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The Bay University Foundation, to run its Medical School and Allied Health Sciences Program, has a committed group of faculty who are the authority in their field of expertise. They have served various renowned universities as Physicians, Teachers and Scientists before they joined this University. They have enormous experiences in the field of medical education and are considered best in their field of innovative medicine. The Bay University believes these faculty can give new direction and take the university to a great height through their innovative teaching capability and research oriented outlook. To their support, Bay university has dedicated administrators who are committed to the mission of Bay University Foundation.
Our Teaching faculty

John Croes MD
Professor of Internal Medicine

Kun Zhong MD PhD
Professor of Internal Medicine

Praveen Vemula MD
Assistant Professor of internal Medicine

Shakila Mathew MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Philip Mathew MD
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine

Gabriel D Dakubo MBChB
Professor of MicroBiology

Atindra Datta MS
Professor of Anatomy

Elena Plavnik-Stybel MD
Assistant Professor of Physiology

Madan Gaekwad MD
Professor of Pathology & HOD

Dwight D. Encinas MD
Associate Professor of Basic Medical Sciences

Jebadurai Ratnaraj MD
Professor of Anesthesiology & HOD

T Santhanam PhD
Professor of Psychology

Manjula Gaekwad MBBS DNB
Professor of Clinical Medicine

R.E. Martis PhD
Professor of Clinical Psychology

Sam Ghareeb PhD RN
Associate Professor of Nursing

Shital Ghataliya MD
Associate Professor of Physiology

Marie Carole France MS PhD
Associate Professor of Nursing

Francis Dewindt MD
Professor of Orthopedic

Fabio Moreta MD
Professor of Urology

Sailajah Janardhanan MD
Associate Professor of Pharmacology

Nuris Maria Lampe MD
Associate Professor of Dermatology

Mahender Poonia PhD
Professor of Mathematics
Teaching faculty Profiles

John Croes MD
Professor of Internal Medicine
Professor of Internal Medicine
[email protected]
Dr John Croes is a Aruba-Licensed Physician with experience in directing complex medical treatment and making recommendations for improvement for treatment through various holistic approaches. He is the Director and Owner of Clinica Dr John Croes N.V. Oranjestad, Aruba. He has earned his Medical Degree in Surgery from University of Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia and completed internship from Hospital San Juan De Dios, Armenia, Quindio, Colombia.
He has worked in the Emergency and Psychiatric Department at Horacio Oduber Hospital, Oranjestad, Aruba as an early professional career. Later he delivered his services through various capacities in the island and was a Family physician for the AZV, General Medical Insurance till present. He is a member of various national and international professional bodies. He is advisory to promote better nutrition, lifestyle, yoga and meditation as part of holistic medicine. For his valuable services and contribution to the society, he has received numerous awards including Man of the year Award 2013, Presented by Playa Pabow Cultural Aruba Society.
He has organized Local and International Seminars in Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire. He is a popular figure in Radio Talk covering Preventative Medicine and also writes Medical Articles in local Newspapers and HOLA Magazine. He also appeared in local TV to propagate awareness in Health and Diseases. He is also a writer of a book titled “Mamatina” dedicated to his grandmother, who was a famous midwife, natural doctor and first Medical Assistant to Dr. Horacio Oduber, physician.
For his leadership role in the medicine and the society, he Presently he has been nominated as ‘Board of Director’ of the Bay University.

Kun Zhong MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Pathology
Department of Pathology
[email protected]
Dr. Kun Zhong has been appointed as an Associate Professor of Pathology at Bay University. He is an active physician and researcher in the field of Stem Cell Research & Regenerative Medicine and currently involved with American Center of Stem Cell Research & Regenerative Medicine. He has earned his Pathology degree from Department of Pathology Hebei Provincial Academy of Medical Sciences Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, P.R. China and Ph.D. from Department of Pathology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. Beside his ambitious stem cell research work, he also contributes through his services as attending Pathologist, Chief Medical Officer, Civil Surgeon and attending Physician at various sites in the US. He is an excellent visionary and strategist in his field, who has demonstrated a track record of fostering collaboration successfully, American Center of Stem Cell Research & Regenerative Medicine with Hebei University, China is an example !
Dr. Zhong is American Board-Certified Internist and Chairman of Regenerative Medicine Research Review Board (IRB). He is also Founder /President of American Center of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine at Detroit. Beside that he is Founder/President First Aid onSite Foundation of America. He has a strong commitment to academics and contributed through his teaching and research in the US and China. He is Patient’s Choice Awardee for many years by Vitals.com

