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Office of Student Affairs and Wellbeing
Registrar’s Office
Advising and Career Development
Academic Support

Office of Student Affairs and Wellbeing

Laurie Sullivan, PhD
Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Well-being
Laurie Sullivan, PhD
(973) 542-6678
laurie.sullivan@hmhn.org

• Contact Dr. Sullivan with questions about accommodations, student well-being and support.

Naomi Ambalu, DO
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Wellbeing
Naomi.ambalu@hmhn.org 

• Provides overall strategy, structure, guidance, and leadership for the effective planning, implementation, and functioning of services that support students who are remediating and struggling in their success in the academic program.
• Develops and implements standards, programs, policies and procedures consistent with school requirements and needs.
• Conducts ongoing assessment and reporting on programmatic and student learning outcomes and impact of the Office of Student Affairs and Wellbeing services.
• Collaborates on critical student need areas such as accessibility, wellness, conduct, psychological services, and identifying and responding to students of concern and creating a community of care.   

Hobbies: Spending time with family, reading, exercising, traveling

Jessica M. Lucas, MPA
Director of Student Affairs and Wellbeing
(862) 660-5046
Jessica.lucas@hmhn.org

• Oversees the operations of the Office of Student Affairs and Wellbeing
• Works collaboratively with the Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Wellbeing on design, development, implementation and monitoring of office operations as well as student services, policies, procedures and programming
• Conceptualizes and oversees student milestone events and other SOM programs
• Advices and supports the Student Government Association, Student Interest Groups, and other student organizations
• Advocates for the success, quality of life and wellbeing of all medical students during their matriculation at HMSOM

Hobbies: Dancing, reading, travel, event design, & wine tasting

Susan Reilly
Student Life Coordinator
susan.reilly@hmhn.org

• Overseas all SOM Students Compliance Regulations
• Onboarding and monitoring Student Compliance Documents with Vendor
• Work directly with Hospitals Site Medical Education Departments clearing students
• Scheduling and Coordinating Yearly Immunization Requirements for students
• Processing Student Attestations as needed
• Monitoring and tracking students MySuccess Modules
• Scheduling and tracking students BLS/CPR/FIT testing

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking/Baking, Entertaining, Live Theatre, Pilates, Growing my Herb Garden, spending as much time as possible with my almost 2 year old Grandson, Brody.

Lisa Marie Bronson
Wellness Coordinator
(862) 660-5038
Lisa.Bronson@hmhn.org

• Coordinates wellness workshops, services and programming for the Office of Student Affairs and Wellbeing
• Provides one-on-one wellness coaching to medical students
• Advises the Wellness Committee and wellness-oriented student groups
• Researches & advocates for policies that support a culture of wellness

Hobbies: Permaculture gardening, integrative medicine and nutrition, mental health, mindfulness and social justice

Jennifer Tunnicliffe
Special Events Coordinator
862-880-3468
jennifer.tunnicliffe@hmhn.org

• Responsible for coordinating all aspects of the student milestone events for the Office of Student Affairs and Wellbeing at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, from the conceptual stage, through all the planning and promotion, up to and including the follow through after the event.
• Coordinates all aspects of annual events including; Commencement, White Coat Ceremony, Match Day, Clinical Transition Ceremony.
• Handles all room reservations for classes, events, and meetings for the School of Medicine

Volunteer Activities: President of the West Orange Board of Education, President of the West Orange Women’s Club

Alexandria O’Brien
Administrative Assistant
(862) 660-5113
alexandria.obrien@hmhn.org

• Provides primary administrative support to the Associate Assistant Dean and the Director of Student Affairs and Wellbeing to include scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, organizing travel arrangements, preparing/organizing/filing correspondence, and managing calendars.
• Oversees and supports the Student Government Association, all student organizations, and special interest groups.
• Assists the Associate / Assistant Dean and the Director of Student Affairs and Wellbeing with key department projects/priorities, to include reviewing reports, purchases, expenses, and assisting with event planning.

Hobbies: Reading, writing poetry, playing video games, crocheting, mental health initiatives, going to shows/concerts, watching horror movies.

