February 21, 2014
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced appointments and reappointments to the Michigan Board of Medicine.
The 19-member board is responsible for the examination, regulation, licensing and registration of physicians and surgeons, and for the discipline of licensees who have violated the Michigan Public Health Code. The board, located within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, oversees the practice of more than 36,000 licensed physicians.
“I appreciate the willingness of this talented group to serve on this important board,” Snyder said.
Appointed members:
Luis Avila, of Grand Rapids, is an attorney with Varnum, where he specializes in immigration and employment law. He has experience as an associate at Antone, Casagrande & Adwers; intern at the Geneva, Switzerland-based United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; summer associate at the London-based Centre for Advice on Individual Rights in Europe; and was a Dean’s Public Service Fellow at the University of Michigan Law School. He is a member of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Program Related Investments Committee of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, and a board member of Westwood Christian Services. Avila holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Calvin College and a degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He will represent the general public and replaces Leticia San Diego.
Lisa Huta, of Gaylord, is the co-owner of RLH Industries Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of hearth, venting and building industries. It also provides original equipment manufacturing services to businesses across the country. Huta has a background in finance, and previously worked in the banking industry and interned with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in Detroit. She serves as president of the U-M Club of Greater Gaylord. Huta holds a bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in finance from the University of Michigan. She will represent the general public and replaces Theresa Fraley.
Sandra Lee Howell, of Mount Pleasant, is an assistant professor of surgery and founding faculty member of the Central Michigan University College of Medicine. She previously operated Howell Breast Surgical Services, a specialty practice in the treatment of benign and malignant breast diseases; in general surgery private practice; and as chief of staff at Central Michigan Community Hospital. Howell serves as the chairperson of the Cancer Steering Committee and as a member of the Tumor Board, both at McLaren Central Michigan Hospital. Howell holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and English from Central Michigan University and a medical doctorate from the University of Missouri at Columbia. She will represent physicians and replaces David Dull.
Renee Johnston, of Saginaw, is the president and CEO of the Saginaw Community Foundation. She previously worked for Delphi Automotive. Johnston is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Saginaw Valley, is a Ruby Award recipient, and was named the Outstanding Fundraising Executive of the Year by the Mid-Michigan Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Johnston holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Alma College and a degree from the Valparaiso University School of Law. She will represent the general public and replaces Vivian Leung.
Kara Morley-Smolek, of Ada, is a physician/lead pediatrician with Mercy Health Physician Partners and a clinical assistant professor with the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She has 14 years of experience in primary care medicine and medical education. She previously served as a general pediatrician at Merced Faculty Associates Medical Group, assistant clinical professor at University of California Davis School of Medicine, and as interim medical consultant for the Merced County Department of Public Health California Children’s Services. Morley-Smolek is the chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Hospital and a member of the Compensation Committee for Mercy Health Physician Partners. She holds a bachelor’s degree in integrative biology from the University of California at Berkley and a medical doctorate from the Northwestern University Medical School. She will represent physicians and replaces David Weingarden.
James Sondheimer, of West Bloomfield, is an associate professor of medicine at the Wayne State University School of Medicine and chair of the Harper Hospital Department of Medicine Quality Assurance Peer Review Committee. He previously served as the medical director of the Hemodialysis Unit and vice chief of Nephrology, both at Harper Hospital. Sondheimer holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from the City College of the City University of New York, a doctorate from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and a certificate in business medicine from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He will represent physicians and replaces Oliver Cameron.
Terri Tahnoose, of West Bloomfield, is the vice president of global product marketing for Lear Corp., where she directs consumer market research, advertising and public relations, and supports OEM programs in the Americas, Europe and Asia. She previously served as the director of design and senior designer for the General Motors account at Guilford Mills. Tahnoose holds a bachelor’s degree in printmaking and color design from Wayne State University and a master of business administration from Michigan State University. She will represent the general public and replaces Cheryl Graham.
Reappointed members:
Richard Bates, of Ossineke, is the vice president of medical affairs at Alpena Regional Medical Center and a physician with Alpena Obstetrics/Gynecology at Alpena Regional Medical Center. He previously worked in private group practice and for Alcona Health Center. He is a founding member of Living Hope Church. Bates holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Alma College, a master’s degree in zoology from Michigan State University, and a medical doctorate from Wayne State University. He will continue to represent physicians.
Peter Graham, of East Lansing, is the executive medical director of Physician’s Health Plan, a physician at Sparrow Medical Group, and a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Family Practice in the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University. He previously served as vice president/executive director of Sparrow Medical Group, medical director of Physician’s Health Plan of Mid-Michigan, and medical director of Sparrow Home Care Network. Graham holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Michigan and a medical doctorate in human medicine from Michigan State University. He will continue to represent physicians.
Cindy Pasky, of Detroit, is the CEO of Strategic Staffing Solutions, a Detroit-based global IT and business services company. She serves as chair of the Detroit Downtown Partnership board of directors and co-chairs the Urban Strategies Committee of Business Leaders for Michigan. Pasky has been named a Most Powerful Woman in Business by dBusiness Magazine, CEO of the Year by Automation Alley, one of Detroit’s Most Powerful People by Crain’s Detroit Business, and one of the Top Women Entrepreneurs in North America by Women Impacting Public Policy. She will continue to represent the general public.
Members serve four-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2017, and their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the state Senate.
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