Student Affairs Team
Jean-Marie Alves-Bradford, MD
- Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Support & Services
Dr. Alves-Bradford is the associate dean of student affairs, support & services in the Office of Student Affairs. In this capacity, she serves as the primary contact for university issues related to student affairs and oversee the system of community support, class activities, and other services provided for students. She continues to serve as the associate dean for medical school professionalism, where she spearheads the school’s training programs for departments, clerkships, and courses related to student mistreatment issues. Dr. Alves-Bradford assists students in resolving personal and academic issues, as well as serving as a trusted point of contact for students seeking guidance and advice.
Dr. Alves-Bradford is an associate professor of psychiatry at CUIMC. She has served as the director of the Washington Heights Community Service (WHCS), the associate clinical director at the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), the inaugural director of the Department of Psychiatry’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and the training director for Columbia University’s NIMH-funded T32 Research Fellowship in Global Mental Health. She has served as an instructor in "Foundation of Clinical Medicine" and was instrumental in coaching residents interested in community psychiatry. Dr. Alves-Bradford received her bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and completed her medical degree at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University. She has been a Columbia faculty member since completing her psychiatric residency at Columbia University, where she served as chief resident.
Salila Kurra, MD
- Associate Dean for Student Career Development
Salila Kurra serves as associate dean for student career development in the Office of Student Affairs. In this role she oversees career services to promote career exploration and guide students through the residency application and Match processes. Having served as an advisory dean since 2016 and a former endocrinology fellowship program director, Dr. Kurra has significant experience with mentoring, training, and educating students and trainees. She also works in the curricular sphere, where she has been serving as the endocrine section director for “The Body: In Health and Disease” since 2011, and will continue as a member of the VP&S curriculum re-imagining creative workgroup.
Dr. Kurra is an associate professor of medicine at CUIMC and clinical chief in the Division of Endocrinology. She is the medical director of the Columbia Adrenal Center and a specialist in adrenal, thyroid, and bone disease. Dr. Kurra received her bachelor’s degree from Brown University and earned her medical degree at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons. She has remained on faculty since completing her residency in internal medicine and her fellowship in endocrinology at Columbia University.
Felicia Goodman, Ed.M.
- Senior Director of Student Affairs
Felicia joined VP&S in 2019, having previously spent 9 years working for Columbia Business School in both admissions and academic and student affairs. She received her BA/MA in History from Emory University, holds an Ed.M. in Sociology and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Higher and Postsecondary Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is a lifelong musician, enjoys travelling and trying new restaurants, loves to be challenged to a competitive game of tennis, 500 rummy, or Monopoly, and completed (slowly!) her first half marathon in Spring 2022. Originally from Wilmington, DE, Felicia currently lives on the Upper West Side with her husband and amazing toddler. Visit Felicia on VEC 11 to chat about where to find the best bagels and pizza in the City, or for any and all questions related to your Medical School Experience.
Farida Virji, MBA
- Sr. Executive Assistant & Operations Coordinator
Farida joined VP&S in 2019 and is Sr Executive Assistant to the Student Affairs deans, as well as the operations coordinator for the Student Affairs office. Farida has 20 years of healthcare administration experience and has certifications as a CMA and EMT. She graduated from Suny Empire State College with a BS and an MBA. Farida is originally from San Francisco, California and lives in Manhattan. Her personal interests include Historiography and Ancient Philosophy. She enjoys recreational activities such as boxing, cycling and hip hop dance.
Andrea Patterson
- Associate Director of Student Services
Andrea began her career at VP&S in 2014. She graduated from The Catholic University of America with a Music degree and spent her first 10 years in NYC performing as a singer and actress. Andrea lives in Washington Heights with her husband, two children, and their dog Gigi. Andrea is a proud volunteer with NYC Cares and CityMeals. Please contact Andrea regarding all special and large events on campus.
Timothy Fann, M.Ed.
- Director of Student Activities/VP&S Club
Originally from Brooklyn, Tim has been with us since 2018. His professional interests include student engagement, leadership, and development. In his spare time, Tim enjoys working out and connecting with friends. Please contact him if you have any questions about our numerous student clubs/clinics, programming, and leadership opportunities.
Kristina Montville, M.A.
- Associate Director, Career Advising & Residency Services
Kristina joined the VP&S Student Affairs team as Associate Director of Career Advising and Residency Services in October. She had previously worked at Columbia Business School with the Executive MBA program for six years. Originally from the Philadelphia suburbs, she attended undergrad at Franklin & Marshall College and later received her MA in Higher and Post-Secondary Education from Teacher’s College. In her spare time, she enjoys trying new food and restaurants in NYC and playing pickleball and tennis in Brooklyn. Contact her if you have any questions on VP&S career resources/advising (specialty information, mock interviews, peer advising, personal statements), Dean’s letters, residency applications, USMLE Step 1/2CK, and Match Week.
Keshia Pershad, M.S.
- Student Services Coordinator
Keshia is a native New Yorker (from the Bronx) and yes, she loves the Yankees! She attended Villanova University for undergrad and is currently obtaining a MS here at Columbia in Information and Knowledge Strategy. She’s worked at Columbia University for a little over 8 years and truly enjoys being a resource for our students. As the Student Services Coordinator, please contact her if you have any questions about policies, procedures, dual degree and special programs, leaves of absence, and any communications from our office.
Natalie LeBrecht
- Residency Services Coordinator
Natalie joined the Office of Student Affairs at VP&S as Residency Services Coordinator after working at New York University, where she served as the Department Administrator for the Graduate Film program for seven years, overseeing general office operations. Prior to NYU, she worked at nonprofit art organizations providing direct executive support and working in development. She has lived in New York City since 2000 and enjoys composing and producing music in her spare time. Please loop in Natalie if you are requesting a letter of recommendation from Dean Mellman.
Raquel Tipiani
- Program Assistant, Student Activities/VP&S Club
Raquel joined VP&S in 2023 as the Program Assistant in the Student Activities/VP&S Clubs Office. She was born in Pisco, Peru, and was raised and educated in New York City. Prior to joining VP&S she worked at Bank Street College of Education and Teachers College. She has lived in the neighborhood, West Harlem, most of her life and appreciates the positive impact from Columbia University. Raquel enjoy traveling and camping.
