Our Experts

BJ Schwartz serves as President & CEO of Partners in Medical Education, where she leads the company’s strategic vision and partners with institutions, GME leaders, and educational teams nationwide to strengthen graduate medical education through strategic planning, organizational development, accreditation support, and operational improvement. Guided by a collaborative, partnership-driven philosophy, she works alongside institutional leaders and educational teams to build sustainable systems that support long-term educational excellence, operational success, and healthier learning environments.

Since Partners was founded in 1994, BJ has continued the company’s commitment to helping institutions launch new programs, strengthen existing programs, and develop practical, sustainable solutions that align with each organization’s unique mission, goals, and challenges. She believes the strongest outcomes are achieved through partnership—becoming an extension of the teams she serves by working alongside institutional leaders and support staff to understand their needs, build trust, and create meaningful, lasting change.

Together with a team of highly experienced consultants, BJ has shaped Partners into a nationally recognized graduate medical education consulting organization known for its personalized approach, strategic guidance, and unwavering commitment to partnership. Under her leadership, Partners continues to advance graduate medical education through consulting, education, coaching, and innovative professional development that strengthen institutions, support leaders, and promote long-term success.

Christine Redovan, MBA, MLIS serves as a Graduate Medical Education Consultant with Partners in Medical Education, where she partners with sponsoring institutions, GME leaders, and residency programs to strengthen operational effectiveness, build sustainable systems, and help institutions confidently prepare for today’s evolving graduate medical education environment. Through practical, data-informed strategies, she helps organizations build the strong foundations needed for long-term success.

Working alongside institutional teams, Chris helps organizations strengthen institutional oversight, improve communication, and build practical systems that support continuous improvement, accountability, and educational quality. Whether assisting with accreditation preparation, program development, or operational strategy, she partners with institutions to develop thoughtful, sustainable approaches that align with institutional priorities while supporting long-term success.

Since joining Partners in Medical Education in 2010, Chris has helped more than seventy new residency programs and sponsoring institutions achieve initial ACGME accreditation and has partnered with more than 100 institutions and programs to strengthen accreditation outcomes, address challenges, and prepare for an evolving graduate medical education environment. Combined with more than two decades of graduate medical education experience and graduate degrees in business administration and library and information science, she brings practical insight, thoughtful preparation, and trusted guidance to every engagement.

Heather Peters, MEd, PhD serves as Director of Learning Pathways and Strategic Initiatives at Partners in Medical Education, where she partners with graduate medical education leaders to navigate complex educational and organizational challenges. By translating educational theory and organizational strategy into practical, sustainable solutions, she helps institutions build intentional professional development systems, support learner success, reduce administrative burden, and advance organizational goals.

Heather designs learning systems that help institutions intentionally embed professional development into the fabric of graduate medical education. Through Learning Pathways, educational frameworks, coaching, and strategic initiatives, she partners with GME leaders to build sustainable approaches that strengthen leadership development, support continuous learning, and reduce the administrative burden of creating and maintaining meaningful educational programs.

Heather combines a Master of Education in Curriculum and Evaluation and a PhD in post-secondary education with an emphasis in adult learning theory with more than two decades of graduate medical education experience. This unique combination enables her to translate educational theory and organizational strategy into practical, sustainable solutions that institutions can implement with confidence.

Carmela Meyer, MBA, EdD serves as a Graduate Medical Education Consultant with Partners in Medical Education, where she partners with sponsoring institutions, GME leaders, and residency programs to align educational, operational, and financial strategies that support sustainable graduate medical education programs. Through a systems-based perspective and strategic planning, she helps organizations develop practical, mission-driven approaches that strengthen institutional goals, physician workforce development, and long-term program success.

Working alongside institutional leaders, Carmela helps organizations navigate complex strategic decisions by aligning organizational priorities, financial resources, and educational objectives. Whether supporting GME finance, grant development, accreditation strategy, program development, or institutional planning, she partners with clients to develop sustainable strategies that strengthen infrastructure, maximize opportunities, and position graduate medical education programs for long-term growth.

With over two decades of experience in graduate medical education spanning academic medical centers and community-based hospitals, Carmela brings a unique combination of expertise in organizational leadership, finance, and educational strategy. Combined with a Master of Business Administration and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, she provides strategic guidance that helps institutions build sustainable graduate medical education programs aligned with their mission, resources, and long-term goals.

Amy Durante, MHA serves as a Graduate Medical Education Consultant with Partners in Medical Education, where she partners with sponsoring institutions, GME offices, and program leadership teams to strengthen institutional oversight, governance, and operational infrastructure across graduate medical education. Through thoughtful analysis and practical strategies, she helps institutions build strong organizational foundations that support accreditation, operational effectiveness, and long-term educational success.

