Clinical Leadership Team

Sarah Van Orman, M.D., M.M.M., FACHA Chief Health Officer, USC Student Health Division Chief, College Health, Keck School of Medicine Dr. Van Orman earned her MMM at Carnegie Mellon University, her MD at Mayo Medical School, and her BA at Carleton College. She completed a combined residency training in internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Chicago Hospital and Clinics. She joined USC in August 2017 after nearly a decade serving as executive director of University Health Services at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she oversaw all facets of the comprehensive college health program. She is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics and is a past president of the American College Health Association.

Thu Nguyen-Knowles, M.S.N., RN Executive Director of Clinical Operations Thu Nguyen-Knowles has spent more than two decades in healthcare operations leading clinical and nonclinical teammates, patient experience, and improving quality of care. An expert in patient access and experience, Nguyen-Knowles earned her registered nurse license at Santa Ana College, and her master’s in nursing from Walden University, and joined USC from Healthcare Partners, where she oversaw operations serving a patient population of 500,000.

Robert Mendola, M.D. Executive Director, Counseling and Mental Health Services Dr. Mendola is board certified in adult psychiatry. He joined USC in fall 2018 after more than two decades of experience directing psychiatric services at Cornell University’s student counseling center. He earned his medical degree from State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine, and degree in psychiatry from University of Massachusetts Medical Center. His professional interests include college mental health, collaborative psychiatric care, consultation/liaison psychiatry, chronic mental illness and public sector psychiatry.

Broderick Leaks, Ph.D. Director of Counseling and Mental Health Services Dr. Leaks earned his PhD in clinical psychology, master’s in theology and master’s in psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He joined USC Student Health as a psychology intern in 2008 and subsequently moved into the roles of clinical staff psychologist, assistant director and training director in counseling and mental health before assuming directorship in January 2019. As a psychologist, Leaks specializes in anxiety and panic disorders; OCD; stress management; ethnic minority identity development (particularly African American); and the integration of psychology and spirituality.

Kimberly Tilley, M.D. Co-Medical Director Dr. Tilley received her medical degree from the Emory University School of Medicine. She served her residency in internal medicine (primary care track) at the Emory School of Medicine. She is board-certified in internal medicine and is a member of the American College of Health Association and the American College of Physicians. Her professional interests include management of chronic disease and quality improvement.

Mildred Wenger, M.D. Co-Medical Director Dr. Wenger joined USC Student Health in August 2012. She earned her BA at the University of California, San Diego and her MD at UAG, Guadalajara, Mexico. She completed her primary care, internal medicine residency at Elmhurst Hospital Center, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York. At USC, she believes in the overall well-being of her patients and is dedicated to teaching preventive and self-care skills. She is fluent in Spanish and a member of the American College of Physicians.

Monique Menke, M.P.H. Administrative Director As the administrative director for USC Student Health, Monique Menke is responsible for the budget administration and non-clinical operational management of the multi-site health operations for students. In that capacity, she oversees budget, planning, technology, and policies and procedures that ensure a high standard of practice and care. She served as the division administrator for the Plastic Surgery, Craniofacial, and Dentistry divisions at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical communications from The Ohio State University and an MPH from UCLA.

Minne Hong Ho, M.A. Executive Director of Communications Minne Ho focuses on strategic public health campaigns and patient education to support the healthy communities and help remove barriers to care. She previously held chief communications officer positions at Montclair State University, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, and Fordham University School of Law. Prior to her role in USC Student Health, she served as the assistant vice president for marketing in university communications at USC. She holds a dual bachelor’s degree in English and women’s studies from Columbia University and a master’s degree in communications from NYU.