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Faculty Spotlight

Faculty Spotlight is a monthly feature that recognizes the outstanding contributions of our faculty at CNUCOM. This program offers a deeper insight into their roles, achievements, and impact, showcasing the dedication and passion of individuals who are central to our mission—advancing medical education, promoting research, and improving the health and well-being of our community.

Click here to nominate a faculty member!

April 2025 Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Adedeji Okikiade


Tell us a little about your background, where you’re from, and what led you to CNUCOM.

I was born and raised in Nigeria (West) from a proud Yoruba heritage. I grew up in a family where love, contentment, and strong values shaped my outlook on life. My upbringing instilled a deep sense of purpose and a desire to contribute meaningfully to my community. My lifelong passion for the medical profession has been the driving force behind my journey. I have always been fascinated by the intersection of science and human well-being; this passion has grown stronger over the years. Outside of medicine, I find immense fulfillment in imparting knowledge to students, mentoring them toward their academic success, and contributing to the future of healthcare through medical education. CNUCOM stood out to me as the perfect place to further this mission. Its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and student-centered learning aligns with my values and aspirations. I am eager to be part of a community that nurtures future physicians, and I look forward to contributing my skills and experiences to this dynamic environment.



March 2025 Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Susan Stevens


Tell us a little about your background, where you’re from, and what led you to CNUCOM.

I grew up in Wellesley Massachusetts, the daughter of a rheumatologist. At Williams College I met my husband. After graduating from Harvard Medical School, I left Massachusetts to join my husband at UC Davis where he was studying winemaking. We settled in Napa and had 2 great daughters. Like many of my wonderful CNSU colleagues I had a fulfilling career with The Permanente Medical Group (the Permanente 1/2 of the Kaiser Permanente team). Upon retiring at age 61, several of my Permanente colleagues reached out, shared how much they enjoyed teaching at CNSU and encouraged me to join the faculty.