Faculty members at UMHS 
share a love of teaching. Skilled and credentialed educators, with backgrounds in medical education, research, and administration, they truly believe that medical students deserve the best instructional methods, including technological tools, available today.
Priding themselves on availability to UMHS students inside and outside of the classroom, our faculty creates a nurturing learning environment, geared towards student success.
Each faculty member was selected because of their unique set of academic medicine capabilities. Team members range from educators who transitioned from private practice to academic medicine, to members who have spent their entire careers focused on providing the finest instruction to medical students.
As UMHS grows, recruitment of credentialed and qualified faculty primarily from U.S. medicals schools is on going. This page will be periodically updated to include new faculty.
UMHS-ST. KITTS ADMINISTRATION
WILLIAM THURMAN, M.D., C.M.
Provost
THOMAS J. MCHATTIE, M.D., FRCS(C), FACOG, FRANZCOG
Dean, Basic Sciences
FRANK WAGNER, Psy.D., M.A., B.A., B.B.S.
Vice President of Special Projects
Chair and Professor of Behavioral Science
THOMAS J. LAST, Ph.D
Dean of Student Affairs and Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
NORMA ANN CELESTINE, M.L.S., A.H.I.P.
Director of Library Services
HAZEL DANIEL
Financial Officer
CECILIA FRANCE
Campus Registrar
HELEN GILLANDERS, B.S.N., EN(G), R.N.
Campus Nurse
AYO OLUJOHUNGBE, B.S.
Director, Information Technology, St. Kitts
DONLEY SAUNDERS
Director of Administration/Housing Coordinator
DAN VITALO, B.A.
Vice President of Facilities
UMHS-St. Kitts Faculty
JAMES ADEKEYE, Ph.D., D.V.M., M.S.
Professor of Microbiology
AHMMED ALLY, M.D., Ph.D.
Course Director and Associate Professor of Physiology
JAMES GORDON AVERY, M.D., Ch.B., F.F.P.H., D.T.M.& H.
Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
KENNETH BALLANTYNE, J.S.D., LL.M., LL.B., M.B.A., M.S., B.B.A.
Professor of Behavioral Science and Medical Ethics
THERESA BOESE
Director of the Human Simulation Laboratories
MICHAEL D. DOHERTY, Ph.D., M.Sc.
Professor of Neuroscience
ALAN ERNST, Ph.D., B.A.
Assistant Professor of Neuroscience
ROBERT M. FOGEL, D.O.
Chair and Professor of Pathology
STEVEN D. GARMON, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P.
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine
DAVID HERRICK, Ph.D., B.S.
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
THOMAS O. MCCRACKEN, Ph.D. (H.C.), M.S., M.S., B.E.
Professor of Anatomy and Physiology
NAGY MILIK, M.B.B.Ch. F.R.C.S.G., F.R.C.S.
Professor of Clinical Medicine
BIRGIT NARDELL, Ph.D.
Professor of Pharmacology
LENA NILSSON, M.Sci., M.A., B.Sci.
Instructor of Medical Education
DONNA PATEY, M.D., B.Ed.
Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
ADRIAN POINTER, M.B., B.S., Dip. P.H.
Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
GARY A. ROGERS, Ph.D., B.S.
Professor of Pharmacology
BICHARA S. SAHELEY, M.D..M.B.B.S.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
MICHAEL SMITH, Ed.D., M.A., B.S.
Professor of Histology
ANDY VAITHILINGAM, M.D., Ph.D., B.S., B.Sc., M.Ed., B.Ed.
Chair and Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
CAMERON WILKINSON, M.D.
Clinical Professor of Surgery
UMHS-ST. KITTS ADMINISTRATION
WILLIAM THURMAN, M.D.
Provost
Dr. Thurman brings a rich medical, academic, and administrative background to UMHS. Educated at University of North Carolina (B.S.), Tulane University (M.P.H) and McGill University (M.D.C.M.), Dr. Thurman specialized in pediatric hematology/oncology as the chief resident at Tulane. During his career, Dr. Thurman also was chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and he held the position of president, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Inc.
