Meet our program faculty
Program Director
Erum Azhar, MD, MS PHS, MHQS, CPPS, FACOG
Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Medical School: Aga khan University Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
Residency: Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York
Fellowship: Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety Fellowship-Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
Other Degrees:
- Master in Health care Quality and Patient Safety (MHQS)- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Master of Science in Public Health Sciences (MS PHS)- Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA
- Certified Professional In-Patient Safety (CPPS)
Board Certifications: Certified-American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Awards and Honors:
- Leadership Award 2023-Harvard Medical School- Master in Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety
- Excellence in Research Mentorship Award 2023
- Excellence in Research Mentorship Award 2022
- Excellence in Research Mentorship Award 2021
- Excellence in Research Mentorship Award 2020
- Excellence in Research Mentorship Award 2019
- Excellence in Research Mentorship Award 2018
- Research Blue Ribbon Award PAFP 2022
- New Investigator Research Award 2020
- Research Blue Ribbon Award PAFP 2019
- Research Award in the Research Study Design PAFP 2021
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine Karl H. Beyer Jr., M.D., Ph.D. Scholarship Award: Academic excellence and leadership 2017
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=azhar+erum
Professional Affiliations:
- American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology -ACOG
- Fellow Institute of Healthcare Improvement-IHI
- Assistant Professor Health Sciences Associated Faculty
- Clinician Educator, Tenure Track, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix.
- Editorial Board member American Journal of Medical Quality-AJMQ
Generalist and Sub-Specialist Faculty
Jane Ahn, DO
Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Medical School: Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale, Arizona
Residency: Akron General Medical Center, Akron, OH
Board Certifications: Certified-American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Namita Kothari, MD
Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Medical School: Bachelor Of Medicine And Bachelor Of Surgery (M.B.B.S), Jaipur, India
Residency: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan
Board Certifications: Certified-American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Professional Affiliations: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Charles Boag III, DO, FACOG
Director Obstetrics
Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Medical School: Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale, Arizona
Residency: University of Toledo, Ohio
Board Certifications: Certified-American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Professional Affiliations: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Andrew C. Villa Jr. MD, MBA, FACOG, FACS, FICS
Director Gynecology
Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Medical School: University of South Florida, College of Medicine Tampa, FL
Residency: University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Tampa, FL
Other Degrees: MBA
Board Certifications: Certified-American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Professional Affiliations:
- American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology – Diplomate
- American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology – Fellow, 1988-Present
- American College of Surgeons – Fellow, 1993-Present
- International College of Surgeons – Fellow, 1993-Present
- Arizona Medical Association, 1991-Present
- Maricopa County Medical Society
- Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons, 1995-Present
- East Valley Obstetrics and Gynecology Society
- American College of Physician Executives
- American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Erica Kreller, MD
Specialty: Naprotechnology/Gynecology-Minimally Invasive/Nature Family Planning
Medical School: Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
Residency: Naval Medical Center, San Diego
Fellowship: Naprotechnology
Board Certifications: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Affiliations: Society of Procreative Surgeons Certification Chair and Vice President elect Jan 2024
Sub-Specialist Directors
Curtis Cook, MD, FACOG
Specialty: Maternal Fetal Medicine
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
Residency: Butterworth Hospital/Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Fellowship: University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
Board Certifications: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Awards and Honors:
- Medical Director, East Valley-Maternal Fetal Medicine Dignity Health Medical Group
- American College Obstetrics/Gynecology, District VIII Mentor Award
- 2016
- Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center Resident Award for Outstanding Teaching
- 2009-10
- Leo J. Kinney Teacher of the Year Award
- Grand Rapids Medical Education And Research Center
- 2006-07
- Best Doctors in America
- 2001, 2003, 2007, 2011-2015
- State of Michigan Community Service Award
- 2000
- CREOG National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education 1996, 1997, 1999
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=curtis+cook
Ali Azadi, MD, MSc, MBA, FACOG, FPMRS
Specialty: Female Pelvic Medicine and Reproductive Surgery (Urogynecology)
Medical School: Shaheed Beheshti Medical University
Residency: Louisiana State University, New Orleans and University of Tennessee, Memphis
Fellowship: University of Louisville
Other Degrees: MSc, MBA Board
Awards and Honors:
- Top Doc Phoenix Magazine – 2023
- ACOG Mentor of the Year Award District VIII – 2019
- Best Surgeon: Louisville Magazine – 2018
- Surgeon of Excellence in Robotic Surgery (SOERS) – 2016 to 2018
- Surgeon of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (COMIG) – 2015 to 2018
- Best Surgeon: Louisville Magazine – 2014
- University of Louisville APGO Excellence in Teaching Award – June 2011
- University of Tennessee Best Resident Teaching Award – June 2008