Praveen Vemula MD, MPH, CPE, FACP
Professor of Medicine
Professor of Internal Medicine
[email protected]
Dr. Praveen Vemula has been appointed as the Dean of Clinical Sciences at Bay University. He is an active physician with a public health background and a proven academic administrative leader. He is an excellent visionary and strategist, who has demonstrated a track record of fostering collaboration and building consensus to achieve collective objectives at his work place at Sparrow Hospital in the US.
He has been working as founding Co-Director of Internal Medicine Residency Program at Sparrow Hospital and additionally, he is also a Clerkship Director of Michigan State University College of Medicine, Adult Quality Director & Physician Advisor-Sparrow Health System. He has demonstrated deep understanding of learning styles of residents and students and developed integrated teaching and evaluation techniques for them. He has successfully fostered collegiality among physicians and executed various new projects and programs. As a strategist, he could assess situations internally and externally to identify opportunities for growth and development.
Dr. Vemula’s strong academic and administrative experience gave him deep insight into the competencies of a diverse physician population. This ability provides him an edge in understanding their priorities and capabilities in their professional career. Blending public health and physician perspectives helps Dr. Vemula to become a better leader in Medicine.


Philip Mathew MD
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine

Gabriel D Dakubo MBChB
Professor of Anatomy & Histology
Department of Anatomy
[email protected]
Dr. Gabriel D. Dakubo has joined the Bay University as a Professor of Anatomy and Histology and has been assigned to develop his department at the medical school. He has keen interest in recent advances and latest trends in Medical Genetics and Cell Biology of Biomedical Sciences. He received his BSc and MBChB degrees from the University of Ghana, followed by a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Molecular Medicine at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada.
Dr. Dakubo’s passion is in non-invasive deployment of biomarkers for cancer management. While an expert in mitochondrial genetic alterations in cancer, he also has a keen interest in the inter-genomic communications that occur in the cancer cell, as well as the Slaughter’s concept of field cancerization. He is the author of five books on cancer research: Mitochondrial Genetics and cancer (Springer 2010), Field cancerization; basic science and clinical applications (Nova Science, 2011), Cancer biomarkers in body fluids; Principles (Springer, 2016); Cancer biomarkers in body fluids; Biomarkers in circulation (Springer, 2016), and Cancer biomarkers in body fluids; Biomarkers in proximal fluids (Springer 2019). Dr. Dakubo is well-published peer-reviewed journals as well and is a reviewer for a number of esteemed journals.
His current research interest is in medical education, specifically innovative medical curricular design. He has several years of experience in the medical educational systems of the Caribbean. Currently he is engaged in teaching and research at the Bay University School of Medicine.


Elena Plavnik-Stybel MD, DO
Assistant Professor of Physiology
Department of Physiology
[email protected]
Dr Elena Plavnik-Stybel has joined the Bay University from its inception in the Department of Physiology. She teaches Human Physiology as the major subjects at this university. She was accepted into the Medical Degree Program at Leningrad Pediatric Medical University and graduated with honors in 1990. Dr Stybel was born and raised in Leningrad, Russia. She immigrated to the US in 1991. She was accepted in NYCOM in 1997 and 3 years later she graduated with a degree of Doctor of Osteopathy .She went through the Residency Program in North Shore LIJ on Long Island NY and since then has been working in a private practice in Amityville, New York. She has keen interest in Cardiac and Respiratory Physiology.

Madan Gaekwad MBBS, MD
Professor of Pathology
Department of Pathology
[email protected]
Dr Madan Gaekwad has been inducted to the Advisory Board of the Bay University from the inception. He has earned his MBBS, as well as MD in Pathology from JJM Medical College Davangere India. Additionally, he has been well versed with Hospital Management and Medicolegal issues in Healthcare, training through Indian Institute of Management.
Dr Gaekwad, has large experiences and accomplishments in various capacities in the field of medicine over the last 25 years. He has administrative experience in the corporate healthcare field involving Hospitals, Clinics, Pharmacies and Projects both in India and Abroad in the Gulf region, with good outcomes in medical, nonmedical, and financial health of the organization.
He has Conceptualized, commissioned and successfully managed two large hospitals, with good turnover in line with the industry standards, having admirable bottom lines.
He has also successfully completed accreditations and reaccreditations by ISO, NABL & NABH, and other quality standards and started educational courses like Diplomate of National Board (DNB) affiliated to the National Board of India.
Currently holding charge of Special Officer of Dayananda Sagar University, Bangalore for commissioning of a Medical School and a 1250 bedded teaching hospital, Dr Chandramma Dayananda Sagar Institute of Medical science and Research, Bangalore, India.
He is Decisive, Analytical and Forward Thinking with listening Devotional and Light Music, as special attributes.

