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Faculty and Staff

We are proud to introduce our exceptional team of medical educators and course directors, dedicated to preparing students for fulfilling careers in the health professions.Our faculty and staff bring a wide array of knowledge, skills, perspectives, and expertise as practitioners, researchers, educators, and specialists. Team members work collaboratively to deliver a comprehensive and robust curriculum.

The faculty at the Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-WCOM) are committed to advancing excellence in osteopathic medicine. Their unparalleled dedication to student success ensures unwavering support for skill development, academic performance, and collaborative growth.

Faculty prioritize student education while fostering a culture of collaboration and intellectual curiosity that shapes our graduates' success throughout their medical careers.

Staff: MU-WCOM Faculty | Dean's Cabinet | Biomedical Science | Clinical Affairs Staff | Student Affairs | Health Professions Enrollment Management | Simulation Center | Assessment

MU-WCOM Faculty

  • Samina Akbar, Ph.D.
    Samina Akbar, Ph.D.
    Chair of Biochemistry, Immunology, and Microbiology
    Professor of Microbiology
    (317) 955-6608
    sakbar@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #318C
  • Erica Ausel, PhD
    Erica Ausel, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor of Anatomy
    (317) 955-6275
    eausel@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #317D
  • Megan Balle, Ph.D. Candidate
    Megan Balle, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor of Anatomy
    (317) 955-6687
    mballe@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #313E
  • Jesse Clark, DO
    Jesse Clark, DO
    Chair of Clinical Skills
    Assistant Professor of Family Medicine
    (317) 955-6606
    jnclark2@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #312A
    Bio
  • medhane-cumbay
    Medhane G. Cumbay, Ph.D.
    Interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
    Associate Professor of Pharmacology
    (317) 955-6625
    mgcumbay@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #315E
    Bio 
  • E. Ann Cunningham, DO
    E. Ann Cunningham, DO
    Director of Student Medical Education Community Health Network
    Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
  • Elizabeth Delery, Ph.D
    Elizabeth Delery, Ph.D.
    Director of Research Laboratory
    Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
    (317) 955-6630
    edelery@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #318D
  • Wilbert A. Derbigny, Ph.D.
    Wilbert A. Derbigny, Ph.D.
    Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
    (317) 955-6252
    wderbigny@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #318B
  • David Dufeau
    David Dufeau, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor of Anatomy
    (317) 955-6603
    ddufeau@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #313D
  • Matthew Eaton, DO, MPH
    Matthew Eaton, DO, MPH
    Assistant Professor of Osteopathic Principles and Practice
    Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
    (317) 955-6502
    meaton@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #316G
  • Dr David Eland
    David Eland, DO, FAAO
    Professor of Osteopathic Principles and Practice
    (317) 955-6674
    deland@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #316H
  • Daniel J. Fagan, M.D.
    Daniel J. Fagan, M.D.
    Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
    (317) 955-6293
    dfagan2@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #316E
  • Dr Robyn Fuchs
    Robyn Fuchs, Ph.D., FACSM, FASBMR
    Faculty Association President
    Professor of Physiology
    (317) 955-6272
    rfuchs@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #317E
  • Dan Gelfman
    Dan Gelfman, M.D.
    Clinical Professor Emeritus of Medicine
    dgelfman@marian.edu
  • Placeholder
    Michael J. Griffin, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor of Biochemistry
    mgriffin@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #312C
  • Julia Hum, Ph.D.
    Julia M. Hum, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor of Physiology
    Program Director, M.S. in Biomedical Sciences
    (317) 955-6265
    jmhum@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #312A
  • Jeremy Jones, DO
    Jeremy Jones, DO
    Professor of Primary Care
    (317) 955-6693
    jljones@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #316B
  • Shelly Kakar, DO
    Shelly Kakar, DO
    Director of Student Medical Education Ascension St Vincent
    Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
  • Richard Klabunde
    Richard Klabunde, Ph.D.
    Professor of Physiology
    (317) 955-6267
    rklabunde@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #317A
  • Clif Knight, MD, CPE, FAAFP
