Primary Faculty

Heidi H. Allespach, Ph.D.

Professor, Medical Education, Medicine and Surgery
Clinical Profile
Biography: Heidi Allespach, PhD, is a Professor in the Departments of Medical Education, Medicine & Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Hospital.
For over 25 years, Dr. Allespach has specialized in the training of residents & fellows, practicing physicians, medical students & counselors.
Her main specialty areas...
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Mary Ann Benites-Kaplan, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor, Professional Practice

Biography: Dr. Mary Ann Benites Kaplan is an accomplished educator with extensive experience in higher education leadership, curriculum development, CQI, and instructional design. Dr. Benites Kaplan holds a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from Northeastern University, specializing in Higher Education Administration with an emphasis on Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership....
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Latha Chandran, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A.

Executive Dean for Education and Policy

Biography: Dr. Latha Chandran currently serves as the Executive Dean for Education and Policy and the Bernard J. Fogel Founding Chair of the Department of Medical Education at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. In this role, she led the implementation of the innovative NextGenMD curriculum in 2020.
In addition to overseeing the NextGenMD...
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Hilit F. Mechaber, M.D.

Associate Professor of Medical Education, General Internal Medicine
Publications
Biography: Dr. Hilit Mechaber is the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs and an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSM). A distinguished alumna of the UM BS/MD Honors Program in Medicine, Dr. Mechaber completed her residency in Primary Care Internal Medicine at the George Washington University.

Dr....
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Vivian T. Obeso

Assoc. Prof Clinical Medical Education_Pending Rank

Biography: Dr. Obeso received her medical degree in May 2000 from the University of Miami School of Medicine and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Following her residency, she pursued a fellowship in Research in Medical Education at the University of Miami Gordon Center, recognized as a Center of Excellence in Simulation and Research in Medical...
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Adrian Reynolds, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Professional Practice

Biography: Dr. Reynolds serves as founding director of the Office of Academic Enrichment, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, and learning coach in the Department of Medical Education. With close to two decades of experience as a professional educator, Dr. Reynolds is on a mission to facilitate the development of self-regulated, adaptive learning skills through deliberate...
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Shalom Saar, Ph.D.

Asst. Professor Prof. Practice of Medical Education

Biography: Dr. Shalom Saada Saar is a renowned thought leader in executive education, with over thirty years of experience in teaching, directing, and designing programs that transform leaders and organizations. A Harvard University graduate, Dr. Saar has dedicated his career to discovering and applying innovative learning methods that engage and empower adult learners.
Rejecting...
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Maria (Rose) van Zuilen, PhD, AGSF

Professor of Professional Practice

Biography: Rose Maria van Zuilen, PhD, AGSF, is a Professor of Professional Practice in the Department of Medical Education at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She started her professional career in geriatric nursing and obtained her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Miami. She completed her psychology residency training with a focus...
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Nanette Vega, Ed.D.

Assistant Dean for Medical Education

Biography: Dr. Nanette Vega currently serves as the inaugural Assistant Dean of the Office of Belonging and Inclusive Excellence and Assistant Professor of Professional Practice at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She is a founding member of the office. Prior to her current position, Dr. Vega served as Director of Diversity for the Office of Faculty Affairs. She...
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Chi Zhang, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Biography: Dr. Zhang began his medical education career in 1993 as an education specialist in the Office of Continuing Medical Education at Michael Reese Hospital/University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. In 1995, Dr. Zhang joined the UM faculty serving four years as a surgical educator in the Department of Surgery, where he helped to develop and implement the surgical...
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