Office of Academic Affairs (OAA)
The Office of Academic Affairs (Office of Academic Affairs) is responsible for supporting faculty in designing, implementing, and continually improving the medical education program. The OAA team ensures that the educational program meets LCME accreditation standards, aligns with institutional policies and goals, and prepares students to become competent physicians. OAA's mission includes overseeing curriculum development across all phases of medical education, coordinating assessment and evaluation processes, supporting faculty development, and managing the integration of educational technologies.
Through strategic planning and coordination, the OAA team serves as the central hub for academic operations and communication related to medical education. In addition to curricular oversight, the OAA team collaborates closely with departments, faculty, and student services to support student learning, scholarly productivity, and student academic progression and graduation. The OAA team facilitates accreditation activities, fosters innovation in teaching and assessment, and promotes a culture of ensuring that the curriculum is evaluated, with faculty-driven improvements implemented to serve our students throughout their undergraduate medical journey.
Meet Dr. Mark Beard
Dr. Mark Beard is the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University. As Senior Associate Dean, Dr. Beard provides strategic direction and oversight for the undergraduate medical education (UME) enterprise. As the chief officer of the medical education program and a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Dr. Beard is responsible for the design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the MD curriculum—ensuring alignment with the institution’s mission, LCME accreditation standards, and the evolving needs of the healthcare landscape.
Assessment and Curriculum Evaluation (ACE)
Housed within the Office of Academic Affairs, the Assessment and Curriculum Evaluation (ACE) Unit comprises of two integrated teams:
Assessment & Evaluation and Curriculum Management
Together, these teams advance the continuous improvement of medical education by providing leadership, expertise, and collaborative support across the curriculum
Scholarly Productivity & Innovation (SPI)
The Scholarly Productivity and Innovation team provides strategic leadership for the research enterprise within the Frist of College of Medicine (FCoM), responsible for establishing and executing the institution's scholarly productivity vision and initiatives
Accreditation and CQI
The Accreditation and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) office is housed within the Office of Medical Education and is responsible for ensuring the medical school meets and maintains accreditation standards set by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
For the most up-to-date information about the school’s accreditation status, please visit
Leadership
Mark Beard
Email: mark.beard@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 6114
Jamaine Davis
Email: jamaine.davis@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 6617
Jamie Shaffer
Email: jamie.shaffer@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 6608
Medical Education Staff
Amy Bethke
Email: amy.bethke@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey 432
Jamaine Davis
Email: jamaine.davis@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 6617
Brandy Fentress
Email: brandy.fentress@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 6605
Michael Gerasimopoulos
Email: michael.gerasimopoulos@belmont.edu
Office Location: BMRC 226 / FCoM 6603
Lauren Gray
Email: lauren.gray@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 6606
Thailese Hamby
Email: thailese.hamby@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 6612
Toccara Houston
Email: toccara.houston@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 6602
Binula Illukpitiya
Email: binula.illukpitiya@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 6621
Misti Meeks
Email: misti.meeks@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 6600B
Holly Randa
Email: holly.randa@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 6607
Jamie Shaffer
Email: jamie.shaffer@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 6608
Lannie Smith, Jr.
Email: lannie.smith@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 6622
Hope Terhaar
Email: hope.terhaar@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 6611
Vincent Wilson
Email: vincent.wilson@belmont.edu
Office Location: FCOM 6604
Contact Us
Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine
1900 Belmont Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615.460.6191