We are happy to introduce two more of Avalon’s top-notch faculty members, Dr. Suma Alluri, and Dr. Marly Oosterhof. These two beloved members of our faculty are yet another example of how Avalon’s students are being set up for success in the field of medicine.

Graduating with a degree in medicine from Yerevan State Medical University, Dr. Suma completed her internship at Osmania Medical College & Hospital. After completing her education, Dr. Suma served a short service commission as a medical officer in AMC (the Indian Army). Due to her EXTRAORDINARY service and skill, in 2005, Dr. Suma was appointed as the “Doctor on Duty” for the Indian president, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam during his visit to Assam.

To complement her degree in medicine, Dr. Suma possesses a Masters in Pathology, a Diploma in Clinical Pathology and a Master’s in Hospital Management.

Dr. Suma joined Avalon University 4 years ago as an Associate Professor of Pathology. With her, she brings more than a decade of experience in teaching Pathology to medical students in many prestigious medical colleges recognized by the National Medical Council in India in the capacity of a PG-tutor, Senior Resident & Assistant Professor. Currently, Dr. Suma, along with instructing Avalon’s MD3 & MD4 students in Systemic Pathology through the use of lectures & labs for our DIT1 & DIT2 courses, teaches Introduction to Histology for our Pre-Med program.

Awards Received

1. Silver medal for best poster at XXVIII Annual Conference IAPM AP Chapter – July 2010. “A rare case of multiple craniofacial defects in a still born.”
2. Gold medal for Award Paper at XXVIV Annual Conference IAPM AP Chapter – October 2011. “Ki-67 Index in Salivary Gland Neoplasms”
3. Third Best Paper Award for Proffered Paper category at XXXII Annual Conference IAPM-AP Chapter- September 2014 ” Hematological Parameters in HIV subjects on Zidovudine regime”

Dr. Marly Ossterhof graduated with her doctorate in 1993 from Escuela Autonoma de Ciencias Médicas (currently UCIMED), Costa Rica. Dr. Oosterhof completed postdoctoral training in 2005 – 2014 in yearly courses in bariatrics (medical weight loss) by the Obesity Medicine Association. Additionally, in 2006, Dr. Oosterhof completed post-doctoral training through the Esthetic Medicine course at Clinica Renace in Venezuela.

Joining Avalon as a Professor of Clinical Skills in 2022, Dr. Oosterhof is fluent in Dutch, Papiamento (the local language of Curacao), English, Spanish and Italian marking her an asset in ensuring proper communication with Avalon’s international students from all over the world.

Dr. Oosterhof has quite a diverse professional background involving a vast array of roles within the medical field. She began as an emergency room physician at St. Maarten Medical Center in 1994. Since then she has served as a Medical Advisor with SAI Assicurazioni, a Family Physician, and a Medical Advisor for E-Fit, in addition to many other noteworthy pursuits. Dr. Oosterhof is an advocate for health and wellness, as is evident in both her personal and professional development.

Professional Memberships

1. Member of the Obesity Medicine Association (2005 – Present)
2. Member of the American College of Preventive Medicine (2019 – Present)