Faculty
David Gibbs, PhD, MS
CPHIMS, CPHI, CHDA, CHPS, CISSP, FHIMSS
Department Chair and Associate Professor
NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: dgibbs@txstate.edu
Education:
- Doctor of Philosophy - Adult, Professional, and Community Education, Texas State University
- Master of Science in 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 in Healthcare
- Requirements Elicitation
David Gibbs, PhD, MS, 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 full- and part-time faculty and staff members conducting research and delivering graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and on campus. Dr. Gibbs earned a PhD in adult, professional, and community education, an MS in biomedical informatics, an MS in online teaching and learning, and a BS in computer science. 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 was recognized as a Senior Member of IEEE and a Fellow of HIMSS. He received the Texas HIM Association (TxHIMA) Legacy Award in 2024 and the John A. Page Distinguished HIMSS Fellow Award for 2025.
Sylvia Alcala, MA,RHIA,CDIP,CCS,CPC-I, AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer, AAPC Approved Instructor
Lecturer
NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: sa42@txstate.edu
Education:
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Master of Arts, University of the Incarnate Word
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Bachelor of Science, University of the Incarnate Word
Teaching Areas:
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Medical Terminology
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Compliance Management
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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, MAM, RHIA
Assistant Professor of Instruction
NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: svb17@txstate.edu
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
Sara Boysen, MHIM
Lecturer
NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: sboysen@txstate.edu
More information to come.
Diane Dolezel, PhD, MSCS, RHIA, CHDA
Associate Professor
NURS, Room 238
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: dd30@txstate.edu
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:
- Healthcare Statistics
- Healthcare Informatics
- Advanced Healthcare Data Analytics
- Healthcare Quality Management
- Healthcare Databases
Diane Dolezel, PhD, MSCS, RHIA, CHDA, is an Associate Professor in the Health Informatics and Health Information department at Texas State University. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy, an MS in Computer Science, and a BS in Health Information Management.
Her research has focused on organizational determinants of healthcare quality. Dr Dolezel also made a substantial contribution to the area of privacy and security with a focus on individual compliance behaviors. She has published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, Decision Support Systems, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Computers & Security, Brain Sciences, Journal of American College Health, and several other journals.
She edited a book on healthcare informatics and authored several chapters in that book. At the university, she serves on the faculty-student research forum and works on several university initiatives seeking to engage students in data science.
Her teaching interests are healthcare statistics, healthcare informatics, advanced healthcare data analytics, healthcare quality management, and healthcare databases.
Cecario Guerrero, MBA, RHIA
Lecturer
NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: ctg30@txstate.edu
More information to come.
Cathy Hess, RHIA
Lecturer
NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: ch32@txstate.edu
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, PhD
Associate Professor and
Graduate Clinical Coordinator
NURS, Room 239
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: bh05@txstate.edu
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-I
Clinical Associate Professor
NURS, Room 243
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: dhoward@txstate.edu
Education:
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Master of Education - Instructional Technology, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL
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Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration, State University of New York, Utica, NY
Teaching Areas:
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Fundamentals of Health Information Management
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Leadership in Health Information Management
John Jordan, MD, MPH, MS, MBA
Program Facutly
NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: jjordan@txstate.edu
Education:
- Master of Business Administration, University of Pennsylvania
- Master of Science in Applied Health Sciences Informatics, Johns Hopkins University
- Doctor of Medicine, University of North Carolina
- Master of Public Health, University of North Carolina
- Bachelor of Science in Biology, Florida State University
John Jordan is a physician with board certifications in Internal Medicine, Preventive Medicine, and Clinical Informatics and over 15 years of experience as a physician leader. Dr. Jordan brings a broad range of healthcare experiences to Texas State University. He worked for a large hospital district, with a focus on using clinical informatics to improve electronic health records and processes. He worked for a Fortune 100 company, with a focus on using data and analytics to improve population health for over 6 million beneficiaries. He worked for the CDC, where he investigated outbreaks and worked to prevent the spread of disease, and the State of Texas, where he managed a health department providing traditional public health services. His interests include using health informatics and data science to improve population health, patient experience, and healthcare value.
Elise Lambert, PhD, MSHI, RHIA
Clinical Assistant Professor
NURS, Room 236
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.
