Faculty

Academic Leadership
Anatomy
Behavioral Science
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Clinical Science
Epidemiology
Introduction to Clinical Medicine and Physical Diagnosis (ICMPD)
Medical Librarian
Microbiology and Immunology
Pathology
Pharmacology
Physiology
USMLE Review Course
Visiting Faculty

Acting Chief Academic Officer, Dean of Basic Science

Arun Kumar Dubey,MBBS, MD

Dr. Arun Kumar Dubey is a Physician, Clinical Pharmacologist and an Administrator by training. After completing his MBBS degree from Guwahati Medical College in India, Dr. Dubey completed three years of Residency in Clinical Pharmacology at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE).

Associate Provost

Burton Herz,MD, FACS, FACG

blherzmd@xusom.com

Dr. Herz previously served as the Dean of Clinical Science at XUSOM. Dr. Herz is the past Chairman and Program Director of Surgery for over 20 years at Montefiore New Rochelle Medical Center (formerly Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester). Additionally, he was a Professor of Clinical Surgery and Associate Dean at New York Medical College. He was also a Professor of Surgery and Director of Medical Education at St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada. Dr. Herz is the former Governor of the American College of Surgeons, as well as the first Clinical Dean at UMHS in St. Kitts. He is a founding member and President of the CIMG P.C. (a 144-physician multi-specialty group practice) in Brooklyn, New York. His primary areas of interest in clinical practice and research include Trauma / Critical Care and Surgical Infections. He has been interested in both graduate and post-graduate medical education for his entire career. This includes being an editor and author of multiple articles and books. In addition, Dr. Herz has taught and lectured in various countries including the United Kingdom, Mexico, France, and South America.

Dean of Clinical Science

Joseph Balsamo,MD

jbalsamomd@xusom.com

Dr. Balsamo has attained many reputable achievements throughout his medical career. This includes his current position as a Partner at the West Haven Medical Group where he brings the full range of medical care in both ambulatory and hospital, sub-acute and long-term settings. He is also currently a Medical Director at the Branford Hills Rehabilitation Center and a Medical Student Preceptor at Quinnipiac University. He was also given the award of “Outstanding Ambulatory Care Teacher” from 2009-2010 by the Hospital of Saint Raphael due to his prestigious background in medical training. He has also received a wide range of certificates. This includes his board certification in Internal Medicine, which he attained in 1990 and still holds to this day. Additionally, he also served as a Clinical Instructor for both Downstate University and Yale University. He has also taught students while working at the Netter School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine.

Assistant Dean of Clinical Science

Ahmad Abazid,MD

abazidmd@xusom.com

Dr. Ahmad graduated from Aleppo University School of Medicine in 2004. After that he became the Assistant Medical Director at Carolina Medical Lab before he started a family medicine residency in Wichita Falls, Texas in 2007. During his last year he was Chief Resident. Upon completion of his residency, he became core faculty. At that time he was the Vice Chairman and then the Family Medicine Department Chairman at United Regional Health Care System. In 2016, he and his family moved to New York so his wife could begin her OB residency. He has practiced as a hospitalist in LIJ Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital, and practiced urgent care in Brooklyn. His passion for academia led him to start a geriatric fellowship at State University of New York, Downstate Brooklyn.

Dean of Student Affairs

Gil Apacible,MD, MA

apaciblemd@xusom.com

Dr. Apacible earned his B.S. in Preparatory Medicine (1967-1971) in the Institute of Arts & Sciences, Far Eastern University, and graduated “cum laude”. He continued his medical education in the Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, Far Eastern University, and graduated in 1975.

Assistant Dean of Pre-Med

Kevin Pawlak,PhD

kpawlakphd@xusom.com

Dr. Kevin Pawlak received his Ph.D in Biology from the University of Western Ontario in Canada. He was nominated for a Teaching Assistant award twice, first in 2005 and again in 2006. He has numerous publications and has given many presentations, and has served as a supervisor to many students.