Dwight D. Encinas MD
Associate Professor of Basic Medical Sciences
Department of Medical Sciences
[email protected]
Dr. Dwight D. Encinas has joined the Bay University School of Medicine as an Associate Professor of Basic Medical Sciences. In addition to Microbiology, his other teaching interests are in Medical Ethics and Faculty Development.
He received his undergraduate education with a pre-medical degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at the Ateneo de Manila University and his Medical Degree from Manila Central University.
After completing his Internship at the Veterans Medical Center in Quezon City, Philippines, he did another year of Internship at Henry Ford Hospital where he later completed his residency with the Department of Family Medicine, Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan.
As a young House Officer, he has demonstrated his passion for medical student teaching and was awarded an Excellence in Teaching and Service to the University Community, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Services, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan and a House Officer Award in Teaching Excellence in Student Medical Education presented by the University of Michigan’s medical students rotating at Henry Ford Hospital.
And while at Henry Ford Health System he had teaching responsibilities throughout his employment involving learners at multiple levels, including medical students and residents in training. His then Chair at the Department of Medicine described Dr. Encinas’ teaching role as, “Besides performing as a splendid clinical role model, he demonstrated an innate understanding of various learning styles and a capacity to adapt his teaching methods to the specific needs of his learners, both individually and in groups.” His Chair, now Chair Emeritus added, “He was respected for his didactic skills as well as his clinical instruction during the process of care.”
He has taught basic science, clinical knowledge and included training in care processes such as relationship management and medical ethics.
Dr. Encinas now actively practices medicine as a primary care and home visiting physician in Michigan.

Jebadurai Ratnaraj MBBS, MD (Germany), MD (USA)
Professor of Anesthesiology
Department of Pharmacology
[email protected]
Dr Jebadurai Ratnaraj has joined the Bay University as Professor of Anesthesiology since the inception of the Medical School. He has earned his Medical Degree from Madurai Kamraj University in India. He has served Evangelisches Hospital Dortmund, West Germany, Municipal Hospital Teaching Hospital to University Düsseldorf Krefeld, West Germany in different capacities. He also has served National Women’s Hospital & St. Helen’s Hospital Auckland, New Zealand before taking up a job in the USA. Presently, he has been serving Washington University School of Medicine Saint-Louis, MO. USA .
Dr Ratnaraj has published a good number of original research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, also presented papers in scientific meets. He has been called to give talks to different scientific forums. He is one of the ‘Board Certified’ faculty of the Bay University.

T Santhanam PhD, D.Psy.M, B.Ed(S.E), LLB
Professor of Psychology
Department of Behavioral Science
[email protected]
Dr T Santhanam is inducted to the Advisory Board of the Bay University from the inception of the Medical School. He received his preliminary education from Chennai, India and obtained his PhD in Psychology from university of Madras India. He also received B Ed and went on to obtain LLB very recently from Utkal University India.
Dr Santhanam worked as psychologist in various institutions in India. He also taught his subject materials through regular and distance education. He has researched on Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Rehabilitation. He has successfully carried out Career Guidance and Counseling to the many needy students.
He has authored books on “Children with Learning Disability” “Learning Disabilities and Remedial Programme” and “Stress and Attitude of Women Teachers” Published by Discovery Publishing House PVT.LTD. He is a life member of ‘Madras psychology Society’ and International Affiliate Member, “American Psychology Association”. He received National Award from His Excellency President of India during the occasion of International Day of the Persons With Disabilities on December 3, 2006 and December 3, 2009 and are his major achievement

Manjula Gaekwad MBBS, DNB
Professor of Introduction to Clinical Medicine
Department of Clinical Medicine
[email protected]
Dr Manjula Gaekwad has joined The Bay University as a Professor of Introduction to Clinical Medicine (ICM). She has earned her MBBS degree from JJM Medical College Davangere, India and Diplomate of National Board (DNB) in Obstetrics & Gynecology from National Board of Examination, New Delhi. She has undertaken Special Training in IVF & Reproductive Medicine, Homerton University London , U K
She has long years of professional experiences in the field of Obstetrics & Gynecology. In her journey into professional career, she has worked as Consultant Obstetrician & Gynecologist at Venlakh Hospital, Bangalore and more recently, as a Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecology. Sagar Hospitals, Bangalore in India
She works on Endoscopic Surgeries on gynecological disease. and Oncology.
Presently, she utilizes her expertise on IVF and Reproductive Care, up to Level three, Ovum pick up and embryo transfer.
She has accepted this teaching post to translate and transmit her knowledge and skill to the health professional of the next generation.

