OFALD Spotlight Archives

BFA – Art Education
MS in Ed. – Instructional Technology

Jon Sweetin is the Curriculum Administration Manager and project lead of the Elentra application implementation here at BSOM. Prior to joining the Office of Medical Education, Jon worked for the North Carolina Community College System Office where he managed the state-wide learning objects repository application for 7 years. He worked as the Director of Distance Education at Pitt Community College before moving to the NCCC System Office for 5 years. He began his career working as an instructional technologist in the Business Solutions Division of the American Red Cross’s headquarters in Washington DC. In 2001, while working at the Red Cross, he was enlisted as a first responder to the events of 9-11 in NYC. Jon was a Division I student athlete and accomplished artist in his years at Southern Illinois University. Jon and his wife Ann Marie live in Winterville, NC with their two boys Jackson, and Wilson.

Karen Litwa, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology

B.S., Grove City College
Ph.D., Emory University
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Virginia School of Medicine

Dr. Karen Litwa, Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, is the first BSOM faculty member to receive the CAREER award that exceeded $1 million total. The CAREER award is the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious and competitive award for junior, pre-tenure, faculty, supporting excellence in research and teaching. This 5-year award will support cutting-edge research on how synapses form in the developing brain, as well as scientific outreach and educational activities, including the development of an undergraduate microscopy course.

BSOM M3
BS, Northeastern University, 2018
Behavioral Neuroscience
Minor in Spanish

Emmalee Todd is currently an M3. They are the M3 Medical Student Council (MSC) diversity representative and the 2022-2023 MSC vice chair, as well as a member of the Student Wellness workgroup for the Executive Curriculum Committee. In the past, they served as the 2021 NCAFCC chair and data manager for the Greenville Community Shelter Clinic, and co-led Peer-Assisted Study Sessions for the M1 neuroanatomy course. They are as yet undecided on a specialty but are determined to remain involved in advocacy and medical education in whatever field they pursue.

In Emmalee’s free time, they enjoy singing with the Greenville Choral Society, wheel-throwing pottery at the Greenville Arts and Crafts Center, volunteering with first-aid teams for events across the state such as the NC State Fair and Umstead 100 ultramarathon, gardening, cooking, and reading.

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine Education
PhD, School of Veterinary Medicine: Louisiana State University
Postdoctoral Fellow: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

Dr. Sriramula’s research is focused on identifying brain inflammation mediated novel signaling mechanisms in regulation of blood pressure. His research work has made major discoveries in the hypertension and neuroinflammation research area and is expected to continue as he has forged many collaborations at ECU. His current research is supported by NIH R01 for the expected award of $1.8 million over 5 years. He has published more than 35 peer-reviewed journal articles in high impact journals. He is also co-director of the Summer Biomedical Research Program, which provides a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to engage in basic science research.

Dr. Sriramula is a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has been very active in mentoring graduate, medical, and undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds. He is actively involved in teaching medical, dental, graduate, and undergraduate students.

Dr. Sriramula is trained as a veterinary doctor in India. He enjoys cooking biryani in his leisure time.

PhD Candidate, Biomedical Sciences
BS, Exercise Science

Everett Minchew is a graduate research assistant in the lab of Dr. Espen Spangenburg which is located within the East Carolina Diabetes & Obesity Institute (ECDOI). Spangenburg’s lab investigates the cellular & molecular regulation of skeletal muscle function.

Minchew’s research is focused on defining mechanism(s) of skeletal muscle hypoxia resistance through which he hopes to identify novel therapeutic target(s) for the treatment and/or prevention of hypoxic myopathy. In addition to this work, he contributes to other active research projects of the ECDOI that are enabled by the collaborative environment of the other labs on the floor.

Outside of the lab, Minchew is a motivated advocate for graduate & professional students within the University of North Carolina System. He spearheaded the first ever NC Graduate & Professional Student Day of Advocacy in April 2021, which has since been expanded into an ongoing initiative called the North Carolina Graduate Student Coalition. His efforts are aimed at increasing graduate student representation within NC State legislature through working closely with the office Representative Brain Farkas.

Minchew’s personal time is dedicated predominantly to music and strength training. He is a vocalist and auxiliary percussionist for a wedding & corporate band that is based in Eastern NC. He was a former goalkeeper trainer for the ECU Varsity Women’s Soccer Program and the Pitt-Greenville Soccer Association. He loves a good game of pickle ball!

Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine Education
PhD, Clinical Psychology: West Virginia University
Internship & Fellowship: Health Psychology/Primary Care: South Texas Veterans Healthcare System

Dr. Brandon Kyle is the co-director for medical student education in the department of psychiatry and behavioral medicine, as well as the chair for the health sciences campus sexual and gender diversity committee.

