Healthcare Leadership Certificate Instructors

Dr. Jessica Franks serves as the Director of Graduate Programs at the Mitchell College of Business, University of South Alabama, where she provides strategic and operational oversight of the MBA, MAcc, and PhD programs. With a Juris Doctor degree from The University of Alabama School of Law, she brings extensive experience in academic administration, student success, and program development. Dr. Franks also serves as the primary academic advisor, guiding graduate students through every stage of their academic journey. In addition to her leadership role,  Dr. Jessica Franks also teaches courses in Business Law, including Legal Environment of Business,  Business Law II, and Employment Law at the Mitchell College of Business. Her legal expertise enhances her ability to engage students in critical discussions on commercial law, contracts, and the regulatory environment, providing practical insights that bridge theory and real-world application. Dr. Franks is dedicated to fostering a deep understanding of legal principles in business, preparing students for leadership roles in a complex global marketplace.

Dr. Bill Gillis is the Associate Dean, Interim Department Chair, and Professor of Management in the Mitchell College of Business.  He has taught in the Business Administration PhD program here at USA including both the Strategy Seminar and a Seminar in Organizational Theory and Change. He has taught in the MBA and currently teaches the undergraduate capstone course. An active consultant/trainer, he teaches in the Health Care Leadership certificate program, USA Medical Center's Leadership Development Academy, USA’s ELEVATE program, Bedsole Leadership for undergraduates, and Airbus Management Institute. His research articles have appeared in Leadership Quarterly, Journal of Business Venturing, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Health Care Management Review, and other leading management publications.  Before entering graduate school, he served as an instructor pilot in the U.S. Air Force in three different aircraft, and was a pharmaceutical sales rep with Pfizer, Inc.  Married to Stephanie and the father of three, he received his undergraduate degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, his MBA from the University of West Florida, and his PhD from Florida State University. 

 

Mr. James Hunt has over 35 years of experience working with both for-profit and non-profit organizations, fostering a passion for understanding group dynamics, building effective teams, and guiding others towards leadership success. With a strong commitment to education, James returned to academia to share expertise, conduct research, and mentor students at the post-secondary level. He is currently a Senior Instructor in the Management Department in USA's Mitchell College of Business. 

As a social entrepreneur, Mr. Hunt thrives on bringing people together to achieve meaningful, impactful work. He has helped create several new student organizations and clubs here at South and currently advises three. Helping students find their path to academic and professional success is a particularly rewarding part of this journey.

In addition to being an educator, James is a social scientist and researcher, particularly interested in how emerging technologies are reshaping personal and organizational landscapes. Mr. Hunt advises leaders on fostering healthy organizations, especially during times of change, and is currently exploring how small and medium-sized enterprises leverage new technologies to build customer relationships.

As a researcher in business and social ethics, James is also examining the role of large language models in transforming organizational structures and the ways in which forward-thinking individuals can harness these tools for leadership development.

Specializing in business ethics, leadership training, management development, team building, social entrepreneurship, business communication, and health communication, Mr. Hunt brings a wealth of expertise to the Healthcare Leadership Certification Program, empowering leaders to navigate the complexities of today's evolving professional environments.

Dr. Jeanne Maes is a Professor of Management in the USA Mitchell College of Business, and also serves as the University of South Alabama Ombudsperson. She specializes in organizational communication, negotiation, and alternative dispute resolution. A consultant, certified coach, facilitator, mediator, and executive trainer, she has worked with clients throughout the U.S. and internationally.

In addition to her numerous publications, she has served in key leadership roles for the prestigious Organization Development Journal and on editorial boards for 2 other journals. From 2011-2016, she served as President of the International Society for Organization Development and Change (ISODC); she was awarded the Organization Development Institute’s Consultant of the Year award in 2010; she is a certified coach. She sits on the Board for the O.D. Institute, Ghana. In addition, she is a mediator and arbitrator and is listed on the Alabama State Court Mediator Roster.

A physician by training, Binata has led the development and delivery of human capital programs throughout her career spanning different sectors of the healthcare industry, countries,and diverse groups of learners ranging from fresh graduates to seasoned executives. Her work is anchored in enabling sustainable actualization of individuals in their leadership journey. She spearheaded the design and development of the Healthcare Leadership Certificate program.

Binata's teaching is informed by her experience being a leader in non-academic and academic world. Rooted in the belief that awareness of and the ability to be with one's emotions are critical when leading, she brings that 'consciousness' to her teaching and to help individuals lead their professional and personal life with choice.

She is a certified leadership coach, Points of You expert coach, Integral Unfoldment coach, Kolb’s Experiential Learning Profile (KELP) administrator, EQi 2.0 administrator.

 

Christina L. Wassenaar is an Associate Professor of Management at the Mitchell College of Business, University of South Alabama, where she also serves as the current Faculty Senate President and Faculty Director for the MBA/EMBA programs. She earned her PhD and MBA from the Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University and her BSc in Agricultural Business Management from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

An award-winning international management consultant, Dr. Wassenaar specializes in leadership development, corporate strategy, and educational planning. Her extensive teaching experience spans undergraduate, graduate, and executive levels, both in the US and internationally. She also served for five years as the Academic Director for the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. Before transitioning to academia and consulting, Dr. Wassenaar accumulated eleven years of experience in research, marketing, and development with leading companies such as Johnson & Johnson, MGM, ACNielsen, and Verizon.

