Gary Smith, Ph.D.

Dr. Gary J. Smith has been involved in healthcare administration and education over a 40-year period.  His experience has included serving as an Officer in the US Army Medical Service Corps, director of a hospital physical therapy program, director of the physical therapy department in a long-term care facility, owner/president of a multi-clinic physical therapy program, Chief Operating Officer of the largest rehabilitation hospital in the Northwest, an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at EWU.  Academically, Dr. Smith graduated with a BS from the University of Montana, a Degree in Physical Therapy from the Mayo Clinic, a Master's Degree in Health Sciences from Whitworth University, and a PhD in Educational Leadership from Gonzaga University.  Dr. Smith is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and is a past president of the state chapter of ACHE.

Dr. Smith works extensively in the rural health community in Washington State with a specific interest in the development of Integrated Health Systems in rural Washington.

Jae Kennedy, Ph.D.

Jae Kennedy is an Associate Professor of Health Policy and Administration at Washington State University. He received his doctorate in Health Services and Policy Analysis at UC Berkeley in 1996, and taught at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign before coming to Washington State University in 2002. Dr. Kennedy's research focuses primarily on access barriers to prescription medicines, medical care, rehabilitation, and long-term services, with particular emphasis on at-risk groups, including persons with disabilities, older adults, and the uninsured. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles.

Adrianne Lara, MBA

Adrianne M. Lara is the Director of Online and Professional Programs and the Academic Coordinator for the Department of Health Policy and Administration at Washington State University.  Some of her more recent projects include overseeing the reaccreditation of the MHPA and launching the Lean/Six Sigma online certificates.  Prior to her current position in HPA, Ms. Lara taught for several years at many levels, including seven years in a private middle school; a semester at a language school in Albertville, France; and two years in ESL at a local university.  Ms. Lara completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame and her Master's in Business Administration at Eastern Washington University.

Qingzhou "Jessie" Wang, MHPA

E-mail: qingzhou.wang@email.wsu.edu

Qingzhou "Jessie" Wang grew up in China and now coordinates HPA's outreach efforts in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.  Ms. Wang completed her Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical English from China Pharmaceutical University and also graduated with a Master's in Health Policy and Administration from Washington State University.  Currently, Ms. Wang is researching the readiness of the international health and disaster pharmaceutical supply system, a topic she first broached as an intern at the United Nations Thailand station. Ms. Wang looks forward to sharing her knowledge on the HPA program, the graduate school application process, and what it is like as international student living in Spokane.

Geetha Gujjarlapudi, MBBS, MHPA

E-mail: geetha.gujjarlapudi@email.wsu.edu

After graduating from medical school in India, Geetha Gujjarlapudi completed her Master's in Health Policy and Administration at Washington State University. In addition to coordinating the outreach efforts for HPA in India, Ms. Gujjarlapudi is also currently studying for her medical board examinations to become a licensed physician in the United States.

Ms. Gujjarlapudi believes strongly in the idea that physicians must understand the cost effectiveness of the system where they work in order to offer quality care at an affordable price. "Healthcare administrators require thorough understanding of policy and management because successful healthcare leaders today must be ready for the challenges that come with the day-to-day job," says Ms. Gujjarlapudi. "I am confident that this professional development opportunity would enhance management skills and will expose the next generation of international healthcare leaders to effective new ideas."

Joseph S. Coyne, Dr. P.H.

E-mail: jsc@wsu.edu

Joseph S. Coyne, Dr. P.H. is Chair and Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Administration and Director of the Center for International Health Services Research and Policy. His research has been funded with over $1.1 million in extramural support and serving as a financial adviser to domestic and international healthcare companies. Dr. Coyne has been twice designated a W.K. Kellogg Fellow and is the 2004 recipient of the WSU Faculty Excellence Award.  Dr. Coyne is a founding member of the National Healthcare Services Board of Directors, and is Chairman of the WSU Health Policy and Administration Advisory Board.