Faculty Associates work closely with HSSP in enhancing the undergraduate academic experience for HSSP students. HSSP Faculty Associates teach in or have appointments in UM's Health Schools and participate in HSSP in a variety of ways. Faculty Associates identify opportunities for HSSP Job Observations, Mentorship sites and participants, special events and programs of interest, and help design and present portions of the core course and identify guest speakers. Faculty Associates are drawn from UM's world-class health schools:

Alphonse Burdi, Medical School

Al Burdi is Professor Emeritus of Cell & Developmental Biology and a Research Scientist Emeritus at UM's Medical School who is recognized for his contributions to understanding normal and abnormal human development. His research interests include human birth defects, specifically the etiology and pathogenesis of craniofacial birth defects, phenotypes, and the clinical treatment and management of children born with birth defects. He teaches a First-Year Seminar for HSSP entitled "Life and Living: Thinking Inside and Outside the Box."

Caroline Gaither, College of Pharmacy

Caroline Gaither is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Social and Administrative Sciences at UM's College of Pharmacy. Dr. Gaither's research interests include professional role development, and work-related attitudes and behaviors of pharmacists, and patient attitudes and motivations regarding health behaviors. Dr. Gaither has been honored as a mentor to undergraduate students. She teaches several courses in the College and each Winter semester she teaches an HSSP First-Year Seminar on "Contemporary Issues in Medicine and Pharmacy." 

Meg Tolbert, School of Nursing

Meg Tolbert works closely with Director O'Grady on HSSP's core course, identifying Observation opportunities, and teaches a First-Year Seminar, "The Impact of Alcohol and Drug Use on Individuals and Society," an analysis of the broad social and economic impact of alcohol and other drug use in the US since 1900. Meg co-teaches this seminar with Pat Rutkowski, who is also from the School of Nursing.

Kathy Wade, School of Social Work

Kathy Wade is Director of Social Work and Family-Centered Care at the University of Michigan Health System, and Research Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean at UM's School of Social Work. Dr. Wade works closely with Director O'Grady on HSSP's core course and identifying Observation opportunities in the UM Health System and elsewhere.