Michael Abell, M.S.
Educational Support Technologist
Michael earned his bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from Emporia State University. He then went on to earn his Graduate degree from Baker University in Instructional Design and Performance Technology. Michael joined the Office of Medical Education in July 2024. He is looking forward to working with faculty, staff, and students. Michael enjoys spending time with his family and watching sports in his free time.

Giulia Bonaminio, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education
913-588-8220
Dr. Giulia Bonaminio received her B.S. in Biology from Bowling Green State University, her M.S. and Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from The Ohio State University, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Medical Genetics at Stanford University. Dr. Bonaminio is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine. She has responsibility for oversight of the curriculum, the standardized patient program, the evaluation of courses and the curriculum, and medical education research. Dr. Bonaminio has conducted faculty development workshops locally and nationally on topics including curriculum design, small-group teaching, and evaluation.

Teresa Beacham, M.B.A.
Program Director, Phase I
Teresa Beacham received a B.G.S. in Sociology with a minor in African American Studies from the University of Kansas and completed her MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Administration at Baker University. She is currently a doctoral student in Health Policy and Management at KUMC. Before joining KUMC, she worked in the field of Graduate Medical Education as a Fellowship Program Coordinator. 

David Becker, M.D.
Medical Director, Neis Clinical Skills Laboratory
Dr. David W. Becker is an Internist by training and a lifelong Jayhawk. Dr. Becker graduated with a B.A. in Biology in 2001 from the Lawrence campus, earned his M.D. from KUMC in 2005, and completed an Internal Medicine residency in 2008. Since the training, he has stayed within the KU system as a hospitalist working beside students and residents in patient care duties. In 2017, he was named Assistant Medical Director of the Neis Clinical Skills Lab and in 2019 he became Medical Director of the Neis Clinical Skills Lab. Dr. Becker helps coordinate faculty for student assessments, writes standardized patient cases and teaching outlines, and gives feedback to learners on performance. Dr. Becker serves on multiple School of Medicine committees.

Kate Briseno, B.A.
Administrative Officer
913-588-8220
Kate earned her B.A. in Middle School Science Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She has been with KU since 2019, starting out as the Family Medicine Clerkship Coordinator. During her time as Clerkship Coordinator, she won the Student Voice Award for Outstanding Clerkship Administrator for the 2024 academic year. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, taking her dog on long walks, and putting together puzzles.

Emma Carter, B.F.A.
Senior Coordinator, Neis Clinical Skills Lab
Emma Carter earned her BFA in Theater Arts with a minor in Music at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. She started working with KUMC as a standardized patient in 2016, moving to the role of Senior Coordinator of the Neis Clinical Skills Lab in 2021. As Senior Coordinator, Emma utilizes her theatrical experience to help hire, schedule, build, and run simulated patient encounters for first, second, and third-year medical students. In her free time, she still works as a local playwright.

Ralph Corse, A.A.
Senior Coordinator, Standardized Patient Program
913-588-3426
Ralph Corse is a Senior Coordinator and helps prepare training events for medical students at all levels. He coordinates the Basic Life Support Training program and is also involved with assisting the PETA (Physical Examination Teaching Assistant) schedules. He is skilled in technical aspects and helps troubleshoot video, camera, and computer-related issues that may occur. Ralph graduated from Vatterott College with an Associate's Degree in Electronic Theory and has 15 years of experience in Electronic and IT quality control. He became an SP in 2010 and has worked with facilitating events, student orientation, as well as daily lab preparation.

Shawnalee Criss Petty, M.A.
Program Director, Phase II
913-588-9715
Shawnalee Criss Petty received her B.A. in Psychology from Avila University and her M.A. in Counseling from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She joined the Office of Medical Education in the Fall of 2014. In her spare time, she enjoys teaching Jazzercise, traveling, and visiting local art museums.

Joseph D. Fontes, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean for Foundational Sciences
913-588-9848
Dr. Joseph D. Fontes received his B.S. degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of California, Davis. Subsequently, he completed a post-doctoral fellowship studying biochemistry and molecular biology of gene transcription at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Fontes is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and researches gene transcription in the immune system. Dr. Fontes oversees foundational science content and operations of Phase I blocks in the ACE curriculum and is the Director of the Molecular and Cellular Medicine block.

