January 28, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, AL - A veteran health care administrator has been named as Executive-in-Residence and director of the executive masters degree program in health administration (MSHA) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham's (UAB) School of Health Related Professions (SHRP). School officials say the hiring of Harry A. Nurkin, Ph.D., adds a seasoned professional to an already outstanding faculty, providing students with an unprecedented opportunity to train under some of the nation's top practical and academic instructors.

"It takes outstanding individuals to lead health care systems today and future leaders will face even greater challenges," said Gerald L. Glandon, Ph.D., chair of the department of health services administration. "We anticipate that Dr. Nurkin and our executive MSHA program will play a key role in shaping those future leaders of the healthy care industry."

Nurkin was chief executive officer for Carolinas HealthCare System in Charlotte, NC, for 21 years. During his tenure as CEO, he transformed the struggling hospital into the largest, vertically integrated not-for-profit healthcare system in the southeast and the nation's fourth largest public hospital organization. The system employs 27,000 people with an annual budget of $2.6 billion. Prior to becoming CEO of Carolinas HealthCare System, Nurkin served as an administrator at UAB Hospital in Birmingham for eight years.

Health care organizations across the nation are struggling with rising costs, increasing numbers of uninsured and challenges to maintain quality. Nurkin's practical knowledge and professional experience are fitting additions to the world-class scholars and educators on the UAB health services administration faculty, according to Harold P. Jones, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Health Related Professions.

"With the strong practice-based influences that Dr. Nurkin provides, added to our growing body of senior health care leaders within the UAB Health System and highly committed alumni base of senior executives throughout Alabama and the southeast, we feel we have become the nation's primary source of health management practice-based education," Jones says.

Nurkin will be responsible for managing the Administrative Residency Program, directing the Executive Health Administration Masters Program, developing the National Symposium for Healthcare Executives, enhancing practitioner participation in the program, and teaching selected courses in both the residential and executive programs.

Nurkin received his doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa and both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Duke University.