Assistant Dean of Basic Sciences

Jonathan Lambo,MD

jlambomd@xusom.com

Dr. Lambo earned his M.D. from the University of Vienna Medical School. Most recently he received a Professional Specialization Certificate in Population Health Data Analysis from the University of Victoria in Canada. He has completed research projects in collaboration with the World Health Organization and at the University of Calgary Department of Community Health Sciences.

Associate Dean of Student Affairs

Segie Apacible II,DMD

segiedds@xusom.com

Dr. Apacible II earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1994 in Pre-Dental Sciences from Centro Escolar University in the Philippines. He went on to graduate from the same University in 1998 as a Doctor of Dental Medicine.

Assistant Dean of Faculty Development

Heather Lea Harvey,Dr. Public Health

Dr. Harvey received her M.S. in Health Promotion and Health Education from the University of Tennessee. She then went on to obtain her Dr. PH from the University of South Carolina. She has served as an International Educational Consultant in a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan. She has worked as a professor at a number of institutions around the world, and has been a part of numerous publications.

Professor of Gross & Developmental Anatomy

Gil Apacible,MD, MA

apaciblemd@xusom.com

Dr. Apacible earned his B.S. in Preparatory Medicine (1967-1971) in the Institute of Arts & Sciences, Far Eastern University, and graduated “cum laude.” He continued his medical education in the Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, Far Eastern University, and graduated in 1975.

Associate Professor of Anatomy and Medical Terminology

Segie Apacible II,DMD

segiedds@xusom.com

Assistant Professor of Anatomy

Manisha Hansda, MBBS, MD

mhansdamd@xusom.com

Dr. Manisha Hansda received her M.B.B.S. and her M.D. from Lady Hardinge Medical College in India. She has served as a delegate for a number of conferences, workshops, and training programs, and has organized a number of these events as well.

Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Histology

Lalit Mehra,MBBS, MD

lmehramd@xusom.com

Dr. Lalit Mehra received his M.B.B.S. from Kasturba Medical College, where he passed in First Class. He then went on to complete his M.D. at Lady Hardinge Medical College, where he completed a residency in Surgical Anatomy. He conducted research in rare anomalies and the clinical anatomy of coronary venous circulation, and participated in a number of conferences and workshops both as a delegate and as a presenter.

Assistant Professor of Psychology and Research Methodology

Teofilo Espada-Brignoni,MA, PhD

tespadaphd@xusom.com

Dr. Teolfilo Espada-Brignoni received his Ph.D in Psychology from the Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Rio Piedras. He has served as an adjunct professor for many years, and has given numerous presentations. He currently has three research articles under review as well as four encyclopedia articles on review.

Lecturer of Behavior Sciences

Gabriel Andrade,PhD

gandradephd@xusom.com

Dr. Gabriel Andrade received a Doctorate of Human Sciences from Universidad del Zulia, Venezuela. He has had teaching experience in Venezuela, Colombia, and the Marshall Islands for more than ten years. He has received research grants for research in Canada, the United States, and Spain, by the respective governments of those countries. He has written peer-reviewed articles and books on psychology and philosophy. His research interests are in medical ethics, religion and health, and evolutionary psychology. He frequently writes op-ed pieces on ethics and current affairs in The Prindle Post.

Stress Management Expert Student Counsellor

Sharon Burgler

sburgler@xusom.com

Sharon is a Stress Management Expert with more than 20 years of experience in coaching and training of medical specialists, lawyers, officers, management groups and board members of large companies. She is specialized in the unique emotional, psychological, and physiological needs of doctors who are nearly stressed out or with experience of burn-out.

Professor of Biochemistry

Malpe Surekha Bhat,PhD

mbhatphd@xusom.com

Dr. Bhat graduated with a Bachelor in Science in 1992 from Mangalore University, India. She later earned her Master in Science in Biochemistry. She was then awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in 2005, from Manipal University in India.

Professor of Biochemistry

Shankar Majhi,MBBS, MD

smajhimd@xusom.com

Dr. Majhi completed his medical school training at VSS Medical College, Sambalpur, and Orissa. After completing his M.D. in Biochemistry, and a Senior Residency in JIPMER, Dr. Majhi moved to Nepal. During his time in Nepal, he became a founding Professor of Biochemistry in a new Medical College and also worked as an editor of the medical journal, NMCJ.

