Meet Our Team

Board of Directors

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    Angela Williams, PharmD

    Medical Center Director

    A committed leader in healthcare and public service, Dr. Williams leads the Salt Lake City VA Health Care System serving nearly 70,000 Veterans across 8 sites of care and 27 counties spanning Utah, Idaho, and Nevada.

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    P. Jon White, MD

    Associate Chief of Staff, Research

    Dr. White directs projects in informatics and casual interference, co-leads an Evidence Based Policy Center, and has an active clinical practice providing primary care to Veterans.

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    Susan Garstang, MD

    Board Secretary / Treasurer / Associate Chief of Staff, Academic Affairs

    Dr. Garstang is the ACOS for Academic Affiliations at the VA SLCHCS and a Clinical Professor of PM&R at the University of Utah.

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    Noel Carlson, PhD

    Board Chairman / Deputy Director, Research

    Dr. Carlson has been a member of the WIVR Board of Directors since 2006, and has served as the Deputy ACOS for Research at the VA SLCHCS since 2010.

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    Jacob Kean, PhD

    Research Scientist / Investigator

    Jacob Kean, PhD, serves as the Acting Director of the VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure (VINCI), a key resource within the VA's Office of Research & Development (ORD).

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    Jonathan Nebeker, MD

    Research Scientist / Investigator

    Dr. Nebeker is a practicing geriatrician and national Chief Medical Informatics Officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is also professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

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    Laurence Meyer, MD

    Community Representative

    Laurence Meyer started to work in VA research as a lab technician working in biochemical genetics at the San Diego VA in 1972, after competing college at UC San Diego.

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  • Vacant

    Community Representative

  • Vacant

    Chief of Staff ‎

Administrative Staff

  • Anastasia "Stacey" Haggin

    Executive Director

    Since becoming Executive Director five years ago, Stacey has focused on expanding WIVR’s research program and fostering a culture of service, collaboration, and professional development among the team.

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  • Michelle Westover

    Clinical Trials Program Director

    Bringing over 20 years of research experience to the role, Michelle oversees the clinical trials program and manages the team of coordinators, ensuring the successful execution and operational efficiency of clinical trials within the organization.

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  • Lisa Tallon

    Operations and HR Director

    With a strong background in human resources and operational management, Lisa is dedicated to creating an environment where staff can thrive and deliver exceptional service to Veterans.

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  • Shelley Gunther

    Post-Awards Grants Manager

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  • Jennifer Mock

    Finance & Accounting Director

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Research Staff

  • Hali O'Malley

    Research Pharmacist

  • Denise Pessetto

    Clinical Research Coordinator

  • Cosette Pryor

    Clinical Research Coordinator

  • Ann Worthen

    Clinical Research Coordinator

  • Natalie Coombs-Vaterlaus

    Clinical Research Coordinator

  • Nicole Curtis

    Clinical Research Coordinator

  • Brenda Hernandez

    Clinical Research Coordinator

  • Lauren Thurgood

    Clinical Research Coordinator

  • Lucy Harper

    Clinical Research Assistant

  • Kayla Wardle

    Clinical Research Assistant / Web Design & Development