Curriculum

Senior associate dean for undergraduate medical education

Chad S. Miller, M.D., is the senior associate dean of undergraduate medical education. He obtained his undergraduate degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale University in 1999 and his doctorate of medicine from Tulane University in 2004. He completed his residency training in internal medicine at Tulane University in 2007. Miller then served as associate program director for the internal medicine residency program and internal medicine clerkship director until 2015 when he came to Saint Louis University School of Medicine.    

Miller started at SLU School of Medicine as division director of general internal medicine and vice-chair of education for the Department of Internal Medicine. In 2017, he stepped into the dean’s office and eventually assumed his current administrative role. 

Johan Bester, MBChB, Ph.D.
Associate dean of pre-clerkship curriculum

Johan C. Bester, Ph.D., is the associate dean for preclerkship curriculum at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is also a professor in family and community medicine, and professor in health care ethics. Bester oversees the entire preclerkship curriculum for the M.D. program at the School of Medicine. He also oversees the Master of Science in Medical Science (MSMS) program. In these roles, he supervises directors and staff, guides curricular philosophy, integration, practice and delivery. Bester teaches in and codirects the healthcare ethics and respiratory courses, and engages in bioethics scholarship.

James F. Duffy, S.J., M.D.
Associate dean of clinical curriculum

James F. Duffy, S.J., M.D., was appointed associate dean for clinical curriculum in January 2024. Duffy oversees the clerkship curriculum and the post-clerkship curriculum. He works closely with students, the Office of Curricular Affairs, and the Office of Student Affairs to provide an outstanding educational experience to prepare students for internship and residency.  

Katherine Mathews, M.D.
Associate dean of health systems science

Katherine Mathews, M.D., is the associate dean of health systems science for undergraduate medical education, professor and research division director within the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, and director of education for the Bander Center for Medical Business Ethics. She teaches leadership in the business of medicine and oversees several electives within the pre-clerkship curriculum. She partners with Jane Tucker, M.D., in the School of Medicine's Office of Community Engagement to bring high-quality health and wellness services to underserved populations in the region. Finally, she provides prenatal and postpartum care to low-income people with anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric issues.

Neal Weber
Assistant dean of program evaluation and assessment

Neal Weber is the assistant dean of program evaluation and assessment for the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He has dedicated his career to advancing medical education through research and assessment, focusing on improving the quality of medical training and ensuring that students are well-prepared to meet the demands of the health care industry.

Lynda Morrison, Ph.D.
Assistant dean of pre-clerkship curriculum

Lynda Morrison, Ph.D., completed her undergraduate degree at St. Olaf College, doctorate at Washington University, and two post-doctoral fellowships at Harvard Medical School before joining the faculty at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Morrison's research focuses on herpes simplex virus pathogenesis, vaccine and antiviral drug development, yielding nearly 80 peer-reviewed papers. She has taught in and directed courses in the graduate program and the medical school and earned a certificate in University Teaching Skills. She is currently assistant dean of  preclinical curriculum and a course director for immunology, pharmacology and therapeutics, while continuing her research with colleagues across SLU and beyond.

Denise Parker
Business manager
Caroline 110
314-977-8077
denise.parker@health.slu.edu

Linda A. Gwinn
Director of curricular management
LRC 114
314-977-8034
linda.gwinn@health.slu.edu

Zak Mussig
Director of instructional design and assessment
Caroline 110, Office No. 110B
314-977-8033
zachary.mussig@health.slu.edu

Monisha Hall
Pre-clerkship coordinator
Caroline 110
314-977-8099
monisha.hall@health.slu.edu

Luz Carriedo
Year 3 and learning communities coordinator
Caroline 110
314-977-4158
luz.carriedo@health.slu.edu

Chris Meyer
Year 4 coordinator
Caroline 110
314-977-1225
chris.meyer@health.slu.edu

Nanette Parris
Facilities coordinator
LRC 114
314-977-8086
nanette.parris@healthslu.edu

Austin Beachum
Tableau writer
Caroline 110
314-977-6834
austin.beachum@health.slu.edu

Tina Chen, M.D.
Associate dean of simulation and clinical skills

Tina Chen, M.D., was appointed associate dean of simulation and clinical skills in June 2018. Chen works to integrate evidence-based, hands-on simulation education into the medical student curriculum. She is also an associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, where she serves as the director of simulation for the Saint Louis University Emergency Medicine Residency.

Tim Havens, M.D.
Assistant dean, Clinical Skills Center

Timothy R. Havens, M.D., is the assistant dean of clinical skills. He obtained his undergraduate degree in computer engineering from Brown University in 2004, and his doctorate of medicine from Saint Louis University in 2010. He completed residency training at Saint Louis University in 2013 where he was named chief resident. He then joined the faculty at SLU and has been working there ever since.

Denise Townsend
Director of Clinical Skills Center
314-977-8096
denise.townsend@health.slu.edu

Wesley Burch
Education specialist, Simulation Center
LRC Lower Level
314-977-8445
wesley.burch@health.slu.edu