MASTERS OF SCIENCE Physician Assistant Studies

Charles Regan, MS, PA-C

Program Director, Department Chair, Assistant Professor

Charles Regan joined Lawrence Technological University in January 2021 to become part of the much-anticipated inaugural Physician Assistant program which expects matriculation of its first cohorts in August 2022. He earned his Master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies from the University of Detroit Mercy, graduating in 2007. After many years of providing clinical rotations to PA students and guest lectures to nursing and PA students, he joined University of Detroit Mercy’s PA program in 2019 as assistant professor and brings his experience to LTU.

Professor Regan is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants (MAPA). He presented lectures at MAPA in 2019 and 2020. He has worked primarily in the settings of Urgent Care and Orthopedic Surgery. At LTU he is focused on teaching the physical assessment course that will involve a lot of hands-on exam skills and incorporating useful modalities and procedures in a synergistic way.

Besides teaching, he enjoys spending time with family, exercising, reading, watching and playing sports, and traveling.

Dr. Alan Ghassan

LTU PA Program Medical Director

Dr. Alan Ghassan is a board certified Internal Medicine physician with over 20 years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient care. He received his medical school training at Al-Mustansiriya University School of Medicine in Baghdad-Iraq, and his Internal Medicine training at Ascension Providence Hospital. Dr. Ghassan's passion is clearly demonstrated through teaching Internal Medicine residents as he serves as a core faculty member of the residency program at Providence Hospital. He is also actively involved in teaching medical students, nursing and Physician Assistant students at his private practice in Internal Medicine. Dr. Ghassan serves on the Internal Medicine committee at Ascension Providence, as well as the metric committee to improve overall patient-care and outcomes.

Rania Krayem, DPAS. M.Ed., MS, PA-C

Assistant Professor, Director of Clinical Education

Amber Murphy, MMSc, PA-C

Assistant Professor

Amber Murphy is a board-certified Physician Assistant that joined the LTU PA Program in January 2023 as an assistant professor. She graduated from undergraduate school at Michigan State University and attended Emory University in Atlanta, GA, for PA school graduating in 2009. Amber has worked in orthopedic surgery doing every specialty they have including tumors for adolescents and adults. In 2012 she taught as an assistant professor at University of Florida, which she loved. Amber is happy to be back in a teaching position and can’t wait to work with the LTU students. She has done lectures at MAPA, IMPACT and other state PA groups. Her publishing includes several medical journals. Amber enjoys traveling with her 4 kids and is trying to become as good of a skier as the rest of her family.

Janelle Yousif M.S. PA-C

Assistant Professor, Director of Didactic Education

Janelle Yousif is a board-certified Physician Assistant that joined the LTU program in November 2022 as an assistant professor. In 2013, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science at Oakland University. Janelle then received her Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Wayne State University in 2019. She subsequently worked in Physical Medicine and, along with practicing medicine, she contributed to the training and onboarding of medical staff. She is excited to bring her experience to LTU and looks forward to contributing to a program that fosters education and opportunity for PA’s. Janelle enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Mary Tracy Bee

Adjunct Professor

Mary Tracy Bee, Ph.D. is a Professor of Anatomy at several graduate programs in the metro Detroit area, as well as three hospitals and numerous continuing education courses. Over the past two decades, Dr. Tracy-Bee has earned over twenty teaching awards including the noteworthy Best Anatomy Professor in North America (Theima Award) from Human Anatomy and Physiology Society. She earned her B.S. from Mercy College of Detroit and her M.S. and Ph.D. from Wayne State University. She has published five books including: Bare Bones: Advanced Human Anatomy, and Human Anatomy: A Workbook Approach and Synapse: A Workbook Approach to Neuroanatomy, which are used at universities across United States and Canada. She has authored several book chapters and numerous journal articles. Her current research involves investigating anatomical variations in human skulls and neck vasculature, as well as neuromodulation of the pudendal nerve. She is a Canadian native, mother of three, Ironman triathlete, and avid yoga enthusiast.