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Jacques Odryzynski

jodryzynski@xusom.com

Professor Odryzynski received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida. He has since received A+ and MCP certification. Professor Odryzynski worked previously as a process engineer for Valero Energy Corporation. In 2007, he started teaching at Xavier University School of Medicine. He began with parts one and two of general chemistry, working to help each student understand and apply chemistry. Professor Odryzynski has since taught organic chemistry, pre-calculus, and physics as well. He is also a facilitator for PBL (Problem-Based Learning) for those respective subjects.

Professor Internal Medicine

Bangalore Murthy,MD

Medical Director

Jackson Park Hospital

bangaloremurthy@hotmail.com

Professor Family Medicine

Chairperson Family Medicine

Cheryl Carrao,MD

Director of Osteopathic Medical Education

South Nassau Communities Hospital

drcarrao@optonline.net

Professor Internal Medicine

Eric Mizuno,MD

Medical Staff

Weiss Memorial Hospital

ericmizuno@yahoo.com

Professor Internal Medicine

George Lawrence,MD

Director of Medical Education

St. Agnes Hospital

glawrence@stagnes.org

Professor Family Medicine

Regional Chair/Professor of Family Medicine

Lakshmi Dodda,MD

Dean of Family Medicine Residency and Medical Students

Jackson Park Hospital

lpdodda@gmail.com

Professor Surgery

Surgery Chair

Madhu Rangraj,MD

Director of Surgery

Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital

ramaf@aol.com

Professor Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine Chair

Parvez Mir,MD

Director Pulmonary CC

Wyckoff Heights Medical Center

pmirmd@gmail.com

Professor OB/GYN

Chairperson OB/GYN

Paul Liu,MD, JD

Director of Gynecologic Oncology

Nassau University Medical Center

pliuJDMD@gmail.com

Professor Family Medicine

Peter Urazov,DO

Director of Medical Education

Brookhaven Memorial Hospital

purazov@bmhmc.org

Professor Family Medicine

Sonia Velez,MD

Program Director, Medical Education

St. Joseph’s Medical Center

sonia.velez@saintjosephs.org

Professor Internal Medicine

Pratap Kumar,MD

Attending Physician

Jackson Park Hospital

pkumar352@aol.com

Professor Primary Care

Shawn Cannon,DO, FACOI

Chief Academic Officer

Stony Brook Medicine at Southampton

scannon@rpsom.org

Professor Family Medicine

Chairperson Psychiatry

Ronald Brenner,MD

Chief of Behavioral Health Service Line for the Catholic Health System

Mercy Hospital Medical Center

Rbrenner16@aol.com

Professor Internal Medicine

Rebecca Fishman,DO

Director of Medical Education

Mercy Hospital Center

rfishmando@gmail.com

Professor of Internal Medicine

Chairman Internal Medicine

Richard Pomerantz,MD

Chairman Department of Medicine

St. Agnes Hospital

rpomeran@stagnes.org

Professor Pediatrics

Chairperson Pediatrics

Sanjivan Patel,MD, FAAP

Chairman, Department of Pediatrics

Wyckoff Heights Medical Center

patelsanjivan@gmail.com

Professor Surgery

Siddiq Hasan,MD

Chief of Surgery

Jackson Park Hospital

siddiqzehrahasan@yahoo.com

Associate Professor of Internal Medicine

Aftab Khan,MD

Teaching Attending Physician

Jackson Park Hospital

1368khan@gmail.com

Associate Professor of Surgery

Peter Geis,MD

Chair, Department of Medical Education

Northwest Hospital Center

wgeis@lifebridgehealth.org

Associate Professor of Surgery

Frank Apantaku,MD

Attending Surgeon

Jackson Park Hospital

clinic.apantaku@gmail.com

Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Gayle Kates,MD

Attending Physician

Jackson Park Hospital

gaylekatesmd@gmail.com

Associate Professor of Family Medicine

Hee Han Kim,MD

Attending Physician

Jackson Park Hospital

hkimjph@yahoo.com

Associate Professor of Surgery

Leonard Maffucci,MD, FACS

General and Bariatric Surgery

Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital

leomaff@aol.com

Associate Professor of Internal Medicine

Mohammad Hussain,MD

Attending Physician

Jackson Park Hospital

hussainmtj@yahoo.com

Associate Professor of Family Medicinwe

Rajiv Kandala,MD

Attending Physician

Jackson Park Hospital

rajib26@hotmail.com

Associate Professor OBGYN

