Michael E. Thompson

Michael E. Thompson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy at the College of Health and Human Services, University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He recently served as the inaugural Interim Chair of the department (July 2024-June 2025) and previously held roles as Associate Chair of Public Health Sciences and Director of the CAHME-accredited MHA Program. With over 20 years of experience, he has developed and led accredited public health programs domestically and internationally.

His educational credentials include:

• DrPH in Health Services Research and Evaluation (2002), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• MS in Emergency Health Services (1988), University of Maryland, Baltimore County
• BA in Biology (1986), Johns Hopkins University

Dr. Thompson's research centers on three interconnected themes: community-driven problem identification, program development and evaluation, and professional workforce development in public health. His work emphasizes competency-based approaches and community engagement to strengthen health systems, particularly in underserved and international contexts like Armenia and Saudi Arabia.

His recent publications (2018-2023) demonstrate expertise in opioid prescribing practices, tuberculosis care models, and community health assessment methodologies. These works span public health policy, health informatics, and clinical evaluation, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to solving complex health system challenges.

Notable honors include:

• Delta Omega National Public Health Honorary Society membership (2002) and upcoming National Presidency (2025-2026)
• Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars presidency (2013-2015)
• Upsilon Phi Delta Health Administration Honorary Society membership
• Staff Recognition Award from Johns Hopkins University (1995)

As an educator, Dr. Thompson has directed UNC Charlotte's MHA, MPH, and Health Informatics programs while mentoring students through competency-based curriculum design. His international work includes serving as Adjunct Associate Professor at the American University of Armenia and developing health administration programs in Pakistan and Lebanon. He co-founded the Academy for Population Health Innovation (APHI), a partnership between Mecklenburg County Public Health and UNC Charlotte that implements community-driven health interventions.