Program Director
- Michael D. Brown, M.D., FACEP, MSc
Graduated from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in 1986 where he now holds an appointment of Professor of Emergency Medicine and Epidemiology. Following completion of the Butterworth Emergency Medicine Residency in 1990, he worked as a flight physician for Butterworth AeroMed and served as Associate Program Director for several years prior to being appointed Program Director in 2001. In 1999, he was awarded a National Institute of Health sponsored research training fellowship through MSU-CHM Department of Epidemiology. This training grant allowed him to further develop his evidence-based medicine skills with an emphasis on meta-analysis of diagnostic tests. Since then, he has focused on teaching residents and students evidenced-based medicine and served as the Chair of the 
SAEM EBM Interest Group from 2002-2005. These activities led to his recent appointment as a Consulting Editor
for the Annals of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Brown is a co-investigator for a multicenter study on TIA in the ED funded by the MSU foundation and has been involved in a number of other collaborative research projects. (see Research). On a more personal note, when it's howling out on Lake Michigan, you'll find him windsurfing. In the colder months he plays Big "D" for the "Medicine Men," a local hockey team that includes residents and faculty.
Associate Program Director
- Dale J. Ray, M.D., FACEP
Graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School and the Emergency Medicine Residency at Butterworth (Spectrum Health). Following graduation, he joined the teaching faculty. After serving in a number of faculty and administrative roles, Dr. Ray is the Associate Residency Director of the Emergency Medicine residency and holds the academic appointment of Assistant Professor at MSU-CHM. His main extracurricular interest is the training of his bird dogs and working with others in the training of their dog. 
His string of dogs includes an English Setter, Italian Spinone, Pointer, and a Lab. He also likes to fly fish, especially for bonefish—but there are only so many hours in a day!
Educational Assistant for Patient Care Competency
Colleen Bush, M.D., FACEP
Dr. Bush graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, did training at Butterworth Hospital (Spectrum Health) in Grand Rapids, serving a year as Chief Resident. After graduation in 1996, she took a position as Medical Director at Gerber Memorial Hospital, a rural hospital in West Michigan. After 2 years, she transitioned to the Spectrum Health - Butterworth ED. She is the Educational Assistant for Patient Care Competency for the Emergency Medicine residency. She enjoys the variety of tertiary teaching hospital care and participates in ultrasound teaching and research. Most of her free time is spent with her two kids, with occasional rounds of weed-pulling in the garden and spouting the benefits of healthy living to the residents.Educational Assistant for Emergency Medical Services
Todd Chassee, MD
Dr. Chassee graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School and trained in Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. After graduating in 2006, he and his wife, Amanda -- both natives of West Michigan -- decided to return to Grand Rapids. Todd is now the Educational Assistant for EMS Education for the third year residents. Todd enjoys college football, traveling, and hiking. He and his wife have a golden retriever.Educational Assistant for Procedural Competency
Charles deSibour, M.D.
Dr. deSibour graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School and then entered the Emergency Medicine Residency Program at Butterworth Hospital. Upon completing residency Chuck worked at Penn State University, Center for Emergency Medicine for four years. In 1998 he decided to return to Grand Rapids and join our staff. Chuck's outside interests include downhill skiing, camping, photography, kayaking and growing bonsai trees. He and his wife Cindi have three children.Educational Assistant for Medical Knowledge Competency & Assistant for Off-Service and Undergraduate Education
Matt Emery, M.D., FACEP
Dr. Emery graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and the Emergency Medicine Residency at Butterworth. Doctor Emery worked for three and a half years at a busy community hospital in Muskegon, Michigan, prior to joining the staff here in 1995. He enjoys spending time with his children, camping, movies, reading, bicycling, listening to music, and has many computer-related interests, including helping out with the residency web site. He is an ABEM oral board examiner and serves as the Educational Assistant for Medical Knowledge Competency and the Educational Assistant for Off-Service & Undergraduate Education for the Emergency Medicine residency.Pediatric Emergency Medicine
John Hoyle, M.D., FACEP, FAAP
Dr. Hoyle graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 1994 and subsequently entered the Methodist/ Indiana University Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics combined residency program. While a resident he spent 4 years as a flight physician and also served as a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue physician. John joined the faculty in 1999 and currently is the Associate Director of the Spectrum Health/ Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department and holds an Assistant Professor appointment with MSU-CHM. John also serves on the Steering Committee of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), a network made up of 22 hospitals throughout the country to promote research into pediatric emergency care issues. He is a co-investigator on a PECARN study that is trying to develop a neuroimaging clinical decision rule for pediatric blunt head trauma. He has published papers on pediatric psychiatric emergencies, resident training flight physician training, and disaster airway management. His professional interests include disaster medicine, analgesia and sedation and, of course, emergency pediatrics. In his off time, he likes to hunt (he has a Pope and Young entry for an elk), hike, back pack and ski with his wife and two sons.
