MOQC - Key Persons


Aimee Ryan

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee

Amanda Itliong

Job Titles:
  • Representative

Ammar Sukari

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee

Arielle Davidson

Job Titles:
  • Pharmacy Intern
Biography Arielle is a PharmD candidate at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in Human Biology and a minor in Pharmacology and Toxicology. Prior to joining MOQC in 2020, she gained experience in quality care by working with the Michigan Arthroplasty Registry Collaborative Quality Initiative (MARCQI). In addition, she has worked as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens for the past three years. Arielle is a member of the Hematology and Oncology Pharmacist Association (HOPA), the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP), and the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA). She is excited to explore her interest in oncology and quality initiatives through the work of MOQC.

Ashley Bowen

Job Titles:
  • Senior Project Manager
Ashley Bowen completed her undergraduate degree in Dietetics and Health Promotion at Michigan State University, her Master's of Science in Nutrition at Case Western Reserve University and completed her dietetic internship through University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Ashley started her career as a Registered Dietitian at Johns Hopkins Children's Center, working with patients in oncology, surgery, and intensive care services. Ashley continued her work in clinical nutrition, research and quality improvement with the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern University Cystic Fibrosis Center, where she also received training and certification as a Health Coach. After nearly five years in that role, she moved into a leadership position working as Clinical Nutrition Manager for the Lurie Children's Department of Clinical Nutrition. In 2018, Ashley and her family relocated to Ann Arbor where she became a Clinical Nutrition Services Manager at Michigan Medicine. Ashley is excited to work with the MOQC team and its practices to advance quality initiatives that will make a positive impact on patient- and family-centered care.

Beth Rizzo

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Project Manager

Beth Sieloff

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee

Chris Friese

Job Titles:
  • Director, Patient - Reported Outcomes

Cindy Michalek

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Information Analyst
Biography Cindy Michalek studied Business Management at Henry Ford Community College and earned a Bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 2006. Her work experience in customer relations includes roles as a customer service representative, account manager, executive assistant, account executive, and supervisor at various companies within our Great Lakes State. Cindy began working at the University of Michigan Cancer Center as a Senior Administrative Assistant in 2011 where she provided support to both the Cancer Center Administration and MOQC. Cindy moved on to become Project Coordinator at the University of Michigan Pharmacy in 2013 which gave her the opportunity to work in Oncology with the Cancer Center Orders Team and a part of the Specialty Pharmacy Team. In 2016, Cindy then contracted with MOQC as a Lead Clinical Data Abstractor. She further contributed to MOQC with payroll management of our outside abstractors, became the contact for some of our practices, provided us with support at our Biannual Meetings, and was involved in multiple projects on quality initiatives with MOQC team members that included Oral Oncolytics, POEM and PROM Onc. This entailed data analysis and provided her expertise for new project developments between the Pharmacy and MOQC teams. Cindy is looking forward to growing the abstraction team and helping with recruitment of new practices for MOQC. In her free time, Cindy enjoys running, hiking, kayaking, snowmobiling, mountain biking, traveling, outdoor life, and spending time with Rocco, her Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Cynthia Koch

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee
  • at Large Representative, Ann Arbor

Dave Bolen

Job Titles:
  • Administrative Specialist
Biography Dave graduated from California State Polytechnic University with a degree in Business Administration. After a successful twenty-year career in the publishing industry as a National Accounts Manager and Director of Sales, Dave decided to take his career in a new direction and joined the University of Michigan. Prior to becoming a MOQC's Administrative Specialist, Dave was the Administrative Assistant Senior to the Medical Director and Clinical Team at the University's Health Service. This is the campus' health and wellness resource, which offers comprehensive clinical services to students, faculty and staff. Dave was an integral part of the clinic for three years, coordinating administrative activities for its leadership team.

