Dr. Michael Lukela is an internist and pediatrician who currently serves as Director for the combined Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program at Michigan Medicine and Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Well-being in the Department of Internal Medicine.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Duke University and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Harvard Medical School. He completed his residency training in Medicine-Pediatrics at the University of Michigan, serving as Chief Resident for the Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program followed by an additional year as a Chief Resident in Pediatrics. He is a Professor of Internal Medicine, Professor of Pediatrics, and Senior Fellow in Hospital Medicine.

Dr. Lukela has been inducted into the Gold Humanism (GHHS) and Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Societies, League of Educational Excellence, and Academiae Laureati Medici (Clinical Excellence Society) at Michigan Medicine. He received the Kaiser Permanente Clinical Teaching Award, the highest award offered by the University for excellence in teaching medical students. He was instrumental in developing the M-Home Learning Community at the University of Michigan Medical School and served as inaugural Director for the William Henry Fitzbutler House.

Nationally, his commitment to medical education has been recognized through his election to the Executive Committee for the Medicine-Pediatrics Program Directors' Association (MPPDA), including a term as President for the organization. He received the national Leadership Award in Medicine-Pediatrics from MPPDA in 2020. He serves as a member of the General Examination Oversight and MOCA Peds Committees for the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) and Core Competency Committee for the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM).

His academic and research interests are in DEI, well-being, and educational assessment. As a clinician educator, Dr. Lukela works to inspire and empower students and residents to become the next generation of physician leaders to care for the needs of children and adults across our communities.

Outside of the hospital, he coaches competitive soccer (formerly Olympic Development Program and local club; currently local high school), competes in marathons and distance triathlons, and loves spending time with his wife (a primary care physician and Vice Chief for Clinical Strategy in the Division of General Medicine), sons, and doggies (Duke & Ruthie).

Dr. Platte graduated from Case Western Reserve University and the University of Michigan Medical School prior to completing her Medicine-Pediatrics training at the University of Chicago in 2007. She served as Chief Resident for the Med-Peds program during her training. She served on the faculty at the University of Chicago between 2007-2012. She held multiple roles during her time at the University of Chicago including precepting Med-Peds residents, medical students, and serving as a Pritzker Community Service Fellowship Mentor for pre-medical students. Dr. Platte returned to Michigan in 2012 and joined the St. Joseph Mercy Neighborhood Family Health Center- a clinic which serves patients with very limited resources, including those without insurance. She was appointed the site's Medical Director in 2013.

Dr. Platte's interests include preventive health, chronic disease management, and transitions of care, such as from adolescence to adulthood, especially for patients with special health care needs. She has been actively involved in teaching and medical education through precepting residents and serving on our Med-Peds Graduate Medical Education Committee. In recognition of her contributions to our training program, she received the John G. Frohna Award for Outstanding Resident Teaching in Medicine-Pediatrics in 2015.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Platte loves spending time with her husband, three daughters and the family dog, cooking, and exploring local parks.

Dr. Rebecca Northway graduated from Albion College and Michigan State College of Human Medicine prior to completing her training in Medicine-Pediatrics at the University of Michigan in 2009. She subsequently pursued a Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at Providence Hospital Athletic Medicine in 2010. Dr. Northway joined the Med-Peds faculty at the University of Michigan in 2010 at the Canton Health Center where she practices primary care and primary care sports medicine. In addition, she is practices primary care sports medicine at the Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Clinic at Northville Health Center and is a team physician for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.

In addition to an active clinical practice, Dr. Northway has been involved in medical education through clinical and didactic instruction in the Med-Peds, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics Residency Programs. In recognition of her contributions to our training program, she received the John G. Frohna Award for Outstanding Resident Teaching in Medicine-Pediatrics in 2016.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Dr. Northway is an avid runner (participating in 5ks to marathons) and enjoys spinning, and swimming. She loves Michigan's four seasons and enjoys spending time with her husband, son, daughter, and dogs, especially in Northern Michigan.

Dr. Kate Levy graduated from the University of Rochester and then University of Pennsylvania Perlman School of Medicine prior to completing her training in Medicine-Pediatrics at the University of Michigan in 2017. She served as Chief Resident for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at UM prior to joining the faculty in 2018. During training, she completed the Healthcare Administration Scholars Program, High Value Practice Academic Alliance Future Leader Program, and Community of Medical Educators in Training (CoMET) program. She was Co-Chair for the House Officer Quality and Safety Council and served on numerous program and institutional committees. She received 2 Bronze Beeper awards to recognize her excellence in medical student education.