Ruksana Nazneen,MD

Program Director

Jackson Park Hospital

ruknazmd@yahoo.com

Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Shirley Montgomery,MD

Director of Department of Pediatrics

Jackson Park Hospital

shirleymontgomery@jacksonpark.com

Associate Professor of Internal Medicine

Thodur Ranganathan,MD

Director Medical Education

Jackson Park Hospital

ranganthant@aol.com

Assistant Professor of Family Medicine

Adebayo Bademosi,MD

Attending Physician

Jackson Park Hospital

drbademosi@yahoo.com

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Carletha Hughes,MD

Attending Physician

Jackson Park Hospital

carlethahughes@yahoo.com

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Clara Akhigbe,MD

Attending Physician

Jackson Park Hospital

UYINO@aol.com

Assistant Professor of Surgery

Hong Ming Lay,MD, FACS

Private Practice

Jackson Park Hospital

hllay@yahoo.com

Assistant Professor of Surgery

Shani Palmer,MD

Attending Physician: Colon and Rectal Surgery/General Surgery

Motefiore New Rochelle Hospital

shanipalmer@gmail.com

Assistant Professor Internal Medicine

Syed Ali,MBBS

Jackson Park Hospital

syed_ali60640@yahoo.com

Assistant Professor of Surgery

Michael Silberstein,MD

Director of Bariatric Surgery

Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital

msilbers@montefiore.org

Professor of Epidemiology

Jonathan Lambo,MD

jlambomd@xusom.com

Associate Professor of Epidemiology

Heather Lea Harvey,Dr. Public Health

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health

Maribelle Tromp

mtromp@xusom.com

Maribelle Tromp received her Master of Public Health from the University of Liverpool and Laureate Education. She majored in Epidemiology. She previously worked at the Department of Public Health of Aruba, and has served as an epidemiologic data analyst for various clients.

Professor of Introduction to Clinical Medicine and Physical Diagnosis (ICMPD)

Director of Standardized Patient (SP) Program and OSCE

Neelam Dwivedi,MBBS, DO, DNB

neelammd@xusom.com

Dr. Dwivedi is a trained Surgical Ophthalmologist. After finishing her M.B.B.S. at Jhansi Medical College in India, she completed her two-year Diploma in Ophthalmology at Manipal Academy of Higher Education. She went on further to complete three years of residency training at Icare EYE Hospital.

Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine

Albert John Croes,MD

jcroesmd@xusom.com

Dr. Croes finished medical school in 1982 at the Universidad Javeriana, in Bogota, Colombia. He comes from a long history of native natural doctors. He is a very active physician in society and received a Public Achievement Award in 2013 at the Social Public Center, “Playa Pabow”. Dr. Croes gives medical training, conducts public lectures, writes medical articles in the news, appears regularly on TV and radio shows, and is very popular in the Caribbean. He is known on the islands as a “second opinion” doctor. He also organizes his own annual public seminar in integrative medicine. His website is well-known for online consultation and general preventive advice. Additionally, Dr. Croes is the President of the Aruba Wellness Institute Project.

Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine

Robert M Dennert,MD

rdennertmd@xusom.com

Dr. Dennert received his MD from Maastricht University. He serves as a general cardiologist at the Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital in Aruba.

Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine

Jaclyn M.L. de Kort,MD

jkortmd@xusom.com

Dr. Jaclyn M.L. de Kort earned her M.D. from Maastricht University. She serves a doctor and infectious diseases specialist in the outpatient clinic for general internal medicine, HIV, and infectious diseases at the Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital in Aruba.

Assistant Professor

Daybelis Alexandra Maria Croes,MD

Dr. Croes graduated from the Universidad De Ciencias Medicas (UCIMED), Costa Rica in 2016. Her medical internships includes Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics and OB-Gyn. She also did Plastic Surgery rotation in 2012. Dr. Croes is currently a General Practitioner on the island of Aruba.

