Our Experts

BJ is responsible for measurement and effectiveness of all processes, and the operating condition of the company. She spearheads development, communication and implementation of growth strategies and processes. She also oversees the operational infrastructure of all systems, processes and personnel to meet the objectives of the company. In addition, she  recruits and assists in the training of all new members of the team to ensure excellent customer satisfaction.

A Partners GME consultant since 2010, Chris has successfully helped over seventy new residency programs and institutions reach full ACGME accreditation status. She has been successful in working with over 100 existing institutions and programs (across multiple specialties) to attain success in ACGME re-accreditation, address adverse outcomes, and prepare for meeting changing and challenging Graduate Medical Education (GME) environments. Her emphasis is using teamwork, collaboration, best practices, disparities, and data driven measurements and outcomes in graduate medical education programs to mentor, educate, and sustain GME programs.

Chris brings a wealth of experience from her previous GME director role where she managed all aspects of ACGME accreditation from the institution and program perspective. A graduate of Cleveland State University with a Master’s in Business Administration and a graduate of Kent State University with a Master’s in Library and Information Science, combined with over 22 years of graduate medical education experience, Chris has the knowledge and expertise to provide practical, accessible solutions for today’s graduate medical education challenges.

Heather received her Master of Education degree in curriculum and evaluation, with an emphasis on distance education. Her PhD concentration was post-secondary education and adult learning theories.

Dr. Peters has been successful in helping institutions and multiple programs achieve their highest ACGME accreditation potential. Heather is very knowledgeable about all aspects of the program and institutional requirements, with expertise in Annual Institutional Reviews (AIR), Annual Program Evaluations (APE), milestones, evaluation systems, curriculum development, CLE principles integration, strategic planning, and faculty development.

Heather’s diverse background and education demonstrate that she has the knowledge to provide innovative solutions for the evolving GME environment.

Dr. Meyer received her Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior from the University of Missouri in 1995, and her Doctorate in Education Leadership and Management from Capella University in 2012.

Carmela has over 25 years’ experience in medical education for both academic centers and community-based hospitals. Her area of expertise includes developing new GME programs, moving programs off warning status, institutional and program reviews, outcomes-based curriculum and assessment, faculty and professional development, as well as a strong background in GME finance.

She is also well-versed in developing administrative processes including coordinator development and preparing learners for board exams.

Dr. Meyer’s educational background along with her diverse experience make her a great resource to support all your GME needs.

Tori received her Bachelor in Health Services Administration degree from James Madison University and her Master in Healthcare Administration and Policy degree from George Mason University. She brings a wealth of GME experience from both a community hospital perspective where she became familiar with the unique challenges faced by smaller institutions with GME, as well as the large academic medical center where she managed accreditation requirements for multiple residency programs.

She has held multiple roles in GME including program coordinator, education administrator, director of GME, and DIO. Having been a DIO for 10+ years, Tori is well-versed in ACGME program and institutional requirements, GME oversight and strategic planning, as well as financial management of GME programs. She has a special interest in new program development and working with institutions to integrate GME into their operations. She enjoys working with institutions and programs to develop solutions to challenges within GME, and is committed to enhancing the continuum of medical education in a changing healthcare environment.

Amy received her master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Seton Hall University and began her career where she found her passion for Graduate Medical Education (GME) in 2009. In her first year in GME, Amy assisted a fellowship program in successfully being granted ACGME Initial Accreditation followed by Continued Accreditation. Throughout her career Amy has consulted on the initiation of several ACGME accredited programs as well worked with countless programs, both in good standing as well as on adverse action, to prepare for site visits to successfully maintain, or advance to, Continued Accreditation.

Amy has a passion for determining the root cause of struggling programs. She recently conducted a Special Review for a program and facilitated interviews which resulted in determining the need for extensive faculty development and program leadership involvement at the chair level.

In addition to specific program accreditation assistance, Amy has created GME wide initiatives such as toolkits and faculty development sessions which aid programs and institutions in maintaining compliance. She enjoys mentoring coordinators and determining best practices to assist with efficiency of tasks.

Amy cares deeply for graduate medical education and assisting in making programs and institutions thrive.

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 with working with community hospital residencies (MD and DO) and medical schools in creating and implementing research strategies and programming. 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Dr. Perez possesses a diverse academic background, spanning sociology, ethnographic and cross-cultural studies (MDiv), management, organizational behavior, and international business (MBA), as well as advanced studies in organizational psychology, leadership, and motivation (PhD).

Dr. Perez excels in aiding GME programs facing probation to regain continuing accreditation. His expertise includes developing data-driven resident remediation plans and crafting resident recruitment, selection, and onboarding strategies.

Dr. Perez’s distinctive blend of experience, encompassing both non-profit and for-profit leadership, equips him with an in-depth understanding of the challenges facing institutions and programs. His proficiency in tailoring sustainable solutions positions him as a valuable asset, capable of guiding institutions toward enduring success.

Erin received her Bachelor’s in Science degree majoring in Healthcare Administration and her Master of Business Administration Degree from the Executive MBA program through the University of Toledo. She will complete her EdD in Organizational Leadership and Health Care Administration in Spring 2020. Erin is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) and a Board-Certified Training Administrator for Graduate Medical Education (C-TAGME). She holds a faculty appointment at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

Erin has served in Graduate Medical Education and hospital leadership for over eight years, working with new and established residency programs to create alignment between education, community need, and organizational goals. She has successfully partnered with programs and hospitals for continuity clinic development strategies for meeting not only ACGME program requirements, but also staffing matrix’s, staff development, and projecting sustainability within the community.

With her expertise and diverse background, Erin has the knowledge and experience to bring solutions for both accreditation and finance to programs and organizations.