Dr. Michelle A. Anderson, MD, MSc, FASGE attended Wayne State University School of Medicine (1989-1993) and completed a residency in Internal Medicine (1993-1996) and fellowship in Gastroenterology (1996-1999) at the University of Michigan. In 2005, she was awarded a Masters Degree in Clinical Research and Statistics from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Dr. Anderson joined the faculty at the University of Michigan in 1999 and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2013. Her research and clinical career is focused on gastrointestional disease with a specific concentration on pancreatic diseases including chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Using advanced endoscopy techniques including endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography she cares for the full spectrum of benign and malignant pancreatic disorders. Dr. Anderson successfully completed an NIH-sponsored study centered on the discovery and validation of minimally invasive clinical biomarkers for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Currently, she serves as the Physician Lead for the Interventional Endoscopy team at UM and the co-Director of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center Multidiscipline Pancreatic Tumor Board.
On a national level, Dr. Anderson has served on the Standards of Practice Committee for the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) for five years and in 2016 completed a three year term as the Chair of the ASGE Institute for Training Technology Committee. Currently, Dr. Anderson is appointed as Counselor on the ASGE Governing Board. She speaks regularly on topics of pancreatic diseases and teaches advanced endoscopic techniques nationally and internationally. In the arena of chronic pancreatitis, Dr. Anderson led the development of National Guidelines in the care of patients with painful chronic pancreatitis. Additional work in this field include the publication of three peer-reviewed papers focused on pain, chronic pancreatitis and EUS including 2 of which involved a multi-center prospective cohort study of patients with chronic pancreatitis.
Mathematics. This served her well upon graduation she worked for three years as a Reliability Quality Engineer and formally furthered her education in statistical design while employed. Her dream was always to be a physician, and so she followed her heart. She lives in her hometown of Sterling Heights, Michigan where she was raised and is happily married and blessed to have three wonderful sons who are hard-working young men. Her husband is the developer and owner of a quality software product, Quality Mapping Solutions which is used by many reputable large hospital system laboratories. Togetherthey continue to share their gifts and talents to deliver high quality care in the medical profession.
Dr. Clifford S. Cho, FACS is the C. Gardner Child Professor of Surgery and Division Chief of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Advanced Gastrointestinal Surgery at the University of Michigan. Dr. Cho is an Honors graduate of Brown University and AOA graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He completed his general surgery residency and transplantation immunology postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, where he served as Chief Administrative Resident. He completed his surgical oncology fellowship at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where he served as Chief Administrative Fellow. He joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in 2006, where he was promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure and named the Ronald and Patricia Kissinger Professor of Surgical Oncology. He served as Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology, Associate Residency Program Director, and co-Director of the Gastrointestinal Disease Oriented Team in the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center before moving to the University of Michigan in 2016.
Dr. Cho’s academic focus is on hepatopancreatobiliary and gastrointestinal malignancies, cancer immunology, and the mentorship of clinical and research trainees. He has lectured on these academic interests in over 15 national and international visiting professorships, and was named the James IV Traveler in 2014. He has published over 120 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters and currently serves on the editorial boards of Surgery and the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. Dr. Cho is the Principal Investigator of a VA Merit Review-funded laboratory and is a member of the VA Oncology Merit Review study section. Dr. Cho is also the Principal Investigator of a cancer immunology laboratory that is working to understand cancer-induced T cell suppression, and to identify novel T cell-based strategies for cancer immunotherapy.
Mary Jane D. Espere, BSN, RN has been a nurse for 26 year. She is a graduate of Manila Central University. Her specialty is in the Home Care, ICU, Sub-Acute, Medical/Surgical Units, and Nursing Homes settings. She currently serves as the director of nursing at Eastwest Health Services.
He has authored/coauthored over 20 papers on the role of endoscopy and technology in the management of cystic neoplasms, pancreatic cancer, as well as, complications of both acute and chronic pancreatitis. He has received grant funding for studies related to pancreatic cystic neoplasms. He is an active member of the National Pancreas Foundation, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Pancreatic Association, American Gastroenterological Society, and American College of Gastroenterology.
Lance is married with a son and two grand children and looks forward to helping the Michigan Chapter of the National Pancreatitis Foundation in order to give back to the community to help those who battle the day to day challenges of pancreatitis.
Derrick has a 35 year background in accounting, financial services and income taxes. He was first licensed as a securities broker at age 19 and continued his education obtaining a bachelor degree, masters degree, and continued studies towards a doctorate degree in business administration. Derrick is also a licensed enrolled agent allowing him to practice before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and U.S. Department of Treasury and to represent tax payers before all levels of the IRS. He is also a licensed insurance agent, general securities principal, investment advisor representative and holds many certifications. Derrick is also a 15 year crisis counselor with Common Ground, a crisis and resource center, in Oakland County – the largest in the U.S. based on call volume. Derrick is married to Robin, with 4 children and two grandchildren.