Meet the Regional and Clerkship Directors

Johnny Cheng, DO
Regional Director of Clinical Education for Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming

Hometown: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Internal Medicine at Parkview Medical Center
Medical Specialty: Internal Medicine, Hospitalist

Why did you choose RVU?

I like RVU’s commitment to the medical profession. In just a short time here in Colorado, RVU has really expanded the public and medical professional view of the osteopathic vocation. I see RVU working to advance healthcare education while expanding the physician network to serve the larger community. RVU facilitates individual growth and raises awareness of ethnicity, cultures, socioeconomic status, [and] urban and rural medicine.

What do you like most about being a regional director with RVU?

I really enjoy getting to know the medical students at RVU. Each student has a unique background and different experience they bring to the culture of medicine. I am blessed to teach and discuss points where students can find good evidence-based medicine with the latest trials that support the management of each disease. Site visits are my next favorite part about this role. Visiting different towns/cities to expand our clerkship sites and recruit physicians is challenging but fun. I also get to see how each hospital runs their Graduate Medical Education department.

What do you appreciate most about Colorado and the local area?

I appreciate all that Colorado has to offer, especially the winters. We have access to awesome snow and ski resorts but, within a short distance, there is great hiking, multiple lakes, backpacking, and camping. If you’re a foodie, this is also the place to be. Did you know Denver has [become] a popular area for testing food products? The foodies in Denver are from both coasts and have expendable incomes.

What do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy the Colorado outdoors. I ski, snowboard, hike, rock climb, swim, fish, and wakeboard. I used to compete in tennis and skiing (slalom and giant slalom).

What advice do you have for students beginning clinical rotations?

Rotations are the best part of medical school! This is when you get real patient interaction, and you incorporate your knowledge from the first two years of classwork. Expanding on your medical decision-making, you will use evidence-based trials to develop a comprehensive plan. In addition, you will work with many preceptors, see many styles of teaching, and learn what your own style will be. You get to work on a team with other medical students and residents, perform procedures, and scrub in on surgeries.

To be successful, show up on time, work hard, and be willing to go above and beyond. Use your patient encounters as learning experiences and read up on the cases. Use your rotations as opportunities to perform OMT/OMM. Get to know some of the staff members as they can help you navigate the hospital/clinics, let you see procedures, start IVs, place Foleys, etc.

Fun facts about you?

I have served in three branches of the US military: the US Marine Corps, directing fire control for a field artillery unit; the US Navy as an intelligence specialist; and the US Army [as a] physician. I served one tour in Iraq and my unit earned a Presidential Unit Citation award and three medals.

I didn’t go straight to medical school. Growing up in the tech era, I always thought I was going to be a software engineer or computer programmer. I learned C++, Java, HTML, JavaScript, etc. Then September 11 hit and I was deployed to Iraq. Upon returning to the US, I worked as a website developer, managed a restaurant, and worked as a Hibachi chef. I found myself wanting to do more to help people—feeding them tasty teriyaki steak only did so much. I became certified as an EMT basic and journeyed to medical school. This is where I found my passion of helping and educating my patients.

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Jeff Clark, MD
Behavioral Medicine Clerkship Director

Hometown: Orem, Utah
Medical School: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University
Residency: University of Washington, Chief Residency
Medical Specialty: Psychiatry

Why did you choose RVU?

I had fantastic RVU students rotating with me in clinic. When the opportunity to be more involved presented itself, I couldn’t turn it down.

What are some challenges/success that you’ve experienced?

I’m really interested in people with personality disorders and addiction. There’s just something about the intellectual and emotional challenge of approaching people dealing with these really hard problems that I find exhilarating. They often feel dismissed by people in healthcare, so being able to join them in their suffering becomes a great opportunity to grow together. 

What advice do you have for students beginning clinical rotations?

Don’t expect to be perfect by the end of your third year. Think of your rotations as a chance to finally be fully immersed in the language and practice of medicine. Study up on cases, read as much as you can, and ask questions. Be patient in your mistakes and gracious in your apologies. Learning details, algorithms, and procedures won’t stop when you finish residency. And whenever possible, take the time to care for yourself. 

Why did you decide to pursue a career in medicine/academia?

I love working with people—from patients to students. Medicine is really a secondary passion; it’s an excuse to be a small part of helping people change. 

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Megan Haldy, DO
Clerkship Director of Family Medicine (clinical sites for both CO and SU)

Hometown: Broomfield, Colorado
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences
Residency: Fort Collins Family Medicine Residency Program
Medical Specialty: Family Medicine

Why did you choose RVU?

