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Faculty


David Gibbs, PhD, CPHIMS, CPHI, CHDA, CHPS, CISSP, FHIMSS

David Gibbs

Department Chair and Associate Professor

NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: dgibbs@txstate.edu

Link to CV

Education:

  • Doctor of Philosophy - Adult, Professional, and Community Education, Texas State University
  • Graduate Certificate in Applied Biomedical Informatics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
  • Master of Science in Education - Online Teaching and Learning, California State University, East Bay
  • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, East Tennessee State University

Teaching Areas:

  • Health Informatics
  • Health Information Technology
  • Interprofessional Education
  • Leadership

Research Areas:

  • Health Informatics
  • Interprofessional Education (IPE)
  • Privacy and Security
  • Requirements Elicitation

David Gibbs, PhD, CPHIMS, CPHI, CHDA, CHPS, CISSP, FHIMSS, is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Informatics & Information Management at Texas State University. He oversees a department of approximately fifteen full- and part-time faculty and staff members conducting research and delivering graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and on the Round Rock Campus. Dr. Gibbs earned a PhD in adult, professional, and community education, an MS in online teaching and learning, a BS in computer science, and a graduate certificate in applied biomedical informatics. His research targeting interprofessional health informatics education is published in scholarly journals and textbook chapters. He has served HIMSS, AHIMA, IEEE, and other professional organizations on a variety of national and local committees including the HIMSS Privacy & Security Committee, Professional Development Committee, Emerging Healthcare Leaders Task Force, and Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform (TIGER) International Task Force. He routinely presents at national and state conferences.

Dr. Gibbs transitioned to academia from corporate and government consulting in 2015 with over 30 years of experience in technical and leadership roles including federal healthcare information systems and solutions architecture. His consulting experience includes multi-year assignments with Hewlett Packard and Lockheed Martin in leadership roles supporting enterprise-level projects for the US Army Medical Information Technology Center, Defense Health Agency, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and National Security Complex. He previously was a visiting instructor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of the Pacific. For his significant and sustained professional contributions, scholarly achievements, and demonstrated leadership, Dr. Gibbs has been recognized as a Senior Member of IEEE and a Fellow of HIMSS.

 


Sylvia Alcala, MA,RHIA,CDIP,CCS,CPC-I, AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer, AAPC Approved Instructor

Lecturer

Adjunct Faculty Sylvia Benitez

NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: sa42@txstate.edu

Education:

  • Master of Arts, University of the Incarnate Word

  • Bachelor of Science, University of the Incarnate Word

 Teaching Areas:

  • Medical Terminology

  • Compliance Management

  • Coding

Sylvia has over 25 years of experience as a leader in HIM.  Sylvia is currently the Director of Health Information and Privacy Officer at Connally Memorial Medical Center. Ms. Alcala has held various positions in HIM including coder, Coding and Compliance Manager, Case Management Director. Ms. Alcala is also an adjunct  instructor in the HIM program at Texas State University.  She sits on advisory boards for the HIM program at St Phillip’s College and Advisory Board for Healthcare Management at  Palo Alto College.  She has served as president of the ALAMO Health Information Association (AAHIMA) for 2016-2018).  Ms. Alcala is also on AHIMA coding round table (2016-2019).  She has also served on AHIMA committee for accredited coding exam questions.


Sylvia Benitez, MHIM, MAMAdjunct Faculty Sylvia Benitez

Adjunct Faculty, Lecturer

NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: svb17@txstate.edu

Link to CV

Education:

  • Master of Health Information Management, Texas State University

  • Master of Arts in Management, Specialization in Organizational Management, Wayland Baptist University

  • Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education, Specialization in Business Studies, Wayland Baptist University

 Teaching Areas:

  • Medical Terminology

  • Human Disease


Diane Dolezel, PhD, MSCS, RHIA, CHDA

HIM Faculty Diane Dolezel

Associate Professor

NURS, Room 238
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: dd30@txstate.edu