Larry M. Diamond, PharmD

Adjunct Professor

Larry M. Diamond is an adjunct professor in the LTU PA program. He received a B.S. in Zoology from Michigan State University in 1974, a B.S. in Pharmacy from Wayne State University in 1980, and a Doctorate in Pharmacy from Idaho State University in 2002. Larry has practiced pharmacy at Henry Ford Hospital, Beaumont Royal Oak hospital, Beaumont Dearborn, AdventHealth – Orlando hospital, and clinical pharmacy coordinator at Citrus Memorial Hospital in Inverness, Florida. Larry has a broad pharmacy practice as a clinical pharmacist specialist in cardiology, internal medicine, surgical, and orthopedics. He has experience as a research pharmacist and has been involved in 7 international, multi-center randomized controlled trials, including heart failure, anticoagulation, and lipid management. Larry has multiple publications and has been the lead investigator in pharmacy resident research. He has instructed at the Wayne State University Pharmacy, Medical, PT, and PA programs, in addition to being a preceptor for the University of Michigan pharmacy students, University of Florida LECOM pharmacy programs, and pharmacy residents at Beaumont-Dearborn and AdventHealth-Orlando. Larry is also a part-time pharmacology instructor at UDM for the College of Healthcare Professions. His mission is to teach healthcare practitioners evidence and guideline-based, safe, and cost-effective medication management.

Larry is a certificated flight instructor with multiple FAA ratings. He has written two aviation books and is in many YouTube videos on flight instruction. Larry is a contributing writer to the Airline and Operators Pilots Association (AOPA), doing a bi-monthly article on medications for the Pilots Protection Service area of AOPA. He enjoys yoga, cooking, and meditation. He enjoys being with his wife, son, and golden doodle.

Maria Samsa M.S. PA-C

Adjunct Professor

Maria Samsa joined Lawrence Technological University in April 2023 as an Adjunct professor. Maria attended Wayne State University and graduated in 2013 with a bachelor’s in Biological Sciences. Maria worked as a research technician in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Prenatal research studies through Wayne State University. She received a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Western Michigan University. Maria has worked in Urgent Care and Emergency medicine settings. Maria has done various teaching, tutoring and mentoring throughout school.

Maria’s favorite hobbies are gardening, listening to Audiobooks and traveling. She recently adopted a little puppy and enjoys taking him for walks. Maria is very excited to embark on this new adventure and help a new generation join our field, Physician Assistants.

Maria Syed, M.S. PA-C

Adjunct Professor

Maria Syed, is a first-generation American born in Michigan, holds a Bachelor's degree in Health Science from Oakland University (2018) and a Master of Science in Medicine from Western Michigan University (2021). Her career started in behavioral health in the community mental health setting, working with high acuity patients, and including those with co-morbid substance use disorders.

Maria has a passion for teaching, often enjoys simplifying complex medical concepts for better student understanding. She also enjoys teaching, because it keeps her sharp and up to date with changes in medicine!

Currently, alongside teaching - she works in pain management and palliative care in a subacute rehabilitation setting and is transitioning to in-patient pain management. Maria also has a keen interest in public health, emphasizing preventative measures and overall community health.

Her hobbies include exploring diverse cuisines, trying new experiences, traveling, and spending time with family and friends!

Elizabeth Porter

Program Coordinator

Elizabeth Porter joined Lawrence Technological University’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies in early 2021, during the program’s development and accreditation journey. She possesses a wealth of program management expertise gained from her prior role at a leading Fortune 500 company.

Elizabeth works closely with students, faculty, and staff to coordinate program activities, manage resources, and support the overall mission of the program. She is a dedicated member of the team and is excited to be a part of such a dynamic and innovative program.

Elizabeth enjoys traveling, photography, gardening, a good mystery, and game nights with her husband and three children.