Tutor

Ralitza A. Spassova,MD

rspassovamd@xusom.com

Dr. Ralitza A. Spassova received her M.D. from Aureus University School of Medicine. She has gone on to found Sex Talks: Youth Empowerment Through Information, Global Health. She has served as a research assistant and assisted in authoring numerous works.

Medical Librarian

Kendra Parson,MLS

kparson@xusom.com
Kendra Parson received her Master’s in Library Science from the University of Maryland. Her concentration was in Information and Diverse Populations.

Assistant Professor for Health Biotech, Immunology, Microbiology

Tulika Mishra,PhD

Dr. Tulika Mishra received her Ph.D in Life Sciences from Punjabi University, Punjab, India in 2009. She has12 years of experience in administration and academics, including guiding M.Sc Dissertations and Ph.D students. She previously worked as Director at India Life Technologies, as well as Professor at Chandigarh University, Punjab, India. She has won “Best Teacher” awards and multiple Universities and has 27 publications.

Lecturer of Microbiology

Fidelis Nwachukwu,MD, BMLS

fnwachukwumd@xusom.com

Dr. Nwachukwu received his Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences from the University of Nigeria and then went on to obtain and M.D. from All Saints University College of Medicine in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Recently, he completed his M.Sc in Clinical Pharmacology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Nigeria. During his time at All Saints he was awarded Best Graduating Student in Basic Medical Sciences. Later, he was conferred an Outstanding Performance Award from the Nigerian Medical Association.

Lecturer of Microbiology and Immunology

Prasanna Honnavar,PhD

phonnavarphd@xusom.com

Dr. Honnavar completed his Ph.D in Medical Microbiology at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in India. His thesis is titled “Speciation, molecular typing and pathobiology of Malassezia species isolated from patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis/dandruff”. He has numerous publications and awards, and has participated in and presented at a number of conferences.

Professor of Pathology

Vishal Saxena,MD

Dr. Vishal Saxena received his M.D. (Pathology) from Armed Forces Medical College, University of Pune, India. He has served as the Assistant Dean of Academics and Student Affairs at American University of Barbados, as well as Chair & Course Director of Department of Pathology. Prior to that, he was a Professor in the Department of Pathology at Medical University of the Americas, St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies. He has vast global teaching, clinical practice, and administrative experience. He has held key positions as Chief of the Laboratory Services at Aga Khan Hospital, and Medical Superintendent at the International Medical and Technological University, Tanzania. He was the Chief of Laboratory Medicine Department and Blood Bank, Moolchand Medcity Hospital, (India’s First JCI and Comprehensive NABH Accredited Hospital), in New Delhi, India. He has been bestowed with “Most Outstanding Professor” award in recognition of superior teaching and commitment to quality medical education at various medical universities across the world. He is an accomplished orator par excellence, and has graced White Coat Graduation Ceremonies at medical universities as the keynote speaker on multiple occasions.

Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Histology

Lalit Mehra,MBBS, MD

lmehramd@xusom.com

Lecturer of Pathology

Fidelis Nwachukwu,MD, BMLS

fnwachukwumd@xusom.com

Professor of Pharmacology

Arun Kumar Dubey,MBBS, MD

Dubeymd@xusom.com

Lecturer of Pharmacology

Narasimha Prasad Vijayashankar,MD

nvijayashankarmd@xusom.com
Dr. Vijayshankar earned his MD in Pharmacology from Manipur University. He has given a number of presentations and participated in many workshops and conferences. His MD thesis is titled “Evaluation of Anti Gastric Ulcer and Anti Microbial Property of Impatiens Balsamina Linn.”

Assistant Professor of Physiology

Gopikumar Shivaramaiah,MBBS, MD

gshivaramaiahmd@xusom.com

Dr. Kumar earned his M.B.B.S. from Bangalore Medical College in Bengaluru. Following that, he received his M.D. in Physiology from Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital. He is a life member of two scientific organizations: Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists of India (APPI) and Indian Medical Association (IMA).