Dr. Molly Johannessen comes to UMHS from Kaplan Medical where she served as a medical learning consultant working with various institutions supporting learning gains using Kaplan resources. Her passion is learning and helping medical students reach success. She continues to serve as a Physiology Faculty for Kaplan.

Dr. Johannessen received her Ph.D. and M.S. in Physiology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, a M.S. in Higher Education from Walden University and her B.A. in Chemistry from Lawrence University. Her passion for education started as an HHMI Scientific Teaching Fellow at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Her experiences and contributions to the field are rooted in the idea that learning can be enhanced and knowledge retention increased utilizing educational theory to drive medical education. This evidence-based approach can be applied to student learning, curriculum development, and faculty professional development. Her passion for learning and her enthusiasm for life have driven her involvement with learners in all aspects of medical education including mental health and wellness amongst medical students and faculty, leadership and learning, and enhanced learning opportunities to help at-risk students.

Dr. Johannessen has worked with various medical institutions including osteopathic, allopathic, and foreign-medical graduates. At UMHS she serves as the Director of Education and Teaching as well as Associate Professor of Physiology.