Rebecca Brocus, MS, Professional Development Specialist

As the Professional Development Specialist, Becca primarily focuses on supporting the activities of the Fine Family Academy of Educators.

Her graduate studies in Marketing/Communications and Instructional Design, in addition to more than fifteen years of experience working with faculty and students in Medical Education, has developed an appreciaton for the challenges and achievements of faculty and learners. 

Anca Dobrian, Ph.D., FAHA, Senior Associate Vice President

In addition to her role as Senior Associate Vice President, Dr. Dobrian is also a Professor in the Biomedical & Translational Sciences program and serves as Director & Master Educator for the Fine Family Academy of Educators.

She joined the school’s faculty in 2002. Her research on obesity and co-morbidities has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, Department of Defense and pharma industry.

She teaches and has developed curricula across graduate and medical education and has extensive mentoring experience with medical students, graduate students and fellows.

Richard Handel, Ph.D., Director, Student Mental Health, Institutional Wellness Officer

Richard Handel, Ph.D., has spent his entire professional career on the faculty at EVMS, teaching and mentoring extensively, including in the Doctor of Medicine, Psychiatry Residency and Psychology Internship programs, as well as through the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology.

Dr. Handel’s research has been focused in the area of self-report assessment of personality and psychopathology. He is a co-author of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent-Restructured Form (MMPI-A-RF). 

Dr. Handel was the recipient of the 2006 Samuel J. and Anne G. Beck Award for Outstanding Early Career Research in the Field of Personality Assessment from the Society for Personality Assessment and the 2015 Bud Orgel Award for Distinguished Achievement in Research from the Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers. 

Maura Murphy, MEd, Associate DIrector

As Associate Director for Faculty Affairs, Maura is responsible for overseeing the faculty database, managing the Institutional Standing Committees, coordinating faculty events, handling faculty reappointments, and providing support to the Director of Faculty Affairs with reporting and various other projects.

With over twenty years of experience in higher education, Maura began her career as a graduate assistant at the University of Alabama, where she gained expertise in facilities management and special events. Her subsequent role as the Pipeline Program Coordinator at VCU, focused on supporting underrepresented students, was instrumental in shaping her passion for working with clinician educators and aspiring healthcare professionals.

Tiffany Sims, Administrative Secretary

As the newest member of FAPD, I bring over 20 years of experience in customer service, with a passion for people and a strong focus on budget and finance. Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my daughter and our dog, Onyx. We’re often outdoors, trying new food spots, but our go-to favorites are Marvel movies and mozzarella sticks!

C.J. Steines, Executive Assistant

C.J. joined the office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Development in 2021 as the Growth and Retention Coordinator before assuming the role of Executive Assistant where she provides comprehensive support to the Dr. Anca Dobrian and the FAPD team.

Prior to joining EVMS, C.J. worked at the Washington County-Jonesborough Public Library in East Tennessee, bringing experience in administrative support, community engagement, and program development. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from East Tennessee State University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Humanities at Old Dominion University. Additionally, she is PACE certified through the American Society of Administrative Professionals.

Apple Tarves, MBA, Faculty Affairs Coordinator

Apple is primarily responsible for Community Faculty appointments, website faculty listing maintenance, reporting and database management, and various Faculty Affairs administrative duties. She supports Christine Boswick, Director of Faculty Affairs, and Maura Murphy, Faculty Affairs Manager with faculty reappointments, Institutional Standing Committees, and faculty performance appraisals.

Prior to joining EVMS, Apple worked in Student Services for Tidewater Community College. She has 20 years of higher education experience including administrative, database, and testing service management. Apple holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Frostburg State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts Management from Virginia Wesleyan College.