/ Faculty
Samantha LaBay, DO
Program director
Assistant hospitalist program director
Nocturnist
MSU Clinical Assistant Professor
WMU Interim Faculty
Residency: Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals
Medical school: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Undergraduate education: Augustana College
Hometown: Burbank, IL
Hobbies: I love to travel and am an adrenaline junkie so things like whitewater rafting, skiing, and snorkeling. I balance the adrenaline with reading.
Why Lakeland? I felt this was a home away from home. Loved the staff, love the atmosphere, and feel that my future goals were supported.
Thomas Birris, MD
Associate program director
Core faculty
MSU Clinical Associate Professor
WMU Adjust Clinical Associate Professor
Fellowship: Gastroenteroloy fellowship, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Residency: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Medical school: Drexel University College of Medicine
Medical school: Drexel University College of Medicine
Undergraduate education: University of Notre Dame
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Interests: General Gastroenterology, Teaching
Hobbies: Craft beer, music, golf, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame sports
Why Lakeland? My wife (Jamie, Clinical psychologist at Marie Yeager Cancer Center) is originally from St. Joseph. When I finished training in 2012, we were ready for free parking, a short commute, and a great place to raise a family. Southwest Michigan offered all of those things as well as an outstanding practice opportunity with Great Lakes Gastroenterology.
Michael Wang, MD
Associate program director
Clinical associate professor
MSU Clinical Professor
WMU Interim Faculty
Fellowship: Infectious disease, Loyola University Medical Center
Residency: University of Illinois - Chicago
Medical school: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA
Undergraduate education: Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Hometown: Lafayette, LA
Interests: C-diff infections, HIV
Hobbies: spending time with my kids, playing piano, rooting for the New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bulls, and the LSU Tigers!
Why Lakeland? We provide a high level of care with a small-town feel.
April Emmons, DO
Core faculty
Internal medicine physician
MSU Clinical Assistant Professor
WMU Clinical Assistant Professor
Residency: Western Michigan Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine (WMED)
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate education: Michigan State University
Hometown: Grayling, MI
Hobbies/interests: Reading, cooking a new recipe, Michigan summers (it's why we stay despite the long winters... beach days, bonfires, waterfalls, hikes, etc), working around the house with my husband and my toddler trying to 'help'
Why Lakeland? Lakeland has absolutely wonderful staff and St. Joseph is a great community to raise a family
Katie Fitton, DO
Core faculty
MSU Clinical Assistant Professor
WMU Interim Faculty
Fellowship: Pulmonary and critical care, Ascension Genesys Hospital
Residency: Ascension Genesys, Grand Blanc
Medical school: LECOM-Bradenton
Undergraduate education: MSU
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Hobbies/interests: Reading, puzzles, hanging out with my family, binge-watching shows with my husband
Why Lakeland? Because Lakeland has all the resources and talents of a tertiary care center with the heart of a small town.
Nick Frazier, DO
Hospitalist
Core faculty
MSU Clinical Professor
WMU Adjust Clinical Assistant Professor
Residency: Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals
Medical school: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Undergraduate education: University of California, Los Angeles
Hometown: Newport Beach, California
Hobbies/interests: Hunting, fishing, woodworking, and spending time with my two adventurous boys and loving wife.
Why Lakeland? The people, the lake, and the Midwest way of life.
Alex Hinckley, DO
Clinic administrator
Core faculty
MSU Clinical Assistant Professor
WMU Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor
Residency: Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals
Medical School: Midwestern University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Downer's Grove, IL
Undergraduate education: Elmhurst College
Hometown: Schaumburg, IL
Hobbies/interests: Cooking and bread making, woodworking, running, traveling
Why Lakeland? Opportunity to advance, good work/life balance, and feel appreciated for the work that I do every day.
