Compliance Program

It is the policy of WMed to provide our services in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing our operations and consistent with the highest ethical standards. This is a commitment to our learners, our patients, our community, those government agencies that regulate the institution, and to ourselves. The Compliance Program applies to the entire medical school community and is defined in policy ADM10 Legal Compliance Program Policy Manual. The Compliance Program is directed by the Chief Compliance Officer and the Compliance Committee who ensure that compliance policies are consistently followed. Annually, workplans are implemented by the Compliance Committee to support and maintain the effectiveness of the Compliance Program.

• Elements of an Effective Compliance Program

  The Compliance Program has seven fundamental elements:

  1. Standards and Procedures
  2. Compliance Oversight
  3. Education and Training
  4. Monitoring and Auditing
  5. Reporting and Investigating
  6. Enforcement and Discipline
  7. Response and Prevention
• Compliance Oversight

  The Chief Compliance Officer reports to the Dean, President and CEO. This role has responsibility for the Compliance Program and serves as Chair of the Compliance Committee. The purpose of the Compliance Committee is to oversee the medical school’s Compliance Program to ensure that the medical school provides its services in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing its operations and consistent with the highest ethical standards. The Compliance Committee reviews and updates the Legal Compliance Policy Manual to ensure alignment with federal and state laws, regulations, and meeting best practice standards. The Compliance Committee includes leaders with compliance expertise representing Finance, Research, Institutional Effectiveness, Occupational Health and Safety, Medical Ethics, Biomedical Informatics, Human Resources, Student Affairs, Information Technology, and Clinical Affairs.

  Compliance Program Key Contacts

  • Chief Compliance Officer Michele Serbenski
  • Research Integrity Officer and Conflict of Interest Officer Jered Cornelison, PhD
  • Privacy Officer Mike Fusko
  • IT Security Officer Doug Jaquays
  • FERPA Officer Donna Miroslaw
  • Senior Director for Research Compliance Christopher Schneider
• Reporting Compliance Violations or Concerns

  If at any time, someone becomes aware of an apparent violation or concern related to WMed policies, procedures or standards of conduct, or federal or state law, this should be reported immediately. Reporting options include:

  • For employees – the supervisor
  • For students – Office of Student Affairs
  • Chief Compliance Officer compliance@wmed.edu or 269.337.4509
  • Concern and Compliance Anonymous Hotline or 833.222.1416
  • Office of the Dean
• Compliance Excellence Award

  The Compliance Excellence Award recognizes an individual and a team that demonstrates excellent compliance performance or significant contributions to the Compliance Program.

  2026 Recipients of the Compliance Excellence Award

  

  • Sarah Anderson, PRC, Senior Compensation Analyst

  
  Data Analytics Services Unit

  • Heidi Baker, Data Manager
  • Morgan Brown, Research Navigator
  • Austin Brubaker, Biostatistician II
  • Daniel Frechette, Biostatistician I
  • Kirsten Hickok, Biostatistician II
  • Mara Jessup, Data Project Coordinator
  • Theresa McGoff, Director
     

  

• Communication and Awareness

  WMed participates in Corporate Compliance and Ethics Week, an annual observance the first week of November, co-sponsored by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics and the Health Care Compliance Association. This is an opportunity for:

  • Awareness – educating the medical school community about compliance and ethics standards.
  • Recognition – acknowledging individuals and teams who campaign the Compliance Program.
  • Reinforcement – embedding compliance into the organization’s culture.