Meet the Student Affairs Team

Laurie Sullivan, PhD
Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Wellbeing
(862) 660-5019
laurie.sullivan@hmhn.org

Provides leadership and strategic direction for the Office of Student Affairs and Wellbeing
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 strategy, structure, and guidance for programming, policy, and procedural development that supports student academic success and well-being.

Staci T. White, MPA, CLC
Director, Student Affairs and Wellbeing
(862) 660-5121
staci.white@hmhn.org

Provides oversight for planning, staffing, and day-to-day operations.

Lisa Marie Bronson, BA, NBC-HWC
Wellness Coordinator
(862) 660-5038
lisa.bronson@hmhn.org

Coordinates wellness workshops, services, and programming for the Office of Student Affairs and Wellbeing.
Advisor to the Wellness Committee.

Pankti Rana, MBA, CAPM
Administrative Assistant II
(862) 660-5141
pankti.rana@hmhn.org

Provides primary administrative support to the Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, and the Director of Student Affairs and Wellbeing.
Supports projects and programming for Student Affairs and Wellbeing department.

Heather Mills, MSW
Support Services Coordinator
heather.mills@hmhn.org

Responsible for outreach and response to students with needs that may present barriers to their retention and/or graduation and connecting students with appropriate resources.

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

Responsible for the daily management of student compliance for the School of Medicine.

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

Responsible for coordinating all aspects of student-facing events for the Office of Student Affairs and Wellbeing.

Marie Thompson
Special Events Coordinator
862-660-5166
marie.thompson@hmhn.org

Responsible for coordinating all aspects of student-facing events for the Office of Student Affairs and Wellbeing.

Alexandria O’Brien
Student Life Leadership Coordinator
(862) 660-5113
alexandria.obrien@hmhn.org

Supports the Student Government Association, all student organizations, and special interest groups.
Editor for the Office of Student Affairs and Wellbeing Newsletter.

Iris Ortiz
Administrative Assistant I
irirs.ortiz1@hmhn.org

Handles all room reservations for classes, events, and meetings for the School of Medicine.
Provides Administrative support to Student Affairs and Wellbeing department.

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

Jaimie Dubicki, MBA
Transitions Coordinator
jaimie.dubicki@hmhn.org

Rachel Roth, MBA
Assistant Registrar
rachel.roth@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.

Lindsey Dedow, PsyD

Assistant Dean

lindsey.dedow@hmhn.org | 862-660-5106

As the leader of the entire Advising and Career Development team, Dr. Dedow sets the strategic direction for the department's programs and staff. She directly oversees key student- and faculty-facing initiatives, including the "Road to Residency" program, faculty mentoring, Phase 3 advising, the Student Advisory Board, and leaves of absence. When she isn't in the office, Dr. Dedow loves to be outdoors, whether she's hiking, biking, camping, or skiing. She also enjoys knitting, practices mindfulness and holistic health, and unwinds by watching the BBC on PBS.

Rachel Cirelli, MA

Director

rachel.cirelli@hmhn.org | 862-660-5106

As a leader in the Office of Advising and Career Development, Ms. Cirelli oversees the department's daily operations and staff. She spearheads essential student programs, from managing the Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) process and mentoring platform to developing the Careers in Medicine workshops. When she's not in the office, she enjoys a mix of creative and active pursuits, including hiking, yoga, writing, fashion, and comedy.

Tyler Sampson, MSW

Assistant Director

Tyler.Sampson@hmhn.org | 862-660-5014

Mr. Sampson connects students with career opportunities by serving as the Advising Liaison for the Specialty Interest Group (SIG) leaders and their faculty advisors. Additionally, he provides integral support to the broader Advising and Career Development unit and its leadership. In his free time, Tyler is a gamer and writer who loves exploring new places and cuisines.

Natalie Aloyets Artel, MSW

Senior Advisor

natalie.aloyetsartel@hmhn.org | 862-660-5012

Ms. Aloyets-Artel works directly with medical students, offering one-on-one and group advising to help them navigate their academic and professional journeys. Her support covers everything from exploring medical specialties and setting goals to creating ILPs and planning for Phase 3. When she isn't advising students, Natalie loves to travel, read, stay active, and enjoy time with family and friends.