Dr. Levy practices as a combined Med-Peds hospitalist with professional interests in quality improvement and patient safety, high value care, and medical education. She works with faculty, residents and medical students through her roles on the Internal Medicine Quality Council, faculty advisor for resident-based QI/Patient Safety Projects, and is the faculty advisor for the Chief Resident Council.

Dr. Levy's outside interests include gardening, cooking, running, and playing soccer (including helping coach a local high school team), enjoying the outdoors even in Michigan winters and her golden retriever, Callaway.

Dr. Avery Strong grew up in southern Idaho where he enjoyed the outdoors, camping, and skiing. Dr. Strong moved just a few hours away from home to attend the College of Idaho where he received a degree in Biology with minors in Spanish and Psychology. During college, Dr. Strong really enjoyed studying abroad in Ecuador and comparing the health care systems. He grew up dreaming of becoming a doctor because he loved both people and science. Dr. Strong was fortunate enough to attend Washington University in St Louis for medical school. While there, he was deeply involved in student government and medical education. Dr. Strong wished to continue administration and education in his future role as a physician. In his free time, Dr. Strong likes to stay active with his partner and friends, enjoys cooking or eating a meal at a new restaurant, and always on the hunt for the best made Manhattan.

When asked why he chose Michigan, Dr. Strong stated, " Honestly, it was a last-minute addition to my application. I had been to Ann Arbor just one time for a football game, but otherwise didn't know much about the area. After interviewing here, I was blown away by the caliber of both the Internal Medicine and Pediatric training. Above all though, the Med-Peds program's commitment to values and constant improvement for the betterment of their trainees and patients is what really sealed the deal. An educationally rigorous yet fully supportive program in the midst of a vibrant, friendly, and lively town - what more could I ask for?"

Dr. Xanthia Tucker grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, the daughter of two French and American seismologists. In pursuit of her dream to become William Carlos Williams, she studied comparative literature at Harvard, where she also acted, sang, wrote poetry, and led outdoor backpacking trips for incoming students. After graduating, Dr. Tucker worked as a freelance writer and brief baker before enrolling in a pre-med post-bac program at Bryn Mawr College (plot twist!). She grew my first Midwestern roots in Chicago for medical school and is so happy to now be in Ann Arbor with her previously long-distance boyfriend, an EM intern, and our two cats. Outside of work, Dr. Tucker tries to maximize her time outdoors, running or biking on the beautiful “B2B” trail, floating down the Huron, napping with the aforementioned trio, reading, painting, and inhaling ice cream at least once a week at Blank Slate. While she is not sure exactly what her future career holds, she hopes to combine her love of general medicine, education, women’s health, adolescent medicine, and care of underserved patients in the pursuit of a more equitable future.

When asked why she chose Michigan, Dr. Tucker stated, "I chose Michigan for its equally strong Medicine and Pediatrics programs, and for its pervasive culture of kindness, humility, and excellence. I was looking for a place where I would be challenged and supported to become the best doctor I could be, while also having the structure and resources available to nurture a life outside of medicine. The University of Michigan offers me the things I need to bring my best self to the challenging and rewarding job of being a very new doctor: a tight-knit, vibrant, and diverse community in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, ready access to nature, delicious food, inspiring friends and colleagues, complex patients from near and far, and top-notch medical educators who are invested in my development. It is also a HUGE deal to be part of a house officers association (the HOA). Please ask me everything you want to know about this program – especially if you are new to the Midwest, are couples matching, or are interested in any of the things I mentioned above!"

Professional Interests: I am the GME Program Administrator for our Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program. In my role, I am the liaison between the program and the GME department. I also support Dr. Michael Lukela, our Med-Peds Program Director, as well as our Associate Program Directors. 

Personal Interests: Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, cooking, baking, all things Hockey & Volleyball, and spending time with family & friends. I LOVE winter and summers in Northern Michigan. On Fall & Winter weekends, I am likely at Yost Arena cheering on the Wolverine Hockey team or at the Crisler Center enjoying a Volleyball game. 

What I Enjoy About Living in Our Community: I grew up right outside of Ann Arbor, so I am familiar with everything this unique city has to offer. I love the endless options of restaurants to indulge in, shops to explore, and all the outdoor/indoor activities there are to enjoy. If you want to spend a day discovering a unique treasure of Ann Arbor, I recommend the Fairy Door hunt. The Urban Fairy Door Map can be found online and provides all the locations where you can find the Fairy Doors, including one inside our Mott’s Children’s Hospital!