David Johnson, PhD, MPH, CPH, Associate Professor in the Dept. of Health Management and Systems Sciences, was part of a cohort recognized for their commitment to successful teaching innovations. The group, which included Benne Holwerda, PhD, Dept. of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Ray Chastain, PhD, College of Business, and student Breanna Ausbrooks examined the impacts of flipped classroom design and was recognized by the review committee as an exceptional contribution to teaching innovation. They were recognized at the 2025 Celebration of Teaching and Learning Conference on February 7.
Professor Bert Little, PhD, FAAAS, FRAI, FRSM, FRSPH, and Assistant Professor Shaminul Shakib, PhD, MPH received awards for their research at the 2025 National Big Data Health Science Conference in Colombia, South Carolina. Dr. Little presented, "Geographic Variation and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in Kentucky Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries: Increased Prevalence T2DM and Co-Morbidities (AMI, Retinopathy) But Decreased Renal Failure Rates from 2010 to 2018," and was selected as the "Best Oral Presentation" in the Big Data for Public and Community Health Breakout Session. Dr. Shakib's research, "COVID-19- related Mortality: Association with Social Determinants of Health and Comorbidities among Hospitalized Medicaid Beneficiaries in Kentucky: 2020-2021," was selected as the "Best Oral Presentation" during the Big Data Analytics and Emerging Methodologies Breakout Session.
Melody Ucho, doctoral student in the Dept. of Health Management and Systems Sciences, received third place honors for her poster, "Unmet Health Needs of Menopausal Women and the Economic Cost on the United States: A Literature Review," at the Kentucky IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) research conference.
Melissa Johnson, PMP, a Summer 2024 graduate of the online MS in Health Administration program, will be the student speaker at commencement, which takes place December 13 at 7 p.m. at the KFC Yum! Center.
During her studies, Melissa served as Chief Master Sergeant at a U.S. Air Force medical facility and was an active member in the American College of Healthcare Executives. Her advisor, Dr. Lee Bewley said, "Melissa is one of our tremendous online track students serving health communities now while preparing for even higher levels of ser vice and positive impact in healthcare management."
Melissa said, "It has been a challenging yet immensely rewarding journey over the last 2 years. Gratitude to my advisor Dr. Lee Bewley for the unwavering support. I am also deeply thankful to my family and friends for their love and encouragement as well as to my former commander, Colonel Ray Clydesdale, and the incredible team of medics at Scott Air Force Base Medical Group for their steadfast support and understanding. Their belief in me was was instrumental in my success, and I share this honor with all of them."
Since completing her degree this summer, Melissa has been transitioning from military to civilian life and completed a three -month fellowship with Wells Fargo in St Louis, Missouri through Hiring Our Heroes. She now works as a Lead Business Execution Consultant with Wells Fargo and after 29 years of service, she will retire with the U.S. Air Force at the end of the year.
We are proud to have such a distinguished student and healthcare professional representing SPHIS on the commencement stage.