Whether guiding Sponsoring Institution preparation, strengthening GMEC processes, developing GME office infrastructure and policies, or supporting accreditation strategy, she partners with institutions to identify underlying challenges and implement practical, sustainable solutions that support continuous improvement and long-term success.

Since beginning her graduate medical education career in 2009, Amy has supported sponsoring institutions and programs through every stage of the accreditation lifecycle. Combined with a Master of Healthcare Administration and extensive consulting experience, she brings thoughtful analysis, practical guidance, and a passion for helping graduate medical education programs and institutions thrive.

Alfred Peters-Perez, Jr., MDiv, MBA, PhD serves as a Graduate Medical Education Consultant with Partners in Medical Education, where he partners with GME leaders, program directors, and faculty to strengthen leadership, build organizational capacity, and guide institutions through complex organizational and accreditation challenges. By combining a relationship-centered approach with practical strategy, he helps institutions create sustainable systems that support continuous improvement and long-term educational excellence.

Working alongside institutional teams, Alfred partners with leaders to strengthen leadership, develop faculty, and build sustainable organizational structures that support continuous accreditation readiness and long-term institutional success. His work includes faculty development, institutional oversight, GME office development, accreditation strategy, and organizational improvement, helping institutions build stronger foundations that support both learners and the teams responsible for graduate medical education.

Combined with graduate degrees in divinity, business administration, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Psychology, Alfred brings an interdisciplinary perspective shaped by leadership, management, sociology, and cross-cultural studies. This unique background enables him to understand both the organizational systems and the human dynamics that influence successful change, helping institutions develop practical solutions grounded in collaboration, integrity, and long-term sustainability.

Victoria Hanlon, MS serves as a Graduate Medical Education Consultant as an authorized contractor for Partners in Medical Education. Tori received her bachelor’s in health services administration degree from James Madison University and her Master in Healthcare Administration and Policy degree from George Mason University. She brings more than two decades of GME experience from both community-based teaching hospitals and large academic medical centers. She has extensive experience navigating accreditation requirements, institutional oversight, and strategic program growth across multiple specialties.

Having been a DIO for 15+ years, Tori is well-versed in ACGME program and institutional requirements, GME governance, strategic planning, as well as financial management of GME programs. She has a special interest in GME feasibility assessments, new program development, GME finance, and reimbursement optimization. She enjoys working with institutions and programs to develop practical solutions to challenges within GME and is committed to advancing the continuum of medical education in a changing healthcare environment.

Cheryl Haynes, BA serves as a Graduate Medical Education Consultant as an authorized contractor for Partners in Medical Education.  Cheryl Haynes, BA has worked in Graduate Medical Education for more than 24 years, starting with 5 years in Continuing Medical Education and Faculty Development before transitioning to program administration in 2004. She has worked in residency and fellowship administration in a large academic center with multiple specialty programs and a single institution, community-based program. Cheryl received her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina.

Cheryl has successfully guided multiple institutions and programs to receive or transition from initial to continued accreditation. Her passion lies in mentoring and educating clients in understanding, applying, and exceeding accreditation requirements.

From 2014 – 2021, she served on the Board of Directors for the Association of Family Medicine Administration, holding various leadership positions, including President and Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. Cheryl has participated in two research projects related to coordinator professional development and well-being, resulting in publications in national and international journals. She is an experienced educator, having done numerous invited and peer-selected presentations for the ACGME, AAFP, and ACOFP as well as at regional educational conferences prior to joining Partners

Grace Brannon, PhD serves as a Graduate Medical Education Consultant as an authorized contractor for Partners in Medical Education.

Grace received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the Philippines, a Master of Science from the University of Georgia, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Kansas State University.

Over the years, Dr. Brannan has built extensive experience in scholarly accreditation requirements. Currently as a consultant her passion is working with community hospital residencies (MD and DO) and medical schools in creating and implementing research strategies and programming.

Grace is an accomplished researcher, leader, teacher, and administrator. She has over 30 years of experience, over 16 years of which were in healthcare and medical education.

As Research Faculty for General Surgery, Orthopedics, Emergency Medicine and OB/GYN residency programs, Grace collaborates with attending physicians and residents in the design, analysis, and interpretation of clinical and medical education research. More recently, she held the position of medical school Associate Dean for Research where she created and successfully implemented a continuum of research strategy across undergraduate and graduate medical education. Prior to this, as Research Executive Director at a state medical school she led the research vision and strategy of its statewide 25-hospital residency training consortium.

Dr. Brannan’s extensive experience and education make her a great resource to support all your GME needs.