IPAS SPRING CME

Caroline-Andi Woods is a health education consultant and clinical health coach at the Preventive Health Center of Iowa City. She holds special interest in violence-prevention education. Relevant experience includes completing Strangulation Prevention & Education Training, administering SANE exams, and volunteering at crisis centers. 

Sumaya Rabee's journey is one of resilience, education, and unwavering advocacy. Born in Sudan, she was part of a spiritual group led by Mahmoud Mohamed Taha, a visionary who challenged traditional Islamic Sharia Law, advocating for reform and promoting nonviolence and equality for all, especially women. However, tragedy struck when Taha was executed by the Sudanese Islamic government in 1985 for his progressive beliefs.

Following Taha's death, Sumaya and her family traversed several countries, seeking refuge and solace in Egypt, London, Jordan, Yemen, Iraq, and Libya. Amidst this tumultuous journey, Sumaya's commitment to education remained steadfast. She pursued her studies, eventually earning degrees in Anthropology and Human Services, with a minor in Social Work. Her academic pursuits culminated in a graduate degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Iowa.

In 2012, while still a student, Sumaya embarked on her advocacy journey at Monsoon United Women of Iowa, working within the African Women Project under the guidance of Mira Yusef. Over time, this initiative evolved into Nisaa African Family Services, reflecting its growing impact and independence. Initially met with confusion in the immigrant community, Sumaya persevered, breaking barriers and dispelling misconceptions about advocacy, often being mistaken for a lawyer due to her dedication.

Her dedication did not stop there. For the past five years, Sumaya has served as a Bilingual Community Outreach Coordinator with the Rape Victim Advocacy Program, navigating cultural sensitivities and community resistance with grace and determination. Despite initial pushback, Sumaya's efforts have been instrumental in empowering women to seek help and break the cycle of abuse, even in the face of skepticism and opposition from their own communities.

Through her tireless work, Sumaya has not only honored the legacy of Mahmoud Mohamed Taha but has also become a beacon of hope and empowerment for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence in immigrant communities. Her journey is a testament to the power of education, compassion, and unwavering dedication to social justice.

Dr. Bhargava is the CEO and Medical Director of Iowa Diabetes Research, the largest diabetes research center in Iowa. 

Since 1994, Dr. Bhargava has strived to improve the health and lives of people affected by diabetes through clinical care, education, research, and technology. He received his Fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the University of Wisconsin in 2002, obtained a physician executive MBA from the University of Tennessee in 2006 and became a Certified Diabetes Educator in 2007. 

Dr. Bhargava has dedicated his life to finding innovative and effective ways of improving diabetes care. He truly believes that technology can make diabetes care, management, and education more efficient, effective, and sustainable. He conducted Shared Medical Appointments for patients with diabetes successfully for 17 years (from 2004 to 2019) and has delivered several lectures nationally and internationally.

Dr. Autumn Brunia is a psychiatrist working at DMU Behavioral Health Clinic and an Assistant Professor for the College of Osteopathic Medicine at DMU. Her clinic is accepting new patients ages 18 and older. She earned a business degree from Drake University and worked at The Principal Financial Group for five years before deciding to pursue medicine. She returned to Drake to earn a degree in biology and then graduated from DMU’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program. She completed her psychiatry residency at Broadlawns/UnityPoint, where she was chief resident and won the Des Moines Resident Teacher of the Year Award from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine for teaching medical clerkship students. Involved in student, resident, and physician wellness through her time at DMU and in residency, Brunia continues to promote wellness initiatives and access to mental health services to all Iowans. 

Nicole is a Des Moines Native, growing up in West Des Moines and Johnston, IA. She attended Iowa State University where she majored in Dietetics and minored in French, and went on to complete her dietetic internship through The University of Iowa’s Dietetics Program, after which she become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). She worked as for the WIC program in Ames for a year, then decided to go back to school to become a physician assistant. She completed her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies from The University of Iowa in 2017. She moved back to Des Moines and worked in nephrology for 4 years while simultaneously moonlighting in urgent care during that time. She briefly worked in emergency medicine for a year, then decided for a career change-up and began working for Des Moines University as an assistant professor in the Masters of Physician Assistant Studies Program in March 2023. She still maintains her dietetics certification and enjoys teaching about nutrition and nephrology.