Dr. Thurman entered academic medicine at Tulane University as an instructor. Other faculty appointments included Emory University, Cornell University School of Medicine, Rockefeller Institute, and the University of Virginia, where he was chair of pediatrics. Dr. Thurman was the dean of medicine at Tulane University, as well as the vice president for medical affairs and provost at the University of Oklahoma, where he was responsible for six health science schools, including the school of medicine.
After retiring from the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Thurman served as dean of two Caribbean medical schools. He has the title of Dean Emeritus from American University of the Caribbean. Dr. Thurman joined the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in 2007 as provost.
THOMAS J. MCHATTIE, M.D., FRCS(C), FACOG, FRANZCOG
Dean of Basic Sciences
Dr. Thomas J. McHattie joined the University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS) in April 2009 as the dean of basic sciences. His medical career has been in the area of academic obstetrics and gynecology, both as a physician, administrator and medical educator. He has worked at hospitals and medical schools in Canada, the United States, New Zealand and Australia.
Dr. McHattie earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in chemistry and biology from the University of Saskatchewan College of Arts and Science. He then earned his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine. The university is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
At the start of his career, Dr. McHattie was a clinical associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine in Canada. During that time, he was also the section chief, Section of Obstetrics in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Regina General Hospital in Regina Saskatchewan. Dr. McHattie was in private practice prior to becoming the medical director, Tulsa Ambulatory Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, University of Oklahoma Tulsa Medical College. During that time, he was also an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Oklahoma Tulsa Medical College. He then became director of the residency program and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA. Dr. McHattie held the position of assistant clinical professor at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Dr. McHattie held a similar position at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac Michigan and was clerkship director and Associate Professor at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He also served as Assistant to the Dean for Information Technology. He then joined the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in Odessa, Texas, as the regional chair, obstetrics and gynecology and the assistant dean for clinical affairs. In 2006, Dr. McHattie moved to Invercargill, New Zealand, where he was a senior lecturer at the University of Otago School of Medicine and the clinical director of obstetrics and gynecology at Southland Hospital In Invercargill, New Zealand. Prior to joining UMHS, Dr. McHattie was both a senior staff specialist at the Armidale Rural Referral Hospital and an associate professor at the University of New England School of Rural Medicine-Joint Medical Program in Armidale, Australia.
Dr. McHattie is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FRANZCOG), a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCS(C)), and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FACOG).
In each location where Dr. McHattie has worked, he has served on a variety of medical and community committees He also has been a guest lecturer and presenter at symposia throughout the United States and Canada. Dr. McHattie’s research and consulting work has been in the area of obstetrics and gynecology, as have his publications.
FRANK WAGNER, Psy.D., M.A., B.A., B.B.S.
Vice Presidentof Special Projects
Chair and Professor of Behavioral Science
Dr. Frank Wagner is an experienced medical educator and administrator. For 23 years, Dr. Wagner served as a senior administrator in mental health and substance agencies that provided clinical education to social work, psychology and graduate-level students.
Dr. Wagner came to the International University of Nursing (IUON) after holding the position of associate dean of student affairs at an international medical school. At IUON, Dr. Wagner was dean of student services, where he focused on serving student, community, and government constituencies. He was instrumental in developing student leadership, implementing judicial affairs and developing programs that brought cohesiveness to the student body.
In 2008, Dr. Wagner became the assistant provost at UMHS. He played a key role in the introduction and expansion of the UMHS medical education program. He recently accepted the position as vice president of special projects in addition to his teaching responsibilities as a professor of behavioral science.
Dr. Wagner earned his Psy.D. from the International University for Graduate Studies. He has an M.A. in clinical psychology from Goddard College, Plainfield, Vermont, and a B.S. in psychology from Loras College, Dubuque Iowa. He also received a B.B.A. in management from Northwood Institute in Midland, Michigan.
NORMA ANN CELESTINE, M.L.S., B.A., A.H.I.P.
Director of Library Services and Professor of Library Research
Professor Celestine received her M.L.S. and her B.A., with a major in Spanish, from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
In addition to her work with the University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Professor Celestine heads the library program for the International University of Nursing, which shares the campus with the University of Medicine and Health Sciences. Professor Celestine directs all library operations, and keeps the library abreast of advances in technology, including incorporating Web 2.0, electronic resources, multimedia, digital repository functionality and course management systems into the library services.