Research Director
Jeffrey S. Jones, M.D., FACEP
Dr. Jones graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and the emergency medicine training program at Akron General Medical Center. After residency, Jeff completed a Research Fellowship. He joined the teaching faculty at Butterworth in 1988 and assumed the role of Research Director. Doctor Jones was awarded the "Excellence in Teaching" award from the Michigan Chapter of EMRA as well as the EMRA's National award in 1994. He is active in research related to virtually all aspects of emergency medicine. He is a reviewer for the Annals of Emergency Medicine, American Journal of Emergency Medicine as well as Academic Emergency Medicine. Doctor Jones holds the academic appointment of Associate Professor at MSU-CHM.Educational Assistant for Toxicology and PGY 2 Curriculum
Bryan Judge, M.D.
Dr. Judge graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1998 and continued with residency at the Grand Rapids Medical Education & Research Center/Michigan State University Emergency Medicine program. After graduating in 2001, he completed a Medical Toxicology fellowship at Indiana University School of Medicine. Bryan is the Educational Assistant for Toxicology and the PGY 2 Curriculum Coordinator. His academic interests include antidotal therapy for rattlesnake-induced coagulopathy. Outside of the ED, Bryan enjoys spending time with family and friends.Educational Assistant for Ultrasound
Dale E. McNinch, D.O., FACEP
Dr. McNinch graduated from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, he did his training in Dayton, Ohio, then served 3 years as a USAF flight surgeon in N.C. He was an aeromedical flight physician for 10 years. Doctor McNinch had eight years of experience working in a smaller rural ED before joining the EM teaching staff at Butterworth Hospital (now Spectrum Health- Butterworth Campus) in 1987. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine for over 10 years. Doctor McNinch serves as the Educational Assistant for ED Ultrasound and EKG. He holds the academic appointment of Assistant Professor at MSU-CHM. He regularly participates as faculty or course director for the MCEP EM Ultrasound Course. He is the volunteer medical director for the Mel Trotter Ministries rescue mission and serves on the Kent County EMS Governing Board. He has been actively involved in medical mission trips to Honduras for several years (and is still trying to learn medical Spanish!) He enjoys church activities, sailing, white water rafting, camping, and backpacking.Educational Assistant for PGY 3 Curriculum & Departmental Chair, Emergency Medicine
Barbara N. Wynn, M.D., FACEP
Dr. Wynn graduated from the University of Michigan School of Medicine and did her Emergency Medicine Residency training at the University of Illinois. She worked full-time in a busy community ED for five years before she joined the Butterworth Hospital Emergency Department staff in 1992 and currently coordinates the PGY 3 Systems-Based Practice curriculum. She is also Medical Director for the YWCA based sexual assault program which sees over 200 patients a year. Doctor Wynn enjoys out-of-door activities and time with her family.Other Faculty
Nate Bishop, M.D.
Dr. Bishop spent two months during his residency training rotating through the emergency department at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus. He did his training at Garden City Hospital in Garden City, MI where he graduated in June 2007. He served as Chief Resident during his senior year. Dr. Bishop originally from Grand Rapids. He and his wife have one daughter. They enjoy eating out at various restaurants or at his in-laws for home cooked Cuban meals. He enjoys biking, playing a fierce game of basketball with his daughter and he enjoys a wide variety of movies and music.Allen Bragdon, M.D.
Jason Bowman, M.D.
Dr. Bowman is a graduate of the GRMERC/MSU Program in Emergency Medicine as of June 2007. Dr. Bowman graduated with a Doctorate of Medicine from Indiana University School of Medicine. His many interests include running, weight lifting, fishing and coaching football to name a few.Eric Brown, M.D.
Chris Cahill, D.O.
