Admissions /

    Meet the Team

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    The Admission Team is ready to assist you in your journey.

    Photo of Sean Powers

    Sean Powers

    Vice President of Admissions

    Photo of Shyam Dharia

    Shyam Dharia

    Director of Enrollment Management

    As Director of Enrollment Management, I manage the entire applicant services department. My team and I are here to assist all students with their applications to ensure everything is submitted and uploaded and our Faculty Admissions Committee can review it. I also assist our Executive leadership with ad-hoc reporting on enrollment data and trends. My goal as the Director of Enrollment Management is to ensure all students get the attention and service needed to ensure they have the strongest application to assist in their goal of becoming a physician.

    In my free time, I enjoy watching all different sporting events and try to get on the golf course as often as possible.

    Photo of Nelly Alvarez

    Nelly Alvarez

    Post-Acceptance Director

    Photo of Earl Mainer

    Earl Mainer

    Senior Associate Director of Admissions

    As Senior Associate Director of Admissions, I am here to answer questions and counsel premed students, prospective applicants, as well as applicants about UMHS. My goal is to inform students and parents about all the details regarding our M.D. program from inquiry to matriculation. It is true, the more details you learn about UMHS, the more exciting this option becomes.

    I enjoy traveling, biking, neighborhood basketball, watching football, tennis and hiking in the Rocky Mountains! OH, and I LOVE other people’s dogs and cats! I travel too much to have one of my own.

    Photo of Brad Schmidt

    Brad Schmidt

    Senior Associate Director of Admissions - Southeast

    Photo of Corie Thayer

    Corie Helms Thayer

    Associate Director of Admissions - Midwest

    Travels throughout the Midwest region to meet with students who are exploring their options for medical school. From premed presentations, to grad fairs on campuses, to individual student meetings (both in-person and on Zoom) – I am here for it all!

    Building relationships and connecting with people is something I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed and it is what makes my position with UMHS so rewarding. I am always here to lend an ear; to guide and advise in any way I can. Getting into medical school can be a stressful journey. My passion is supporting you!

    I love spending time outdoors. I also love reading and enjoying a strong cup of coffee (I am an early riser with 3 dogs to walk each morning!). In my free time, I soak up every moment I can with my son and my husband!!

    Photo of Dr. Hamed Mouseghy

    Dr. Hamed Mouseghy

    Associate Director of Admissions - California & Western United States

    As Associate Director of Admissions, I oversee student inquiries, applications and interviews for the West Coast, and neighboring states. I am excited to guide a new generation of physicians as they start on their medical school journey. UMHS is a hands-on medical program and I intend to guide every student from the inquiry phase to matriculation. I am an alumnus of UMHS and UC Davis, who has traveled the MD path, with years of experience as an educator and advisor.

    I start my morning with espresso, my camping trips are usually offroad and one of my favorite trees is the Grizzly Giant, estimated to be at least 2000 years old, currently living in Yosemite National Park

    Photo of Geneviève Gagné

    Geneviève Gagné

    Associate Director of Admissions - Canada

    As the Associate Director of Admissions Canada at UMHS, with effective communication and networking skills, I joined the UMHS team after six years of owning my own business. Prior to that, I worked for three years here at UMHS, six years at the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS), and four years working at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ottawa. I have extensive knowledge of the residency match process for International medical graduates and the Canadian medical education community, including how it pertains to Canadian students who have studied or are looking for a medical program abroad. I speak French and English.
     
    Traveling, gardening, and fish-keeping - my trifecta of joy!

    Photo of Guillermo Gumieny

    Guillermo Gumieny

    Assistant Director of Admissions - Puerto Rico

    As the Assistant Director of Admissions for Puerto Rico, I am the primary contact for aspiring medical students on the island. We recognize the high demand of prospective medical students in Puerto Rico, and at UMHS, we've done our utmost to ensure our campus feels like your home away from home. My objective is to help students and parents grasp the numerous advantages of our highly competitive M.D. program. Rest assured, I'm here to provide guidance to every individual with a personalized approach, catering to each person's unique circumstances.

    En mi tiempo libre manejo tres equipos de Fantasy Football/Basketball, ya que son mis dos deportes favoritos. Me encanta ir a la playa, hacer ejercicios y pasar tiempo con mis amistades. Si pudiera elegir cualquier persona para invitar a un café/cena sería: Conan O’Brien.

    Photo of Allyson Shipp

    Allyson Shipp

    Student Ambassador/ARP

    Photo of Carole Ross Walker

    Carole Ross Walker

    Regional Director of Admissions Midwest

    As the daughter of Dr. Robert Ross I have a long history of working with him in his previous and current medical school. I was a road warrior and wore many hats, I did Power Point presentations, interviews and helped interested students meet the requirements for matriculation. I also developed close relationships with pre-med advisors and set up several articulation agreements.

    Currently I am calling new inquiries throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. I work with students from their initial inquiry and continue to counsel them until they have met their requirements and fill out their application. I am passionate about UMHS. When I talk to the students I try to give them all the information they need to apply and tell them about the advantages of going to UMHS. I tell them the history of the Ross family and our high standards for medical education. I give them the list of prerequisites and also tell them how to study for the MCAT. I tell them I am always available and they can call or text me anytime with more questions. I encourage them to look at the webinars and contact their representative. I have also given them names of alumni students to answer questions.

    Before I worked for my Father I owned my own Advertising Specialties and Marketing Company. My clients included Major Corporations, Banks Universities and schools.  That has taught me many lessons in customer service.

    My interests are in Art and Art History. I have a Masters in Science and Art. I have sold some of my Art work to the Children’s Museum in Detroit. I have three wonderful daughters and six grandchildren. I am so proud of all of them.

    I also try to help others and work for charities, I am currently Vice President of Membership for a charity. I also was the president of ORT for ten years. ORT builds schools for needy students.

    I look forward to working with you and helping you realize your dream to become a physician.ow a healthy and energetic 7 year old boy!

    Photo of Melanie Weiner

    Melanie Weiner

    Associate Director of Admissions

    I am a former road warrior that now heads the Florida office partnering up with Earl Mainer doing outreach via the Southeast region. I speak with just about every prospective student and applicant that comes in from Florida and the whole Southeast region and will guide you through the entire admissions process. 

    Before working at UMHS, I was a photographer in NYC for over 12 years specializing in portrait photography of famous rock musicians. I had the opportunity to tour on assignment with the rock band Metallica and was in their movie Made in Philadelphia. I also received the coveted invitation from Atlantic records to photograph portraits of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant for the Led Zeppelin reunion.

    Photo of Shelly Surowitz

    Shelly Surowitz

    Applicant Coordinator

    Photo of Deborah Galdames

    Deborah Galdames

    Applicant Coordinator

    I am here to assist students with the application process. I help students in submitting their application along with all the required documents needed. I correspond with students via email and telephone updating them on their application status from the moment the application is received until a decision for acceptance is made.

    I work closely with a great team at UMHS ensuring students have all the information they need to apply and move smoothly through the application process.

    I love spending time outdoors or at the beach soaking up the sun.  I try to spend as much time as I can with family.

    Photo of Gillian Hyman

    Gillian Hyman

    Admissions Coordinator

    I love working with students in the Southeast and Puerto Rico, assisting them with their initial inquiries and admissions questions about University of Medicine and Health Sciences.  As an Admissions Coordinator I strive to ensure that the students have all the information about UMHS in order for them to succeed in their medical education.

    Arriving in South Florida from London, England, I love the opportunity of spending time outdoors - especially swimming and walking.  I love visiting museums, love to read and to cook, and to spend time connecting with my family.