Christy Harris Lemak

Christy Harris Lemak, PhD is a Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), holding appointments in the School of Health Professions, School of Public Health, Collat School of Business, and School of Medicine. Her scholarly work focuses on healthcare leadership, digital transformation, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). She has served as Chair of the Department of Health Services Administration (2014–2022) and continues to lead as a Senior Scientist at UAB’s Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education.

• Education: PhD in Health Services Organization and Policy (University of Michigan), MHA and MBA (University of Missouri-Columbia), BS in Health Planning and Administration (University of Illinois).

Research Interests span healthcare leadership development, AI integration in clinical settings, and organizational factors driving high performance. She investigates pay-for-value programs, social determinants of health, and career trajectories of women in healthcare leadership. Her recent work emphasizes digital transformation competencies for CEOs/CIOs.

Article Trends reveal a focus on AI adoption, DEI frameworks, and executive leadership evolution. She has published extensively on vertical integration, electronic health records, and safety culture in hospitals.

• Scientific Awards: Gary L. Filerman Prize (2022), Leader in Diversity Award (2021), Myron Fottler Award (2020).

Teaching & Mentoring includes courses at UAB on Leadership & Ethics in AI, Strategic Management, and High-Reliability Organizations. She has chaired numerous Dissertation Committees and co-developed innovative mentorship programs like The Forge.