Dr. Cahill graduated from Michigan State University and completed his residency at Metro Hospital here in Grand Rapids. He and his wife Jill enjoy golf, cooking and the Chicago Cubs.Randy Chilcote, D.O., FACEP
Dr. Chilcote graduated from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a Transitional Year with Grace Hospital in Detroit and his emergency medicine residency training with St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio where he was Chief Resident during his last year of training. After graduation from residency, he joined ECS on staff at the Spectrum Health – Blodgett Campus and later at the Butterworth Campus. He is board-certified in emergency medicine and licensed to practice medicine in Michigan and Ohio. Dr. Chilcote is married with five children.Kelly deLongpre, MD
Bio coming soon!Matt Denenberg, M.D., FACEP, FAAP
Dr. Denenberg graduated from the University of Michigan before completing medical school at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. He completed dual residency training in both Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at Wayne State University/The Detroit Medical Center. Currently, he is working towards a Masters Degree in Bioethics/Epidemiology at Michigan State University. Prior to working in Grand Rapids, he worked in Alaska and Detroit. He has traveled on medical missions in Asia with Operation Smile, and hopes to continue this work. His primary interest is clinical pediatric emergency medicine with an emphasis on education and research. During his time off, he enjoys outdoor adventure/travel, running and time with his family.John Deveau, D.O.
Dr. Deveau attended Michigan State University and obtained his Masters in Public Health in Toxicology from the University of Michigan (Yes, his temporary defection to the “dark side”…i.e., U of M). He then worked for Amoco oil company for 3 years before he decided to retire from corporate life to the cushy life of medicine. MSU allowed him to return to the motherland (Spartan Country) even after the “Go Blue” betrayal, where he completed Medical School and Residency at Sparrow. He has four loves in his life, his wife Denise, and daughters Isabella, Fracesca, and Brianna. In his spare time, he enjoys swimming, biking, and running (in that order). Dr. Deveau is the founding member of the ER triathlon team presided over by tri-wench Dr. Puetz. Additional hobbies include taxonomy of rare crickets, glass blowing. Lawrence Donely, MD
George R. Drew, D.O., FACEP
Dr. Drew graduated from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Emergency Medicine Residency program at Christ Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Drew was the ED Director of a small, rural ED for four years before he joined our faculty in 1988. He holds the academic appointment of Assistant Clinical Professor at MSU-CHM. Dr. Drew coaches a local gymnastics team and has been the team physician for USA Gymnastics, Trampoline and Tumbling for the last four World Championships. In 2003, he was the United States national coach at the World Championships in Hanover Germany. Doctor Drew enjoys water-skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, & racquetball. Other out-of-hospital interests include home design, home renovation and remodeling. You haven't water-skied until you have water-skied with George. He is also an active member of our softball team and participates on the hockey team.Martin Freeman, M.D.
Steffen Genthe, M.D.
Bio coming soon!Henry Hammersmith, M.D., FACEP
Dr. Hammersmith graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine, He did his internship at Butterworth Hospital and radiology training at Michigan State University. Doctor Hammersmith enjoys traveling and is an annual visitor to England -- any questions, just ask him!Gwen L. Hoffman, M.D., FACEP
Dr. Hoffman graduated from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and is an Associate Professor of Medicine at MSU. Was the first graduate of the Butterworth Emergency Medicine Residency Program and was program director of the residency for 21 years. She has been involved with American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) since 1982, was on the Board of Directors for 9 years and President in 2001 to 2002. She has been the recipient of the Michigan Chapter of EMRA's "Excellence in Teaching" award and has been honored by her house staff with the Leo J. Kenny Award for Best Teacher of the Year. At Spectrum Health Hospitals, she is currently the Chairman of Emergency Services and is also President of the Medical Staff for 2003 to 2005. On a personal note she loves animals and enjoys photography.Jeremiah Johns, M.D.
Dr. Johns graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine, and completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at Spectrum Health/MSU Program in Emergency Medicine in June 2007. He is also an Aero med flight physician. He likes to spend his free time camping and riding off-road motorcycles. Dr. Johns and his wife have two sons.Ken Johnson, M.D.
Dr. Johnson is a Grand Rapids native (born at Butterworth Hospital, in fact). After completing medical school at Wayne State University, Dr. Johnson did his Emergency Medicine residency at Butterworth Hospital. He went on to work three years at Hackley hospital in Muskegon, Michigan before returning as an attending faculty member in July 1998. He and his wife Sheila have four children. He enjoys sports, travel and reading.Josh Kooistra, D.O.