R.E. Martis PhD
Professor of Clinical Psychology
Department of Behavioral Science
[email protected]
Dr. E Martis is currently working with Bay University School of Medicine at Aruba. In the discipline of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. He has earned Master Degree followed by PhD in Medical Psychology and is considered First Ph D from this island nation.
Dr. Martis has worked with the Health Department. He specialized in psychotherapy and rehabilitation, and his main task was to –evaluate clients entering the clinical facilities, -diagnostic interviews,, multi behavioral tests and creating a treatment programs for each individual. He developed psychological profile for each client that would be constantly reviewed and upgraded through scheduled therapy sessions. He shares major great success and satisfaction through seeing over 700 of his previously homeless and dysfunctional clients with behavioral and addiction problems return to society, to their families or work for over a period of 20 years. He is an accomplished personality of Aruba. Among many, ‘Maintenance of weekly Government Information Television Program in Aruba called: “Guard your Health” and Weekly Health columnist for the local ” Bon Dia Aruba” newspaper: “Healthy Living” are his major accomplishment, he counts on. He also taught Rehabilitation Therapy at the” VerslavingsZorg Aruba Academy”

Sameh Ahmed Ghareeb, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor and Chief of Nursing Program
Department of Nursing
[email protected]
Dr. Ghareeb has joined as Assistant Professor and Chief of Nursing Program at Bay University. Prior to his appointment, he has obtained a wide range of leadership and teaching experiences in five different universities; University of Jordan, WSU, UMASS, Stratford Universality, and Bethune Cookman University. He is also serving in a variety of institutional and professional committees. He attended/ presented in many scientific conferences/ workshops/ webinars.
Dr. Ghareeb earned his BSN from Jordan University of Science and Technology. In 2005, Dr. Ghareeb decided to enroll in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner MSN program at Wayne State University (WSU). In 2015, Dr. Ghareeb graduated with a PhD in Nursing from University of Massachusetts (UMASS), with a minor in Physiology.
Dr. Ghareeb’s research interests center on understanding internal and external environmental stressors of physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, or spiritual origin and their positive or negative effects on human being’s, especially children’s, wholeness. His plan is to continue pursuing this area of research; focusing on cup feeding neonates with congenital heart defects.
Through his career, Dr. Ghareeb has gained extensive clinical experience in a number of clinical areas that include Operating Room, Pre-op., PACU, Home Care, Private Duty Nursing, Psychiatric Clinics, Medical-Surgical Units, Telemetry, Infection Control Department, Pediatrics, and Administration and in numerous top hospitals in the USA, including Johns Hopkins Hospital, Yale University Hospital, and University of Michigan Hospital.

Shital Ghataliya MD
Associate Professor of Physiology
Department of Physiology
[email protected]
Dr. Shital Ghataliya has joined the Bay University as an Associate Professor of Physiology. She received her basic medical degree of MBBS from Sardar Patel University and post-graduation MD degree in Physiology from Saurashtra University both from located in Gujarat state of India. She has very rich experiences of teaching and research and is keen to expand her role as Medical Teacher and Researcher in her area of specialization further.
Beside her teaching assignment, she has great research experiences, particularly in cardiac physiology. She has attended sessions of Cardiac training through Yoga and wishes to collaborate her research through Yoga as an emerging topic.
She also runs youtube channels for physiology practicals and theory teaching and has published a book Short Q and A Physiology.
She is engaged is teaching Physiology with her current research interest is in Competency Based Medical Education executed through Digital Platform

