Faculty
Paul D. Bell, Ph.D. (bellp@ecu.edu)
Dr. Bell is a registered health information administrator and a certified tumor registrar experienced in both acute and long term care facilities. Originally from the New York metropolitan area, Dr. Bell attended SUNY Albany where he received a BA degree in French and Spanish. He also received a Master’s in teaching English to speakers of other languages from SUNY Albany. In preparation for a career in health information management, he received a certificate in Health Information Administration from the College of Health Related Professions at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. He earned a Ph.D. in Educational Research and Policy Analysis from the School of Education at North Carolina State University. His research focuses on the effect that self regulation and epistemological beliefs have on learner achievement in asynchronous hypermedia courses. In addition, he has conducted research that compares web based with traditional classroom or face to face instruction. Finally, he has published research that investigates the issue of inequity in the diagnosis and treatment of chest pain. Dr. Bell is a member of the faculty at East Carolina University in the department of Health Services and Information Management. Previously he held faculty appointments at Illinois State University and at the College of Health Related Professions at SUNY Downstate Medical Center.
Michael H. Kennedy, Ph.D., MHA, FACHE (kennedym@ecu.edu)
Dr. Kennedy earned his doctorate in decision sciences and engineering systems at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his Master of Health Administration degree at Baylor University. He has 31 years experience in teaching and health services administration that have been divided between academic positions and operational assignments in the military health system as a human resources manager, equal opportunity advisor, ambulatory care administrator, and other positions of leadership culminating as the Chief Operating Officer of a small hospital. In past academic assignments, Dr. Kennedy served as Director of the Doctor of Health Administration Program at Central Michigan University, taught in the Health Services Administration Program at Slippery Rock University, and was the Deputy Director of the U.S. Army-Baylor University Graduate Program in Healthcare Administration. Dr. Kennedy is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Robert R. Kulesher, Ph.D. (kulesherr@ecu.edu)
Dr. Kulesher is a health policy specialist and an experienced hospital and nursing home administrator. Originally from Washington, DC, Dr Kulesher attended Villanova University in Pennsylvania where he received a BA degree in psychology. In preparation for a career in health services management, he received the Master of Health Administration degree from Washington University in St. Louis. After a 20-year career in health care administration, he earned a Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Delaware. His research focuses on the impact of Medicare reimbursement on healthcare providers. Additional areas of interests include national health policy, healthcare financial management, health care of the poor and uninsured, health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Dr. Kulesher is a member of the faculty at East Carolina University in the department of Health Services and Information Management and is Director of the Health Services Management program. Previously he held faculty appointments at Penn State and St. Joseph’s universities and Rutgers University-Camden as visiting professor in public policy and administration.
Thomas K. Ross, Ph.D. (rossth@ecu.edu)
Dr. Ross is an economist who has worked in health care finance as a director of patient accounts and as a financial analyst. He has also worked for two computer services firms offering budgeting, cost accounting, and cost reporting software for health care organizations. Dr. Ross received a Ph.D. in Economics from St. Louis University and an M.B.A., M.A., and B.B.A. from the University of Cincinnati. After graduating from St. Louis University he worked for six years in the School of Public and Environment Affairs at Indiana University South Bend. In addition to public affairs course he taught courses in health care systems, health care finance, statistical methods for health services, and strategic management in health care organizations. This was followed by a four year stint in the McGowan School of Business at King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA. In the Master of Health Care Administration program, in addition to the previously cited courses, he taught managerial accounting for health care administration and health care information systems. His research focuses on the impact of public intervention on health care expenditures, quality management, strategic planning, and the history of economic thought.
