Program Leadership
Director, Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program
Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program, University of Michigan, 2002
Chief Resident, Pediatrics, University of Michigan, 2002-03
MD, Harvard Medical School, 1998
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).
SARA PLATTE, MD
Associate Program Director, Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program, 2018
Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program, University of Chicago, 2007
MD, University of Michigan Medical School, 2003
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.
Associate Program Director, Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program, 2018
Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, Providence Hospital Athletic Medicine, 2010
Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program, University of Michigan, 2009
MD, Michigan State College of Human Medicine, 2005
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.
Associate Program Director, Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program, 2018
Chief Resident, Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 2017-2018
Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program, University of Michigan, 2017
MD, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 2013
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.
TESSA ADZEMOVIC, MD, MS
Medicine-Pediatrics Chief Resident
Undergraduate Degree - BA, 2013, University of Michigan
Graduate Degree - MS, 2018, University of Michigan
Medical School - MD, 2019, University of Michigan Medical School
About Me
I was born in Toronto, Canada, and grew up next to the Art Gallery of Ontario, which I’m convinced inspired my love for the fine arts. My parents, brother and I later moved to Ann Arbor, where I became a ‘River Rat’. I received a BA in French and Francophone studies from the University of Michigan, and for my thesis I studied a little known French painter who developed the theory of caractérisme. After college, I moved to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where I founded a dance program for inter-ethnic youth in the little town of Mostar. I returned to Ann Arbor to attend University of Michigan’s Medical School, where I was active in our Asylum Collaborative and started the Medical Home Visit Program in partnership with the VA Home Based Primary Care program. I received a masters of science in clinical research with a focus on trauma care delivery in New Delhi, India.
I love reading, dancing ballet, and have a new found obsession with Spike Ball. Over the last three months, I have been (accidentally) watering a small artificial cactus, which has been a lesson in futility.
Why I Chose Michigan?
If Zingerman’s wasn’t enough of a reason, then the residents and faculty were. I am unbelievably lucky to be at an institution that cultivates strong mentorship for its trainees. I feel strongly about serving the community I grew up in and look forward to taking care of patients from all over Michigan, and the Midwest.
CATHERINE MCDERMOTT, MD, MS
Medicine-Pediatrics Chief Resident
Undergraduate Degree - BA, 2014, Augustana College
Graduate Degree - MS, 2019, Penn State Harrisburg
Medical School - MD, 2019, Pennsylvania State University
About Me
I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago and went to college at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. It was here that I shifted my focus from veterinary medicine to human medicine though my love of animals persists. Following college, I spent a year teaching everything from fitness classes to piano. I then went to medical school at Penn State in the chocolate capital of Hershey (and yes, the air really does smell like chocolate). Here, I became interested in medical education and earned my Master of Education. In my spare time you can usually find me outside doing something adventurous beyond my skill level, cooking, or doing something crafty.
Why I Chose Michigan?
I was looking for a program where I would not only receive excellent training on both sides, but also feel supported and develop a close network of friends and mentors. Coming to Michigan, I found both of these in a rich academic environment where my interests in education and quality improvement will be supported. I’m excited to be back in the Midwest again and have a new city to explore.
JAMIE JACKSON
Medicine-Pediatrics GME Program Administrator
BS, Eastern Michigan University, 2010
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!