Family Medicine Faculty
Our Family Medicine faculty are passionate educators and dedicated clinicians who guide residents through every stage of their training. With expertise across a wide range of specialties, they foster a supportive learning environment focused on mentorship, patient-centered care, and preparing residents for impactful careers in primary care.
Michelle Drobny, DO
Program Director | Family Medicine Residency
Originally from Medford, Oregon, Dr. Michelle Drobny earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Washington State University and attended medical school at Western University of Health Sciences, COMP-NW in Lebanon, Oregon. She completed her residency at the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority in Tacoma, Washington, where she trained in full-spectrum family medicine with a strong focus on care for underserved communities.
Dr. Drobny is committed to creating a comprehensive and supportive learning environment that prepares residents to deliver exceptional, full-scope care while upholding the mission of the Spokane Teaching Health Center. Her leadership is grounded in years of educational and organizational development work, including national involvement with the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), where she has focused on resident support, educational innovation, and physician well-being. She has published work in this area, reflecting her commitment to fostering training environments that promote growth, connection, and resilience.
She has completed numerous leadership development and faculty training programs and brings this foundation into her work as an educator, clinician, and mentor. Dr. Drobny believes in a thorough approach to primary care and that the best outcomes come from strong, personal relationships with patients and a culture of continuous learning.
Outside of medicine, she enjoys gardening and running an active book club.
Residency Program Director
Shannon Dunn, DO, MPH
Associate Program Director | Family Medicine Residency
Dr. Dunn is originally from Pittsburgh, PA, and graduated from Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine prior to moving to Spokane for residency training with Family Medicine residency of Spokane. She practiced full spectrum family medicine with obstetrics in the Spokane community for a year before returning to STHC to help train the next generation of Family Medicine physicians. Dr. Dunn has a special interest in women’s health and maternity care, trauma informed care, and adolescent health.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Dunn enjoys gardening, playing board games, traveling, and spending time with her spouse, cats, and Finnish reindeer herding dogs.
Justin Lange, DO
Associate Program Director | Family Medicine Residency
Originally from Moscow, Idaho. Dr. Lange is excited to be back in the Inland Northwest to help train the future of Family Medicine Physicians. Over the last decade he has called Missouri and Alaska home. His interests include rural primary care, procedures, preventative health, and hospital medicine. When he is not at work he enjoys exploring, trail running, and horology. He feels very fortunate to be welcomed at the Spokane Teaching Health Clinic and looks forward to working with and getting to know the Family Medicine Team!
Denise Pounds, MD
Dr. Pounds is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Medicine, and then completed residency at Swedish First Hill Family Medicine in Seattle. Since that time, she has been practicing full scope family medicine in Spokane until joining the residency faculty full-time in 2022. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Washington, Department of Family Medicine.
Colleen Zimmermann, MD, FAAFP
Maternity Clinic Director | Family Medicine Residency
Dr. Zimmermann graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, then completed her residency at the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho in 2012. In 2017, she completed a Faculty Development Fellowship at the University of Washington.
When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children seeking outdoor adventures.
Robert J. Maurer, PHD
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine. In 2003 Dr. Maurer became the Behavioral Science Coordinator for Family Medicine Residency Spokane, bringing 23 years of Family Medicine Residency teaching experience at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. Dr. Maurer completed his Clinical Psychology program at the University of Houston with a one-year internship at the Houston Veterans Administration Hospital. One-on-one precepting and teaching of residents benefits both residents and patients. He has two books in print: “One Small Step Can Change Your Life” and “The Spirit of Kaizen.”