Prior to joining UMHS and IUON, Ms. Celestine directed operations for HealthLink Services-Research Services Department, Kitchener Public Library, Kitchener, ON, and has been the assistant director of Library Services at St. Georges University, School of Medicine, Grenade, West Indies. She also has been the director of library services at Arusha International Development Resource Centre in Calgary, AB.
UMHS-ST. KITTS FACULTY
JAMES ADEKEYE, Ph.D.,D.V.M., M.S.
Professor of Microbiology
As a microbiologist, Dr. Adekeye believes in the importance of learning strong research and diagnostic skills during the educational process. He understands the critical nature of using these educational skills in real-world practice due to his role as a research scientist in Guelph, Ontario establishing optimal conditions for minimizing microbial contamination.
Dr. Adekeye has been associated with educational organizations worldwide, including: the University of Guelph Biomedical Sciences, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (Canada) Department of Pathobiology Ontario Veterinary College, the Center for Tropical Veterinary Medicine in Edinburgh, the Norwegian Veterinary College, the Central Public Health Laboratory in London, the Veterinary Public Health Laboratory at Kansas State University and the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta (CDC), where he trained in epidemiology and health administration.
Dr. Adekeye has taught as a professor of microbiology and epidemiology at a veterinary school in St. Kitts and his alma mater, Ahmadu Bello University, where he served as professor and head of pathology and microbiology and deputy dean of the faculty. He has several scientific journal publications to his credit and has served as major supervisor for several students at the master and Ph.D. levels.
After completing his Master of Science degree at Kansas State University, Dr. Adekeye began his Ph.D. course work at Kansas State. Dr. Adekeye completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Ph.D. degrees in Nigeria at Ahmadu Bello University.
AHMMED ALLY, Ph.D.
Course Director, Associate Professor of Physiology
James Gordon Avery, M.D., MB,ChB. FFPH. DTM&H
Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Dr. James G. Avery earned his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (M.B., Ch.B) and his Doctor of Medicine with Distinction (M.D.) from the University of Sheffield Medical School, Sheffield, United Kingdom. He earned his Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (D.T.M.&H.) from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Dr. Avery was a Member (M.F.P.H.), then Fellow (F.F.P.H.), Faculty of Public Health, Royal College of Physicians in the United Kingdom.
With an extensive medical career, Dr. Avery’s began as a junior house officer at the Sheffield Royal Infirmary and Children’s Hospital. He then became a senior house officer, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cuckfold Hospital, Sussex, UK. Dr. Avery was the district medical officer, then government malariologist, then chief medical officer community health in the Solomon Islands. Dr. Avery moved on to become the district medical officer, then director of public health, South Warwickshire, UK. He then became chief of preventative medicine, King Faisal Military Hospital, Khamis Mushayt, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dr. Avery was a senior medical officer, Welsh Office, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, UK. He was the chief medical officer, Montserrat West Indies, then a locum consultant in public health with Iechydd Morgannwg Health, Swansea Wales. Dr. Avery’s most recent position was as director/associate professor of epidemiology and public health at the Medical University of the Americas in Nevis, West Indies.
Dr. Avery has been an honorary senior lecturer and/or tutor on epidemiology, public health, travel medicine, and injury prevention at Universities of Birmingham, Cambridge, Coventry, Glasgow, Warwick and Wales at Swansea. He was a visiting professor St Georges University, Grenada and University of the United Arab Emirates, Al Ain, UAE. He also has been an associate professor of epidemiology and public health, Medical University of the Americas.
Dr. Avery is a member of the British Medical Association, founder and member of the Child Accident Prevention Trust, and a member of the Parliamentary Advisory Council on Transport Safety. He is a Fellow, Royal Geographical Society, London and the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine, London. In addition, Dr. Avery is a member, International Panel of Judges on Annual Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award, World Committee on Disability, Washington, DC.