He educates students across all years of the medical school curriculum, as well as psychiatry residents in the department.

Dr. Kyle provides clinical services as a clinical psychologist, primarily seeing patients for pre-surgical and pre-treatment evaluations.

Dr. Kyle lives in Greenville with his spouse, his two children, and his two cats. He enjoys reading, writing, playing board and card games, and spending time with his family.

BSOM Instructional Technology Consultant
BS, Elementary Education
MAEd, IT Specialist

Prior to coming to ECU BSOM, Melissa Tedder taught K – 5 for 15 years in the Pitt County Schools system. She has been in her role at Brody for three years and serves as the liaison for Brody/ITCS. Tedder was part of the ECU Elentra Implementation Team and is a resource member of the curriculum committees. She works closely with OFALD, OSA, OME, AA, and the Office of Admissions on teach support and training for meetings and events. She designs e-learning modules and manages lecture capture and Canvas for non-medical courses. Tedder provided instructional training and support for faculty, staff, and students.

Melissa Tedder is a member of St. James UMC Worship Team as a Tech Booth Volunteer and singer in the band. She is also a member of an a capella singing group. She grew up in Wilson, NC.

BSOM M.D. Candidate

Michael Denning is a current M1 student at BSOM. Throughout his time at Brody, he has developed a keen interest in the areas of medical education, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement. As the M1 Curriculum Representative, Michael strives to create impact and change, not only on the peer-to-peer level, but on a systemic – policy level. From creating student engagement surveys to advocating for student success on several curriculum committees and working groups, his belief in Brody’s mission of increasing access to medical education for underrepresented and disadvantaged students stands at the forefront of all his work.

Michael’s passions extend to community service and mentorship. As an NC Albert Schweitzer Fellow, he developed and executed a health education and mentorship program with the adolescent black males of Building Hope Community Center. Michael hopes to foster environments that promote the thought of “if you can see it, you can believe it; therefore, you can achieve it!,”.

Michael is the son of Michael and Renita Denning, Sr., and is a native of Garner, NC. He loves baking, watching Grey’s Anatomy, and connecting with classmates and friends.”

Teaching Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology
School of Dental Medicine Pharmacology Department Liaison
Clinical Professor, Department of Advanced Nursing Practice &
Education, College of Nursing

Teaching
In addition to her primary appointment duties, which involve teaching Pharmacology across the Health Sciences campus (BSOM, SoDM and CON), Dr. Leffler has recently participated in the University Writing Program’s Faculty Book Club “Small Teaching Online” and serves on the Brody School of Medicine Admissions Committee. Dr. Leffler is also serving as the Basic Sciences Representative on the Executive Curriculum Committee at BSOM. Later this month, Dr. Leffler will be a guest speaker for this year’s AHEC Adult Mental Health Conference. Dr. Leffler resides in New Bern with her husband and four children.

BSOM Student Development & Academic Counseling
Interim Assistant Dean

Education
North Carolina State University –
Ph.D. in Counselor Education with a minor in Psychology (2009)

Teaching
Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Professions, ECU College of Education where she teaches and mentors graduate students completing degrees in student affairs/college counseling, school counseling and clinical mental health counseling.

Dr. Acheampong (Dr. A) leads the OSDAC team to develop & implement learner support interventions that are innovative, evidence-based & provide learners with tools & inspiration for managing challenges & reaching their goals during medical training.

Although the OSDAC office is small in terms of staff size, Acheampong believes the office provides large-scale support, & she considers the OSDAC office to be one of BSOM’s valuable treasures.

OSDAC includes Dr. Jacques Robidoux, Alley Richardson, Dr. Shawn Moore, & Alysha Gray. Dr. A credits her team for their above & beyond efforts, student-centered perspectives, & ability to bring their collective expertise to positively impact BSOM students’ academic & personal success.

Dr. Acheampong (Dr. A) leads the OSDAC team to develop & implement learner support interventions that are innovative, evidence-based & provide learners with tools & inspiration for managing challenges & reaching their goals during medical training. Although the OSDAC office is small in terms of staff size, Acheampong believes the office provides large-scale support, & she considers the OSDAC office to be one of BSOM’s valuable treasures.OSDAC includes Dr. Jacques Robidoux, Alley Richardson, Dr. Shawn Moore, & Alysha Gray. Dr. A credits her team for their above & beyond efforts, student-centered perspectives, & ability to bring their collective expertise to positively impact BSOM students’ academic & personal success. Acheampong resides in her hometown of Ayden with her two children, Kofi (11), Cassee (12), & a one-year-old Yorkie, Caesar Lee.