Welcome to Our New Faculty and Staff

Administrative Assistant, MSBS Program, RVU-SU

After living in three other states (California, Colorado, and Texas), Holly now calls Utah home, with its beautiful red rocks and incredible national parks. She graduated from the University of San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies.

No surprise, Holly worked in the environmental field as an Environmental and Community Planner for almost 10 years. Prior to that, she worked at her alma mater in the Housing and Residential Life; suffice to say, she is now happy and excited to be at RVU in a campus environment again after all these years. The students, Holly says, is what inspires her about her field of work. “For me, [it's] a privilege to support a program that will set the path for students to become doctors at a time when the world needs them the most.”

When not at work, Holly can be found at a hot yoga studio, baking cookies, or with her husband and two (ridiculous) cats on the couch, rewatching episodes of New Girl. She may be small at just 5’3” (taller than anyone else in her family!), but she’ll make a big impression!

"Who’s that girl?" It’s Holly!

Administrative Assistant, Office of Student Affairs, RVU-CO

Name a county or city in Colorado and odds are Kathi has lived there. Growing up in a Navy family, Kathi moved from California to the Centennial State in 1989. She received her Associates Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting.

Kathi is no stranger to the healthcare industry. Prior to RVU, she was a Patient Access Representative at UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital in the Emergency Department. Due to the added risks of working in a hospital during a pandemic, Kathi decided to transition to the academic side of healthcare. She’s excited about working as part of a team that has been "warm, welcoming, and helpful!" Before the hospital, Kathi had been the Executive Assistant and Office Manager for Peaksware, a software development company.

Kathi enjoys spending time with family and devoting her time to a variety of hobbies: e-biking, hiking, camping, gardening, reading, crocheting, going to concerts, and watching movies. She also loves traveling to tropical locales, especially the Caribbean, but will always have a soft spot for the national parks of the West including Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier. Kathi is also always looking for the next adventure to put on her bucket list. “I’ve been sky-diving, para-gliding, para-sailing, rock climbing, white water rafting, hut trips...” Next, she has her eyes set on the Via Ferrata in Telluride.

Kathi has also been married for 14 years. She and her husband met almost 20 years ago on Match.com: "I think we may have been one of the original success stories!" She has four amazing sons, all grown up, and three beautiful grandchildren. And last but definitely not least: "I have the best dog in the whole world named Bug!"

Welcome, Kathi!

Professor of Microbiology, Dept of Biomedical Sciences, RVU-SU

Traveling has been a part of Dr. Hallstrand’s life since she was very young. Born in Berlin, Germany, her family made the move to Huntsville, Alabama when her father was brought onboard as a NASA aerospace engineer at the Marshall Spaceflight Center during the Apollo years. She later relocated to the sunny beaches of Southern California then to the Pacific Northwest for the last 25 years. Dr. Hallstrand earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of California San Diego, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Microbiology and Immunology and a post-doctoral fellowship in Viral Pathogenesis from the University of California Los Angeles. She then traveled to the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden to complete a fellowship in Immunology. This eventually led to a decade-long career in biomedical research as a staff scientist at a number of institutions, including the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, located in Seattle. Her academic teaching career began in 2001 at Concordia University, where she taught general biology, microbiology, immunology, and biochemistry courses. “My position at Concordia also provided the opportunity to maintain a small research program and to mentor students in research and thesis work.” Up until 2018, she also served as the biology section chair for the Oregon Academy of Sciences.

Now at RVU, Dr. Hallstrand is “excited to work with graduate and medical students and to be able to teach intensively in the area of microbiology and infectious disease.” As for her new home, she’s looking forward to getting to know the St. George area, including building connections with Dixie State University and Dixie Regional Medical Center.

When not at work, Dr. Hallstrand enjoys traveling and outdoor activities like skiing (downhill and x-country), camping, and hiking. “Several years ago, my husband and I hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and were able to stay at Phantom Ranch Lodge before hiking back up. A very memorable experience—not because I loved the hike back out, but because I was glad to learn that I could do it!”

Dr. Hallstrand and her family have traveled to the San Juan and Gulf Islands off the coast of Washington state and British Columbia. They enjoyed hiking, whale-watching, sailing, kayaking, cycling, and just relaxing. “Our favorite islands are Orcas Island and Galiano Island. Sitting at water’s edge at Montague Harbor on Galiano Island watching the sailboats and floatplanes come and go on a summer day is amazing.” When not traveling, Dr. Hallstrand also loves cooking and enjoys trying new recipes. “We are Portland Timbers (soccer) fans! [But] we’ll have to switch our soccer allegiance to Real Salt Lake.”

Welcome, Dr. Hallstrand!

McKenzie passed away unexpectedly on August 8th. She was a student at Dixie State University, studying exercise science and planning to graduate in December to pursue a career in clinical research. She was described as a healthy, happy, and enthusiastic person.

McKenzie had only recently come to RVU and was excited for the learning opportunities. She was inspired by the field of research because one "[grows] through knowledge because of the research being done in the world." "McKenzie was an incredibly positive, happy person who was excited to start her career at RVU," said Dr. Amanda Brooks. "Although she was not with RVU long her absence will be felt and her smile will be missed."

Roy passed away on April 11th in Reston, Virginia. He had spent his entire career in healthcare administration, including helping to open the Anschutz Cancer Center in Denver.

His expertise in the field proved to be instrumental in the success of RVHC. He joined the staff in 2013 and subsequently led the clinic from 25% capacity to 100% capacity. He oversaw four classes of Internal Medicine residents before retiring in 2017. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, as a Navy veteran. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Patients Rising, which has established the Roy Merrill Memorial Fund to provide healthcare navigation support for seniors living with multiple chronic and life-threatening illnesses.