Mildred MG Olivier, MD, FACS
Associate Dean, School of Medicine St. Louis Campus
BS – Loyola University of Chicago
MD – Chicago Medical School
Dr. Olivier received her medical degree from Chicago Medical School (CMS) . She completed her ophthalmology residency at Columbia University/ Harlem Hospital Center in New York and her fellowship in Glaucoma at the Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State University. Most recently Dr. Olivier served as the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion in the office of Academic Learning Environment and Professor of Ophthalmology while maintaining a clinical practice specializing in Glaucoma.
The scope of her work involves professional development, retention, academic support, mentoring, and collaborations with local and national medical associations. Her goal is to allow Underrepresented in Medicine (UiM) students to meet the challenges of the healthcare needs in their communities. Her commitment to increasing the diversity of the healthcare workforce is also shown through her work with the National Medical Association, a clinical practice honoring the mission and global ophthalmology initiatives. We welcome students, staff and faculty committed to these goals.
Ferrahs Abdelbaset, DC
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
B.A. – St. Louis UniversityD.C. – Logan College of Chiropractic
Dr. Abdelbaset is a licensed chiropractic physician with an active practice in the St. Louis-area focusing on maintaining wellness, pain management, and preventive healthcare. His areas of special emphasis are the spine, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system and associated musculature.
In addition to his clinical practice, he is an experienced professor who has taught health professions education at various institutions in the St. Louis area for nearly a decade. He will be teaching courses in physiology and anatomy.
Israel Alvarado, PhD
Assistant Professor
Assistant Chair of Basic Sciences
BS – California State University, San MarcosPh.D. – University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Dr. Alvarado is a PhD scientist with extensive research experience both in academia and in private industry. He has previously taught at Nevada State College, Arizona College of Nursing, Touro University of Nevada, and the College of Southern Nevada and he has published articles and presented papers at scientific conferences on these topics. He will be teaching courses in the areas of microbiology and biochemistry.
Annessa Blackmun, DPM
Assistant Professor
MSMS Coordinator, MSMS On Campus
BS – Kentucky State UniversityDPM – New York College of Podiatric Medicine
Dr. Blackmun is a licensed podiatrist and health care consultant with a special interest in wellness and preventive healthcare. She completed a postdoctoral podiatric medicine and surgical residency at Ochsner Medical Center in Louisiana.
In addition to her clinical work as a podiatrist, she consults with and provides professional services to a variety of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the St. Louis area. She also provides business development consultation services to various healthcare companies and medical practices. She will be teaching courses in anatomy and medical ethics.
Shannon Green, DC
Assistant Professor
MSMS Coordinator, MSMS Online
BS – Purdue UniversityDC – Logan University
Dr. Green is a licensed chiropractor with experience working in a fast-paced multidisciplinary practice committed to pain management and overall patient wellness. She brings a wealth of healthcare knowledge to the classroom as a health professions education instructor. At PHSU, she is an assistant professor teaching courses in Neuroscience and Histology.
Murad Odeh, PhD
Associate Professor
Assistant Course Director, Physiology
BS, MS – Yarmouk University, IrbidPhD – Louisiana State University
Dr. Murad Odeh, known as Dr. O by his students, holds the position of Associate Professor at Ponce Health Sciences University, specializing in Medical Physiology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology. Additionally, he serves as the Assistant Course Director for Microbiology; Dr. Odeh is also a visiting scholar at Southern California Health Science University & Jacksonville University. Dr. Odeh’s academic path is adorned with achievements, including a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Louisiana State University & M.Sc. degree in Microbiology. His research has focused on curved DNA in Bacillus subtilis RNA polymerase-promoter interactions.
Beyond his scholarly pursuits, Dr. Odeh has assumed pivotal roles such as Chair of the Biology Department, President of the Council of Chairs, and Administrator of Curriculum & Student Learning at South Texas College. Demonstrating remarkable adaptability, he has showcased his teaching prowess across various platforms, including online, hybrid, and traditional face-to-face formats. Dr. Odeh’s contributions extend beyond the confines of academia; he has collaborated with McGraw-Hill as a Subject Matter Expert, aiding in developing educational tools like Connect and Online Microbiology Laboratories. Additionally, he has lent his expertise as a Digital Faculty Consultant, offering invaluable guidance to faculty members utilizing Connect Products.
Throughout his career, Dr. Odeh’s unwavering dedication to education and the holistic development of his students remains the cornerstone of his scholarly journey.
Devi Prasadh Ramakrishnan, MBBS MS PhD
Assistant Professor
Course Director – Community Medicine and PBL
Research Director for St. Louis Campus
BS – University of Missouri – Columbia
PhD – Saint Louis University
Dr. Devi Prasadh is physician-scientist and practiced at a surgical gastroenterology hospital. His research interests are in the molecular mechanisms of sleep-apnea, oxygen-sensing, hypertension, angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, thrombosis and microparticles with implications in cardiovascular and cancer disorders.
He has published original research in clinical and basic sciences, taught and mentored students in the USA and abroad. At PHSU, he will be training students in clinical and basic medical sciences.
Andrea Reaka, PhD
Assistant Professor, Biochemistry
BS – University of Illinois – Chicago
MS – University of Illinois – Chicago
PhD – University of Illinois – Chicago
Dr. Andrea Reaka received her PhD. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago where her research focused on Molecular Modeling and Drug Design. She did a Post-doctoral Fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis focusing her researching on beta-turn mimetics for a protein scaffolding library. She has presented and published her work in various media.
Dr. Reaka has previously taught at the School of Pharmacy at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Harris-Stowe State University, along with various community colleges including St. Louis Community College and Southwest Illinois College. She will be teaching courses in the areas of biochemistry and pharmacology.
Chiedozie Waturuocha, MBBS MD PhD
Associate Professor
Assistant Course Director, Anatomical Science and Coordinator, PBL’s
MBBCH – University of Calabar
MS – Oklahoma State University
PhD – Oklahoma State University
Dr. Chiedozie Waturuocha is a Pediatric infectious diseases specialist. He completed his Pediatrics Residency/ Fellowship at the University of Benin teaching hospital in Nigeria. He also holds MS and Ph.D. degrees from Oklahoma State University. He is a dynamic educator that brings almost 20 years of experience in academic/ research/ clinical roles to complement the training of future physicians.
Dr. Waturuocha leans on his professional skills in his interactions with students while integrating his practical clinical experiences into his lectures. He will be teaching courses in Gross Anatomy and Community Medicine.
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