Dr. Wassenaar has recently completed her award with the US Fulbright Scholars program, focusing on accreditation projects for several universities, the development of a cybersecurity center as well as qualitative research on the role of leaders and organizations in peace creation in North Macedonia.

Her current research interests include shared leadership theory, corporate social responsibility (with a focus on irresponsibility), the role of leaders in peace creation, and corruption. Dr. Wassenaar is dedicated to advancing understanding and practice in these areas through her innovative research and teaching.

‘Candi’ currently serves as the Chief Revenue Officer for Univ of South AL Health in beautiful Mobile, AL. Her passion for process improvement and patient experience is unparalleled. Candi received her MBA from West Virginia University (WVU) in Morgantown West Virginia in 2011 and her BA in Theatre in 2002 from Armstrong Atlantic University, now
Georgia Southern University, in Savannah, GA. RE2 for HFMA Region V, Ms. Powers is extremely excited to be a voice
for our membership and a conduit for chapter relations.

Candi is a past President of SCHFMA and has served in most of the leadership roles available at the state level within HFMA between SC and WV. She is the recipient of the Lucille P. Craft Award, the Ruth H. Nicholson Award, the M. Al Turner Past President’s Award and the Medal of Honor through HFMA and the Grand Market Master Award through WVU. Mrs. Powers has served as a Healthcare finance leader in AL, SC, GA, and WV and has served in most of the leadership roles within HFMA between SC, AL and WV. She is the recipient of the 2024 Wanda Jones Certification Award, Lucille P. Craft Award, the Ruth H. Nicholson Award, the M. Al Turner Past President’s Award and the Medal of Honor through HFMA.

Candi and her husband, Bill, have raised three children with the youngest starting at Univ of South AL (Go Jags) and the middle child recently completing her degree at Marshall University. When not in the office, ‘Mimi and Papa’ (Candi and Bill) enjoy hosting their 5 adorable grandbabies for pool parties and beach trips. Go Mountaineers and Roll
Tide!

Dr. Jennifer C. Zoghby serves as Assistant Professor of Management at the Mitchell College of Business. She teaches a variety of business courses, and her research interests center on organizational change. She has led several training seminars for local and regional groups, including entrepreneurs, health care executives and the Bedsole Scholars. 

A native of Mobile, Dr. Zoghby grew up surrounded by her parents, three sisters and a large, Lebanese family. Her entrepreneurial family prized storytelling as an art form, and she continued this tradition as an award-winning newspaper reporter for The Mobile Press-Register and the Charlotte Business Journal in North Carolina. 

In 2003, Dr. Zoghby began her career in public relations as an assistant director at the University of South Alabama, and she joined the Mobile Chapter of the Public Relations Council of Alabama. Over the next 10 years, she earned increased responsibility on campus and, from 2013, at USA’s Health system. In 2015, she received her Accreditation in Public Relations, and in 2017 she served as President of PRCA Mobile. She and her team won 20-plus industry honors over the years, and she was named the top public relations practitioner in the state in 2019. Dr. Zoghby served as spokesperson for the Mayor of the City of Mobile at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She holds her undergraduate degree in English and Political Science from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She earned a Master’s in Public Administration and Ph.D. in Marketing from the University of South Alabama. 

Her hobbies include gardening, college football and shopping at second-hand stores.

Ramani is a Chief Medical Officer for USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital. He is board certified in general pediatrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine by the American Board of Pediatrics. He completed a fellowship in neonatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and a pediatric residency at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas.

In addition to medical training, Ramani earned master’s degrees in healthcare administration (MSHA) and hospital quality and safety (MSHQS) from UAB. His experience includes expertise in strategic planning, operational management, people management, healthcare policy, finance, patient quality, and safety. His research interests include global health and neurodevelopmental outcomes of prematurity and birth asphyxia. Previously, he was the associate fellowship program director for the Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship and director of the neonatal neuro intensive care unit at UAB.

Julie Graham, LPC, ODCP CMHNCS, grew up around Boston, Massachusetts, attended undergrad in the Boston area, and received her bachelor's degree in Sociology. She began a career in Human Resources, where she worked in Benefits Human Relations until 2001. During this time, she received her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling, and after graduation, she was asked to join a team in Atlanta, Georgia, in order to build a DBT program for physicians and other healthcare workers struggling with substance use disorder and other mental health disorders. Julie moved back to the New England area in order to continue working with individuals in need of DBT. In 2012, she started a private practice that offered treatment for individuals and families, assistance in DUI cases, and consulting for Employee Assistance Programs. Julie moved to Mobile, Alabama, in 2018, in order to work with the University of South Alabama’s Employee Assistance Program, where she offered counseling services to health and campus employees. In 2023, Julie became an Organizational Development Certified Professional and added professional/ executive coaching and professional development services to her list of services for USA employees. She is currently enrolled in a PhD program for Organizational Management, with a concentration in Leadership, and is anticipating graduation in the 2027/2028 school year.