    Clif Knight, M.D., CPE, FAAFP
    Assistant Dean of Graduate Medical Education
    Associate Professor of Family Medicine
    (317) 955-6295
    cknight@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #311A
  • Jonathan Lowery
    Jonathan Lowery, Ph.D.
    Assistant Provost for Research and Scholarship
    Professor of Physiology
    (317) 955-6621
    jlowery@marian.edu
    Marian Hall, Room #108C
  • John Lucich
    John Lucich, M.D.
    Chair of Internal Medicine
    Professor of Internal Medicine (Conferred rank of emeritus professor)
    (317) 955-6513
    jlucich@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #316A
  • Headshort placeholder
    Niladri Kumar Mahato, MBBS, MS, DNB, PhD
    Assistant Professor of Anatomy
    (317) 955-6257
    nmahato@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #313C
  • Anthony Martin, DO
    Anthony L. Martin, DO
    Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs
    Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
    (317) 955-6268
    amartin2@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #303E
  • Tina C. Mason, MD, MPH, FACOG
    Tina C. Mason, MD, MPH, FACOG
    Associate Professor of Primary Care
    tmason@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #316J
  • Emily Masser, Ph.D.
    Emily Masser, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor of Biochemistry
    (317) 955-6276
    emasser@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #315B
  • Erin-McClelland
    Erin E. McClelland, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
    (317) 955-6273
    emcclelland@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #318E
  • Lyree N. Mikhail, M.D.
    Lyree Mikhail, M.D.
    Associate Professor of OB/GYN
    (317) 955-6299
    lmikhail@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #313A
  • Luke Nelligan, D.O.
    Luke Nelligan, DO
    Chair of Family Medicine
    Assistant Professor of Family Medicine
    (317) 955-6634
    lnelligan@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #311B
  • Rapha Perim, Ph.D.
    Rapha Perim, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor of Physiology & Pharmacology
    (317) 955-6624
    rperim@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #312B
  • Elizabeth Petsche, JD
    Elizabeth Petsche, JD
    Assistant General Counsel
    Senior Advisor to the Senior Vice President of Health Professions
    Associate Professor of Family Medicine
    (317) 955-6722
    empetsche@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #362
    Bio
  • Sumathilatha Velavan
    Sumathilatha Sakthi Velavan, MBBS, DGO, MS
    Associate Professor of Anatomy
    (317) 955-6245
    ssakthivelavan@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #313B
  • Dr. Brian Skinner
    Brian Skinner, PharmD, BCPS
    Faculty Association Secretary
    Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
    (317) 955-6580
    bskinner@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #316F
  • Catherine Steding, Ph.D.
    Catherine Steding, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    (317) 955-6398
    csteding@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #315C
  • David Strom Ph.D.
    David Strom, Ph.D.
    Chair of Physiology and Pharmacology
    Associate Professor of Pharmacology (Conferred rank of emeritus professor)
    (317) 955-6281
    dstrom@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #315F
  • Annabel-Vila
    Annabel Vila, M.D.
    Associate Professor of Pathology
    (317) 955-6476
    avila@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #318A
  • Angela Wagner, DO
    Angela Wagner, DO
    Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Assistant Professor of Osteopathic Practice and Principles
    (317) 955-6438
    awagner2@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #316D
  • David Williams, DO
    David C. Williams, DO
    Chair, Task Force on Professionalism
    Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
    317-955-6296
    dwilliams2@marian.edu
    EC #303
  • Dr. Amanda Wright
    Amanda Wright, DO
    Dean, College of Osteopathic Medicine
    Associate Professor of Family Medicine
    (317) 955-6721
    awright2@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #303B
  • Guang Xum Ph.D.
    Guang Xu, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor Biostatistics and Public Health
    (317) 955-6496
    guangxu@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #317C
  • Emily Young, MD
    Emily Young, M.D.
    Chair of Preclinical Skills
    Associate Professor of Pediatrics
    (317) 955-6627
    eyoung@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #316C
  • Sarah B. Zahl, Ph.D.
    Sarah Zahl, Ph.D.
    Associate Dean for Accreditation and Assessment
    Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Education
    (317) 955-6615
    szahl@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #311A

