Schaumburg, IL – March 10, 2026 – NCOM is proud to share the recent hiring of Dr. Nathalie Garcia-Russell as Assistant Dean of Clinical Education and Associate Professor. The Assistant Dean of Clinical Education is responsible for recruiting and retaining affiliated rotation sites and preceptors while ensuring that those contracted affiliated sites provide meaningful educational experiences; contributes to the education of students; manages student relationships; ensures clinical achievement; and aids in the attainment of leadership to all clinical education staff.
“Dr. Garcia-Russell has been an experienced medical educator and academic leader for more than two decades,” stated Founding Dean and Chief Academic Officer Dr. K. Scott Whitlow, DO, CS, FAAEM. “Dr. Garcia-Russell’s background in osteopathic medical education, curriculum development, and academic administration coupled with her focuses on clinical education program development, accreditation compliance, faculty development, and student mentorship will be an invaluable asset to us from day one.”
Prior to joining NCOM, Dr. Garcia-Russell held faculty and leadership roles at Touro University, California College of Osteopathic Medicine. She served for over a decade as Assistant Dean for Clinical Education, overseeing the clinical education program, including student clinical rotations, clinical site development, accreditation compliance, and monitoring student progress toward graduation. Earlier in her career, she was Associate Professor in the Basic Sciences Department, where she taught medical microbiology, served as course director in the preclinical curriculum, mentored medical and graduate students, and conducted research while contributing to institutional initiatives related to curriculum development and student advancement. Dr. Garcia-Russell earned her PhD in Biology from Université Paris XIII in France and completed postdoctoral training in microbial genetics at San Diego State University. She has presented and published scholarly work related to medical education and clinical training outcomes.
“Being keenly aware of physician shortages many communities continue to face, I was initially drawn to NCOM’s vision and mission to graduate the future of community-minded osteopathic physicians,” Dr. Garcia-Russell shared. “Once I met other members of the Leadership Team, I knew that NCOM would be where I would spend the next exciting chapter of my career.”