Meet The Faculty
Dr. Oladunni Enilari, MD, MPH
Medical Director
Dr. Enilari is a fellowship-trained, board certified pulmonologist and critical care medicine specialist who treats patients in Newport News and Williamsburg. To learn more about Dr. Enilari, click here.
Dr. Som Chalise, MD
Physician Advisor
Dr. Chalise is a fellowship-trained, board-certified pulmonologist and critical care medicine specialist who treats patients in Newport News. To learn more about Dr. Chalise, click here.
John Waite, FNP-C
Program Director
John has an extensive background in critical care, with a career spanning 18 years of experience in the critical care arena. Commencing as an ICU nurse for 8 years, John transitioned into the role of a nurse practitioner with a decade of experience as a provider in critical care, pulmonary, and sleep medicine. He is currently Lead Nurse Practitioner for the critical care, pulmonary, and sleep medicine department at Riverside Regional Medical Center.
Academically, John earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and furthered his education with a Master's of Science in Nursing from Old Dominion University (ODU). Beyond his academic pursuits, John has been a catalyst for positive change, actively contributing to the healthcare landscape as a member of Riverside Health’s advanced practice provider (APP) committee, and a founding member of the APP mentoring committee.
Notably, John played a pivotal role in introducing the Difficult Airway Course to Riverside, a testament to his commitment to advancing critical care practices. His leadership style is characterized by a profound emphasis on teamwork, fostering collaborative environments essential for optimal patient care.
John extends his influence beyond the clinical setting. He is recognized as a past speaker at the Riverside Advanced Practice Provider Annual Conference, where he shared pulmonary insights and expertise with fellow healthcare professionals.
Beyond the realms of healthcare, John brings a personal touch to his life through his passion for long-distance trail running. His extraordinary commitment is exemplified by running across the state of Virginia along the Appalachian Trail, a journey dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
As part of the core faculty of the APP Critical Care Fellowship program at Riverside Health, John understands the rigor and learning curve of caring for critical patients, and is committed to the development of APP Critical Care Fellows in their transition to practice journey.
Terry Thompson, MSN, ACNP FHM
Senior Director, Advanced Practice Providers
A proud Virginia native, Terry Thompson began her nursing journey after earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Radford University in 1981. She launched her career in the critical care unit at Radford Hospital before relocating to Hampton Roads in 1983, where she joined Riverside Health.
Throughout her distinguished career, Terry has remained deeply committed to critical care, serving in roles across the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), and Cardiothoracic Surgery. Her dedication to mentoring new nurses led her to specialize in critical care education and professional development and clinical excellence among her team.
Driven by a passion for acute care medicine, Terry earned her Acute Care Adult Nurse Practitioner certification from Virginia Commonwealth University–Medical College of Virginia in 1998. Over the past 28 years, she has served Riverside Regional Medical Center in various capacities, including bedside clinician, research coordinator, and clinical leader in Pulmonary Critical Care and Hospital Medicine.
Terry was a founding member of the Advanced Practice Committee and played a pivotal role in establishing Riverside’s annual APP Conference. Her commitment to education and mentorship has shaped the careers of numerous Nurse Practitioner students and contributed to the evolution of the APP role within the organization.
Currently, Terry serves as the Senior Director for Advanced Practice Providers at Riverside Medical Group, where she leads onboarding initiatives and new program development. She also directs the APP Fellowship Program, a collaborative achievement born from the dedication of clinical experts and administrative leaders. Her focus remains on leadership, professional growth, and optimizing the impact of APPs in healthcare delivery.
Outside of her professional life, Terry enjoys creating stained glass art, tackling DIY projects, and exploring the outdoors in Hampton Roads with her husband.
Liz Palmer, DMSc, PA-C
Associate Program Director
Liz grew up in Williamsburg, VA and earned her BA from Elon University in North Carolina in 2013. She then worked as the Chief Scribe for Riverside Health for several years prior to joining the inaugural PA cohort at Lynchburg College. While in PA school she developed a passion for PA leadership, advocacy, and education. Following graduation in 2017, Liz completed a Critical Care Fellowship at Lynchburg General Hospital in Lynchburg, VA while obtaining her Doctorate of Medical Science (DMSc) degree from the University of Lynchburg. She practiced in Lynchburg, VA and Albany, NY prior to returning to the area and joining the Critical Care team at Riverside. In her years as a PA, Liz has precepted many PA and NP students, alike, and works closely with the resident team during their rotations through the Medical ICU. Liz worked closely with other members of the Critical Care team to help develop Riverside’s inaugural APP Fellowship. She continues to practice in Pulmonary Critical Care while holding the Associate Program Director position of the Critical Care APP Fellowship.
In her free time, Liz enjoys reading, cooking, being outside in any capacity, and spending time with her husband, Blake, her son, Jack, and their Beagle, Ducky.