Lead Advisors

Lead advisors serve as medical students’ primary advising contact at Indiana University School of Medicine through all four years of medical school. Each MD student is assigned a lead advisor by their first-year campus. Students are required to meet with their lead advisor one-on-one at least three times each year.

Lead advisors are full-time employees of IU School of Medicine, and they provide advice and guidance to ensure students are meeting milestones for graduation. Lead advisors also meet with students who have academic or personal concerns as needed throughout the year. In the fourth year of medical school, lead advisors assist students with the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) for residency applications.

Before joining IU School of Medicine as lead advisor, Perfecto Caparas worked as an academic advisor of IU Bloomington Kelley School of Business undergraduate students. He previously served as associate director of graduate programs at IU McKinney School of Law. He is a licensed attorney in the Philippines, where he earned his JD and AB degrees. He earned his LLM (Honors) in Human Rights from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) as a scholar of The Asia Foundation. The HKU Faculty of Law awarded him the Anna Wu Prize in Human Rights for academic excellence. He graduated with an LLM in American Law for Foreign Lawyers from IU McKinney, where he is completing his Doctor of Juridical Science. He volunteers as a journalist for the Pressenza International Press Agency and as a teaching fellow and founding director of the Center for Holistic International Human Rights Law Praxis of the National University of the Union of Myanmar. He renders free, no-touch energy healing services to the community.

Kimberli Clarke, MA, was born and raised in Illinois but has spent time on both coasts, including 14 years in California, returning home to the Midwest in late 2023. She received her BA in English from Illinois State University in 1999 and her MA in Higher Education Administration from Eastern Michigan University in 2004. She began advising during her undergraduate education and has worked in advising, operations, admissions, access and equity programs, student retention and athletics over her 20+ year career.

Kimberli’s most recent roles in higher education were as the assistant athletic director for academic services and director of retention projects at CSU San Bernardino, both of which allowed her to impact students at the individual level but also to implement systemic changes for broader improvements in student supports and student success. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, writing, music and all things pop culture. She is also an avid hockey fan and loves her Red Wings, as well as watching her son and his hockey team play in Indiana and beyond.

Rachel Dirig, MSEd, holds a bachelors degree in psychology from Purdue University, Fort Wayne, and a masters in counselor education from Indiana University, Fort Wayne. She has been working in student counseling and advising at the secondary and post-secondary level for almost 10 years. Other past work experience includes human resources, teaching dance, and wellness coaching. Outside of work, Rachel loves spending time with family and friends, reading, hiking, and theatre.

Olivia Fellows, MA, is a native of Paducah, Kentucky. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Louisville in 2012, and her master’s degree in applied social psychology from Ball State University in 2014. Upon graduation, Olivia directed the Ball State Guardian Scholars Program, a postsecondary support and scholarship program for students who have experienced foster care. In the Muncie community, she serves on the board of directors for the Youth Opportunity Center Foundation, Tri Kappa Delta Phi, and serves as an advisor for Muncie Young Professionals. In 2018, she was named one of Muncie’s Twenty under 40. When she is not working or volunteering, Olivia loves to cook, catch up with family and friends, and spoil her cats, Reese and Isla.

Keri L. Good, MSEd, is a transplant Hoosier, born in Florida and raised in Greencastle, IN. She earned her Master of Science in Education degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Dayton in 2018, and her Bachelor's degree in Biology from Wittenberg University in 2014. Prior to joining IU School of Medicine, Keri worked in student leadership as well as housing and residence life and has experience in student affairs advising, facilitation, and program development. She is certified in Adult Mental Health First Aid from the National Council for Behavioral Health and is passionate about helping students achieve and maintain holistic personal wellness during their studies. Outside of work, Keri enjoys traveling, staying up to date on the latest space science, and will never turn down a good vegetarian taco or trip to a local coffee shop.

Roland Graham, MEd, was born and raised in Northwest Indiana but has spent time the last 14 years residing in Indianapolis. He received his BS in Management from IU Bloomington School of Public and Environmental Affairs and his Master’s in Higher Education Administration from Upper Iowa University in 2016. He began working in higher education in 2010 and has filled various positions in advising, admissions and student retention.

