About

D. Craig Brater, MD
AAIM@im.org

Dr. Brater has served as president of the alliance as a part-time effort since 2007. Dr. Brater is past Dean and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine. He earned his undergraduate degree and MD from Duke University. Dr. Brater completed his residency training as well as fellowship training in clinical pharmacology at University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine. Dr. Brater is a former APM President.

Hanan Abdulahi, MPP
habdulahi@im.org

Hanan collaborates with member committees, task forces, and councils to develop products and services. Prior to joining the staff in June 2018, she worked for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Hanan has a master's degree in public policy from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Virginia.

Committee Responsibilities: AAIM Innovation Grants Committee, AAIM Interview Standards Task Force, AAIM Medical Education Research Committee, AAIM Research Committee

Talia D. Austin, MSM
taustin@im.org

Talia oversees membership operations, member engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy for the Alliance. Talia has a bachelor’s degree in economics from University of Pittsburgh, and a master’s degree in management with a concentration in nonprofits and associations from University of Maryland Global Campus.

Margaret A. Breida, MS
mbreida@im.org

Margie leads the team responsible for managing surveys and academic affairs, which includes accreditation, workforce, certification, match, and other education issues. Before she joined the staff in June 2011, she worked for AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Programs. Margie has a master’s degree in health physics from Texas A&M University and a bachelor’s degree in geography from University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Stephen Brock
sbrock@im.org

Stephen oversees membership operations, membership recruitment and retention, and benefit development for AAIM. Prior to joining staff in July 2019 he worked at the American Gastroenterological Association. Stephen has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University.

Tameka Brown
tbrown@im.org

Tameka manages member engagement for the Alliance and its several professional groups, as well as supports member volunteer relations and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Prior to joining the staff in January 2020, she worked for associations in national defense, consultant pharmacy, and physical therapy. Tameka has a bachelor's degree in communication from Bowie State University and a master's degree in counseling from Liberty University.

Sheila T. Costa
scosta@im.org

Sheila currently oversees four areas as special projects: communications and branding, governance, publications, and external support. Before joining the staff in June 1997, she worked for PortFolio Magazine and Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine. Sheila has a master’s degree in English from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree in English from The College of William and Mary in Virginia. Sheila is a certified Project Management Professional.

Committee Responsibilities: AAIM Governance Committee

Jessica Darnell, MPA

jdarnell@im.org

Jessica provides support to the educational program planning committees, continuing medical education, and other issues related to educational content for Alliance meetings. Jessica joined the staff in October 2019 and has a bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration and a Masters in Public Administration from Eastern Kentucky University

Nelia Dashiell

ndashiell@im.org

Nelia is responsible for writing email, website, and social media content in support of current and developing products and services of the Alliance. She has worked previously in the realm of biomedical nonprofit and internal communications for medical health systems. Nelia has a bachelor’s degree in English and Media Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Nancy Dernelle, MA
ndernelle@im.org

Nancy directs the human resource (HR) functions which includes recruitment, terminations, compensation program, employee benefits’ contracts, employee relations, talent management, professional development, performance evaluation process, and staff retention. Prior to joining the staff in April 2014, she worked for the American Pharmacists Association. Nancy has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Loyola University of Chicago and a master’s degree in human resources management from George Washington University.

Committee Responsibilities: AAIM Business of Medicine Initiative Task Force, AAIM Compensation Committee

Dionedra Dorsey
ddorsey@im.org

Dionedra provides administrative support for membership by updating member records and information. She also provides customer service to members. Prior to joining the staff in May 2018, she worked for ASIS International.

Curtis Gore
cgore@im.org

Curtis manages the program planning committees and other issues related to the educational content of AAIM meetings. Prior to joining the staff in February 2016, he worked for the American Telemedicine Association. Curtis has a bachelor’s degree in political science from The College of Wooster.

Committee Responsibilities: AIM Program Planning Committee, APDIM Program Planning Committee, APM Program Planning Committee, ASP Program Planning Committee, CDIM Program Planning Committee, APDIM PA Program Planning Committee, CDIM CA Program Planning Committee

James F. Helm, MBA
 jhelm@im.org

Jim manages accounts payable, accounts receivable, and provides additional support to the finance and administration team. Prior to joining the staff in November 2016, he worked for the International Parking Institute. Jim has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Virginia Tech and an MBA from Indiana University.