- University of Tennessee Resident Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery Award – June 2008
Professional Affiliations:
- American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)
- American Urogynecology Society (AUGS)
- International Continence Society (ICS)
- International Urogynecology society (IUGA)
- American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL)
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Azadi+A&cauthor_id=37944141
Polina Sawyer, MD, FACOG
Director Simulation-Gynecology
Specialty: Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery ((Urogynecology)
Medical School: State University of New York Downstate Medical Center Brooklyn, NY
Residency: Emory University, Atlanta GA
Fellowship:
- FPMRS Fellowship-University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas TX
- Advanced Pelvic Surgery-Emory University, Atlanta GA
Board Certifications: Certified- American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Professional Affiliations:
- American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- American urogynecology Society
- American Medical Association
- American Medical student association
- Society of vascular surgery
- Fellow’s Pelvic Research Network
- Society of Gynecologic Surgery (SGS)- Pelvic Anatomy Digital Workgroup
Nicole O. Afaupe, MD, FACOG
Director Simulation-Gynecology
Specialty: Minimally Invasive Gynecology
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
Residency: University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate Campus, Springfield, MA
Fellowship: Creighton University School of Medicine Arizona. St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Board Certifications: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Professional Affiliations:
- American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL)
Mia Lynne Van Eken, DO, MHA
Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pennsylvania
Residency:
- Crozier Chester Medical Center rotating internship
- UMDNJ-Cooper University Medical Center Residency
Other Degrees: MBA
Board Certifications: Certified- American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Professional Affiliations:
- American board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Certification in Minimally Invasive Surgery
Mario Javier Pineda, MD, PhD
Specialty: Gynecology Oncology
Medical School: University of Washington
Residency: Los Angeles County & University of Southern California Medical Center
Fellowship: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Board Certifications: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=mario+pineda
Danielle Allen-Herried, DO, MBA
Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Medical School: LMU-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM), Harrogate, Tennessee
Residency: SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Other Degrees: MBA
Board Certifications: Board Eligible
Awards and Honors: Chief resident 2021-2022, Sun Life Health Chair October 2024-present
Professional Affiliations: American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AOA, AOMA
Gabrielle Goodrick, MD
Specialty: Family Medicine
Medical School: University of Vermont College of Medicine
Residency: Phoenix Baptist Hospital (now Abrazo Central), Phoenix, Arizona
Professional Affiliations: NAF, CAN
Millie Behera, MD, FACOG, FRCSC
Specialty: Reproductive Endocrinology
Medical School: University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Residency: University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
Fellowship: Duke University Medical Center
Board Certifications: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Professional Affiliations:
- East Valley Fellow, elected – Pacific Coast Obstetrical and Gynecological Society
- Bloom Reproductive Institute – Medical Director Scottsdale, Arizona
Research and EQuIPS
Abdul Waheed, MD, MS, CPE, FAAFP
Director Research and EQuIPS
Specialty: Family & Community Medicine – Academic Chairman, Department of Family Medicine, Dignity Health Medical Group, AZ
Medical School: Aga Khan University College of Medicine
Residency: Penn State University/Good Samaritan Hospital Family & Community Medicine Residency Program
Fellowship:
- Academic Leadership Fellowship from National Institute of Program Director Development (NIPDD) in 2020
- WellSpan Health Physician/APP Leadership Academy in 2022
- Fellowship in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety from Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) in 2023
Board Certifications: American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM)
Awards and Honors:
- Program Director Achievement Award from the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors (AFMRD) in 2021 and 2024.
- Exemplary Teaching Award at the State Level 2020 by the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP).
- Elected President and Member Executive Council of the AKUAANA, an association with more than 2000 physician members in North America
- Listed in Best Doctors America Honor board since 2012
- Listed in Dean's Honor Board at Penn State University College of Medicine for Patient Experience Scores above 99th Percentile nationally 2017
- Hershey Hero Award 2016, patient nominated for patient centered care
- Exceptional Teacher & Professional Role Model in Family & Community Medicine by 3rd year Family Medicine Clerkship Students at Penn State University College of Medicine from 2012 through 2018, every year consecutively
- Faculty Teacher of the Year by Family Medicine Residents at Penn State University Hershey Medical Center Family & Community Medicine Residency Program in 2015 and 2017
- Research Mentee projects won awards at Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians Annual Research Day every year from 2019 through 2023
- Research Mentee projects won awards at WellSpan Health Annual Discovery Day every year from 2018 through 2023 Professional
Affiliations:
- Professor, Tenured Track, Family & Community Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ.
- Fellow Institute of Healthcare Improvement-IHI
- North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG)
- Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM)
Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Waheed+A&cauthor_id=38327064