She currently lives in West Des Moines with her husband, Tyler, and their 18 month old daughter, Willa, along with their dog, Birdie, and cat Minnie. Their dog had a brief claim to fame when she went “viral” on the internet last winter after pulling the fire alarm at doggy daycare. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, honing her cooking skills, running, reading, watching movies, gardening, and attending concerts. She is very excited for Iowa’s own Hinterland Music Festival this summer. 

Carissa Caldwell is the Clinic Director at IV Nutrition. She recieved her BSN from Penn State University in 2013. She has practiced as an RN for 10.5 years with 7 of those years spent in emergency nursing. Her other experiences have included surgery, med-surg, and interventional radiology. She has been with IV Nutrition since November of 2022 when they opened. 

Marc Doobay, MPAS PA-C, is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Director of Didactic Education at the University of Iowa Department of PA Studies & Services. Marc is a practicing PA in the UI Department of Family Medicine, where he cares for patients in the Geriatric Medicine Clinic. Marc is a representative in the AAPA House of Delegates, the PAEA Governance & Ethics Committee, the PAEA Exam Development Board, the IDPH Rural Medicine Taskforce, the Iowa Medical Assistance Advisory Council, and is currently President-Elect of IPAS.

State Advocacy Director - AAPA

Sue Hudson is the proud owner of IV Nutrition in Ankeny and is a public speaker. Along with owning her own clinic, she is also a Franchise Advisor for the IV Nutrition brand. Outisde of operating her clinic, she uses her MBA in International Business, along with her experience in small business entrepreneurship, to speaker at seminars, community events and cultural activities to help others find success in their business ventures. 

Audrey C. Ko, M.D. is an oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who specializes in reconstructive and cosmetic eyelid surgery, lacrimal and orbital surgery, and non-surgical facial rejuvenation through injection of neurotoxin and soft tissue fillers. She is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS).  

Dr. Ko has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Arizona. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Iowa with a research distinction track that included a one-year research fellowship in a laboratory sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Ko completed her ophthalmology residency at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida, which is widely regarded as one of the leading eye centers in the world.  She then completed a two-year ASOPRS accredited oculoplastics fellowship at the Shiley Eye Institute at University of California San Diego.

Dr. Ko joined the Department of Ophthalmology faculty at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in 2017. There, she helped train ophthalmology residents and oculoplastic fellows, as well as rotating plastic surgery and otolaryngology fellows and residents. Dr. Ko joined the Wolfe Eye Clinic in 2020 and remains an adjunct assistant professor with the University of Iowa and continues to teach medical students and ophthalmology residents rotating in Des Moines.

Dr. Ko has authored numerous book chapters and published over 30 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals. She is a recipient of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award and is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society.

Dr. Roshan J. Lewis is an infectious disease specialist in Des Moines, Iowa and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Des Moines VA Medical Center and UnityPoint Health-Iowa Methodist Medical Center. He received his medical degree from University of Kerala Medical College and has been in practice for more than 20 years.

Karen K Luken, MS, FNP-C, ARNP-C is employed full tile at Iowa digestive Disease Center in Clive Iowa since 2015, doing office-based practice. She has been a nurse since 1983. Karen received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Drake University in 1997. She completed her Master of Science degree from Creighton University in 1999. She is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). She is a member of the American Gastroenterology Association (AGA) and American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). She is a past member of American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD).

In her professional career, Karen has worked at the VA Medical Center in Des Moines Iowa as the manager of the ICU. In 1999 she worked as a NP in the ER and Hospitalist program at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa. In 2000 she worked as a Nurse Practitioner in Hepatology at VA Medical Center in Kansas City Missouri. From 2005 until 2015 she cared for patients with Gastrointestinal and Liver diseases at Gastrointestinal Associates in Overland Park, Kansas both as inpatient and outpatient care. She is a current member of the ACG education committee. She has been the past chair of the AASLD Associates committee and a member of the educational committee. She is a co-founder of a Hepatitis C support group in Kansas City. 