Registrar’s Office

Deborah Ebbert, MA, MS
Registrar
(862) 660-5110
deborah.ebbert@hmhn.org

Assist students with:

• Transcripts, letters of enrollment, and other verifications that require the official school seal.
• SOMA Portal administration, training, and assistance.
• Guide publication as well as other student information materials for Step Exams, ERAS, and Away Electives, to name a few.
• Online forms for official reporting of student requests such as course changes and grade appeals.
• Degree conferral, mailing of diplomas, and graduation verification.

Hobbies: building miniature dollhouses, serving the needs of two senior wiener dogs, and collecting tiaras.

Yaa (Nana) Opoku-Mensah
Transitions Coordinator
862-660-5100
yaa.opoku-mensah@hmhn.org

• Develops, plans, and manages different aspects of student transitions including alternative schedules, residency application process and student record tracking, transition planning, NBME board exams and graduation milestones. 
• Ensures documentation and compliance with milestones throughout the curriculum as required for graduation.

Hobbies/Interest: Baking/Cooking, Netflix, painting, reading, event decor, hiking, public health, mental health, health disparities, & coding

Advising and Career Development

Lindsey Dedow, PsyD
Director of Advising and Career Development
(862) 660-5106
lindsey.dedow@hmhn.org

• Oversees operations, programs and staff of the Office of Advising and Career Development, including the ILP process, mentoring, Pre-Clerkship Career Exploration (shadowing), Careers in Medicine career development programming, and the residency application process,
• HMSOM Liaison to AAMC, Careers in Medicine, VSLO, ERAS and NRMP
• Coordinates advising integration with P3R and Phase 3 Planning.
• Coordinates student support integration with Academic Support, Wellness, and Office of Medical Education
• Provides individual advising and career development services including: medical specialty exploration, residency application, goal setting, course selection, clerkship scheduling, academic support, career planning, personal advising, and locating resources.
• Meets with students individually on an approximately quarterly basis to assist with developing each student’s Individualized Learning Plan and Phase 3.

Hobbies: Outdoor activities (hiking, biking, camping, skiing, etc), knitting, mindfulness and holistic health, watching the BBC on PBS.

Natalie Aloyets Artel, MSW
Advisor
(862) 660-5012
natalie.aloyetsartel@hmhn.org

• Provides individual and group advising and career development services to medical students including medical specialty exploration, residency application, goal setting, phase 3 planning, career planning, personal advising, and locating resources.
• Meets with students individually to assist with developing their Individualized Learning Plan and Phase 3 plans
• Refers medical students to additional career and personal support resources from the School of Medicine, the Hackensack Meridian Health Network, and community as needed.
• Works on special projects for the Office of Advising and Career Development and supports all SOM Office of Student Affairs and Wellness programming

Hobbies: Reading, exercise, traveling, and spending time with family and friends

Jean Deo, PhD
Advisor
(862) 660-5103
jean.deo@hmhn.org

• Provides individual and group advising and career development services to medical students, including medical specialty exploration, extracurricular planning, development of Individualized Learning Plans, phase 3 and residency planning and personal and professional development.
• Works alongside the advising team to create and present career development events including the Careers in Medicine Series and Residency preparedness workshops.
• Designs programming and services around residency application support as part of the Advising and Career Development course.
• Acts as the advising liaison to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, helping connect students with research opportunities and assess their academic readiness to engage in scholarly work.
• Serves on the Complex Learning and Phase 3 working groups.

Hobbies: bird watching, hiking, reading, traveling, and spoiling my rescue dog, Chip.

Dwayne Kelly, MPA
Advisor
862 660 5015
Dwayne.Kelly@hmhn.org

• Provides individual and group advising and career development services to medical students including medical specialty exploration, residency application, goal setting, phase 3 planning, career planning, personal advising, and locating resources.
• Meets with students individually to assist with developing their Individualized Learning Plan and Phase 3 plans
• Works collaboratively with the Advising Team in developing, planning, and leading workshops and seminars on relevant career advising topics.
• Refers medical students to additional career and personal support resources from the School of Medicine, the Hackensack Meridian Health Network, and community as needed.
• Works on special projects for the Office of Advising and Career Development and supports all SOM Office of Student Affairs and Wellness programming

Hobbies: Gaming, Travel, foodie, exploring new places and cultures, working with cars, mentoring,self-mastery enthusiast.