Dawn Severson

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee
  • Medical Director, Henry Ford Macomb Cancer Center, Macomb

Deborah Turner-Smith

Biography Deborah graduated from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio with a degree in Marketing. For the last 15 years she worked in Quality Improvement as a data abstractor for the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative (MBSC) . She is proud of the contributions she made in the improvement of patient outcomes for bariatric surgery patients. Deborah is excited to join the MOQC team and provide her experience in data abstraction. She and husband, Don of 23 years are the proud parents to Donovan & Sydni who are both attending colleges out of state. Their furry son, Jojo, keeps them busy at home. Deborah loves reading, fishing, travelling and enjoying time with family and friends. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority , Inc.

Diane Drago

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee
  • at Large Representative, Ann Arbor

Donna Edberg

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee

Emily Mackler

Dr. Mackler received her PharmD from Drake University and completed her Residency experience in Pharmacy Practice and Oncology at the University Hospital in Cincinnati, OH. She joined Michigan Medicine in 2002 as a Clinical Oncology Pharmacist. She founded the Oncology Specialty Residency at the University of Michigan in 2003 and was the program director until 2013. She has been involved in multiple oncology quality and safety endeavors including serving as the co-lead and founding developer of the NCCN Chemotherapy Order Templates since its inception in 2006, founding pharmacist in the Cancer Center Symptom Management and Supportive Care Program at the University of Michigan 2009 - 2012, founding director of the University of Michigan Oral Chemotherapy Program in 2012 and thereafter MOQC's Oral Oncolytic Program in 2013, and Course Director of the Michigan Society of Hematology Oncology (MSHO) Annual Pharmacist's Meeting since inception in 2013. HOPA representative for the National Quality Forum since 2017, and Task Force Chair for the HOPA Quality Oversight Task Force since 2018. Dr. Mackler's research and practice interests focus on oncology symptom management, quality of care, chemotherapy safety, medication adherence and patient reported outcomes.

Heather Rombach

Biography Heather has 15 years of experience in the Medical Records Department at Genesee Health System. While working full-time, Heather went back to college. She graduated from Baker College in 2012 with an Associate Degree in the Health Information Technician program. Heather then went on to join the Cancer Registry Department at Ascension St. Mary's in 2017. She obtained her Certified Tumor Registrar Certification in 2019. She joined Michigan Medicine in 2021 in the Cancer Registry Department. Heather is excited to join the MOQC team. She is looking forward to continuing abstracting quality data that will make a difference in patients and families lives. In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with family, camping, boating, traveling, reading and watching sporting events.

Heather Spotts

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee

Jennifer Griggs

Dr. Griggs received her undergraduate degree from Mount Holyoke College and her MD from the University of Buffalo. She completed her Residency and Chief Residency in Internal Medicine and Fellowships in Hematology and Oncology and Health Services Research at the University of Rochester. She was then the Director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program at the University of Rochester in the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center in Rochester, New York. In September 2006, she joined the faculty at Michigan Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center (MMCCC) with a practice in the Breast Oncology Program. Dr. Griggs' research interests focus on patient-provider communication, quality of care, including end-of-life care, and care of cancer survivors. She is the Past Chair of the Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), was a member of the ASCO Health Disparities Committee, and has been the Chair or Co-Chair of several clinical practice guidelines.

Joan Herbert

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee

Kathleen Beekman

Job Titles:
  • at Large Representative, Ann Arbor

Keli DeVries

Job Titles:
  • Program Manager
Biography Keli DeVries completed both her undergraduate degree and her Masters of Social Work at the University of Michigan. She began her career as a licensed clinical social worker in the Emergency Department at Michigan Medicine, and eventually moved into social work leadership. After 10 years working in the Department of Social Work and the Department of Care Management, Keli became the Call Center Manager for the Frankel Cardiovascular Center at Michigan Medicine. Throughout her career she has been a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion for all populations that access or work within health care. Keli has special interest in the well-being of health care professionals and in burnout prevention, which therefore improves the quality of the patient care provided. She hopes that through her MOQC role she can continue to inspire teams to prioritize patient- and family-centered care above all else.