Ewanah Johnson, MD
Clinical assistant professor
Core faculty
MSU Clinical Assistant Professor
Fellowship: Kettering Medical Center – Weiffenbach Fellowship in Hospital Medicine
Residency: Kettering Medical Center
Medical school: Loma Linda University
Undergraduate education: Southwestern Adventist University; BS Biology
Hometown: Little Fort, British Columbia, Canada
Hobbies/interests: Hiking, biking, sewing, reading and traveling
Why Lakeland? I initially came because my husband moved here for university. I quickly learned that Lakeland cared for the community. I love being part of a caring group that strives for excellence. I am excited to be part of the residency program. I find teaching gives me great satisfaction. I believe having residents stimulates me to be a better physician.
Salar Alam, MD
Nephrology, Corewell Health Lakeland Associate Faculty
Fellowship: Nephrology fellowship, University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers
Residency: Corewell Health/MSU College of Human Medicine
Medical school: The Aga Khan University
Courtney Bell, MD
Hospitalist
Residency: Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals
Medical school: University of Central Florida College of Medicine
Michael Burton, MD
Pulmonology, critical care medicine
Corewell Health Lakeland Associate faculty
MSU Clinical Assistant Professor
Hometown: Prescott, AZ
Fellowship: Pulmonary disease, Providence Hospital and Medical Centers, Southfield Michigan
Residency: Providence Hospital and Medical Centers, Southfield Michigan
Medical school: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Undergraduate education: Northern Arizona University
Hobbies: Family, outdoors
Why Lakeland? The community and a great place to raise a family.
Narayana R. Gandham, MD
Pulmonology, critical care medicine
Corewell Health Lakeland Associate Faculty; MSU Clinical Assistant Professor
Fellowship: Critical Care Medicine, Corewell Health Beaumont Hospital
Residency: Loyola Medicine MacNeal Hospital
Residency: St. Mary Mercy Hospital
Medical school: NTR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada Rangaraya Medical College
Bo Liu, MD, PhD
Hospitalist
Residency: Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals
Medical school: Guangzhou Medical College
Hobby: Home renovation of all kinds, reading.
Why I Chose Lakeland: As the resident graduated from Lakeland program. I chose to remain at Lakeland as an attending because of the healthy and intimate relationships among faculty and residents, fostering an environment where we can grow intellectually and professionally together. This supportive atmosphere offers the excellent learning experience I value. Lakeland, as a community-based hospital, builds close relationships with the local community while providing comprehensive exposure to a wide range of subspecialties and case variety. Its affiliation with Michigan State University opens up numerous academic pathways, including fellowships and positions as internists and primary care physicians. Additionally, I appreciate the small-town charm, the beach, the lighthouse, and the farms, making it an ideal place to raise a family.
Shawn L Marein, DO
Pulmonology, critical care medicine
WMU Interim Faculty
Corewell Health Lakeland Associate Faculty
Fellowship: Geriatric medicine fellowship, University of Maryland Hospital for Children; Pulmonary disease fellowship, Carillion Clinic, Critical care medicine fellowship, Wake Forest Baptist
Residency: Johns Hopkins Hospital
Residency: Kettering Memorial Hospital and Medical Center; Fellowship, pulmonary disease, University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers
Medical school: Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Amanda Morris, DO
Endrocrinology
Corewell Health Lakeland Associate Faculty
WMU Interim Faculty
Fellowship: Endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, McLaren Macomb
Residency: Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals
Medical school: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Shishir Ojha, MD
Pulmonology, critical care medicine
WMU Interim Faculty
Corewell Health Lakeland Associate Faculty
Fellowship: Geriatric medicine, University of Maryland Hospital for Children; Pulmonary disease, Carillion Clinic; Fellowship: critical care medicine, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Residency: Johns Hopkins Hospital
Medical school: Rajasthan University Sardar Patel Medical College
Jordan Sall, DO
Hospice and palliative care
Corewell Health Lakeland Associate Faculty
Residency: Michigan State University
Medical school: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Derek Westman, DO
Hospitalist
MSU Clinical Assistant Professor
Residency: Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals
Medical school: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University