or email (admissions@usuhs.edu). 

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RESEARCH

USU ranks among the top 7% in research funding among U.S. institutions, and School of Medicine faculty engage in important military-centered biomedical research spanning a range of topics. The Associate Dean for Research mentors junior researchers, facilitates research processes,  and investigates new research opportunities for the School of Medicine.

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR SIMULATION EDUCATION

Patrick Monahan

Patrick Monahan, MD, MPH, Col, USAF MC (Ret)

The Associate Dean for Simulation Education oversees the Val G. Hemming Simulation Center, a world leader in the development and application of medical simulation programs. Each year, this center delivers over 38,000 hours of interactive instruction using simulated patients (SPs), human patient simulators (mannequins), task trainers, and virtual reality to medical students, graduate nursing students, physicians, and allied health personnel.

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR ASSESSMENT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Lisa Moores

Lisa Moores, MD, COL, MC, USA (Ret.)

The Associate Dean for Assessment and Professional Development directs student assessment across all School of Medicine courses, modules, and clerkships; as well as conducting programmatic evaluation for each curricular component and the longitudinal program of clinical skills. The Associate Dean for Assessment and Professional Development manages a comprehensive and innovative program of student assessment, programmatic evaluation, and remediation. Working closely with the Associate Dean for Graduate Education and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, the Associate Dean for Assessment and Professional Development also provides professional and career development services to our medical and graduate students.  

Associate Dean for Clinical Education

Pamela Williams

Pamela Williams, MD, Col (Ret), USAF, MC

The Associate Dean for Clinical Education is the principal administrator and advisor regarding clinical education of medical students at USU and across the entire Military Health System (MHS), overseeing all accreditation and clinical educational program development activities. The ADCE is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining clinical curricula that integrate clinical experiences with basic sciences that are fundamental to medicine, with the objective of enhancing medical students’ learning and subsequent performance as military physicians. As the Ex-Officio member of the Executive Curriculum Committee and Director of the Council of Clerkship Directors, the ADCE ensures adherence to uniform standards for curriculum  development, grading, competency assessment and clerkship oversight across all MHS teaching sites. The ADCE also develops and implements policies and procedures for continued accreditation and serves as a subject matter expert for Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accreditation. 

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR REGIONAL EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT, SAN DIEGO

Natalie Burman

Natalie Burman, DO, CAPT, MC, USN (Ret)

The Associate Dean for Regional Education and Academic Support is responsible for management, planning, coordination, and administration of the School of Medicine’s medical education and faculty development programs in the San Diego region’s Military Treatment Facilities. Serving as a local mentoring resource for students and faculty, the Associate Dean for Regional Education and Academic Support provides technical consultation and support to the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Dean of the School of Medicine on assigned medical education programs and activities.

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR REGIONAL EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT, SAN ANTONIO

David A. Lindholm, MD

David A. Lindholm, MD, Lt Col, USAF MC

The Associate Dean for Regional Education and Academic Support is responsible for management, planning, coordination, and administration of the School of Medicine’s medical education and faculty development programs in the San Antonio region’s Military Treatment Facilities. Serving as a local mentoring resource for students and faculty, the Associate Dean for Regional Education and Academic Support provides technical consultation and support to the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Dean of the School of Medicine on assigned medical education programs and activities.

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR REGIONAL EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT, PORTSMOUTH

Andrew Thagard

Andrew Thagard, MD, LtCol, USAF, MC

The Associate Dean for Regional Education and Academic Support is responsible for management, planning, coordination, and administration of the School of Medicine’s medical education and faculty development programs in the Portsmouth region’s Military Treatment Facilities. Serving as a local mentoring resource for students and faculty, the Associate Dean for Regional Education and Academic Support provides technical consultation and support to the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Dean of the School of Medicine on assigned medical education programs and activities.

COMMANDANT

The Office of the Commandant provides military leadership, teaches and instills officership, and supports medical education and professional development so that each student achieves the goal of becoming a world class military physician.

The Commandant team helps students understand the expectations and benefits of their respective service. If students ever have questions about healthcare, housing allowance, career development, or any other service-related issue, the Commandant team will have the answer.

COMMANDANT, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Jay Dintaman

Jay Dintaman, MD, FAAP,  COL, MC, USA

The Commandant is the officer-in-charge of all military students assigned to the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine. The Commandant reports to the Brigade Commander and serves as the military advisor to the Dean of the SoM. Additionally, the Commandant is the Deputy Brigade Commander and Advisor to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. The Commandant provides service-specific military career counseling and officer professional development resources; models and fosters professional leadership and officership; directs service-specific mandated programs such as physical fitness, weight control, drug testing, officer professional development, and equal opportunity; and facilitates military administrative requirements.

With the support of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Public Health Service Company Commanders, the Commandant exercises command and control over the medical and graduate students assigned to the University.

 

COMPANY COMMANDERS

The Company Commanders serve as military professional role models and are responsible for medical students’ Officer Professional Development, welfare, morale, and readiness. They supervise and manage all administrative aspects of the company, including officer evaluations, conduct and appearance, physical fitness testing, weight management, financial management, career development counseling, and drug and alcohol testing. The Company Commanders also serve as faculty members in the Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, assisting with instruction of courses in basic field medical skills and combat medical skills. Each Company Commander serves as an advisor to the Commandant on all matters pertaining to the professional development of student officers in all the branches of service represented at USU.

Army Company Commander

Derek H. Arndt, CPT, AN, USA

Navy Company Commander

LT Amanda Rabbitt, MSC, USN

Air Force Company Commander

Lt Col Melinda Boyd, USAF, BSC

USPHS Company Commander

LCDR Devin Cooper

USCG Company Commander

LCDR Swati Singh, MD, USPHS, USCG

GEO/EMDP2 Company Commander

CPT Jamaal Jones, USA, BSN, RN

ENLISTED ADVISORS

The Company Enlisted Advisors assist their Company Commanders in all matters relating to the professional development of medical students. This includes conducting formations and inspections, providing guidance to students on their respective Company policies, instructions, and regulations; and providing a positive example of the credibility and capabilities of the NCO Corps. Additionally, Enlisted advisors take an active role in preparing students for field exercises.

Army Company Enlisted Advisor

SFC Robert Jewell, USA

Navy Company and PHS Company Enlisted Advisor

HMC Damien Todd, USN

Air Force Squadron Enlisted Advisor

MSgt Eric Bentley, USAF

GEO/EMDP2 Senior Enlisted Advisor

HMC Leon Garland, USN