Marie Carole France BSN.MSN,PhD
Associate Professor of Nursing
Department of Nursing
[email protected]
Dr. France, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Texas Tech University. Realizing her desire to educate and teach future nurses, she began her career in academia after earning a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education from University of Phoenix. She also obtained a doctorate degree in Higher Education, and a doctorate in Philosophy from Barry University. Specializing in Critical Care Nursing and Nursing Leadership she has had the opportunity to teach in a variety of settings which includes distance learning, lecture, simulation and clinical. She has experience teaching in prelicensure and graduate college courses. She has served as a research mentor for PhD, MSN, and undergraduate honor students
Dr. France has obtained a wide range of teaching and leadership experiences in different universities such as Miami Dade College, Broward College, Bethune Cookman University, Simmons University, and South University. She has gained leadership experiences serving as a nursing consultant for associate and baccalaureate nursing programs to meet the state education requirements from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) regulations.
Dr. France’s area of research interest includes ethics, evidence-based practice, relationship-centered care, and qualitative research methods. Her academic interest is in improving global health through nursing education. She established fellowship with various healthcare stakeholders using a multi-faceted approach to understand global healthcare. Following her passion for promoting global health through evidence-based nursing practice, she serves as an international nursing faculty in Port-au-Prince (Haiti) at the Institute des Science Infirmiere in a baccalaureate nursing program where she taught nursing research and pathophysiology. She also volunteers in long-term medical missions with local healthcare organizations to provide sustainable medical care and healthcare education in global communities where healthcare is often limited or difficult to access.
Dr. France collaborated with another faculty to present an international workshop on promoting global health focusing on nursing education. The workshop was presented in Hong Kong at the conference, “Promoting Global Health through Nursing Education”. She has served as chair in various institutional and professional committees throughout her professional career. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, and the Southern Nursing Research Society.

Francis Dewindt MD
Professor of Orthopedic Surgeon
Department of Orthopedic Surgery
[email protected]
Dr Francis de Windt was born in Curaçao in 1951. He did his primary and secondary school in Curaçao and in the Netherlands. He studied Medicine at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands from 1968 until 1975. After graduation, he worked in the Anna Kliniek for Orthopedic Surgery in Leiden and with his father Dr Julio de Windt, Orthopedic Surgeon in Curaçao. In 1976 and 1977, he joined two years of General Surgery and Traumatology Residency in the Refaja Diaconessenhuis in Dordrecht. From 1978 until 1983 he specialized in Orthopedic Surgery in the Academisch Ziekenhuis of the Leiden University (now LUMC), under Professor Dr Duyfjes. He worked as an Orthopedic Surgeon at the Dr Horacio Oduber Hospital in Oranjestad, Aruba from 1983 until 2018. Working on an island, he had to be an all-round Orthopedic Surgeon, doing orthopedic trauma and fracture surgery, pediatric orthopedics, hip and knee arthroplasty, osteotomies, spine surgery and arthroscopies.
He has performed more than 10,000 surgical procedures in his area of specialization. He has experience working with the Ilizarov External Ringfixator for 30 years and minimally invasive hip arthroplasty for 20 years. He is a senior member of the Dutch Orthopedic Association (NOV) an emeritus member of the International Society for Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT) Member of the European Federation for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery Associations (EFFORT), passed member of the Latin American Orthopedic Society (SLAOT) and foreign member of the American Academy for Orthopedic Surgery (AAOS).
He is a past president of the Aruban Specialist Association and of the Aruba Rotary Club. In his free time, he enjoys dancing, swimming and ocean kayaking with his wife Jovanka. He has two brothers that are also orthopedic surgeons. His youngest brother is an Orthotist-prosthetist. He has three daughters. Nora, Rose-Anne and Francien. Nora is a general practitioner-family physician, Rose-Anne is a children’s psychologist, and Francien still goes to school.


Sailajah Janardhanan MD
Associate Professor of Pharmacology


Mahender Poonia PhD
Professor of Mathematics
Dr. Mahender Poonia is working as Dean Curriculum Development at Om Sterling Global
University (OSGU), Hisar, Haryana, India. Dr. Poonia is a well known academician and
researcher. Dr. Poonia has vast 19 years teaching experience (Including 12 years research
Experience) in various well reputed institutions and universities. In these 19 years, Poonia
got many awards like best paper award, best teacher award etc. He has published more than
50 research papers in various reputed national and international journals. He has also
published three books of Engineering Mathematics. Dr. Poonia file a patent on “M*N Puzzle
game” as a teaching aid. He has organized number of Faculty Development Programs (FDP),
Seminars/ Conferences/ Workshops (sponsored by Ministry of Education, Govt. of India) and
presented research papers. He has been invited in various seminars/ conferences/ workshop as
a speaker/ resources person/ session chair. He supervised 18 Ph. D. Scholars and 8 more
scholars are enrolled under his kind consideration. He has a life time membership of many
associations and is an editorial board member of many journals.
Get In Touch
Telephone: + 1 (407) 567-2530 | + (297) 280-4740
Email: [email protected]
Corporate Office: 3505 Lake Lynda Drive, Suite 200, Orlando, FL-32817
Aruba Office: Pos Chiquito # 47, Savaneta, Aruba, Dutch Caribbean