Tyler Sampson, MSW
Advisor
(862) 660-5014
Tyler.Sampson@hmhn.org

• Provides individual and group advising and career development services to medical students.
• Works collaboratively with the Advising Team in developing, planning, and leading workshops and seminars on relevant career advising topics.
• Advising Liaison to the Specialty Interest Groups (SIG).
• Refers medical students to additional career and personal support resources from the School of Medicine, the Hackensack Meridian Health Network, and community as needed.

Hobbies: Gaming, writing, foodie and exploring new places.

Kyle D. Younger, EdD
Advisor
(862) 660-5013
Kyle.Younger@hmhn.org

• Provides individual and group advising and career development services to medical students.
• Refers medical students to additional career and personal support resources from the School of Medicine, the Hackensack Meridian Health Network, and community as needed.
• Oversees the Pre-Clerkship Career Exploration Activity program.
• Serves on the Complex Learning Working Group.

Hobbies: Music, reading, writing, theater and astronomy

Academic Support

Brian Gorman, MD
Medical Education Learning Specialist
(862) 660-5086
brian.gorman@hmhn.org

• Develop individualized collaborative study plans for medical students to address learning  skills, time and study management, knowledge organization, testing skills/preparation,  and other areas of academic concern. 
• Collaborate with faculty to offer supplementary academic services to compliment  coursework and assist in developing individualized plans for students 
• Organize comprehensive NBME shelf, USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK preparation plans  and workshops for medical students.
• Assist in developing a Peer Tutoring Program for delivery  of small group instruction and review to support academic performance during a course.

Priyadarshini Dattathreya MBBS, MD, MMed
Medical Education Learning Specialist
(862) 660-5134
priyadarshini.dattathreya@hmhn.org

• Works with students individually to explore their learning needs and helps them adopt evidence-based learning strategies.
• Develops resources to enhance active learning to promote long-term retention and problem-solving.
• Monitors the academic progress of students and assists them in developing individualized study plans.
• Assists students to optimally prepare for summative exams

Student Accessibility Services

Grace Bandoh, PhD
Director of Disability Services
(970) 402-8710
grace.bandoh@hmhn.org

• Conducts intake interviews with prospective, new, and currently enrolled students who are interested in obtaining accommodations for a disability.
• Oversees the collection and review of student disability documentation (i.e., medical, psychological, and educational documentation) to determine appropriate academic accommodations.
• Maintains an ongoing relationship with students with disabilities as needed to provide appropriate interventions and support.
• Responds to, consults with and/or provides information to students, faculty, staff, and campus partners regarding accommodations.
• Ensures HMSOM’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Hobbies: Internet Surfing, Watching TV, Traveling, Walking, and Shopping.

Dana Cureton
Access Assistant
(862) 660-5122
dana.cureton@hmhn.org

• Assist accommodated students with academic tasks
• Provide access to clinical settings/medical facilities
• Coordinate assistive technology and scribing

Interests: Spiritual wellness, nature walks, reading, serving the community, listening to all genres of music, cooking and trying foods from different cultures.

Shania Hemphill
Access Assistant
(862) 660-5001
shania.hemphill@hmhn.org

• Assist accommodated students with academic tasks.
• Chief Proctor & Chief Examiner for accommodate students.

Interests: Exploring New Places, Enjoy Learning New Things, Broad Musical Taste, Shopaholic, Love Keeping Myself Glammed Up, Pink and Olive Green are my Favorite Colors, and I’m a Pisces.

Title IX Coordinator

Diane Russo
Title IX Coordinator
(862) 660-5124
Diane.Russo@hmhn.org

• Coordinates the School’s Title IX efforts, including the development, implementation and monitoring of appropriate disclosures, policies, procedures, and practices designed to comply with federal and state legislation, regulation, and case law requiring the prompt and equitable resolution of Title IX and sex discrimination complaints.
• Oversees Formal Complaints and Procedures and ensures timely resolution of all reports of sex discrimination, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking involving members of the School community.
• Ensures responsive action and discipline are implemented and that there is no retaliation or recurrence.

Hobbies: Barre, Yoga, LISS exercise classes; hiking; reading; shopping; spending time with family and friends; walks with my favorite Morkie, Penny.