Faculty & Staff
Our University is proud of dozens well qualified medical science and clinical science faculty members who are united in a common purpose: dedication to teaching the next generation of physicians.
The size and location of CMU's medical science campus contributes to a special atmosphere where faculty and staff are able to concentrate on maintaining the optimum conditions for students to acquire the basic medical knowledge necessary for their clinical experience.
Excellent student teacher ratio (currently 12:1) provides ample opportunity for students to interact with the faculty. Students find that faculty and staff are not only accessible, but are committed to their progress.
Premedical Science, Basic Science and Clinical Science faculty members as well as honorary visiting professors are listed below:
Dr. Maher Soudah, MD.
Dr. Maher Soudah has joined Caribbean Medical University as a leader in designing U.S. based curriculum to assure the highest academic quality. A graduate physician of St. George’s University, serves currently as an Executive Dean and overlooks the proper teaching standards for highest USMLE passing rate and best clinical clerkship placement.
While working closely with the student body and school administration, Dr. Soudah has created a team of professional faculty members to implement innovative teaching methods and to deliver excellent medical education to our students.
Dr. Rod Tomczak, MD. Ed.D
The title of Dr. Tomczak’s dissertation for his education doctorate is, “The effects of Problem-based Learning on the National Board Scores, Clinical Evaluations and Residency Selection of Medical Students” and compared students exposed to a traditional passive lecture curriculum with students utilizing an active learning problem-based curriculum.
Dr. Tomczak has also published numerous scientific articles in refereed journals which have contributed to new knowledge in medicine. Because of his contributions to the printed media, he has also served as editor for a major journal.
Dr. Steven C. Carson, MD.
Dr. Steven C. Carson graduated from Chicago Medical School in 1976. He obtained his medical license in Ohio (1976) and California (1978). He also completed several post-graduated education such as Masters Program in Cell and Molecular Biology at University of Cincinnati, Internship in Internal Medicine at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Emergency Medicine at University of Cincinnati Hospital Residency and Anesthesiology Residency at University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
He joined Caribbean Medical University as a visiting professor with several years of teaching experience gained at University of Cincinnati Medical Center, American River Hospital, American Heart Association.
Dr. Jerry Smucker, MD.
Dr. Jerry Smucker is originally from Northwest Central Ohio. He attended Goshen College in Indiana and the Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Smucker became board certified in Internal Medicine after completing residency at Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania.
Dr. Smucker has practiced Internal Medicine in Central Ohio for over 20 years. He has worked in medical education, being affiliated with Grant Medical Center (where he was voted a teacher of the year) and the Ohio State University. He worked for five years in pharmaceutical research before joining his current practice.
Dr. Patricia A. Pietz, DPM.
Dr.Patricia Pietz, DPM earned her doctor of podiatric medicine degree at the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in 1996. She completed her residency at the Veterans Administration Medical Center-Togus, ME. Her special interests include treatment of both simple and complex foot problems, arthritis and tendinitis.
Dr. Pietz started her professional career in 1989 at Department of Biology of Iowa State University as a Research Assistant. In 1992 she worked as a Clinical Instructor at Iowa State University where she gathered experience in clinical environment. She served as a Student Council at Des Monies University Medical School and was a member of Student Curriculum Committee at College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery.
Dr. Leslie F. Gunzenhaeuser, MD.
Dr. Leslie F. Gunzenhaeuser obtained his Bachelor Degree in Biology (Summa cum laude) at University of Toledo in 1975 (MD degree at Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1977. In the 80's he gained post graduate training at North Carolina Memorial Hospital (Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine), Jefferson Internal Medicine (Private Practice), University of Cincinnati (Residency in Anesthesiology and Fellowship in Pain Management).
He currently holds two medical licenses in Ohio and Kentucky as well as several certifications from American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Anesthesiology, American Society of Pain Medicine, Advanced Certified Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
Dr. Jogenananda Pramanik, MD. PhD.
Prof (Dr) Jogenananda Pramanik MD.MBBS is an internationally acclaimed medical educator, clinician, and administrator. He is well known as a visionary leader in medical education.
He worked as physician since 1985. He worked as Assistant Professor in Madras University, India, Associate Professor and Director of Laboratories in Tribhuvan University, Nepal, Visiting Professor and Dy. Coordinator in Peiking University, P.R.China, Professor & Chairman admission committee in St. Lucia, Professor & Course Director of Genetics and Immunology in United Kingdom.
Delese Wear, PhD.
Delese Wear graduated from Kent State University in 1977 where she earned her Master Degree in Educational Administration, followed by a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction.