Alignment with the mission and values.

What do you like most about being a clerkship director with RVU?

I love working with students and helping support them to become excellent physicians, in whatever specialty they may choose.

What do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy time with my family. I’m a huge wellness and lifestyle advocate and strive to implement these principles in my own life. We love enjoying all the activities Colorado has to offer.

What advice do you have for students beginning clinical rotations?

Always be professional and kind, work and study hard, be engaged, show up early, stay late, be curious, learn from each preceptor and patient, be a team player, and be sure to have fun!

Fun facts about you?

I am a returned US Peace Corps Volunteer. I served two years in El Salvador as a Rural Health and Sanitation Specialist prior to entry into medical school.

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George Issa, MD
Regional Director of Clinical Education for Denver

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Residency: University of Washington
Medical Specialty: Internal Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Care

Why did you choose RVU?

To help medical students reach their educational goals.

What do you do in your spare time?

My wife and I love to exercise, walk our dog, snowboard, and travel.

What advice do you have for students beginning clinical rotations?

Foremost, remain humble, there is so much you still don’t know. The actual practice of medicine is very different than reading about it in textbooks. Most importantly, always be respectful of everyone, from the attending down to the nursing assistant. 

Fun facts about you?

I was a professional magician prior to going to medical school and I still occasionally perform at certain events.

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John Nichols, DO
Director of Medical Education for the Southwest Region

Hometown: Bountiful, Utah
Graduate Studies: SCUBA Education
Medical School: Des Moines University
Residency: University of Iowa Broadlawns Medical Center Campus for Intern Year and University of Nebraska for Residency
Medical Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology

What do you do in your spare time?

I spend a lot of time outdoors either mountain biking, hiking and backpacking, SCUBA diving, [and] skiing. I also enjoy yoga, have surfed in Maui, and driving Jeeps and Corvettes. I play guitar and am an Unbeatable Mind/SEALFIT Coach.

What advice do you have for students beginning clinical rotations?

Work very hard, give 100% of your very best, and ignore the naysayers!

Fun facts about you?

I love to cook. I played in a rock/metal band growing up. I have over 800 hours logged as a SCUBA diver for a total time under water of three weeks.

Why did you decide to pursue a career in medicine/academia?

I love to teach. Medicine aligned with my passion, principles, and my life purpose. 

Do you participate in other medical education activities? If so, what are they?

I am the Associate Medical Director for OB Hospitalist with Intermountain Healthcare. I also run simulation training for the nursing teams in the Labor and Delivery unit.

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Thomas N. Told, DO
Interim Dean of the Southern Utah Campus and Regional Director of Clinical Education for the Utah Valley Region

Hometown: American Fork, Utah
Graduate Studies: Zoology and Neuroanatomy
Medical School: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Medical Specialty: Family Medicine

Why did you choose RVU?

I wanted to help start an osteopathic medical school in the Mountain West region, especially in my home state of Utah.

What do you like most about being a regional director with RVU?

I get to interface with physicians and hospitals in the region and help recruit more quality sites for our students. 

What do you appreciate most about Colorado/Utah and the local area?

Great people and excellent medical care that is delivered in both the rural and urban areas alike.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love all outdoor sports and I especially enjoy working on the yard at our new home here in St. George.

What are some challenges/success that you’ve experienced?

Laying the groundwork and starting the process for accreditation of the Southern Utah Campus was my most memorable challenge. With the help of Dr. Park, then-President Dr. Clinton Adams, and a great team of RVU staff, we made it a reality.

What advice do you have for students beginning clinical rotations?

Look professional and act professional at all times. Ask lots of good questions and always look for ways to help out in working with the hospital and clinic teams you rotate with.

Fun facts about you:

I am an avid outdoors person and love hunting, fishing, and shooting. I am very proud to have 5 granddaughters, 5 grandsons, and 2 great-granddaughters.  I also have been lucky to welcome two lovely granddaughters-in-law.

Why did you decide to pursue a career in medicine/academia?

I grew up in several medically underserved locations in Utah and Wyoming and saw firsthand how devastating it can be to not have a physician close for care. I wanted to do something about that and attending medical school was the first step. 

Do you participate in other medical education activities? If so, what are they?

I helped organize the ACOFP Center for Procedural Excellence and continue to help provide CME procedural training for family physicians. I have taught pathophysiology courses to nurses in our local community college.