Lisa Gilmer, M.D.
Assistant Dean for Clinical Sciences
913-588-2252
Dr. Lisa Gilmer is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She received her undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Kansas as well as completed pediatric residency training at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She joined the faculty in 2000. Dr. Gilmer's educational leadership spans the spectrum of learners including medical students, residents, and faculty. Currently, she serves as the Vice-Chair for Education in Pediatrics, Co-Director of the Careers and Specialty Advising Program (CASA) for medical students, Chair of the KU Academy of Medical Educators, SOM LCME Continuous Quality Improvement Committee as the immediate past president of the Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Previous roles include 15 years as the Pediatric Residency Program Director and 3 years as the first Delp Society Director in ACE as an Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. A general pediatrician, Dr. Gilmer is an active teacher. Her interests include competency-based medical education, feedback and assessment, accreditation, and mentorship.

Julie Mack, M.S.
Director, Standardized Patient Program and Neis Clinical Skills Laboratory
913-588-2259
Julie Mack is the Director of the Standardized Patient Program and the Neis Clinical Skills Lab at the University of Kansas, School of Medicine. She holds a B.S. in Music Business from Quincy University and an M.S. in Recreation and Parks Administration/Arts Administration from Western Illinois University. Ms. Mack became Director in 2008 and is responsible for supervising the Neis Clinical Skills Lab Staff in providing nearly 9,000 student/standardized patient encounters for medical and nursing students annually.

Aziah McNamara, M.A.
Program Director, Curriculum Resources and Technology
913-588-7206
Aziah McNamara received her B.Ed. in Secondary Teaching and TESL from Plymouth Marjon University in the UK and an M.A. in Linguistics from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, IL. She has been working in higher education since 2003, previously working for the following institutions: Truman College in Chicago, Kansas State University, and Fort Hays State University. Aziah is responsible for the implementation, support, and effective use of educational technologies in all aspects of the educational process in the Office of Medical Education. Whenever she unplugs from technology, she enjoys trying out new recipes, eating different types of cuisine, reading books in languages she's learning, and playing individual sports. 

David Naylor, M.D.
Assistant to Medical Director, Neis Clinical Skills Laboratory
Dr. David G. Naylor is a General Internist and has spent his career teaching on Inpatient Internal Medicine rounds. Dr. Naylor enjoys educating others on the basics, including EKGs and clinical skills. Dr. Naylor's interest and accomplishments have led him to his current position with the Neis Clinical Skills Lab as Assistant to the Director of Medicine. Dr. Naylor loves the collaboration that occurs when working in a lab environment.

Emma Nguyen, Ed.D.
Director of Assessment and Evaluation
913-588-7303
Emma Nguyen received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, her M.S. from Avila University, and her Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. Dr. Nguyen is responsible for the oversight of assessment and evaluation in undergraduate medical education, including course-based evaluations, longitudinal feedback, and institutional evaluations. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, running, and doing Krav Maga.

Pam Shaw, M.D.
Associate Dean for Medical Education
913-588-8220
Dr. Pam Shaw is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Her undergraduate degree was in Human Biology at the University of Kansas. She attended medical school and did her pediatric residency at the University of Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas. After experiencing private practice, Dr. Shaw returned to the University of Kansas in 1990 where she has been involved in the teaching and practice of general pediatrics and clinical skills. She previously served as the Assistant Dean for clinical sciences and the Medical Director of the Neis Clinical Skills lab. Her duties include Vice-Chair for Education for the Department of Pediatrics. She is the past president of the Kansas Chapter of the AAP and is currently the District Chair for District VI of the AAP. 

Tara Shirley, B.S.
Program Coordinator for Medical Education
913-945-6682

Tara Shirley received a bachelor of science in Psychology and Human Services from Friends University. She has been with the KU School of Medicine since 1999, with experience in graduate and undergraduate medical education. Tara was the pediatric residency coordinator on the Wichita campus before joining the Kansas City campus and the Office of Medical Education in March 2022. She enjoys traveling, watching KU sports, and spoiling her two boys and grandchildren.