Roland’s most recent role in higher education was working with Rosalind Franklin University as the admissions recruiter for the Biomedical Sciences master’s program and with the Chicago Medical School. This experience propelled him with obtaining knowledge on the medical school admissions process and implementing policies for enhancing underrepresented students in medicine experience. Outside of work, Roland enjoys spending time with his family, attending live concerts and sporting events. Specifically, he is a basketball fan and enjoys the San Antonio Spurs.

Kristen Heath, MS, is an Indiana native, born in Bloomington, IN. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Purdue University in 2002 and her master’s degree in counseling from Butler University in 2006. She began her higher education career at Spokane Community College in Spokane, WA where she worked as a facilitator for students pursuing education credits through work at a cooperative preschool. She moved to Idaho in 2010 and began work at Park University, first as adjunct faculty in the social psychology department and later as the assistant campus center director at Mountain Home Air Force Base. Upon her move back to Indiana in 2014, Kristen was hired by the Indiana University School of Nursing as an academic advisor. Kristen enjoyed traveling across the country during time spent supporting a family member in the United States Air Force, but is happy that after more than fifteen years of experience in higher education, she can call IU School of Medicine’s Indianapolis campus home.

Kristen enjoys spending her free time riding bikes with her son, Ryder, going camping, hiking and dancing! She also teaches Zumba and participates in many other dance-fitness classes. She is passionate about learning, wellness and enjoying every moment of every day. 

Jamie Henderlong, MPA, is a Hoosier native, born and raised in Evansville. She received her undergraduate degree in English from the University of Southern Indiana and her MPA from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU. Before joining IU School of Medicine-Evansville, Jamie worked in several healthcare roles, including utilization review and direct patient care. In 2017, she made the transition to medical education, working in operations and human resources before joining the advising team.

Outside of work, Jamie is an avid runner and wannabe yogi. She loves planning and taking vacations and can talk for hours about your favorite trip. She usually travels with her husband and two young sons, but she also knows a girls’ weekend is good for the soul.

Ashley Holt, MS, was born and raised in Riley, Indiana. After high school, she attended Indiana State University where she studied Spanish and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2008. She completed a master’s degree in criminology and criminal justice in 2009, which she had planned to use for a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. However, after working as a graduate assistant and experiencing an internship at the federal level, she realized she was better suited and more interested in a career in higher education. Ashley has been employed at Indiana University School of Medicine—Terre Haute, since September of 2012. During her years at the school, she has held several roles, all of which have allowed her to work with medical students. In her free time, Ashley enjoys portrait photography, going on cruises, exploring cities by foot, musical theater and spending time with her family.

Brian Howard, MSEd, was raised in central Illinois and has worked as an academic advisor in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. He started his career in 1998 after receiving his master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. In 2005, he moved to Holy Cross College at Notre Dame, Indiana where he wore many hats for 14 years including being the Director of Academic Advising. Recently, he advised students in dual enrollment at Southwestern Michigan College. Brian lives just across the border in Michigan with his wife and twin daughters and enjoys hiking national parks, US history, and catching (fishing).

Stephanie Sachs comes to IU School of Medicine with over 8 years of experience in the field of mentoring, most recently serving as the Director of Program, Events, Partnerships and Communications with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. Previous to that, Stephanie coordinated service-learning and volunteer opportunities for students at the University of Indianapolis. She earned her bachelor's degree in English and her master’s degree in Applied Sociology with a concentration in Community Building from the University of Indianapolis. She also teaches as an adjunct Sociology professor at UIndy. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys being a dog mom, beach vacations with her husband, and is also a collector of Care Bears and other vintage 80s toys. She enjoys trivia of all kinds, and you can often find her watching Jeopardy!

Alison Zovko, MS, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Calumet College of St. Joseph and a Master of Science in technology management from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her background includes PC instruction, academic advising and coordination of undergraduate academic operations. She was born and raised on the southeast side of Chicago. She enjoys traveling, playing sports and spending time with family and friends.