Dr. Kooistra, originally from Grand Rapids, attended undergraduate at Hope College and went to medical school at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency with GRMERC at Spectrum Health Butterworth. He and his wife have two kids, Ben and Sam. In his spare time, he enjoys skiing, running, and golf.Robert A. La Fleur, M.D., FACEP
Dr. La Fleur graduated from Calvin College, the University of Colorado Medical School, and the Butterworth Hospital Emergency Medicine Residency program, Doctor LaFleur has special expertise in the area of Documentation and Reimbursement for our corporation. He is also the President of MMS, www.mms.med.pro our billing and management company. Doctor LaFleur holds the academic appointment of Assistant Professor at MSU-CHM. He is a member of the Luke Society, an international medical mission organization, and helps supervise one of its programs in Honduras.Warren F. Lanphear, M.D., FACEP
Dr. Lanphear graduated from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and the Emergency Medicine Residency at Butterworth Hospital. He worked for three years in the National Health Service in West Virginia and following that joined the teaching staff at Butterworth Hospital. In addition, he has served as a flight physician for Aero Med, has volunteered at a local healthcare center for the underprivileged, and has been on medical missions to Honduras. Doctor Lanphear holds the academic appointment of Assistant Professor at MSU-CHM. He enjoys hiking, golf, indoor soccer, skiing, and Little League baseball.David Lock, M.D., FACEP
Dr. Lock graduated from Michigan State University, MSU College of Human Medicine, and GRMERC/MSU Emergency Medicine Program. Dr. Lock is the medical director of AMR/MERC’s /PALS training. He formerly served as the Educational Assistant for Procedural Competency. He is now busy with his wife and new daughter. Dr. Lock also enjoys boating and gardening.Stuart Malafa, M.D.
Daniel Mercier, M.D.
Dr. Mercier is a graduate of the GRMERC/MSU Program in Emergency Medicine. He obtained his Doctorate of Medicine from Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Mercier enjoys spending time with family, U of M athletics, kayaking, world travel and pop art.Greg Mervenne, M.D.
Dr. Mervenne completed his undergraduate work at Michigan State University and medical school at MSU-CHM. Prior to completing his emergency medicine residency at Butterworth Hospital in 1998, he completed a three-year pediatric residency at DeVos Children's Hospital. Dr. Mervenne is Vice-Chairman of the Emergency Department and Division Chief of Pediatric Emergency Medicine. His non-Pediatric EM interests include karate, skiing, softball and his family. Gary Mikula, D.O.
Dr. Mikula attended Grand Valley State University in biomedical sciences. Was an orderly in the ED at Butterworth from 1987-1991. Went to MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. Residency in Lansing Michigan through Sparrow/Ingham Regional Medical Center. He and his wife have four beautiful children. In his spare time, Dr. Mikula enjoys fishing, playing with my kids….and fishing. Love the Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Bulls.Bruce Murray, M.D., FACEP
Dr. Murray graduated from Florida State University and Wayne State College of Medicine. He did his residency at Butterworth Hospital from 1992 through 1995. He then fulfilled a military commitment of 3 years prior to returning to Grand Rapids. Dr. Murray serves as the Director of Extender Services for Emergency Care Specialists. Sub-interests in Emergency Medicine include airway access, pediatrics and toxicology. On his time off he can often be found fishing (especially deep sea for marlin), boating, working outdoors around his house or hunting. He is married with one son.Janos Nevai, M.D.
Bio coming soon!Bruce W. Nugent, M.D., FACEP
Dr. Nugent graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine and the Emergency Medicine Residency at Butterworth Hospital. Following his graduation, he joined the teaching staff here and for a number of years continued to work part-time at a smaller community hospital. Doctor Nugent holds the academic appointment of Associate Clinical Professor at MSU-CHM. Doctor Nugent enjoys long distance running.Stephanie Penton, M.D.
Dr. Penton is a graduate of the University of Florida and the University of Miami School of Medicine. She did her residency at Wayne State University – Detroit Receiving Hospital. Stephanie and her husband Ryan then moved to the Grand Rapids area. She is one of our volunteer faculty with Michigan State University-GRMERC. Dr. Penton's interests include hiking with her dogs, traveling, and photography. She works at the Butterworth, Blodgett, and United Memorial campuses.Trieu Pham, M.D.
Dr. Pham went to the University of Michigan undergrad/medical school in the combined Inteflex program and graduated 1994 and completed residency at Butterworth in 1997. He has lived in West Michigan his entire life. Dr. Pham and his wife have two sons, a dog, a cat, and lots of chickens on 80 acres in Lowell. Interests are hunting, fishing, archery, woodworking, and wildlife habitat projects.Scott A. Poortenga, M.D.
Dr. Poortenga graduated from the University of Illinois Medical School and the Emergency Medicine Residency program at Butterworth Hospital in 1988. Following this he relocated to the Michigan north country where he worked as an emergency physician for the next five years. In July of 1993, Scott left his practice of emergency medicine and re-entered training and completed a Hand Fellowship at the Blodgett and Butterworth Hospital. Following this, he practiced hand surgery for six months back in Alpena, Michigan. He found he missed the educational setting and returned to Butterworth Hospital to practice emergency medicine with a keen interest in teaching our emergency medicine residents hand anatomy and repair in the emergency department setting. Scott is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and his personal interests include basketball, hunting, fishing and his family.Christopher Port, M.D.