Dr. Avery’s publications include various papers and letters on injury prevention and public health issues from 1968 to present in BMJ, Lancet, Practitioner, Injury Prevention, Risk Analysis, Journal of Occupational Health, Papua New Guinea Medical Journal, and West Indian Medical Journal. He has been a presenter of papers and/or posters at conferences, and senior co-author of Children and their Accidents, 1993 and a Contributor of chapter on ‘Accidents and injuries experienced by travellers’ in Lockie C et al (editors) Travel Medicine and Migrant Health, Edinburgh.Churchill Livingstone 2000. He also was the author of the walking guide ‘Gower Coastal Walks’. DW Jones. Port Talbot.Wales, UK 2001.
KENNETH BALLANTYNE, J.D., B.B.A., M.S., M.B.A.
Professor of Behavioral Science
Dr. Kenneth E. Ballantyne has an extensive background in the practice of law as a government consultant, private practitioner, and educator.
Dr. Ballantyne initially earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, Morovia, Liberia West Africa. He received a B.B.A. in business administration, an M.S. in Human Resource Management/Industrial Relations, and an MBA in international business management from Pace University, New York, N.Y. Dr. Ballantyne went on to receive a Master of Laws degree and a Doctor of the Science of Law degree from Yale University of Law School, New Haven, CT. He subsequently received his Legal Education Certificate from Hugh Wooding Law School, St. Augustine, Trinidad, West Indies.
Prior to joining UMHS, Dr. Ballantyne was a legal advisor with the Government of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, where he advised and vetted all the Government's loan and foreign investment documents. He was a solicitor general, whose responsibilities included instructing, undertaking, continuing or discontinuing civil proceedings for and on behalf of the Attorney General. Dr. Ballantyne has been senior crown counsel for the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Government of Antigua and Barbuda. Additionally, Dr. Ballantyne’s credentials include time as legal counsel and presidential advisor for the Government of Liberia
As an educator, Dr. Ballantyne has been a lecturer at the University of the West Indies, College of Continuing Education St. Kitts and Nevis and Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, Basseterre St. Kitts. He was an associate professor of law, an associate professor of management, and an associate professor of economics at the University of Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia
Dr. Ballantyne was the managing partner of Ballantyne Associates, a law and management consulting firm. He also was legal counsel at Aetna Life and Casualty in Hartford, CT, a research associate at Yale University Law School, and a Lecturer in Law (Summer 1986) Counsel for Legal Education Opportunities (CLEO) for Minority Law Students.
Dr. Ballantyne is a member of the Connecticut U.S.A. Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines' Bar Association Antigua and Barbuda Bar Association and the St. Kitts and Nevis' Bar Association, and the American Management Association.
MICHAEL D. DOHERTY, Ph.D., M.Sc.
Professor of Neuroscience
Dr. Michael Doherty received his Ph.D. from McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His M.Sc. is also from McGill University, and his B.A. is from Concordia University in Montreal.
Prior to joining UMHS, Dr. Doherty was chair of the Neuroscience Department at the Medical University of the Americas, Nevis, West Indies. Dr. Doherty also has taught at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York, and he was an instructor in the Science Outreach Program in New York City, a program for elementary, middle school and high school students.
Dr. Doherty was a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Neurobiology/Neuroscience at Weill Medical College. He did postdoctoral research at Rutgers University in New Jersey, and he was a postgraduate research assistant, Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology at McGill University.
ALAN ERNST, Ph.D., B.A.
Assistant Professor of Neuroscience
Dr. Alan Ernst received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. His Ph.D. thesis work explored the role of nitric oxide and brain derived nerve growth factor in the development of the visual system of the chick embryo. He also has a B.A. in music from Carleton College, Northfield, MN. In addition, Dr. Ernst has done undergraduate and graduate coursework in psychology and mathematics. In 2008, he took an intensive review in neurology course at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Ernst’s research interests include plasticity of the nervous system and the cellular and molecular cues that establish appropriate patterns of neural connectivity during development of the nervous system.
Prior to joining UMHS, Dr. Ernst was an assistant professor in the anatomy department at an offshore medical school. He was a science/math teacher at the junior and senior high levels with the United Nations International School in Hanoi, Vietnam. Dr. Ernst also taught, as an assistant professor of biology and psychology, at St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN. In addition, he was an adjunct professor, teaching assistant, tutor, music therapist, and elementary school teacher.
Dr. Ernst is a member of the Society for Neuroscience. He has co-authored publications and has presented at meetings throughout the United States. When not teaching, Dr. Ernst likes traveling, foreign languages, and making music.