Dean's Cabinet

  • Dr. Amanda Wright
    Amanda Wright, DO
    Dean, College of Osteopathic Medicine
    Associate Professor of Family Medicine
    (317) 955-6721
    awright2@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #303B
  • medhane-cumbay
    Medhane G. Cumbay, Ph.D.
    Interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
    Associate Professor of Pharmacology
    (317) 955-6625
    mgcumbay@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #315E
  • David Dufeau
    David Dufeau, Ph.D.
    Chair of Anatomy and Pathology
    Associate Professor of Anatomy
    (317) 955-6603
    ddufeau@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #313D
  • Dr Robyn Fuchs
    Robyn Fuchs, Ph.D., FACSM, FASBMR
    Faculty Association President
    Professor of Physiology
    (317) 955-6272
    rfuchs@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #317E
  • Rhonda Garrison
    Rhonda Garrison
    Assistant Dean for the Continuum of Physician Education
    (317) 955-6260
    rgarrison@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #303F
  • Julia Hum, Ph.D.
    Julia M. Hum, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor of Physiology
    Program Director, M.S. in Biomedical Sciences
    (317) 955-6265
    jmhum@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #312A
  • Clif Knight, MD, CPE, FAAFP
    Clif Knight, M.D., CPE, FAAFP
    Assistant Dean of Graduate Medical Education
    Associate Professor of Family Medicine
    (317) 955-6295
    cknight@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #311A
    Bio
  • Anthony Martin, DO
    Anthony L. Martin, DO
    Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs
    Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
    (317) 955-6268
    amartin2@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #303E
  • Luke Nelligan, D.O.
    Luke Nelligan, DO
    Chair of Family Medicine
    Assistant Professor of Family Medicine
    (317) 955-6634
    lnelligan@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #311B
    Bio
  • Elizabeth Petsche, JD
    Elizabeth Petsche, JD
    Assistant General Counsel
    Senior Advisor to the Senior Vice President of Health Professions
    Associate Professor of Family Medicine
    (317) 955-6722
    empetsche@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #362
    Bio
  • Catherine Steding, Ph.D.
    Catherine Steding, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    (317) 955-6398
    csteding@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #315C
  • Clint Whitson
    Clint Whitson, Ed.D.
    Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
    (317) 955-6611
    cwhitson@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #309F
  • Sarah B. Zahl, Ph.D.
    Sarah Zahl, Ph.D.
    Associate Dean for Accreditation and Assessment
    Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Education
    (317) 955-6615
    szahl@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #311A
    Bio

Biomedical Science Staff

  • headshot
    Alexandria Hofmeister
    Administrative Assistant, BMS Master's Program
    (317) 955-6047
    ahofmeister@marian.edu
    Evans Center #304
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    Laurie Ray
    Administrative Assistant
    (317) 955-6719
    lkray@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #303

Clinical Affairs Staff

  • Lisa Blake
    Lisa Blake
    Administrative Assistant for Pre-Clerkship Clinical Faculty
    (317) 955-6290
    lblake@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #303
  • Headshort placeholder
    Tyler Fletcher
    Medical Student Academic Coordinator
    (317) 338-2282
    tyler.fletcher@ascension.org
  • Maxine Gries
    Maxine Gries
    Clerkship Coordinator
    (317) 955-6181
    mgries@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #316
  • headshot
    Nathan Medsker
    Clerkship Coordinator
    (317) 955-6607
    nmedsker@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #316
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    Paula Meyer
    Clerkship Coordinator
    (317) 955-6623
    pmeyer@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #316
  • Sarah Price
    Sarah Price '21
    Clerkship Coordinator
    (317) 955-6289
    sprice1@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #316
  • Tonna Thomas
    Tonna Thomas, M.S.
    Clerkship Coordinator
    (317) 955-6171
    tthomas@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #316

