Our Staff
Joseph C. Kolars, M.D. is the Senior Associate Dean for Education and Global Initiatives at the Medical School. He serves as the medical school's lead for the oversight and expansion of both its educational mission and its global initiatives. Says James O. Woolliscroft , M.D., the medical school's dean and Lyle C. Roll Professor of Medicine, “In his new role, Dr. Kolars will lead our efforts to enhance the full spectrum of medical training, from undergraduate to continuing education, biomedical research education, and bring it together with global impact.”
A gastroenterologist, Kolars currently holds several positions at the Mayo Clinic , including professor of medicine, emeritus residency program director in the Department of Internal Medicine, and consultant to the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Since late 2007, Kolars has divided his time between the Mayo Clinic and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , where he works on education systems that will build human resource capacity to transform health. He will continue to work on these initiatives on behalf of the Gates Foundation after he arrives at Michigan.
Kolars has focused his career on physician education and has held a number of leadership roles in education programs for medical students, residents, and fellows, including program director of one of the largest internal medicine residencies in the U.S. His scholarship has largely emphasized educational outcomes, measurements of competency, faculty development, and effective learning venues. Most recently, he has worked with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education on its Educational Innovations Project, designed to reform graduate medical education.
His extensive experience worldwide uniquely qualifies him for leading the University of Michigan Medical School's global initiatives. He has been involved in numerous faculty development programs worldwide. He has given lectures or conducted classes in many parts of the globe, including China, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Peru, Germany, Pakistan, South Africa, Ghana, and Vietnam. For more than three years, he lived in Shanghai with his family to establish a new healthcare system that could also serve as a learning site for local physicians.
Kolars obtained his M.D. degree in 1982 from the University of Minnesota Medical School and then completed his gastroenterology fellowship training at Michigan. He stayed at the University of Michigan , first as an instructor in the Department of Internal Medicine in 1989, then as an assistant professor in 1991, and as an associate professor with tenure in 1995. He served as associate chair for Graduate Medical Education and Residency Program Director in the Department of Internal Medicine from 1993 to 1996. He has maintained his affiliation with Michigan by serving as an adjunct associate professor of medicine since 1999.
Timothy R. B. Johnson,
M.D., Ph.D.Timothy R. B. Johnson, M.D., Ph.D., is Bates Professor and chair of the University of Michigan Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is also Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, professor of women's studies, and research professor in the Center for Human Growth and Development.
Johnson received his education and training at the University of Michigan, University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins University. After service in the U.S. Air Force, he rejoined the Johns Hopkins faculty, where he eventually became director of the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine.
Since 1993, Johnson has served as chair of the U-M Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has seen its national rankings rise to the top 10 by the National Institutes of Health and U.S. News and World Report.
Johnson has received research and training grants from NIH, Department of Health and Human Services and Carnegie Corporation. He is active in international teaching and training, particulalry in Ghana, Africa and is an honorary fellow of the West African College of Surgeons.
Johnson has authored more than 200 research articles and chapters, and has served on numerous editorial boards, study sections, professional committees, societies and boards. He is an elected member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science.
In 2005, Johnson received the Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. In 2007, he was appointed editor of the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and is president-elect (2007-2008) of the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
Cheryl A. Moyer, M.P.H.
Cheryl A. Moyer, M.P.H., is a senior research associate and research director of Global REACH. Her interests include quality of life research, outcomes research, instrument development, research methodology, and patient-provider communication.
Moyer’s responsibilities at Global REACH include identifying research opportunities, writing grants, and directing ongoing research projects. One example of her current projects involves working with collaborators in China to assess faculty development needs of Chinese medical educators.
Moyer has been Research Director of Global REACH since its inception.
Kate DurandKate Durand is the administrator for Global REACH and handles day-to-day operations, and develops and manages the Global REACH budget.
She is also the Medical School International Program's Manager for international students experiences for our students and international students coming to UMMS. She provides resources, orientation, and information to medical students seeking international experiences, whether its for a M1/M2 service/learning/research trip or an M4 international clinical rotation.
Durand is the Student Alliance for Global REACH (SAGR) liaison, working with them each year to improve processes for trips, funding, and resources. Kate assists students with fundraising issues, clarifying policies and practices for international travel and meeting with the student leadership to promote new projects, and provide historical information for SAGR's past accomplishments and support SAGR in reaching new goals for the group each year.
Kate is an avid promoter of the contributions medical students make to developing countries during their time in medical school. She and her staff develop the annual Service/Learning/Research trips annual calendar for awareness and fundraising purposes. Please contact Kate at kdurand@umich.edu to share your international experiences, photos, awards and fellowships. We want to encourage students to help us bring awareness to the activities and contributions of our medical students to the medical campus and University at large.
Sarah Rominski, M.P.H.
Sarah Rominski, M.P.H., is a research associate with Global REACH and recent graduate of the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Health Management and Policy. Some of her current research activities include investigating differential Intraunterine device usage worldwide and working on a cross-university project with Ghanaian partners to scale-up health care delivery in that country.
Carrie Ashton
Carrie Ashton is Global REACH's Medical School International Visitors Coordinator. She is in charge of all incoming international students and dignitaries. In addition to managing our international visitors, she will work with Medical School departments that request our assistance with their visitors. This includes travel, visa, and housing arrangements; visitor orientation, and tours; itineraries; and managing international dignitary visits. Carrie can be reached at 998-6116 or cglaser@umich.edu.
Carrie has been with the University of Michigan Medical School since 1996. Since 1999 she has worked in the dean’s office in a variety of roles including event planning, guest relations, front office management and chair searches. She received an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Davis College in Toledo, Ohio. For the first ten years of her career she was a medical assistant in private practice physician offices.
Julie Septrion
Julie Septrion is Global REACH's Administrative Coordinator. She greets everyone with a smile and assists with accounting processes and helps students complete the proper paper work for awards and grants. The medical student's fund raising donations are processed by Julia and she is the contact person for students wanting an update on their donation account.
Julia graduated from Oakland University with a degree in Communications. Previously, she has worked at the International Institute for Armenian Studies Program, Korean Studies Program and the Main office as well. In addition, She served as a temp at a variety of other University offices for almost 4 years. She is glad to be working at Global Reach as she enjoys both helping and working with students and international visitors to the Global REACH office. Julie can be reached at 615-5692 or septrion@med.umich.edu
Nicole Fredericks is Global REACH's Work-Study. She is responsible for Global REACH's webpage and newsletter. She is also involved in designing SAGR's Official 2010 Calendar. Students interested in helping with these projects or with questions, comments, or concerns should direct them to Nicole at nfred@umich.edu. Nicole is an undergraduate student here, at the University of Michigan, double majoring in Spanish and Economics. Aside from her rigorous class schedule, Nicole is involved in the Greek Community and many other significant organizations on campus.