ROBERT M. FOGEL, D.O.
Chair and Professor of Pathology
Dr. Robert Fogel is licensed to practice medicine in Missouri, Oklahoma, Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. He is certified in anatomical and clinical pathology by the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology, as well as in forensic pathology by the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology. Dr. Fogel is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Fogel’s academic and administrative appointments include being a professor and chair of the Department of Pathology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to that, Dr. Fogel was with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Osteopathic Medicine, first as an acting dean, then an acting associate dean for clinical affairs, and finally as professor and chairman of clinical pathology. In addition, Dr. Fogel also held professor of pathology positions at Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine, Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville College of Osteopathy, and initially he was an instructor in pathology at Oklahoma University College of Medicine.
Other professional appointments for Dr. Fogel have included being the deputing medical examiner and consultant forensic pathologist with the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office and faculty, Homicide and Explosion, U.S. Treasury Department, ATF Division. In addition, Dr. Fogel has won numerous honors, including the O.J. Snyder Memorial Medical Recipient, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Distinguished Service Award, American Osteopathic College of Pathologists, and the Distinguished Alumni Award and multiple Excellence in Teaching Awards from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
STEVEN D. GARMON, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P.
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine
Dr. Steven Garmon is a board-certified general pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He completed his undergraduate work at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. Dr. Garmon was an Ohio Board of Regents Fellow and went on to receive his M.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio in 1992. Dr. Garmon’s pediatric internship and residency were completed at the University of Florida Health Science Center (University of Florida) in Jacksonville, Florida in 1995, where he was recognized as Best First Year Continuity Clinic Resident and received a Golden Apple Senior Resident Teaching Award.
Dr. Garmon worked as an Urgent Care and Primary Care Pediatrician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (formerly Egleston Children’s Hospital) from 1995 - 2000 and then worked as an attending physician in private practice with various Atlanta community physicians from 2000 to 2004. He worked as a clinical pediatric instructor and attending physician at West End Medical Centers, Inc., a community healthcare center in Atlanta, Georgia, from 2004 – 2006. A desire to do more in the area of disease prevention and health promotion prompted Dr. Garmon to return to graduate school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Ryals School of Public Health from 2008- 2009. He completed a Master’s degree in Public Health in December, 2009, in Maternal and Child Health with an emphasis on global studies, graduating with highest honors. He was selected for induction into Delta Omega National Public Health Honor Society in April, 2010.
Because his passion is HIV/AIDS prevention and education, Dr. Garmon completed a three month internship in Cape Coast, Ghana, West Africa, from September to December 2009 educating communities about the disease.
Dr. Garmon's goal at UMHS is to help bridge the relationship between the St. Kitts community and the medical school. He also wants to work with medical students in building their confidence and integrating their basic science knowledge into clinically relevant skills that will serve them and their future patients well.
DAVID HERRICK, Ph.D., B.S.
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
With more than 30 research publications to his name, Dr. Herrick brings his research and medical education skills to UMHS. Dr. Herrick was an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He then became a research assistant professor, Department of Anatomy, at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Most recently, Dr. Herrick was a research associate professor, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Herrick received his Ph.D. in molecular genetics from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and his B.S. in biology from Windham College in Vermont. He was a post-doctoral research fellow and then a research associate at the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research at the University of Wisconsin.
THOMAS J. LAST, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Dr. Thomas J. Last received his Ph.D. in cell biology from the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. His B.S. in biology was received from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Dr. Last was a research scientist at Matek Corporation in Massachusetts before becoming an assistant processor of cell biology and genetics at the Medical University of the Americas (MUA), Nevis. He was promoted to associate professor and then assistant dean of the basic science program at MUA. Dr. Last joined UMHS in 2009 as an associate professor of biochemistry and cell biology.
THOMAS McCRACKEN, Ph.D. (H.C.), M.S., M.S., B.E.
Professor of Anatomy and Physiology
An internationally known medical illustrator, Professor McCracken brings his unique and exciting expertise in 3D computer imaging to the UMHS anatomy and physiology classes. The use of computer imaging greatly enhances the teaching component of the University’s anatomy and physiology classes.
