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I followed a non-traditional route to my degree in Higher Education Administration achieved in conjunction with full time employment in allied health, higher education, and administration. I have also held office in multiple professional organizations at the local, state, national, and international level. level.
My teaching interests include higher education administration, radiation biology, health services administration, quality assurance, health care delivery systems, group processes, global health care systems, credentialing examinations, and cultural competency.
I have a research interest in global health systems, opinion leadership, cultural competency, graduate placement and graduate satisfaction data. Other interests include a needs assessment and follow-up with credentialing exams and specifically predictors of success on certification exams. I am primary investigator for 3 research projects of the 4 projects I am involved with. The first is a qualitative analysis assessing cultural competency with faculty led programs. Data collection began in May 2013 and will be completed in January 2016. The purpose of the research is to examine changes in students' attitudes and knowledge about other cultures and people before and after taking part in an international faculty-led program through USD. The goal is to gather qualitative data that demonstrate changes in a student's 'inter-cultural competency' (awareness of difference, ability to process information from different perspectives, sensitivity and identification to ethnocentric behaviors and beliefs, etc.) in order to make claims about how effective these types of international experiences are for student learning and development. The second study is The Cause and Effects of Students Who Study Abroad in the Health Care. The study is at:1) what variables explain a students' propensity and/or interest in taking part in an international program offered as part of their studies at USD, and 2) how does taking part in an international program at USD affect a student's understanding of the health care field. In seeking answers to these two questions, the study intends to identify the behavioral and attitudinal changes among students who take part in international programs versus those who don't, as well as to identify behaviors and attitudes that predict participation in such activities. Both of these research projects are complimentary of not only the mission and values of the Beacom School of Business, but also support USD's strategic plan. The third is a two fold study of opinion leadership in Ghana, Africa in with the support of Sanford World Clinics in Ghana. Data collection was complete in June 2014. Analysis and manuscript submission was completed in March 2015. One international presentation (June 2015) and one presentation at Cal State (Oct 2015) and 2 peer reviewed journal publications were the result of this research. The fourth research project is an interdisciplinary study collaboration regarding theory and practice of Evidence Based Medicine. This project with compliment USD strategic plan of interdisciplinary research and scholarship. An IRB will be submitted for an additional study with myself as principle investigator regarding LEAN management theory and practice in health administration. I am currently working with a professor in accounting to create an accounting template to be used in health service administration practice and education.