Student Affairs Team

  • Headshort placeholder
    Cortney Brunson
    Coordinator of Health Professions Pathway Programs
    (317) 955-6474
    cbruson@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 350F
  • Lauren Goodall
    Lauren Goodall
    Administrative Assistant
    (317) 955-6410
    lgoodall@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 109
  • Elisha Hancock
    Elisha Hancock, M.S.
    Career Advisor and GME Specialist
    (317) 955-6367
    ehancock@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 108
  • Hofmeister, Kaylee
    Kaylee Hofmeister, M.Ed.
    Graduate Learning Support Specialist
    (317) 955-6612
    khofmeister@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 109
  • Asia Hudson
    Asia L. Hudson, M.A.
    Director of Student Leadership and Wellness Programs
    (317) 955-6021
    ahudson1@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 109
  • Holly Kerstner
    Holly Kerstner, M.S.
    Director of Academic Support
    (317) 955-6248
    hkerstner@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 117
  • Chris Parr
    Christopher Parr
    Director of Graduate Medical Education Advising and Applications
    (317) 955-6605
    cparr@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 108
  • Tiffany Powell
    Tiffany Powell
    Director of Health Professions Pathway Programs
    (317) 955-6485
    tpowell@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 116
  • Vitaniemi, Sara
    Sara Vitaniemi, M.S.Ed.
    Graduate Learning Support Specialist
    (317) 955-6716
    svitaniemi@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 109       
  • clint whitson
    Clint Whitson, Ed.D.
    Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
    (317) 955-6611
    cwhitson@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 309F    

Health Professions Enrollment Management Team

  • Helen Buckley
    Helen Buckley
    Associate Director of Admission
    (317) 955-6128
    hbuckley@marian.edu
    Huntington Hall, Room 014
  • Tennille Culp
    Tennille Culp
    Assistant Director of Admission
    (317) 955-6773
    tculp@marian.edu
    Huntington Hall, Room 014
  • julia-ford
    Julia Ford
    Associate Director of Financial Aid
    (317) 955-6298
    jford@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 109
  • Jessica Gendron
    Associate Director of Admissions
    (317) 955-6063
    jgendron@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 109
  • Lauren Goodall
    Lauren Goodall
    Administrative Assistant
    (317) 955-6410
    lgoodall@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 109
  • Elizabeth Griffith, MS
    Elizabeth Griffith
    Manager of Enrollment Marketing
    (317) 955-6334
    egriffith@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 309H
  • Jessica Morales-Maust, Ed.D.
    Jessica Morales Maust, Ed.D.
    Vice President of Enrollment Management
    (317) 822-6818
    jmorales@marian.edu
    Wheeler-Stokely Mansion, 201
  • Jade Plummer
    Jade Plummer
    Coordinator of Admission
    (317) 955-6302
    jplummer@marian.edu
    Huntington Hall, 014
  • Molly Pratt
    Molly Pratt
    Admissions Advisor and Recruiter
    (317) 955-6220
    mpratt@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 112
  • Benjamin Swift
    Benjamin Swift
    Assistant Director of Financial Aid
    Online and Second Degree Programs
    (317) 955-6492
    bswift@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 114
  • Nick Zamora
    Nick Zamora
    Assistant Director of Financial Aid
    Health Professions Programs
    (317) 955-6503
    nzamora@marian.edu
    Evans Center, 114

Hill-Rom Simulation Center

  • headshot
    James Cooper
    Simulation Technology Specialist
    (317) 955-6068
    jcooper@marian.edu
    Bio
  • headshot
    JoJo Hendricks, RN, BSN '98
    Assistant Director, Hill-Rom Simulation Center
    (317) 955-6242
    dhendricks1@marian.edu
  • Regina Marks
    Regina Marks
    Standardized Patient Coordinator
    (317) 955-6515
    rmarks@marian.edu
    Bio 
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    David Patterson
    Director, Hill-Rom Simulation Center
    (317) 955-6277
    dpatterson@marian.edu
    Bio

Assessment

  • Wendy Labuzan
    Wendy Labuzan
    Coordinator of Examinations
    (317) 955-6602
    wsenour@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #309H
  • Sarah B. Zahl, Ph.D.
    Sarah Zahl, Ph.D.
    Associate Dean for Accreditation and Assessment
    Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Education
    (317) 955-6615
    szahl@marian.edu
    Evans Center, Room #311A
    Bio
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Indianapolis, IN 46222-1997
(317) 955-6000

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Notice of Nondiscrimination: Marian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, age or disabilities in the selection of administrative personnel, faculty and staff, and students. Placement rates are gathered from data collected from graduates within six months of graduation. Students may make a complaint to the Indiana Commission of Higher Education. Marian University is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana.