Board and Leadership
A vision that appeals to the greater academic demands
Board
Our Board of Trustees is led by a team of world renowned thought leaders that are truly passionate about guiding the next generation of healthcare professionals.
The Board sets policies which promote an academic atmosphere where students can learn efficiently through experienced faculty-led, small group engagement.
Each Trustee brings their unique experience, knowledge, and expertise to the table, working closely with ACSOM to offer our students the best education and culture available.
The ACSOM Board of Trustees believes in a vision that appeals to the greater academic demands of a new generation of socially conscientious youth. Our board strives to raise the bar of academic excellence globally.
Arvin N. Bagherpour, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair
Sanjiv Chopra M.D., MACP, FRCP (London)
Board Member
Andrew Padmos M.D., FRCSC, FACP, FRCP
Board Member
Diana Pino, Ph.D.
Board Member
Hubert J. Charles, M.A.
H.E. Ambassador, Board Member
Colleen Felix-Grant LEC, LLM
Board Member
Robert J. Sokol, M.D.
Board Member
Karim Qayumi, M.D., Ph.D., FRCSC
Board Member
Dr. Fredrick (Jerry) Streets
Board Member
Arvin N. Bagherpour, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair
Dr. Bagherpour has fully integrated his passion for medicine with business acuity—securing more than $14 million in federal funding under the Affordable Care Act to establish world-class medical certification courses and accredited residency programs for primary care physicians. Dr. Bagherpour has also played a critical role in developing international training programs, including certification programs for critical care nurses.
Under his leadership, the landmark agreement to create the first non-profit international medical school in the Caribbean at the American Canadian School of Medicine at Dominica was signed. Breaking new ground in the approach to medical education, the innovative program will feature a state-of-the-art learning facility in one of the most diverse cultural hubs of the Caribbean, integrated with the local community and healthcare systems, and small group learning—allowing for interactive learning beyond the classroom.
Dr. Bagherpour is a board-certified diagnostic radiologist, with a speciality in interventional radiology. He obtained his B.A. from the University of Texas, Austin with special honors, and earned his medical degree from Ross University. His post-graduate work includes residencies at Beth Israel in New York, Albany Medical Center, University of Texas at Austin, and a fellowship in interventional radiology at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Bagherpour was also chosen as a fellow in the prestigious Moorefield Fellowship in Economics & Health Policy program, where he learned more about pressing medical policy issues.
Sanjiv Chopra M.D., MACP, FRCP (London)
Board Member
Dr. Sanjiv Chopra, M.D., is a Professor of Medicine and served as Faculty Dean for Continuing Medical Education at Harvard Medical School for 12 years. He serves as a Marshall Wolf Distinguished Clinician Educator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Dr. Chopra has more than 170 publications and ten books to his credit. Dr. Chopra is Editor-in-Chief of the Hepatology Section of UpToDate, the most widely used electronic textbook in the world subscribed to by more than 1.5 million physicians in 195 countries.
He is a sought after inspirational speaker across the United States and abroad, addressing diverse audiences on topics related to medicine, leadership, happiness, and living with purpose. He has received numerous rewards.
In 2003, The American Gastroenterological Association Distinguished Educator Award was bestowed upon him. In 2009, he was elected as a Master of the American College of Physicians, a singular honor bestowed to only a select few individuals for being “citizen physicians, educational innovators, scientific thinkers and humanists who inspire those around him or her and set the standards for quality in medicine.” In 2021, he was bestowed a Fellowship to the Royal College of Physicians (London).
He has written ten books including:
- Dr. Chopra Says Medical Facts and Myths Everyone Should Know (With Allan Lotvin, M.D.)
- Live Better, Live Longer. The New Studies That Reveal What’s Really Good and Bad for Your Health
- Leadership by Example: The Ten Key Principles of all Great Leaders
- Together with his brother Deepak he wrote a double memoir: “Brotherhood: Dharma, Destiny and the American Dream,” published May 21, 2013. It is a National Best Seller.
- The Big 5 Five Simple Things You Can Do to Live a Longer, Healthier Life
- The Two Most Important Days…by Sanjiv Chopra and Gina Vild was published by St. Martin’s Press in December 2017. It has received singular advanced praise.
- Coffee The Magical Elixir, Facts That Will Astound and Perk You Up
- Conquer Your Diabetes: Prevention. Control. Remission. Co-authored with Martin Abrahamson.
- Ignite The Fire Within: Master Your Speaking and Writing. Co-authored with Rick Najera.
Andrew Padmos M.D., FRCSC, FACP, FRCP
Board Member
In March 2022, Dr. Padmos was appointed as Dean of Record and Head, Establishment of Medical School for the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) in Brampton, Ontario, having served as chair of the Senior Medical Advisory Committee since July 2021.
Dr. Padmos retired from the position of CEO of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in December 2019 and from the position of president and CEO of its subsidiary, Royal College International in December 2020 after 14 years. Prior to that appointment, he served in Nova Scotia as Commissioner, Cancer Care Nova Scotia, Associate Dean at Dalhousie University and Head of Cancer Programs and Vice President Research and Academic Affairs at the QEll Health Sciences Centre and Capital District Health Authority from 1998 through 2006.
Dr. Padmos is a practicing hematologist. He graduated from McMaster University and trained in internal medicine and hematology at McMaster in the Hamilton Health Sciences Centre. After a brief stint in Calgary, Dr. Padmos moved with his family to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as the only hematologist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre. He opened and developed the first bone marrow transplantation program in the Arabian Gulf, now one of the largest in the world. Dr. Padmos returned to Canada in 1993 as CEO of the Kingston Regional Cancer Centre, professor and head of Oncology at Queen’s University and Kingston General Hospital until moving to Halifax in 1998.
In 2010, Dr. Padmos set up Royal College International and created and chaired the Canadian International Health and Education Association until 2020. He continues to serve on the Canada-UAE Business Council as Chair of the Healthcare and Life Sciences Working Group. He also serves on the Boards of iGan Partners and Interactive Health International.
Veronica Mallett, M.D., MMM
Board Member
Veronica Thierry Mallett M.D., MMM is a dynamic health care executive. Currently she is serving as the Chief Administrative Officer CommonSpirit Health More in Common Alliance (MICA). Led by Dr. Mallett, this historic partnership between the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) and Common Spirit Health (CSH) is designed to improve health equity by radically increasing diversity in the healthcare workforce. She previously served as President and CEO of Meharry Medical College Ventures (MMCV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Meharry Medical College, and as the Executive Director for the Center for Women’s Health Research at Meharry. Dr. Mallett served as the Senior Vice President of Health Affairs and Dean at Meharry Medical College School of Medicine (MMC SOM) until 2020. In this role, she was responsible for all clinical operations for the academic health science center, dedicated to educating physicians, dentists, researchers, and health policy experts. In 2021, she was named to the board of directors for Sharecare, Inc. (Nasdaq:SHCR), a digital health company.
Born in Detroit, Dr. Mallett attended Barnard College, Columbia University followed by medical school at Michigan State University. Following medical school, she completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Fellowship in Urological Gynecology at Wayne State University. She completed a Research and Surgical Fellowship in Electrophysiology of the Pelvic Floor/Reconstructive Surgery at St. Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, England. She earned a master’s degree in medical management from Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh.
Since finishing her formative education, Dr. Mallett has served on the Faculty of Northwestern, Wayne State, University of Tennessee, Texas Tech Health Science Center El Paso, holding leadership positions in each of these schools. In her over 25 years of leadership experience, she has served as Fellowship Director, Residency Director, Director of Healthcare Excellence, Practice Plan Director, and Department Chair at Wayne State, University of Tennessee Memphis, and Texas Tech. respectively.
Dr. Mallett has received several leadership awards, including the 2022 Athena Award, the Nashville Business Journal Women of Influence 2020, the Nashville Medical News 2018 Woman to Watch, and Nashville Healthcare Council fellow. She has authored over 100 articles, book chapters, and abstracts combined.
Diana Pino, Ph.D.
Board Member
Dr. Diana Pino has over 20 years of experience in higher education, serving in senior leadership roles as Vice Chancellor of Student Services at Houston Community College and founding Dean of Student Services at Lone Star College-CyFair. She holds a Ph.D. in educational administration and a B.A. in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. She also earned an M.S. in counseling psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University at San Antonio and holds Texas licensure as a professional counselor (LPC). Dr. Pino has teaching experience at both the community college and university levels in the areas of psychology, interdisciplinary studies, and Mexican American studies. She is currently President and CEO of Capstone HigherEd Services, providing services to educational institutions, small businesses, and non-profit organizations. In addition, Dr. Pino is a lecturer for the University of Houston’s Center for Mexican American and Latino/a Studies.
Involvement in the community has always been important to Dr. Pino. She currently chairs the education committee for the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce. In addition, she serves on the board of the Association for Conflict Resolution – Houston Chapter as past president, a role she occupied for two consecutive terms. As a volunteer, Dr. Pino serves as a state-certified ombudsman for the University of Texas Health Science Center’s Long-term Care Ombudsman Program as well as a mediator for the Dispute Resolution Center of Montgomery County. She is also a member of class XXXII of the American Leadership Forum – Houston Chapter. Previously, Dr. Pino was involved in numerous organizations to include two terms as board president for the Houston Hispanic Forum as well as advisory trustee and scholarship committee chair for the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation, just to name a few.
Hubert J. Charles, M.A.
H.E. Ambassador, Board Member
Mr. Hubert J. Charles is a Dominican diplomat and educator. He is the current ambassador of Dominica to the Organization of American States and to the United States.
Mr. Charles was born in Portsmouth, Dominica and grew up on the island. He graduated from the Dominica Grammar School in 1969. He earned a B.A. in history and economics from the University of the West Indies in Barbados in 1972, and then taught history and commerce at Dominica Grammar School from September 1972 to July 1974. In 1977, he earned an M.A. in Atlantic history and culture from Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
After completing his education, Mr. Charles served from July to October 1977 as Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture in the Dominican government. He next served as the headmaster of the Dominica Grammar School from October 1977 to June 1981. Mr. Charles was appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture and held that position from January 1981 to December 1985.
Mr. Charles served as an Advisor on Special Programs to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States from June 1986 to October 1995. Between 1991 and 2006, he also served in various posts in UNESCO in the Caribbean and Africa. In January 1991, he became the UNESCO Representative to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, based in Bridgetown, Barbados. In November 1995, Mr. Charles became the UNESCO Educational Advisor in Pretoria, South Africa, serving until April 1998. In June 1998 he became the UNESCO Representative and Head of Office in Maputo, Mozambique, serving until December 2000. Finally, in January 2001, he became the UNESCO Representative and Director of the Office for the Economic Community of West African States, serving in Abuja, Nigeria, until October 2006.
Mr. Charles returned to Dominica in late 2006. He served as President of Dominica State College from May 2007 until early 2010. He was appointed Ambassador to the U.S. as Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States in June 2010.
Colleen Felix-Grant LEC, LLM
Board Member
Colleen T. Felix-Grant has been a lawyer for fifteen (15) years, practicing in the Commonwealth of Dominica. She graduated from the University of the West Indies with an LLB (upper class honours) degree; she then went on to the Hugh Wooding Law School to obtain an LEC, then, to Queen Mary University of London where she obtained an LLM in Computer and Communications Law. She has been in private practice since.
Presently, Mrs. Felix-Grant is head of the Law Office, Granix Legal Inc. Her areas of practice include offshore services, real estate, corporate banking, commercial law, maritime law, intellectual property and trademarks, immigration and citizenship law, public law, succession and civil law. Mrs. Felix-Grant has been in active litigation of court matters and has a record of success.
She continues to actively pursue many other interests including cybersecurity and data protection regulation.
Mrs. Felix-Grant also served as a regulator for telecommunications and electronic communications services on the island of Dominica and sat as Chairperson of Tribunals and on a number of Statutory Appeals Boards in Dominica.
Mrs. Felix-Grant is also a qualified court mediator.
Robert J. Sokol, M.D.
Board Member
Dr. Sokol is Emeritus Distinguished Professor in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Physiology, Emeritus Dean of the Wayne State University School of Medicine and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics of the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. At Wayne State, he served as Chair of the Departments of ObGyn and of Translational Medicine and as Director of the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, as well as Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs for the Detroit Medical Center. He is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Addiction Medicine. He has built a “triple threat” career along with major administrative responsibilities.
Among his accomplishments and honors, he was elected President of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Detroit Medical Academy and the Wayne State University Academy of Scholars. He also chaired the national Liaison Committee for Obstetrics and Gynecology and was Editor-in-Chief of ACOG UPDATE, a monthly CME publication of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Dr. Sokol been associated with nearly a half a billion dollars in grant and contract awards, primarily from NIH and has published extensively on computers in ObGyn, high risk ante-and intrapartum management and the prevention of perinatal brain damage, particularly as it relates to prenatal exposure to alcohol and cocaine; he has authored about 1600 publications, including 400 refereed papers. Honors include several years’ recognition amongst “Best Docs,” 15 national research awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from SMFM, recognition as the founding Chair of the SMFM Foundation, a Distinguished Service Award from ACOG and awards from the Wayne State University School of Medicine student body, alumni and the school.
Dr. Sokol has served on three medical school/university boards, one of which he chaired and on four boards of directors of professional theaters, two of which he has chaired. He serves on many other boards and committees, including serving as Vice Chair of the governing board of the Detroit Medical Center GME program, with about 1000 residents and fellows in training, as well as having served as Chair of the Board of the Southeast Michigan Center for Medical Education Board of Directors. He recently stepped down as Chair of the State of Michigan Medical Maternal Mortality Committee on which he served for 37 years and is Executive Director of MI AIM, the national program of ACOG and partners in Michigan aimed at reducing maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity and disparity across the state. A few personal notes – he worked as a professional theater photographer for six years during residency and fellowship training, has been married and in love for 56 years, has three physician children and six grandchildren, and has abiding interests in theater, opera and fine art.