Jackie Moczygemba, MBA, RHIA, CCS, FAHIMA
Associate Professor
NURS, Room 242
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: jm38@txstate.edu
Education:
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Master of Business Administration, Southwest Texas State University
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Bachelor of Science Medical Record Administration, Southwest Texas State University
Teaching Areas:
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Technical Concepts of HIM
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Quality Improvement
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HIM Practicum
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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
Assistant Professor and BSHIM Program Director
NURS, Room 244
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: dm19@txstate.edu
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.
Raney Sharp, RHIA
Lecturer
NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: rs1045@txstate.edu
More information to come.
Christiana Smith, MHI, RHIT
Lecturer
NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: aao120@txstate.edu
Christiana Smith, MHI, RHIT has 17 years of diverse experience in the Health Information Management (HIM) industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Information Administration from Louisiana Tech University, earned in 2006. Starting her career as a Medical Coder, in 2007, at Willis Knighton Bossier Medical Center. In 2009, she achieved the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). She later obtained a Master of Science Health Informatics degree from Louisiana Tech University. Throughout her career she has been committed to inspiring, empowering, and collaborating with others. Also, she has grew fond of classroom instruction while working as an Adjunct Instructor at Virginia College. This heightened her interest to seek academia as a future career goal.
In 2012, Christiana transitioned into management as an HIM Operations Manager at University Health located in Shreveport, LA. She also joined the Faculty at Virginia College- Bossier City as an Adjunct Instructor in the Health Information Management program. Following relocation to Texas in 2014, Christiana resumed management in the HIM industry within the HIM Department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. During her nine years of service, she was a contributor in the organization’s HIMSS Stage 7 certification and recertification accomplishments. She has also attended DFWHIMA and TXHIMA conferences.
Christiana’s efforts to improve the lives of others continues as a dedicated life insurance agent and an HIM healthcare professional at a rehabilitation hospital located in Conroe, TX. Her overall work experience includes leadership, managing complex cases, utilizing data to drive decision-making, and improving client satisfaction.
Jennifer Teal, EdD, MS, RHIA, CCS, CPC
Lecturer
NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: jlt151@txstate.edu
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
Lisa Thompson, MS, RHIA, CHTS-IM
Lecturer
NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: ld1071@txstate.edu
Lisa Thompson, MS, RHIA, CHTS-IM, began her healthcare career in 2007, working as an administrator in the medical transcription industry for a transcription service and distance education career college. The passage of the HITECH Act inspired her to pivot towards healthcare technology, earning her Certificate in Healthcare Technology Implementation Management from Houston Community College and the CHTS-IM credential from AHIMA in 2012. She continued her education, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Texas State University in 2016 and achieving her RHIA credential from AHIMA in 2017. Lisa further advanced her expertise by completing a Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Biomedical Informatics in 2019.
In 2014, Lisa transitioned into the tech industry, where she specialized in technical support, sales operations, data analytics, root cause analysis, project management, and quality assurance. Despite this shift, she remained deeply connected to healthcare through ongoing education, an internship in utilization review and regulatory compliance, working as a graduate teaching assistant during her master’s program, and volunteering with HIMSS at global conferences. Passionate about the intersection of healthcare and technology, particularly AI, Lisa is excited about the future. She currently resides in San Marcos, Texas, with her daughter, who will soon be attending college to study dance kinesiology.
Melissa Walston-Sanchez, MHIM, RHIA
Associate Professor of Instruction & BSHIM Clinical Coordinator
NURS, Room 232
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: mw20514@txstate.edu
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
Tiankai Wang, PhD
Professor and MHIM Program Director
NURS, Room 241
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: tw26@txstate.edu
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, MHIM, RHIA
BSHIM Clinical Assistant Professor
NURS, Suite 204
Phone: 512-716-2840
Email: bw1016@txstate.edu
Education:
- Master of Health Information Management, Texas State University
- Bachelor of Science Health Information Management, Southwest Texas State University
Teaching Areas:
- Medical Terminology
- Advanced Health Informatics and Security
Bonnie Wood, MHIM, RHIA received her Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) and Master of Health Information Management from Texas State University. Ms. Wood holds the registered health information administrator credential from the American Health Information Association. Prior to teaching Ms. Wood worked in both the HIM field serving as the operations manager and in the information technology field for over 25 years. She held other positions in HIM prior to that. She has served as a past district president for the Texas Health Information Management Association in both districts 16 and 17.