Professor McCracken received an M.S. in anatomy and physiology from the University of Michigan, and he received another M.S. from the same institution in biomedical illustration. His B.E. is also from the University of Michigan in biology and education.
Professor McCracken has illustrated over 200 journal articles and textbooks during his career. He was also involved in a National Institute of Health project to construct three dimensional interactive computer models which are used by most medical schools in the United States.
Prior to joining UMHS and its sister nursing school, IUON, Professor McCracken taught at Colorado State University and the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Saudi Arabia.
Professor McCracken is a member of the American Association of Anatomists, the American Association of Clinical Anatomists, the Association of Medical Illustrators, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology and the Health Science Communication Association.
NAGY MILIK, M.B.B.Ch. F.R.C.S.G., F.R.C.S.
Professor of Clinical Medicine
Dr. Nagy Milik is licensed to practice medicine in the United Kingdom, Egypt, Dominica West Indies, and in St. Kitts. He received his M.B., B.Ch. in medicine and surgery from Assuit University, Egypt. He completed a variety of post-graduate appointments at teaching hospitals in the United Kingdom, leading to the degree of Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, England (F.R.C.S.). He then received the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Glasgow, Scotland (FRC.S.G.).
After having received intensive training in general surgery in both the acute and cold surgical fields, Dr. Milik specialized in orthopedics. While training as an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Milik ran the daily activities of the orthopedic unit of the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians, Glasgow, Scotland.
Most recently, Dr. Milik was the founder, chairman, and dean, Medical International Learning Institute at St. Kitts, MILIK University. He also has been a professor at a medical school in Dominica, West Indies and professor and director of Doctor, Patient and Society at American University of Antigua (AUA), Antigua, West Indies.
BIRGIT NARDELL, Ph.D.
Professor of Pharmacology
Dr. Birgit Nardell has an extensive medical education background. For many years, Dr. Nardell held positions in pharmacology, physiology, cell biology, and behavioral science at a Caribbean medical school. Prior to that, Dr. Nardell was an associate professor of pharmacology/physiology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV. While there, she also taught biological chemistry, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and anatomy/physiology. Dr. Nardell began her teaching career at the University of Maryland, Dentistry and Medicine, Baltimore MD, as an assistant professor of physiology and pharmacology. In addition, Dr. Nardell has held adjunct appointments since 2004 at the University of Maryland and a Caribbean medical school.
Dr. Nardell earned her Ph.D. in physiology/pharmacology from the University of Maryland, College Park, MD. Her courses in clinical pharmacology were completed at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Nardell received her M.S. in pharmacology/microbiology from the University of Maryland, and she earned her B.S. in physiology (zoology) from the University of Illinois.
As a consultant, Dr. Nardell has worked with Children’s Hospital, Division of Pediatric Dentistry Oral Aspects of AIDS in Children (OACC) in Los Angeles, CA. She also was a consultant physiologist with NIH, National Institutes of Dental Research, in Rockville, MD.
Dr. Nardell has published articles in journals such as Osteopathic Annals, Journal of Dental Education, and Journal, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery.
LENA NILSSON, M.Sci., M.A., B.Sci.
Instructor of Medical Education
Ms. Lena Nilsson came to UMHS from Medical University of the Americas in Nevis, where she was an adjunct instructor in the microbiology laboratory. She instructed third semester medical students in aseptic techniques and differential identification of bacteria. For eight years, Ms. Nilsson was a pharmaceutical scientist as well as chemical hygiene officer at Cortex Pharmaceuticals, Irvine, CA. Prior to joining Cortex, she spent 11 years at Wyatt Technology Corporation in Santa Barbara, CA, where she was the director of technical services and support for laser light-scattering instrumentation.
Ms. Nilsson received her M.Sci. in computational organic chemistry from Lund Technical Institute in Lund, Sweden. Her M.A. is in biochemistry from UC Santa Barbara and her B.Sci. is in biotechnology/chemical engineering from Lund Institute of Technology. Ms. Nilsson has several publications in peer-reviewed journals.
DONNA PATEY, M.D., B.Ed.
Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Prior to joining UMHS, Dr. Patey was an associate professor and course director of immunology and microbiology at St. Matthew’s University, Grand Cayman, British West Indies. She also was an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology with Whitworth College, Spokane, WA.