Bergitta E. Cotroneo, FACMPE
bcotroneo@im.org

Bergitta has overall responsibility for alliance operations and service lines that support its member associations. Prior to joining the staff in June 2008, she served as chief operating officer at the National Patient Safety Foundation. Bergitta has a bachelor’s degree in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is also a fellow of the American College of Medical Practice Executives.

Steven M. Humphrey
shumphrey@im.org

Steven leads the team responsible for Alliance meetings, conferences, and other member education efforts as well as drives AAIM’s IT strategy, influencing strategy for all departments, analyzing user needs, planning and strategizing on future IT programs, researching and recommending new technology, and creating and recommending technical solutions. Before joining the staff in October 2002, he worked for Washington Lists and Land's End Inlet. Steve has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from State University of New York College at Brockport, where he graduated magna cum laude.

Committee Responsibilities: AAIM Educational Program Planning Committee

Michael R. Kisielewski, MA
mkisielewski@im.org

Michael manages survey, data analysis, and reporting functions for the Alliance. Prior to joining the staff in October 2016, he worked for the American Sociological Association. Michael has a bachelor’s degree in political science from George Washington University and master’s degree in political science from University of Massachusetts.

Committee Responsibilities: APDIM Survey Committee, CDIM Survey and Scholarship Committee

Sarah Lawler
slawler@im.org

Sarah is responsible for developing and implementing branding, marketing, and communication strategy and tactics for the Alliance. She has worked previously for associations in the higher education, affordable housing, and credit counseling sectors. Sarah has a master’s degree in public communication from American University and a bachelor’s degree in art history and communications from Simmons University.

Brian Lyons
 blyons@im.org

Brian is responsible for managing the financial operations, including accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and overseeing external financial audits. Prior to joining the staff in October 2016, he worked with nonprofits and CPA firms. Brian has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Duquesne University.

Karen M. Majcher, MBA
kmajcher@im.org

Karen oversees business operations, which includes finance, administration, and human resources, for the Alliance. Before joining the staff in September 2017, she worked for Universal Service Administrative Company. Karen has an MBA from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s of science in finance from Virginia Tech.

Committee Responsibilities: AAIM Finance and Audit Committee, AAIM Compliance Committee

Emily McCarthy
emccarthy@im.org

Emily provides administrative and professional support for internal office operations. Emily also provides support for the Executive Office, including the Deputy CEO & EVP and the President & CEO.

Emily originally joined the staff in July 2014. She has worked previously for Starwood Hotels. Emily has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Mary Washington College and a master's degree in international hotel and tourism management from Schiller International University.

Valerie O
 vo@im.org

Valerie serves as staff liaison, working in partnership with task forces, councils, and external stakeholders. She facilitates the work of cross-council and cross-committee initiatives, to include Alliance position statements and recommendations. She is the primary on cross-team collaborations and the lead in AAIM’s Project ECHO PDPQ. Prior to joining the Alliance, she worked for ASIS International. Valerie has a bachelor's degree in English from Marymount University.

Committee Responsibilities: AAIM ERAS Filters Task Force, AAIM “Ideal State” Application Task Force, AAIM Learner Handoff Standards Task Force, AAIM Program Attribute Definition Task Force, AAIM Structured Evaluative Letter Task Force

Sasha Pierre-Louis, MS
spierrelouis@im.org

Sasha serves on the Education and Research Team. She supports surveys and research on undergraduate and graduate internal medicine education—specifically, she facilitates data collection, secondary analysis, results reporting, and reporting for survey and other member volunteer committees. Sasha earned her master’s degree in sociology from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she focused on job search, networking, and data visualization.

Pamela Sharo, MA, CMP
psharo@im.org

Pam provides administrative support to the Conferences and Meetings Team as it facilitates the AAIM conferences. She also supports the Alliance's small meetings. Pam joined the staff in February 2018 and has a bachelor’s degree in public relations from West Virginia University and a master’s degree in public relations from Quinnipiac University.

Christine Tambini, CMP
Conference & Meetings Event Manager
ctambini@im.org

Christine manages logistics and planning of AAIM meetings. Prior to joining the staff in August 2018, she worked for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Christine has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management from Virginia Tech.