After more than a decade of leadership and service to the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Health Services Administration, Christy Harris Lemak, PhD, is beginning a new chapter. Having served eight years as department chair followed by four years focused on teaching, research, and service, she leaves behind a legacy of mentorship, collaboration, and deep engagement with the department’s community of students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
“It has been an honor to work at UAB HSA for over 11 years,” Lemak said. “Our department is a very special place, unlike any other in the country. And this specialness is due to the people—faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Their shared commitment to excellence and to each other is remarkable.”
A Period of Growth and National Recognition
During Lemak’s tenure as chair, the department experienced a period of significant growth and national recognition. The Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) program rose to the #1 ranking in the nation in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, and the department expanded its academic offerings with the introduction of 12 new graduate degrees and certificate programs designed to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry.
Lemak also recalls the resilience of the department during the COVID-19 pandemic, when faculty, staff, and students quickly adapted to remote work and supported one another during a challenging time.
After transitioning from chair in 2022, Lemak continued contributing to the department through teaching, research, and service, including chairing the 41st National Symposium for Healthcare Executives in 2024. This is one of the department’s signature events that annually brings together healthcare leaders, alumni, and students from across the country.
“There are far too many memories and milestones to mention,” she said. “But two things stand out for me.”
Mentorship and Community
One of the most meaningful aspects of Lemak’s time at UAB has been the two-way street of mentoring.
“I enjoyed mentoring and being mentored by wonderful faculty members and brilliant students over the years in HSA,” she said. “Helping others thrive is the best part of being in academia, and I am excited to continue mentoring colleagues as I retire from academia.”
She also points to the department’s alumni network as a defining part of her experience.
“I have been fortunate to get to know many outstanding HSA alumni,” she said. “I have deep respect for their leadership in the field and also for their loyalty and support of UAB. These exemplary leaders made us better teachers and scholars, and they are essential to our work to develop future leaders.”
Looking Ahead
Although retiring from her full-time academic role, Lemak will continue her work in healthcare leadership and innovation.
She is now serving in an “encore career” as Executive Vice President for Research and Learning at the Scottsdale Institute, a nonprofit collaborative of 68 leading U.S. health systems. In this role, she leads applied research projects and leadership development initiatives focused on transforming health care through technology, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
Lemak will also remain connected to UAB through teaching, including Leadership & Ethics for AI in Medicine in the Heersink School of Medicine and a course in HSA’s Executive Doctorate in Healthcare Leadership. In addition, she serves on two national boards of directors: Community Hospital Corporation and The American Board of Radiology.
Outside of work, Lemak and her husband Mark have relocated to Fort Collins, Colorado, where they are enjoying time in the mountains and on the trails.
“We are both working in part-time roles,” she said, “and if we succeed, we will never work on a Friday again. We’ll see how that goes.”
Reflecting on her time at UAB, Lemak expressed deep gratitude for the community she was part of for more than a decade.
“Thank you, UAB, for a fantastic experience for me and my family.”