During the last 20 years, she has gained extensive experience in medical education and curriculum design holding several posts at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM) such as CETA Project Administrator, Program Associate Human Values in Medicine, Assistant Professor of Behavioral Sciences, Women and Medicine Associate Director, Human Values in Medicine Program Coordinator and Associate Director, Associate Professor of Behavioral Sciences and, Professor of Behavioral Sciences.
Dr. Mark Lybik, MD.
Dr. Mark Lybik, was interested in going to medical school while doing his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan. This lead him down the road to Wayne State University for medical school.
While at Wayne State University Dr. Lybik spent time at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital working in the first ever sleep lab. He then went on to an Internal Medicine Residency at The University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics. There he developed a keen interest in Gastroenterology. He when back to Detroit, MI where again he was a fellow at WSU.
Dr. Jada Moore-Ruffin, MD.
Dr. Moore-Ruffin is a Diplomat of American Board of Family Physicians, currently practicing in the Metro Atlanta, Georgia. She is a 1992 graduate of Memphis State University with a B.S. in Biology; there she became the Co-Founder and Vice President of the Minority Pre-Health Association which still today is organized to help guide students interested in pursuing a career in the health care field.
She went on to earn her M.D. degree, graduating with Honors from the prestigious Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN, one of only four of the Historically Black Medical institutions in the country. There she was involved in numerous campus organizations and received scholarships during each year of matriculation.
Dr. Ryan Cantzler, MD.
Dr. Ryan Cantzler graduating from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.S. in Chemistry. He obtained his medical degree at Indiana University graduating in 2002. Dr. Cantzler spent residency in Detroit, Michigan, at Sinai-Grace Hospital/Wayne State University Emergency Medicine Residency and was a chief resident. He twice won the Resident Teacher of the Year award during residency.
Dr. Cantzler has been an attending physician for Mount Carmel Health Systems in Columbus, Ohio, since graduation. He has been board certified in Emergency Medicine since 2005. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor in emergency Medicine for Ohio State University.
Dr. Gina Nichols, MD.
Dr. Gina Nichols, a native of Columbus, received her undergraduate degree in molecular genetics at the Ohio State University in 1996. She graduated from Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine in 2002. Her internship year was completed at Berkshire Medical Center, a University of Massachusetts affiliated hospital in Internal Medicine.
She completed residency in Family Medicine at Grant Medical Center in 2005. She is board certified in Family Medicine and is currently in solo practice in Pickerington, Ohio. Special interests include women's health and aesthetics. Hospitals affiliation include Mt. Carmel east and Ohio Health hospital systems.
Tanu Pramanik BSc. MSc.
Tanu Pramanik BSc. MSc. (Med. Psychology), has taken over the charge of Assistant Dean in Pre-Medical Sciences at Caribbean Medical University. She is a well trained medical educator and research fellow in allied health sciences.
Tanu Pramanik graduated from University of Calcutta, India and obtained her post graduate degree in Medical Psychology from Annamalai University, India. She received her specialized teacher’s training from Calcutta, India for teaching students with learning disorders. During her teachers’ training program, she visited several schools in European countries to evaluate the teaching and training system there. Her research papers have been published in several accredited International journals.
Dr. Khalid Jamil Malik, BSc. MD. MHA.
Prof (Dr) Khalid Jamil Malik BSc. MD. MHA. joined CMU faculty team from Chicago and took over the post of the Dean of Premedical sciences. Professor Malik graduated in general science in 1978. He graduated in medicine in 1983 and obtained his post graduate degree in medical sciences administration with honors from University of St. Francis, Chicago.
His extensive experiences as medical instructor and administrator at various positions during his extensive carrier makes him suitable to support teaching program and administration at Caribbean Medical University.
Noreen Palmer, MA. MSW.
Noreen Palmer, MA. MSW., has extensive expertise in anger management for individuals and couples and now currently involved at Caribbean Medical University as a visiting professor of Psychology and student counseling.
She is a nationally published author of the subject and conduct anger management workshops. In addition over 15 years of experience as a therapist, she has served as an instructor at Urbana University and as adjunct faculty at the Ohio State University. She has been also listed in Who's Who Among American Women of the Millennium (2000), Who's Who in America (2001, 2004), Who's Who Among Health Care Professionals (2002-2004), and Who's Who in the World (2003).
Within the Clinical Sciences, over 300 preceptors working with CMU at affiliated hospitals and medical centers are appointed on the basis of their ability and dedication to mentoring the development of future physicians. Clinical clerkships are the opportunity students have to integrate their medical knowledge with the diagnostic and interpersonal skills necessary to successfully engage in the practice of medicine.
Although the clinical faculty members are located at many hospitals throughout the U.S., many participate in an annual Clinical Workshop on CMU's Curacao campus to coordinate the clinical education programs, to meet with the medical sciences students, and to present information regarding the clerkship opportunities at their locations.
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