Faculty

The faculty of the MHA program bring decades of healthcare administration experience to the classroom.
Chris Nesser

Chris Nesser, Ph.D.

MHA Director

decima.nesser@uiwtx.edu

(210) 832-5626

Office: GB 205 | Gorman Building

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Lynn Downs

Lynn Downs, Ph.D.

ldowns@uiwtx.edu

(210) 829-3177

Office: AGO 112 | Agnese Sosa Building

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Akbar Ghiasi

Akbar Ghiasi, Ph.D.

ghiasi@uiwtx.edu

(210) 283-6484

Office: AGO 105 | Agnese Sosa Building

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Kevin LaFrance

Kevin LaFrance, Ph.D.

lafrance@uiwtx.edu

(210) 930-8015

Office: AGO 105 | Agnese Sosa Building

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Adjunct Professors

Patrick AbbasPatrick Abbas

Information Delivery Executive, USAA Bank

issaabba@uiwtx.edu

Mr. Abbas has more than 20 years of experience in financial services and healthcare. He is currently an Information Delivery Executive at USAA Bank in San Antonio, Texas.

His educational background includes a master's degree in Economics from the University of Delaware, a master's degree in Finance from Université Lumiere Lyon II (France), and a bachelor's degree in Economics with a minor in Information Sciences & Management Information Systems from Université de Reims Champagne-Ardennes (France).

Joseph Baar TopinkaJoseph Baar Topinka

Assistant Professor, Texas State University School of Health Administration

topinka@uiwtx.edu

Mr. Topinka has more than 20 years of experience of diversified legal and healthcare management experience at a large government medical center and other prestigious medical organizations at the local and corporate levels.

He is currently an assistant professor at the School of Health Administration at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Mr. Topinka's experience also includes two years at the U.S. Army-Baylor Graduate Program at Fort Sam Houston.