Karim Qayumi, M.D., Ph.D., FRCSC
Board Member
Dr. Karim Qayumi, M.D., Ph.D., FRCSC is a Professor of Surgery at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Founder of the UBC Centre of Excellence for Simulation Education and Innovation (CESEI). He is also a Chair of the Technology Enabled Learning for Vancouver Coastal Health, and the Regional Director of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Dr. Qayumi has extensive international teaching experience obtaining 11 awards in the field of medicine, including the most prestigious award from The University of British Columbia in 1999 – The Killam Teaching Prize. He is the author of 109 peer-reviewed publications and has been invited to lecture and present at over 200 conferences and meetings. One of his books “Basic Surgical Techniques” is translated into many languages including Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, and others.
He has completed a variety of research projects. Recently, Dr. Qayumi’s focus is on technology-related research and innovation. Amongst his patents and innovations, there is the development of technologies such as an online Learning Management System, called “Electronic Platform for Education and Research or e-PER,” as well as robotics for tele-homecare and patient-centered medical records.
Also, he is the Founder and CEO of CanHealth International, a registered Canadian non-profit charity, that aims to equalize health education between developed and developing countries.
Dr. Fredrick (Jerry) Streets
Board Member
Frederick (Jerry) Streets is the former Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor in Pastoral Counseling at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, New York City. He is the first African American and Baptist to serve as Chaplain of Yale University, 1992-2007. He is an Associate Professor (Adjunct) at Yale Divinity School, a licensed clinical social worker, member of the faculty Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma and Senior Pastor of the Dixwell Congregational Church in New Haven, CT.
Professor Streets was Senior Pastor of the Mount Aery Baptist Church in Bridgeport, CT from 1975-1992, leading the congregation in significant growth, building a new church edifice and developing many social outreach programs and ministries. He served as the Yale University Chaplain and Senior Pastor of the Church of Christ in Yale from 1992-2007 where he established a model of multi-faith campus ministry. In honor of Yale’s tercentennial, Yale University Press published his (2005) Preaching in the New Millennium.
In 2008, Professor Streets was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Pretoria in South Africa where he taught in the Department of Practical Theology and explored the intersection of religious, social welfare and medical institutional outreach services to those affected by, and infected with, HIV and AIDS. He returned to South Africa as a Fulbright Specialist in 2010 to assess the transition of the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa in becoming a multicultural and ethnic institution since the fall of apartheid.
He is a member of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Streets has served as an adjunct Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Yale Divinity School since 1987. He is also an adjunct Professor at the Columbia University School of Social Work and in the Spirituality, Mind Body Institute in the Department of Clinical Psychology and Education, Teachers’ College, Columbia University.
A licensed clinical social worker, Professor Streets is the former Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor in Pastoral Counseling at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University in New York City and former Visiting Professor in the Department of Social Work and Latino Community Practice at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT. He also served on the Board of the Fund for Theological Education and the Iranian Human Rights Documentation Center. He was a 2009-10 Fellow of the Connecticut Health Foundation. He serves as the Senior Pastor of the historic Dixwell Avenue Congregational United Church of Christ in New Haven, CT. Some of his current larger involvements include membership on the Association of Theological School (ATS), The Commission on Accrediting. He is a member of the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma through which he assists in the training of mental health professionals across disciplines, religions and cultures in providing mental health services to those throughout the world who have been traumatized by war and natural disasters.
A native of Chicago, Professor Streets has been nurtured by the American Baptist Convention, Progressive National Baptist Convention and United Church of Christ denominations. He has published numerous articles and book chapters, and he is the recipient of many awards.
Leadership
The leadership team at the American Canadian School of Medicine, comprising esteemed physicians, seasoned educators, and dedicated professionals, epitomizes our pledge to academic distinction.
Their dedication to the advancement of medical education is evident in their extensive contributions to shaping future healthcare professionals globally. This includes roles in elite Ivy League institutions in the United States, the development of vital critical care programs in the Middle East, and leadership positions in acclaimed medical schools in the Caribbean, positioning our executives at the forefront of medical teaching and innovation.
Our definition of success is intrinsically linked to the achievements of our alumni. Our leadership team has historically and continues to guide thousands of students towards becoming proficient medical specialists, equipped with top-tier training.
Under their visionary guidance, the American Canadian School of Medicine has emerged as a premier institution, boasting advanced facilities, an illustrious teaching staff, superior student services in a dynamic cultural setting, and offering a direct route to medical licensure in Canada or the United States.