Link to CV

Education:

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Liberty University
  • Master of Science in Computer Science,  Texas State University
  • Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management, Texas State University

Teaching Areas: 

  • Informatics, Analytics, and Data Use
  • Health Information Management Research and Data Analysis
  • Quality Improvement for HIM

Diane Dolezel, PhD, MSCS, RHIA, CHDA, is an Associate Professor in the HIM department at Texas State University. She teaches graduate and undergraduate classes in healthcare informatics and analytics, and computer information systems. Dr. Dolezel earned a Doctor of Philosophy, a MS in Computer Science, and a BS in Health Information Management. Her research focused on computer security and predictive health analytics is published in Computers and Security, Decision Support Systems, Association for Information Systems, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Healthcare, Journal of American College Health, Brain Sciences, and Perspectives in HIM. 
 
She edited a book on informatics and authored several chapters. She brings a decade of experience in the information technology field, as a senior developer, into the classroom. At the university, she serves on the faculty student research forum, and works on several initiatives seeking to engage students in data science.


Cathy Hess, RHIACathy Hess, HIM Faculty

Lecturer

NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: ch32@txstate.edu

Link to CV

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science Medical Record Administration, Southwest Texas State University

Teaching Areas:

  • Medical Terminology

Cathy Hess graduated from the MRA Program, Southwest Texas State University and has been the primary medical terminology instructor since 2000.


Barbara Hewitt, PhDBarbara Hewitt

Associate Professor and
Graduate Clinical Coordinator

NURS, Room 239
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: bh05@txstate.edu

Link to CV

Education:

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration-Information Technology, University of Texas at San Antonio

  • Master of Business Administration, Texas State University

  • Bachelor of Science Computer Science, University of Texas at San Antonio

Teaching Areas:

  • Fundamentals of Health Information Systems

  • Data Security, Privacy, and Confidentiality

  • Healthcare Informatics

  • Legal Aspects of HIM

Barbara Hewitt received her Ph.D. in Information Technology (IT) and her BS in Computer Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She earned a Master of Business Administration from Texas State University. She currently teaches Health Information Security, Project Management, Health Information Technology and is the Graduate Clinical Coordinator for the Masters in Health Information Management (HIM) in the Department of HIM at Texas State University. She previously taught in the Computer Information Systems Program at Texas A&M University – San Antonio. Her research, which focuses on computer security and health interventions, is published in Database, Information Systems Frontier, Journal of Computer Information Systems, Journal of Organizational and End User Computing, AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction, Communication of the American Information Systems, Perspectives in HIM, Healthcare, and Behavioral and Information Technology. She brings over 15 years of software development experience with her to the classroom. Dr. Hewitt supports students in competitions including in healthcare and several security competitions. She founded the San Antonio Women in Technology to support women considering a computing career. 


Deborah Howard, MEd, RHIA, CCS, CHDA, CPC-IPhoto of Prof. Deborah Howard

Clinical Associate Professor

NURS, Room 243
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: dhoward@txstate.edu

Link to CV

Education:

  • Master of Education - Instructional Technology, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL

  • Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration, State University of New York, Utica, NY

Teaching Areas:

  • Fundamentals of Health Information Management

  • Leadership in Health Information Management


Elise Lambert, PhD, MSHI, RHIAPhoto of Dr. Lambert

Clinical Assistant Professor

NURS, Room 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: dkh113@txstate.edu

Education:

  • PhD in Business Administration, University of South Alabama

  • Master of Science in Health Informatics, Louisiana Tech University

  • Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Teaching Areas:

  • Technical Aspects of Health Information Management

  • Health Informatics

Dr. Elise Van Zandt Lambert is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Texas State University in the Health Information Management Department. Dr. Lambert received her Bachelor's degree in Health Information Management with a minor in Health Informatics from The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL). She received her Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification during this time, as well. Following her undergraduate education, she applied her coursework at a physician management company, Acadiana Computer Systems(ACS), as a Revenue Cycle Manager. While working full-time at ACS, she began the journey of earning a Master’s degree in Health Informatics and Information Management from Louisiana Tech University. At the beginning of 2021, she transitioned to the hospital-side of healthcare finance by accepting a role as a Market Financial Analyst / Assistant Controller at HCA - St. David’s Healthcare. During this time, she also graduated from The University of South Alabama with her PhD in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. Dr. Lambert's 11 years in the healthcare industry, as well as, her education and research efforts provide a current perspective of today's healthcare operations.


Marisol Laxton, MS, CCS, CPCPhoto of Prof. Laxton

Lecturer

NURS, Room 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: zod5@txstate.edu

Education:

  • Master of Science in Administration, Central Michigan University

  • Bachelors Degree, International Relations, Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education

Teaching Areas:

  • Medical Coding

Marisol Laxton MSA, CCS, CPC is a health information professional with over 10 years of coding experience, including acute care and physician-based coding. Professional experience includes Coding Educator, Associate Director, and Coding Professional for one of the top health systems in the US which spans over 6 states and operates 30 hospitals including 2 academic centers.

As an Educator researched, developed, and presented all training material for Banner’s acute care inpatient coding team of 80 plus remote employees. Structured inpatient cross-training program including developing syllabus, assessments, and new cross-training format. Completed external customer coding software training, including contract vendor leaders, and auditing companies. Led coding software testing team and conducted training for all new testing team members. Conducted regulatory coding updates training. Trained Coding Quality Analyst, Senior Managers, and Educators. Collaborated closely with CDI. Participated in coding audits during the year. Evaluated educational opportunities based on audit findings to develop impactful education. Utilized web-based learning platform to create learning modules, assessments, and reporting. Continued to code inpatient records on regular basis.

As an Associate Director leads thirteen-member inpatient acute care coding team, reviews audit data to identify educational opportunities. Works closely with team members to grow from educational opportunities and excel in the coding profession. Mentors coders on career goals by supporting growth and education. Continuously identifies opportunities for coding process improvements. Creates and updates leader references. Continues to code inpatient records on regular basis.

Coding experience includes inpatient acute care Trauma Level I Centers, Transplants, Cardio/Thoracic Surgery, Burn Unit, Vascular Surgery, OB, NICU/Newborns among other specialties. Outpatient acute care Ambulatory Surgeries, Interventional Radiology, Observation accounts, ER, Urgent Care. Physician-based coding, clinic encounters, deliveries, and surgeries.


Jackie Moczygemba, MBA, RHIA, CCS, FAHIMADepartment Chair Jackie Moczygemba

Associate Professor

NURS, Room 242
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: jm38@txstate.edu

Link to CV

Education:

  • Master of Business Administration, Southwest Texas State University

  • Bachelor of Science Medical Record Administration, Southwest Texas State University

Teaching Areas:

  • Technical Concepts of HIM

  • Quality Improvement

  • HIM Practicum

  • Disease & Medical Science

Jackie Moczygemba, MBA, RHIA, CCS received her Bachelor of Science (Medical Records Administration) and Master of Business Administration from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University).  In addition to a BS and MBA from Texas State University, Ms. Moczygemba holds certification as a registered health information administrator and coding specialist. She has been in the HIM profession since 1982 and has been on the Texas State University faculty for 20 years. Prior to teaching, Ms. Moczygemba spent 12 years as a director of HIM services in an acute care hospital. She also has several years of experience in HIM consulting in long-term healthcare. Ms. Moczygemba was named a Fellow of the American Health Information Management Association (FAHIMA) in October 2012. She was appointed to the AHIMA’s Council for Excellence in Education (CEE) Workforce Committee in January 2014. She is a member of the editorial review panel for Perspectives in Health Information Management. Ms. Moczygemba served on the board of the Texas Health Information Management Association as the public relations director from 2002 to 2004. Her research areas include health data quality, electronic health records and usability factors associated with health information technology. She recently completed an exploratory study to examine current practices in migrating longitudinal clinical data into electronic health records. Her teaching areas include quality improvement in healthcare and health data content and structure.