Dr. Yasameen Muzahim is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine specializing in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. She currently holds this position at the University of Iowa. Dr. Muzahim received her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from St. George's University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. She then completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Atrium Health-Navicent in Macon, Georgia, followed by a fellowship in Hepatology at Rutgers University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey.

Dr. Muzahim's primary clinical practice is located at the UI Health Care - Johnston Clinic (JC) in Johnston, IA, where she provides expert care in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal and liver disorders. With her dedication to patient care and expertise in gastroenterology and hepatology, Dr. Yasameen Muzahim plays a vital role in advancing healthcare at the University of Iowa.

Jon Oh serves as Avera Health's Vice President of Data & Analytics, leading the organization's endeavors in cloud infrastructure and migration, artificial intelligence development and research, data science, and business/clinical analytics. Jon holds a Master's degree in Finance with a concentration in algorithmic trading from Harvard University. Prior to his role at Avera Health, Jon held senior leadership positions in Fortune 500 companies in Defense & Intelligence, Construction, and Healthcare industries.

Meghan Ryan has been a pediatric rheumatologist at Blank Children's Hospital since the Fall of 2022. She received her medical training from Des Moines University and pediatric and pediatric rheumatology training at the University of Minnesota. Meghan has special interests in enhancing patient care and quality improvement. Outside of work, Meghan enjoys spending time with her husband and two wild sons. She looks forward to introducing a baby girl to her family mix this summer. 

Dr. Nora Stelter is an Associate Professor in Pharmacy Practice and serves as the Coordinator for Community Pharmacy Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE) at Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. An alumna of the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, where she graduated in 2000, Dr. Stelter's journey in the field has been marked by a commitment to excellence and a passion for health and wellness.

Dr. Stelter completed a residency in association management at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), where she then dedicated eight years of her career. Her tenure culminated in the role of Director of Education and Training, where she played a pivotal role in the development of innovative pharmacy education and training programs. Collaborating with other national pharmacy associations, she spearheaded initiatives to advance community pharmacy practice. To keep her pulse on the rapid changes and advancements in community pharmacy practice, Dr. Stelter worked as a relief community pharmacist for the first 15 years of her career.

In 2008, Dr. Stelter embarked on her academic career at Drake University, where her commitment to nurturing the next generation of pharmacy and health professional leaders became her focal point. In her current capacity, she not only imparts knowledge as a mentor but also takes the lead in instructing pivotal courses such as Self-Care, Continuing Professional Development III, and Health Coaching. Dr. Stelter also dedicates her time as a chapter advisor for the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) at Drake, further contributing to the development of future leaders in the field.

Dr. Stelter's influence extends beyond the classroom in her role on the experiential education team where she coordinates all community pharmacy IPPEs for students. She also plays a crucial role as a preceptor for introductory and advanced pharmacy practice experiences, guiding students through real-world scenarios. Her dedication to fostering wellness services for the university community, including immunizations, and as the instructor of an innovative Health Coaching course at the university showcases her commitment and passion to promoting health and wellness. 

Seth Quam is a dedicated professional who has journeyed through various stages of education and career development, always rooted in the pursuit of serving others and fostering well-being. Graduating from Central College in 2005 marked the beginning of an academic journey filled with passion and determination. In 2009, Quam furthered their education at DMU, solidifying their commitment to the field of medicine.

From 2009 to 2012, Seth Quam honed their skills and expertise at Iowa Lutheran Hospital Family Medicine, embracing the challenges and rewards of family healthcare. This foundational experience paved the way for  Quam's next endeavor, providing invaluable medical care to the communities of the NW suburbs at Unity Point Family Medicine Grimes from 2012 to 2023.

In August 2023, Seth Quam embarked on a new chapter in their career journey by returning to DMU, undoubtedly bringing a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to the academic realm.

Beyond the realm of medicine, Seth finds joy and fulfillment in family life, being happily married with three daughters and a beloved female dog. A fervent supporter of Iowa State Cyclone sports, Seth embodies the spirit of team loyalty and camaraderie. And when seeking solace and rejuvenation, Seth turns to the peaceful activity of cycling, finding true contentment on the open road.