Dr. Patey received her B.Sc. in biology from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada. Her B.Ed. in science teaching was also earned from Memorial University. Dr. Patey received her M.D. degree from Saba University School of Medicine, Saba, Netherlands-Antilles. She participated in the Program for Educators in Health Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA from 2005 to 2008.
Dr. Patey has been a guest lecturer and has co-authored several articles.
ADRIAN POINTER, M.B., Ch.B., D(obs.), R.c.O.G., D.P.H.
Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Dr. Pointer is an epidemiologist and public health physician with a life long interest in the education of health workers at all levels. He has designed and implemented training programs for primary care staff in a number of different countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Caribbean, including both campus-based and field-based training. Dr. Pointer has designed and published learning materials, particularly targeting those with limited educational background.
Prior to joining the University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS), Dr. Pointer was on staff with the International University of Nursing, which shares a campus with UMHS. He focused on integrating the subjects of anatomy and physiology into the science programs at IUON. In 2008, Dr. Pointer expanded his teaching responsibilities to include UMHS, where he is a professor of clinical medicine. Dr. Pointer’s work also has included assignments as an assistant professor at the University of Hawaii and a professor of epidemiology and medicine at an international medical school.
Dr. Adrian Pointer completed his course of studies and graduated with an M.B.B.S., (Medicine and Surgery) from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. He also has a Diploma in Public Health from the University of Bristol. He has a Diploma in Obstetrics from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, London.
GARY A. Rogers, Ph.D.
Professor of Pharmacology
Dr. Gary A. Rogers received a B.S. in Organic Chemistry from UCLA and a Ph.D. in Bio-Organic Chemistry from the University of California Santa Barbara. Subsequently, he carried out post-doctoral research in protein biochemistry and bioenergetics at UCLA with Professor. Paul Boyer, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1997. Dr. Rogers held faculty positions at UCLA, The University of Texas, King Faisal Medical University in Saudi Arabia and at the University of California Santa Barbara. He also lectured at Lunds University in Sweden.
In 1990, Dr. Rogers began a research collaboration with Professor Gary Lynch, University of California Irvine that led to the invention of molecules known as AMPAKINE drugs (see article in Wikipedia). Dr. Rogers served as senior vice president, pharmaceutical research at Cortex Pharmaceuticals in Irvine, Calif., a position to which he was promoted after joining Cortex in 1995. At Cortex, Dr. Rogers was the director of CNS research that included drug design, ligand binding assays, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology, and animal behavior. Dr. Rogers’ research has led to 14 issued U.S. patents, and 20 international patents that involve novel structures and/or methods of use of AMPAKINE drugs. These drugs are currently under investigation for their potential to treat schizophrenia, depression, mild cognitive impairment, ADHD, Rett Syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, sleep apnea and respiratory depression as a result of opiate overdose. In addition, Dr. Roger’s research activities led to authorship or co-authorship of more than 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Rogers retired from Cortex Pharmaceuticals in early 2007 and was appointed professor at the Medical University of the Americas, Nevis. There, he lectured in courses in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmacology and Medical Psychology. Moving to St. Kitts in 2009, Dr. Rogers was appointed professor of pharmacology at UMHS.
Dr. Rogers also has a strong interest in photography. He attended Brook’s Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA, and at one point, made his living as a photographer in the middle east.
BICHARA S. SAHELY D.M., M.D, M.B.B.S.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Dr. Bichara Sahely earned his Doctorate of Medicine degree from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica. He completed an elective in rheumatology, nephrology and cardiology at the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Sahely received his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. His Bachelors of Science and Honors Certificate in Biology was earned from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
After completing his internship at the University Hospital of the West Indies Kingston, Jamaica, Dr. Sahely became a medical officer of internal medicine and then a consultant specialist physician at Joseph N. France General Hospital, Basseterre, St. Kitts. He also is in private practice in internal medicine in Basseterre.
Dr. Sahely has earned a variety of academic awards. While at University of the West Indies, he earned the pre-clinical medal, the physiology medal, the Noel Haye Prize in Anatomy and the E.V. Ellington Pre-Clinical medal prize. While at Dalhousie University, Dr. Sahely earned the Dalhousie Entrance Renewable Scholasrhip-the Avery Prize, the Stewart Smith Scholarship, and the Burgess McKittrick Prize in Physics. He also earned the J.G. MacGregor Prize in Physics.