Bio coming soon!Don Powell, D.O
Catherine Puetz, M.D
Dr. Puetz from the University of North Dakota Medical School. She completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the Spectrum Health Blodgett Campus prior to doing her residency in Emergency Medicine at Spectrum Health Butterworth. After her residency in Emergency Medicine she joined the teaching staff at Spectrum Health. She serves as the Medical Director for the CVOU located at the Butterworth Campus. Cathy enjoys crushing Drs. Deveau and Throop in the swim portion of every triathlon they participate in. She continues to run a vigorous campaign for teacher of the year with her sunny disposition (Just ask the interns), however she does not give hugs.Brad Riley, M.D.
Dr. Riley attended the University of Michigan for both undergraduate and Medical School. He then completed a residency in Emergency Medicine at Butterworth, followed by a fellowship in Medical Toxicology in Phoenix, Arizona. He returned to Grand Rapids in 2006 and is an Attending both in the Emergency Department as well as on the Medical Toxicology service. He also serves as Assistant Medical Director for the Poison Center. In his spare time he enjoys photography, fly fishing and playing on the "Medicine Men" hockey team. He is married with three children.Gretchen Roe, M.D.
Dr. Roe graduated in June of 2007 from the Emergency Medicine Residency – Carolinas Medical Center where she served as Chief Resident. Gretchen and received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Michigan. She is married and enjoys tennis, sailing, skiing and playing the piano.Ralph N. Rogers, M.D., FACEP
Dr. Rogers graduated from the Medical College of Virginia and the Emergency Medicine Residency Program at Butterworth Hospital, he jointed the teaching faculty here in 1984. Doctor Rogers developed and implemented the air medical program at Butterworth Hospital and currently serves as the Medical Director and Chief Operating Officer for Aero Med where he also is a flight physician. Doctor Rogers is actively involved in the training programs in Advanced and Basic Trauma Life Support, as well as Pediatric Advanced Life support. He is President of our EM corporation. Doctor Rogers holds the academic appointment of Associate Clinical Professor at MSU-CHM. In addition to air medicine services, special areas of interest include pediatric emergency medicine, hyperbaric medicine, medicolegal and physician management. He also serves as President of the Medical Staff at Spectrum Health. He has received an MBA from the University of Southern Florida. He enjoys hockey, both on and off the rink.Andy Rusk, M.D.
Dr. Rusk attended Medical School at Indiana University and completed his residency at GRMERC/MSU / Butterworth Campus in June 2006. Dr. Rusk is an avid fisherman.Tom Sapp, M.D.
Dr. Sapp graduated from the University of North Dakota and completed his residency at Michigan St. Univ.-KCMS (Kalamazoo). Dr. Sapp and his wife have with three children. In his spare time, he enjoys camping, golf, scuba diving and spending time with his family.James Schweigert, M.D.
Dr. Schweigert is a native of Michigan having been born and raised in Midland. He attended Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and did a Transitional residency at Butterworth Hospital before spending three years in the Navy as a general medical officer. He served with the Marines during Desert Storm and then continued to "see the world" while working in the ED at US Naval Hospital Guam. Doctor Schweigert returned to Butterworth Hospital to complete his training in emergency medicine. Upon graduation from residency, he went to Myrtle Beach, SC and practiced EM for three years before returning to work at both Spectrum Health campuses. He is now the Medical Director for the ED's. Doctor Schweigert is married to the love of his life, Lisa, with three children. He enjoys boating, wakeboarding, fishing, cheering for MSU, bike riding and hiking with his family.Brad S. Slywka, M.D.
Bio coming soon!Wade Thompson, M.D.
Dr. Thompson graduated and completed Residency at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He and his wife have three boys and will soon be welcoming a little girl. He enjoys skiing, NASCAR, volleyball, and swimming in his free time.John C. Throop, M.D.
Bio coming soon!Eric VanDePol, M.D
Dr. VanDePol attended Iowa State University and is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Medicine. He completed a year of Surgery residency before deciding to refocus his education on Emergency Medicine. Eric is another graduate from the emergency medicine residency at Spectrum Health - Butterworth Campus. He enjoys outdoor hobbies such as fishing, camping and hiking.John D. Verbrugge, M.D.
Bio coming soon!R. Corey Waller, M.D.
Dr. Waller graduated Medical School from the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. He completed his residency at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to Emergency Medicine, interests include Wilderness and Chronic Pain & Addiction Medicine. In his spare time Dr. Waller enjoys construction on his older home, good martinis and loud music.