Kevin Brader

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee

Llewellyn Drong

Job Titles:
  • at Large Representative, Lansing

Mariem Ruiz Martinez

Job Titles:
  • Senior Project Manager
Mariem earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI and then obtained her MBA with an emphasis in Project Management at Saint Leo University in Florida. Throughout her career, Mariem has gained a strong background in Leadership Development. Most recently she served as a Finance Manager and before that a Supply Chain Manager for AdventHealth Kansas City where she also served as a representative for the organization in the Kansas City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She is passionate about healthcare and the positive impact her work can have in improving people's life.

Michael Harrison

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee
  • at Large Representative, Allen Park

Michele Loree

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee

Natalia Simon

Job Titles:
  • Senior Project Manager
Natalia Simon joined MOQC in January 2022 as a Senior Project Manager. She came to MOQC from C. S. Mott Children's Hospital where she served as a Program Manager for Partners for Children, a community-based pediatric palliative care program for children with chronic complex conditions. In addition to running the program, she participated in the design and implementation of the NICU-based initiative for babies born with medical complexities, Little Victors League. Natalia also has experience as a Research Process Coordinator, a Grant Administrator, and a Senior Projects Administrator. Throughout her career, she managed numerous programs, grants, and contracts with a focus on healthcare research, international development, higher education, and social enterprises. Natalia has a Master of Arts - Education in English/French Linguistics from Yaroslavl State Pedagogical University in Yaroslavl, Russia, and an MBA from Cleary University in Ann Arbor. Natalia has always been drawn to initiatives that yield high positive impact on people's lives, especially during their most trying and vulnerable times. She is excited about bringing a patient-centered mindset, creativity, strong communication, and a focus on collaboration to MOQC. In her spare time, Natalia enjoys spending time with her family, traveling the world, cooking, reading, and learning by experiencing new things.

Nick Erikson

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee

Padmaja Venuturumilli

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee

Shannon Wills

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee

Sharon Kim

Job Titles:
  • at Large Representative, Detroit

Shawn Winsted

Biography Shawn is a registered radiography and mammography technician with 20 years' experience in the clinical setting. She has spent the last 15 years at Bon Secours Mercy Health in Toledo, OH, focusing on women's imaging and breast biopsies. Throughout her career, Shawn has developed a special interest in the care of cancer patients, and is looking forward to bringing her knowledge and experience to the MOQC team. Shawn is excited to be joining MOQC so she can continue to have a positive impact on the lives of patients by improving healthcare outcomes. In her spare time, Shawn enjoys spending time with family at their lake cottage, watching sporting events, reading, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.

Shayna Weiner

Job Titles:
  • Intermediate Project Manager
Shayna received her Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Shayna has over five years of experience working in academic research. Some of the work she has been involved in focused on reducing the incidence of Klebsiella (a colonizing bacteria that can be hard to treat) at long-term acute care facilities, assessing barriers to low tidal volume ventilation in the treatment of patients with Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and investigating risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection and recurrence. Prior to joining MOQC in March 2019, Shayna worked as a research coordinator at the University of Michigan in the Infectious Diseases department. She is overseeing the introduction and coordination of patient reported outcomes in MOQC practices.

Sherry Levandowski

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee

Shitanshu Uppal

Job Titles:
  • Director, Gyn - Oncology Initiatives

Tim Cox

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee

Tom Gribbin

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee
  • Cancer and Hematology Center Western Michigan & Medical Director Lacks Cancer Center, Grand Rapids

Tracey Cargill-Smith

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Steering Committee
  • at Large Representative, Novi

Vanessa Aron

Job Titles:
  • Senior Project Manager
Vanessa had over six years of experience working with gynecologic oncology at Michigan Medicine before her move to MOQC. Her career path has led her to her present role of project manager, and she hopes to use the strong connection with and passion for quality improvement that she developed in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology to improve patient care in the realm of gynecologic oncology. Vanessa has a film degree from the University of Michigan and plans to use her creative side to enhance MOQC's media presence. She looks forward to using her skillsets to help communicate with and connect gynecologic oncology practices across the state of Michigan.