YoungJae Lee, MBA, LCSW

Senior Residency Advisor

youngjae.lee@hmhn.org | 862-660-5158

Ms. Lee empowers medical students to successfully navigate the residency application process. She directs the "Roadmap to Residency" program and develops a comprehensive suite of workshops and services to support students at every step. Through both one-on-one advising and group sessions, she provides the guidance students need to achieve their career goals. When she's not in the office, Youngjae enjoys walking her dogs, staying active, reading, and the art of organizing.

Albaliz Tello

Senior Residency Advisor

albaliz.tello@hmhn.org | 862-660-5013

Dr. Tello empowers medical students to successfully navigate the residency application process. She directs the "Roadmap to Residency" program, developing a comprehensive suite of workshops and services to help students put their best foot forward. Through one-on-one and group advising, she provides the personalized guidance students need to achieve their career goals. When not advising students, Alby is a devoted animal lover who loves being outdoors, traveling to new places and staying active.

Dwayne Kelly, MPA

Senior Advisor

Dwayne.Kelly@hmhn.org | 862-660-5015

Mr. Kelly partners with medical students to help them navigate their path from the classroom to their careers. Through one-on-one and group advising, he helps them explore medical specialties, set achievable goals, and build effective career strategies.When he's not advising students, Dwayne is an avid gamer and car enthusiast who loves to travel and experience new cultures. He is also dedicated to mentoring others and his own journey of self-mastery.

Sara Herman, MSW, LSW

Senior Advisor

sara.herman@hmhn.org | 862-660-5164

Ms. Herman partners with medical students to help them chart their academic and professional paths. Her guidance covers everything from exploring medical specialties and setting goals to creating effective ILPs and planning for Phase 3. She also runs the Accountability group for M1s and M2s. When she's not in the office, Sara can often be found treasure hunting in thrift stores, gardening, or enjoying an adventure with her family. She also loves listening to music and staying active in nature.

Yaa (Nana) Opoku-Mensah, MPH

Senior Advisor

yaa.opoku-mensah@hmhn.org | 862-660-5100

Ms. Opoku-Mensah partners with medical students to help them navigate their academic and professional journeys. Her guidance covers everything from exploring medical specialties and setting goals to creating effective ILPs and planning for Phase 3. When she's not advising students, she is an avid baker and painter who also loves exploring new cuisines and getting lost in a good book.

Priyadarshini Dattathreya, MBBS, MD, MMed
Manager, ACE
(862) 660-5134
priyadarshini.dattathreya@hmhn.org

Provides overall leadership for the effective development, planning, implementation, and functioning of the program and service offerings for all academic support activities and initiatives that impact student success.
Provides academic support to students through individual, small group and large group sessions.

Jasmine Mathew, MPH, MCHES
Medical Education Learning Specialist
(862) 660-5163
jasmine.mathew@hmhn.org

Develops 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.
Organizes educational programming, resources, and workshops centered on knowledge acquisition, effective approaches for different courses, and self-efficacy in independent, life-long professional learning.

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

Responsibilities

Conducts intake interviews with prospective, new, and currently enrolled students who are interested in obtaining accommodations for a disability.
Ensures HMSOM’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Daniel Chan, MA/MS
Assistant Director of Student Accessibility Services
(862) 660-5077
daniel.chan@hmhn.org

Responsibilities

Manages all aspects and processes for Phase 1 and Phase 2 exams at HMSOM.
Serves as a resource for faculty, staff and students for disability related matters.

Shania Hemphill, BA
Access Assistant
shania.hemphill@hmhn.org

Responsibilities

Chief Proctor for students with academic accommodations (e.g., Subject/Shelf exams, and CBSE).
Provides primary administrative support to the Associate Assistant Dean and/or Directors of the Office of Student Affairs.

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

Oversees the processes that address reported concerns or claims of sex-based or gender-based harassment, discrimination, misconduct, or violence.
Ensures appropriate responsive action and discipline are implemented as may be prescribed by policy and/or law and that there is no retaliation nor recurrence.

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