John E. vanSchagen, MD
Program Director
Faculty Member Since: 1994
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Residency: US Naval Hospital (Jacksonville, FL)
Curricular Coordinator: Orthopedics, Surgery, Emergency Medicine
Areas of Medical Interest: Sports Medicine, Orthopedics, Pre-Doctoral Education
Hobbies / Interests: Golf, Downhill Skiing, Boating
Interesting Tidbits: My wife is also a family practitioner.
Unique Feature of GRFMR: Our program turns out a high number of physician leaders and educators.
Aspects of Teaching I enjoy: Small group discussions, seeing my residents grow into confident clinicians.
Steven R. Ashmead, MD
Associate Program Director
Faculty Member Since: 1987
Medical School: Baylor University
Residency: Southwest Michigan Area Health Education Center (Kalamazoo, MI)
Curricular Coordinator: Ambulatory Care
Areas of Medical Interest: Geriatrics, Depression, Anxiety, Mind-Body Medicine, Spirituality and Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Gardening, Cross-Country Skiing, Reading
Interesting Tidbits: Born in California, Grew up in Texas, Lived in Michigan longer than anywhere - Love the Snow
Unique Feature of GRFPR: Collegial relationship with family medicine and specialty faculty.
Aspects of Teaching I Enjoy: Participating in the process of professional and personal development of faculty, students, and residents.
Maha Ayashi, MD
Associate
Faculty Member Since: 2007
Medical School: Apeppo University, Syria
Residency: York Hospital, Pennsylvania
Curricular Areas: Women’s Health Curriculum
Areas of Medical Interest: Obstetrics, women’s health and procedures and pediatrics
Hobbies / Interests: Crochet, Knitting, Cooking and Family
Interesting Tidbits: Completed OB/Gyn residency in Syria with over 2000 deliveries, 200 C-Sections performed!
Unique Feature of GRFPR: Wide base medicine with flexibility in venues of growth. Friendly family oriented environment.
Aspects of Teaching I Enjoy: Being a part of the growth of young physicians.
Philip J. Baty, MD
Core Faculty
Faculty Member Since: 1992
Medical School: Wayne State University
Residency: Grand Rapids Family Practice Residency
Curricular Coordinator: Inpatient Services, EBM Curriculum
Areas of Medical Interest: Diabetes, Evidence Based Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Amateur Wrestling
Interesting Tidbits: Notre Dame fan
Unique Feature of GRFPR: I appreciate the balance of EBM and the relationship centered care.
Aspects of Teaching I Enjoy: The growth that occurs over the course of the residency, from the first year to graduation.
Michael Bishop, MD
Core Faculty
Faculty Member Since: 2006
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Residency: Ball Memorial Family Medicine, Muncie, Indiana
Curricular coordinator: Practice Management, Surgery, ER
Areas of Medical Interest: Women's Health & Obstetrics, Asthma management, Resident education
Hobbies/Interests: Triathlons, Marathons, my two dogs Duke and Molly and my son Jack.
Interesting Tidbits: Born in New Jersey, grew up a Hoosier, recent transplant to Michigan and loving it. My wife is also a physician.
Aspects of Teaching I Enjoy: Every day, I participate in the education of my patients. Working with residents and medical students presents a constant challenge. Their enthusiasm for learning keeps me on my toes and on top of the latest treatments.
John A. Cavacece, DO
Core Faculty
Faculty Member Since: 1996
Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: USAF - Carswell AFB (Fort Worth, TX)
Faculty Roles: FMS inpatient rounding, standards of care committee, morning "openers" group discussion leader
Curricular Area: Behavioral Science, Cardiology, Relationship Centered Care
Areas of Medical Interest: Health Care Policy, advocating universal health insurance, as well as the full spectrum of Family Medicine and Obstetrics.
Hobbies / Interests: Reading, movies, travel, music.
Interesting Tidbits: Cared for Kurdish and Haitian refugees while in the air force and enjoy mission trips to Haiti through church. I am also a member of “Physicians for National Health Plan”.
Unique Feature of GRFPR: We care about promoting the full scope of Family Medicine.
Aspects of Teaching I enjoy: Helping residents recognize their strengths and connecting them to the humanity in their work.
Ron Duemler, MD
Core Faculty
Faculty Member Since: 1988
Medical School: Rush Medical College
Masters: University of Michigan - Clinical Research Design and Biostatistics
Residency: Grand Rapids Family Practice Residency
Fellowship: Michigan State University - Geriatrics
Curricular Coordinator: Geriatrics
Areas of Medical Interest: Geriatrics, End of Life/Palliative Care, Medical Administration/Direction, Long-Term Care
Hobbies / Interests: Hiking, Gardening, Fishing
Interesting Tidbits: History major in college. Four kids and two dogs (sort of dogs - Basenjis - they actually act like cats trapped in dogs' bodies.
