Three New Deans of Programs & Academic Affairs Will Drive Collaboration and Project Implementation at Ultimate Medical Academy

TAMPA, Fla., March 23, 2018— Tampa-based Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) recently promoted three faculty members – Dr. Carrie Morris, Dr. Jenna Sage, and Ms. Daniela Simic – to the newly created roles of Dean of Programs & Academic Affairs. Under the oversight of UMA Vice Provost of Programs & Academic Affairs, Julene Robinson, the new roles are designed to facilitate problem-solving and data-driven solutions to increase student achievement, program health, curriculum viability, and instructor performance at the accredited nonprofit higher education healthcare institution.

“We are delighted to promote Carrie, Jenna, and Daniela to fill these new roles that will help UMA live our values to Champion Successful Student Outcomes, Commit to Employee Success, and Pursue Results with Purpose,” Robinson said. “UMA continues to invest in our people and processes to help ensure that we are doing all we can to deliver successful programs to our students in Florida and across the nation who are pursuing higher education and careers in healthcare.”

Dr. Morris will oversee the leadership of UMA’s General Education faculty and the management of Faculty Affairs. She has Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Louisville, an Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in School Psychology from the University of South Florida, and a PhD in Education Sciences from the University of Kentucky. Prior to joining UMA in 2016, Dr. Morris was Senior Supervisor of Student Services at the Pasco County School District. She has also served as a Coordinator of Data Analysis and Response to Intervention, a School Psychologist, an educational consultant with Pearson Education, and as an instructor at the University of Phoenix.

Dr. Sage will oversee the leadership of UMA’s Healthcare Management, Health and Human Services, and Healthcare Technology & Systems diploma and associate degree programs and the management of Student Affairs. She has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis; Psychology from Western Michigan University, a Master of Education in Special Education from the University of British Columbia, and a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of South Florida. Dr. Sage is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst from the Florida Institute of Technology and an adjunct instructor at the University of South Florida and Regis University. Prior to joining UMA in 2017, she was a Program Coordinator and a Resolution Specialist in Student Support Services at the Pasco County School District.

Ms. Simic will oversee the leadership of UMA’s Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding, and Medical Office and Billing Specialist diploma and associate degree programs as well as the Pharmacy Technician associate degree programs and the management of Program Affairs. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Delaware and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining UMA in 2016, Ms. Simic served as Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) in Houston, Texas. She has also served as Chief of Curriculum and Instruction for the Duval County School District in Jacksonville, Florida and worked for the Bureau of School Improvement at the Florida Department of Education. Ms. Simic started her career as a classroom teacher in Philadelphia.

UMA employs more than 2,000 professionals to support dozens of students at its Clearwater Campus and more than 15,000 online students across the nation.