MICHAEL SMITH, Ed.D., M.A., B.S., Professor of Histology
Dr. Michael Smith is a graduate of LaSalle University, Philadelphia, PA, where he received his Ed.D. His M.S. in anatomy and neurobiology is from Colorado State University, and his B.S. in biological sciences is also from Colorado State.
Before joining UMHS as a professor of histology, Dr. Smith was a visiting professor at St. George’s University Veterinary School, a professor of histology at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, and a professor of histology at Ross University School of Medicine. In addition, he has been a lecturer at Colorado State University Medical School.
Dr. Smith is an outstanding teacher as evidenced by his receipt of the 2006 Norden Distinguished Teacher Award, numerous teaching awards while at Ross University, and teaching awards from Colorado State University and the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Association Teaching Award.
ANDY VAITHILINGAM, M.D., Ph.D., B.S., B.Sc., M.Ed., B.Ed.
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Dr. Vaithilingam received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Saba University School of Medicine, Netherlands, Antilles. He also received his B.S. degree in basic medical science from Saba. In addition, Dr. Vaithilingam earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Western Ontario, and his B.Sc. in medical genetics from the University of Toronto. As an educator, Dr. Vaithilingam earned an M.Ed. in curriculum studies from the University of Western Ontario and a B.Ed., high school science (biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics) from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
As a researcher, Dr. Vaithilingam was a research supervisor between Harvard Medical School and St. Matthew’s University, a research advisor/strategic planner with the Cayman Heart Fund, and a project supervisor, Cayman Kidney Foundation: Chronic Kidney Disease.
Prior to joining UMHS, Dr. Vaithilingam was the chair, Department of Molecular Biology and director of research at St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine, Grand Cayman, British West Indies. He was the course director, neurochemistry, bio-organic chemistry at Whitworth College, a course director of biochemistry at Saba University School of Medicine, and assistant director of the Brain Research Center, Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada.
UMHS Faculty - Portland, Maine Campus
JAMES O. PRINGLE, M.D.
Associate Dean of Clinical Science,
Professor of Clinical Medicine
Dr. James Pringle is a board certified urologist. He completed his undergraduate work at Pennsylvania State University. He received his M.D. from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Pringle subsequently earned a Harvard/Macy certificate in Graduate Medical Education. His general surgery residency was completed at University Hospital, Cleveland, OH, and his urology residency was completed at McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Dr. Pringle resides in Maine and has an extensive record in medical education in the state of Maine. In particular, Dr. Pringle has worked with St. Matthews University College of Medicine, Portland campus, as a professor, associate dean, chairman of the Admissions Committee, and dean of pre-clinical sciences. During his tenure with St. Matthews University, Dr. Pringle won many teaching awards. In addition, Dr. Pringle has had a successful private practice in urology. He also has been the chief, Division of Urology, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine.
DONNA THOMPSON, M.D.C.M.
Assistant Dean of Clinical Science,
Professor of Clinical Medicine
Dr. Donna Thompson is a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine. She graduated from Colby College, Waterville, Maine, Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Thompson then received her M.D.C.M. from McGill University College of Medicine, Montreal Canada. Her internal medicine residency was completed both in Canada and at the Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine. That was followed by a clinical fellowship in oncology and then a research fellowship in oncology at the Maine Medical Center.
Dr. Thompson's extensive medical background includes positions as the director, Division of Oncology and chief, Department of Medicine at Central Maine Medical Center. She also was director, Cancer Research Program at the Foundation for Blood Research, Lewiston, Maine.
Dr. Thompson's medical education background is just as extensive. She was an assistant in medicine at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, an instructor, Biology of Cancer at the University of Southern Maine, and a clinical preceptor and associate professor, Department of Pharmacology at St. Matthews University School of Medicine in Grand Cayman, West Indies. She has been an associate professor, Preclinical Medicine and director, Introduction to Clinical Medicine, as well as the chief of clinical medicine, Preclinical Sciences at St. Matthews.