Unique Feature of GRFPR: Faculty is accessible and curriculum is negotiably flexible.
Shannon Keane English, MD
Core Faculty
Faculty Member Since: 2007
Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse NY
Residency: Williamsport Hospital Family Practice Residency Program, Williamsport, PA
Fellowship: SUN Health/St Joseph's Geriatric Fellowship Program, Sun City, AZ
Areas of Medical Interest: Geriatrics, Long Term Care, Dementias, Hospice
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy doing most anything outdoors, playing the French horn, and building with Habitat for Humanity.
Interesting tidbits: I have built on houses (with Habitat for Humanity) in 8 states including Alaska, and I have a pen-pal in Spain which I got by throwing a bottle into the ocean.
Thomas E. Hilts, D.O.
Core Faculty
Faculty Member Since: 2008
Medical School: Michigan State University – College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: GRFPR
Curricular Coordinator: Evidence-Based Medicine
Areas of Medical Interest: ADHD, Allergies, International Medicine/Wilderness Medicine, Neurology and Sleep Disorders.
Hobbies / Interests: Coaching Soccer, baseball; biking; reading; woodworking.
Interesting Tidbits: US Army Reserves stationed in Fairbanks, AK for 4 years. Married, 4 children, 1 golden retriever.
Unique Feature of GRFMR: GRFMR is unique in that it exists within an environment of over 100 extremely supportive family doctors who act as superb role models for the residents. Just as important are the many specialists of the sponsoring hospital who enjoy teaching and treat the FM residents as valued colleagues.
Aspects of Teaching I Enjoy: Mentoring. Precepting.
Barbara Stanford, MD
Core Faculty
Faculty Member Since: 2002
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Residency: Grand Rapids Family Practice Residency
Curricular Areas: Obstetrics, Women’s Care, Health Disparities, Health Literacy.
Areas of Medical Interest: Women’s Health, Pediatrics and Obstetrics; Community Health Care, Care of Underserved Patient Populations
Hobbies / Interests: Gardening, Cooking and Antiques.
Interesting Tidbits: I am a former high school science teacher and was in the Peace Corps in Kenya, 86-88.
Unique Feature of GRFPR: OB experience provides opportunities for more than 100 deliveries.
Aspects of Teaching that I enjoy: I enjoy the fresh perspectives and knowledge residents bring to my care of patients – I learn as much as I teach.
Cheryl Tamburello, MD
Core Faculty
Faculty Member Since: 1995
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Residency: Grand Rapids Family Practice Residency
Curricular Areas: Gynecology, Internal Medicine, Procedures, Practice Management and Family Medicine Inpatient Service
Areas of Medical Interest: Procedures and International medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Medical Mission Work, Travel, Interior Decorating, Shopping in general
Interesting Tidbits: I am married to my high school sweetheart. Our daughter is a NP Midwife and our son is a restaurant manager.
Unique Feature of GRFPR: We encourage and participate in International Mission trips with our residents.
Aspects of Teaching that I enjoy: Witnessing interns grow and develop into competent, caring Family Medicine Attendings.
Jean Thomas, MD
Core Faculty
Faculty Member Since: 1994
Medical School: University of Michigan
Residency: Grand Rapids Family Practice Residency
Curricular Areas: Dermatology, Substance Abuse
Areas of Medical Interest: Dermatology, Obstetrics
Hobbies / Interests: Reading, music, biking, most of all being with my family.
Unique Feature of GRFPR: Focus on relationships.
Aspects of Teaching I Enjoy: I enjoy when the residents move past just knowing facts and learn to apply theories in a patient focused way – the art of medicine.
Community Attendings
Community Attendings precept residents on the Family Medicine Service (FMS). Some precept residents as they see their own patients at the Wege Health and Learning Centers . They are:
Tobolic, Braman, Jaglowski, Reneker, and Oetman
PO Box 307
Byron Center, MI 49315
616-878-1035
Lundeen, Boesenkool, Eshragh, and Brouwer
950 - 36th St SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
616-534-8222
Setchfield, Wright, VanWingen, and Schuler
721 - 3 Mile Rd NW, #200
Grand Rapids, MI 49544
616-647-6777
Fredrickson and Clark
3299 Clear Vista Ct NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
616-361-1200
Dudley, Kutsche, Hazle, Mohr, Furness, and Furness
260 Jefferson SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-774-8138