Alexis Sisk, M.Ed.
Education Support Technologist
913-588-3410
Alexis earned her B.A. in Elementary Education and M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction: Teaching Technology from Northwest Missouri State University. She joined the office of medical education as an education support technologist in September of 2022 and is looking forward to all KUMC has to offer. Alexis' background is in education, having taught technology to grades 5-12. In her free time, Alexis enjoys playing with her kitties, taking in nature, and traveling.

Christian Steciuch, Ph.D.
Senior Research Analyst
Dr. Christian Steciuch received his B.A. in Psychology from Purdue University Northwest and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Cognitive Instructional Psychology from Northern Illinois University. He previously served as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Rockford University, teaching cognitive psychology, research methods, and neuroscience. As the Senior Research Analyst, Dr. Steciuch is responsible for conducting medical education research, serving as a consultant for faculty research projects, grant reviews, processing data usage requests, and assisting with assessment and evaluation issues. Outside of work, he enjoys reading biographies, cooking new dishes, and traveling.

Cayla Teal, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean for Assessment and Evaluation
913-588-7224
Dr. Cayla Teal received her B.S. in Chemistry from William Jewell College. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Community/Clinical Psychology, with emphases in applied research methods and psychometrics, from Wichita State University. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Health Services Research at the Center of Innovation in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety at the Michael E. DeBakey Houston VA Medical Center. She is an Education Associate Professor of Population Health and Assistant Dean for Assessment and Evaluation in the Office of Medical Education. Dr. Teal is responsible for the assessment of student performance in and program evaluation of the School of Medicine's curriculum. She is a mixed-methods medical education researcher, an Associate Editor for Medical Education Online, and a Deputy Editor for Teaching and Learning in Medicine, and currently serves as the national chair for the Medical Education Scholarship, Research and Evaluation section at the AAMC. She enjoys hiking, working outside, hanging out with her dogs and cats, and reading. 

Charles Waller, M.A.
Evaluation and Information Resource Specialist
913-588-7200
Charles Waller received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and his Master of Arts in Quantitative Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University. He joined the University of Kansas Medical Center, Office of Medical Education in the Spring of 2020. He is responsible for Phase II assessment and evaluation consultation, data analysis, and reporting. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and pets, listening to podcasts, and learning new skills.

Samantha Wassenaar, L.M.S.W.
Program Coordinator for Assessment and Evaluation
913-588-7607
Samantha Wassenaar is the Program Coordinator for Assessment and Evaluation and works closely with the Assessment and Evaluation team and the SER week activities. She is a licensed social worker and obtained her degree from Baylor University. She is responsible for developing and collecting curriculum evaluations and the creation of block exams for years 1 and 2 of the medical student curriculum. She is responsible for developing and collecting curriculum evaluations and the creation of module exams for the Phase I curriculum. She is originally from Iowa and completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Family Services and Gerontology.

Malik Williams, B.A.
Program Coordinator for Medical Education
913-945-6671

Malik Williams received his Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A), from South University in 2023. Malik has been with KU for three years, working on the Health System and University sides. Malik has primarily been focused on business administrative operations, holding many positions, from an Intensive Care Unit Admin to a Psychology Administrative Assistant. As a Program Coordinator, Malik supports a variety of curriculum activities. He organizes the Problem-Based-Learning (PBL) cases and schedules PBL facilitators; organizes the Case-Based-Collaborative-Learning (CBCL) cases and session faculty; and coordinates ICM 900.

Laurel Witt, M.D., M.Phil
Assistant Dean for Foundational Sciences

Dr. Laurel Witt is a Family Medicine Physician, practicing in the hospital and outpatient settings. She teaches medical students in all four years of the curriculum, including in lectures, flipped classrooms, problem-based learning, and bedside teaching, and she serves on multiple School of Medicine and curriculum committees. Dr. Witt earned a B.A. in English literature from The College of William & Mary, an M.Phil in Anglo-Irish literature from Trinity College Dublin, and an M.D. from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She completed residency in Family Medicine at Oregon Health Sciences University and practiced full scope Family Medicine in rural Eastern Oregon before happily moving home to Kansas City to join the KU faculty in 2016. She is delighted to come to work to teach medical students every day.