Get to know: NEOMED (week of August 17)
We probably all know someone like this: You say good morning when you pass in the hall, you chat while waiting for your coffee order and you see them at University events and programs. But you don’t really know who they are or what they do at NEOMED. We’re here to help with the new feature, “Get to know NEOMED”! Each week we’ll share brief profiles of some new faces and some long-time staff.
This week we feature Mike Appleman, Liz Backus and Nona Hose.
Michael Appleman, M.A. Ed.
What is your role here at NEOMED?
Formally, I am an assistant professor of Ffamily and community medicine. In that role, I teach across all four years of the medical curriculum, including a Culture in Medical Education elective offered in the fourth year. In addition to teaching, I serve as director of the Health, Education, Advocacy and Leadership (HEAL) learning communities, which includes four badge-awarding communities: Patient Advocacy and Community Health (PACH), Rural Medical Education (RMED), Urban Primary Care Practice (UPCP), and a new Medical Education (MedEd) learning community. I also serve as the associate director of the Accelerated Family Medicine Program (AFMP), vice chair of the Admissions Committee, and advise several student interest groups.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
The students are why I’m here. Since my programs run all four years of medical school, spanning formal and informal learning environments, I have the privilege of getting to know students academically, professionally, and personally. Being a part of their journey and supporting their career goals is an honor. We have great students here at NEOMED who inspire me to not only be a better faculty member, but a better human.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I have been to over 150 concerts. My favorites have been '90-'00s alternative/rock era bands, as well as more contemporary folks like Jon Batiste, Laufey, Punch Brothers, and Tank and the Bangas. I’ve seen many classic rock era shows such as Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, Mavis Staples, Paul Simon, The Police and the Doobie Brothers. I also love the Cleveland Orchestra (Cynthia Erivo was amazing last summer!!), Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and the Akron Symphony Orchestra (go to Gospel Meets Symphony in February!). All that said, if I counted smaller local shows, like those of my friend’s bands throughout the 2000s and my little brother’s weird bands in the 2010s (you have to support musicians!), I’ve been to well over 300 concerts. I’m sure I’ll make a hearing aid company happy someday!!!!
Elizabeth Backus, M.Ed.
What is your current role here at NEOMED?
My current role here at NEOMED is senior operational excellence analyst. I support the NEOMED Executive Education Lean Six Sigma programs for our affiliate partners as well as internal Lean Six Sigma and Operational Excellence projects. My role includes everything from curriculum design and development to project mentorship to actual OpEx project work. Some things I have done over the past two and a half years are:
The design and launch of our Lean Six Sigma Yellow and Green Belt for Healthcare Operations programs as well as Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt for Service and Education Operations.
If you have taken LSSYB at NEOMED in the past year, you have experienced curricular changes that I have designed as well as the higher ed-focused online learning modules that I have built.
I am currently working on developing Lean Six Sigma Green Belt for Service and Education Operations, which is a more robust and learner-centered revision of our existing Lean Six Sigma Green Belt program.
I have helped to support a few different Operational Excellence projects with the Wasson Center, Accounting and Human Resources.
And, along the way, I have hosted a couple different EEE workshops (which are always my favorite!)
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Everything! Even on the most stressful days, I am so incredibly grateful to be a part of Strategy and Transformation because of everything I have learned over the past two and a half years. From getting to flex my instructional design muscles on occasion to growing in my data analysis skills and learning how to code, there are so many ways that I have grown in my time here that I honestly never thought were possible and/or something I’d even be interested in!
I also love any opportunity I get to work with others across the NEOMED community. I feel like I learn so much about how the University works when I get the chance to collaborate with other departments. There are so many people across NEOMED that are just an absolute wealth of knowledge, and I love any opportunity I have to learn from them.
I so love getting to know our medical students through reflective practice.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I taught middle school Language Arts and Social Studies for four years before coming to NEOMED. Each fall I get a little bit of FOMO* when I see school supplies and classroom setup videos, but I am honestly so glad I made the switch!
I am currently working towards a doctorate in interprofessional leadership with a focus on leadership in educational contexts at Kent State. I am set to start my dissertation this coming spring!
I am, self-admittedly, obsessed with porch geese! I have two that I inherited from my Grandma that I named Phyllis (after my Grandma) and Flo (after her Mom, Florence). With them I inherited quite the wardrobe, so they are always dressed to impress for every season!
My hidden talent is bowling! My Dad was a semi-pro bowler when I was a kid, so I spent the weekends at the bowling alley with him or being in my own tournaments. I love suggesting bowling activities for outings so I can show of my skills . . . ha ha ha!
Finally, anyone in my office can confirm that I am quite literally Nate the Whale’s biggest fan!! One of my most favorite days at NEOMED was when I had the honor and privilege to be Nate for the Lt. Governor!
Nona Hose
What is your current role here at NEOMED?
My role at NEOMED is executive administrative assistant in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
What do you like most about your job?
I most enjoy the interaction I have with people here at NEOMED. My co-workers, students in the Student Research Fellowship Program, and others across campus. I am very much a people person!
What is a fun fact about yourself?
An interesting fact about me is that I have kind of a special day of the week – it is Tuesday! It took me several years to catch on, but everything good that happens in my life (that I don’t consciously plan) has happened on a Tuesday.
Just a few examples include my husband and I had our first date on a Tuesday – many years ago. Both of our biological children were born on a Tuesday – no pre-planned deliveries! We were granted custody of our next two kiddos on a Tuesday. This one was kind of funny – we went to the custody hearing on a Thursday, and it had to be rescheduled at the last minute. We were literally standing outside of the courtroom waiting our turn when it was cancelled. Everyone was confused and apologized for the inconvenience. We were given a new date and told that this date was it – no matter what! When I came to work and put in on my calendar, the new date was a Tuesday . . . I knew then why it was rescheduled!! The adoption hearing for our last two children was on a Tuesday. I was offered a job here at NEOMED . . . you guessed it!!! . . . On a Tuesday!!! I like to tell people that Tuesday is mine and God’s special day!!!
* fear of missing out