Danette Myers, PhD, RHIA

Danette Myers, HIM Faculty

Assistant Professor and BSHIM Program Director

NURS, Room 244
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: dm19@txstate.edu

Link to CV

Education:

  • Ph.D. Adult, Professional, and Community Education, Texas State University
  • Master of Business Administration, LeTourneau University
  • Bachelor of Science Health Information Management, Southwest Texas State University

Teaching Areas:

  • Management & Technical Aspects of HIM
  • Seminar in HIM
  • Medical Terminology

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (HIM) from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos Texas now known as Texas State University. I worked in the HIM field for about four years transitioning to the Facility Privacy Officer at South Austin Hospital in Austin, Texas. During that time, I earned a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). In 2006, I joined the Texas State HIM Department with primary areas of teaching in HIM Department Management and Medical Terminology. I later became the lead faculty in the HIM Practicum and Seminar courses taken by the seniors during their internship semester. I hold a certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)

After 16 years of teaching, as well as being involved in student advising and leadership development here at Texas State University State, I earned my doctorate degree in Adult Professional Community Education (August 2019). My research interest and focus study explored the communication strategies used/ preferred by older Black women during their healthcare encounters. Future research includes the impact/ influence of healthcare literacy of this population as life-long learners.

Currently I am an Assistant Professor and the BSHIM Program Director with continued teaching, service, and research responsibilities.


Jennifer Teal, EdD, MS, RHIA, CCS, CPCTeal

Lecturer

NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: jlt151@txstate.edu

Link to CV

Education:

  • Doctorate of Educational Leadership, Lamar University

  • Master of Science in Health Information Management and Healthcare Informatics Certificate, The College of St. Scholastica

  • Bachelor of Arts in Health Information Management, The College of St. Scholastica

  • AS in HIT with Honors, Santa Barbara City College

Teaching Areas:

  • Health Data Content

  • Disease & Medical Science

  • Coding and Classification


Melissa Walston-Sanchez, MHIM, RHIAPhoto of Prof. Walston-Sanchez

Senior Lecturer and Undergraduate Clinical Coordinator

NURS, Room 232
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: mw20514@txstate.edu

Link to CV

Education:

  • Master of Health Information Management, Texas State University

  • Bachelor of Science Health Information Management, Texas State University

Teaching Areas:

  • Medical Terminology

  • Human Disease

  • Technical Aspects of HIM

  • Comparative Record Systems


Christiana Smith profile picture

Christiana Smith, MHI, RHIT

Lecturer

NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: aao120@txstate.edu

More information to come.


Lisa Thompson, MS, RHIA, CHTS-IM

Profile Picture of Lisa Thompson

Lecturer

NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: ld1071@txstate.edu

More information to come.


Tiankai Wang, PhDLinda Thomas, HIM Faculty

Professor and Graduate Program Director

NURS, Room 241
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: tw26@txstate.edu

Link to CV

Education:

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Rutgers University

  • Master of Business Administration, Tianjin University, China

  • Bachelor of Arts, Tianjin University, China

Teaching Areas:

  • Health Information Systems

  • Enterprise EHR

  • Finance

Dr. Tiankai Wang joined the Health Information Management Program in 2009. He previously worked as an Assistant Professor at Cheyney University, PA during 2005-2008 and as a project manager in Massachusetts in 2008. He authored one book, authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed scholarly publications, and delivered scholarly presentations at international and state conferences. Dr. Wang was awarded a grant for Health Disparity research.


Bonnie Wood Profile Picture

Bonnie Wood, MSHIM, RHIA

Lecturer

NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: bw1016@txstate.edu

More information to come.