News

Responsible for academics and clinical experiences.

The proposed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (*Noorda-COM) announced the appointments of Jennifer Brown as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and Michael L. Rhodes, MD, as Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs. The two associate deans will become an integral part of the executive staff of Noorda-COM responsible for establishing curriculum, processes, and programs for medical students attending the school.

“We are building a world-class medical education institution here at Noorda-COM,” said Dr. Richard P. Nielsen, founding president and CEO of Noorda-COM. “Our founding Dean and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. John J. Dougherty, is experienced in developing and building academic institutions of medicine to further the medical profession. We are fortunate to have him leading the efforts at Noorda-COM. We are equally fortunate to have Jennifer Brown and Dr. Michael L. Rhodes join our executive staff to work with Dr. Dougherty as Associate Deans.”

As Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Brown is responsible for developing and executing the curriculum for students ensuring they learn everything they need for each phase of their medical academic career. She will also head the responsibilities of the medical library and learning services ensuring students receive all of the content needed to match their residency requirements.

“We’re designing a curriculum to teach students what is most important during their four years at Noorda-COM,” said Brown. “We are delivering our curriculum in a way that is very different from other schools. Many medical schools conduct lectures where students come in and take notes; then they leave and study for a long time and come back for their midterm and final. Today’s students don’t want to attend lectures. At Noorda-COM we will be delivering content in a way that is very flexible for students with assessments and accountability along the way to ensure they are learning everything they need. We’re excited to implement this curriculum and its related programs. Part of the process includes eventually recruiting faculty and helping them create content to use in our distinctive teaching environment.”

As Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Rhodes will be responsible for student third and fourth years – their clinical years. He will set curriculum and work with community physicians to establish rotation opportunities. He will assist students’ participation in clinical rotations at area hospitals and healthcare facilities where they will work with medical teams treating patents. They will do rotations in areas such as pediatrics, internal medicine, general surgery, OB-GYN, family practice and others.

“The challenge will be to create a great rotation experience for both the medical professionals, who are already working busy schedules, and the students, who need the practical clinical experience as part of their medical education,” said Rhodes. “One of the ways we plan to do this is to have the students go through a certification program to become certified scribes which will allow them to legally document medical records on behalf of physicians to alleviate some of the their burden as the students work with the medical teams.”

About Jennifer Brown

Brown’s experience brings invaluable knowledge to Noorda-COM in developing the educational experience Noorda-COM expects to provide to its students. She received a BA degree in 2000 from Harvard University and received her C.N.T. in 2013 from Nutrition Therapy Institute in Denver. She is currently working on an MS degree at Southern New Hampshire University. She has an Innovation in Health Care and Education certificate from Harvard Macy Institute, a Senior Leadership Development Program certificate from Columbia Business School, and a Medical Leadership Development Program certificate from Kaplan, Inc. Brown has served for multiple positions at Kaplan, Inc. including Senior Director, Institutional Medical Program. She has provided Osteopathic Faculty Development for schools across the country while helping dozens of schools prepare thousands of students for a successful medical career.

About Michael L. Rhodes

Rhodes is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, currently licensed in the State of Utah as a physician and surgeon. Rhodes received his MD in 1991 from the Medical College of Georgia, School of Medicine where he was the recipient of the Ty Cobb Educational Foundation Scholarship and Medical College of Georgia McGraw-Hill/Lange Award. He received his BS in Biochemistry Magna Cum Laude in 1987 from University of Georgia. He received postgraduate training at Floyd Medical Center Family Practice Residency Program where he served as Chief Resident in 1993-1994.

He served as Interim CMO at Utah Valley Hospital, and currently serves as Associate CMO, Medical Director of Credentialing, Quality and Safety and Designated Institutional Official for the South Region of Intermountain Healthcare. He has also served as Medical Director of Informatics, Program Director for Utah Valley Family Medicine Residency, Assistant Residence Director of Utah Valley Family Medicine Residency, Faculty at Utah Valley Family Medicine Residency, Adjunct Clinical Faculty at the University of Utah School of Medicine and Medical Director for Utah Home and Health and Hospice. He has extensive background and experience practicing, administrating and educating in the medical field.