UofM SPH Hosts Dean’s Grand Rounds on Emerging Opportunities in Healthcare Leadership

November 14, 2025 – The University of Memphis School of Public Health hosted its monthly Dean’s Grand Rounds, featuring a dynamic discussion with members of the Dean's Healthcare Leadership Community Advisory Group. The session, titled “Current and Emerging Opportunities in Healthcare Leadership,” brought together experts to explore the evolving landscape of public health, with a particular focus on healthcare management and the skills future public health leaders must develop to meet industry demands. 

The Dean's Healthcare Leadership Community Advisory Group brings together healthcare leaders whose expertise, experience and leadership will help provide input on essential skills, knowledge and competencies that students should possess through their current academic program offerings, particularly the Master of Health Administration (MHA) program, housed within the Division of Health Systems Management and Policy.  

Panelists included: 

• Dr. Diane Sanders-Cepeda, Senior Health Leader and Clinical Strategist, United Healthcare 
• Dr. Manali Ghag, Healthcare Administrator – Operations, Regional One Health 
• Sarah Gaskell, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare 
• Clint Cummins, Chief Executive Officer, The Memphis Medical Society 
• Dr. Laurie Shanderson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Accreditation Insights 

During the discussion, panelists shared personal experiences and professional perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of healthcare and the field of public health. They addressed pressing issues in patient care, system performance and workforce development, emphasizing the qualities and leadership approaches needed to navigate an increasingly complex healthcare environment. 

Their insights provided students and faculty with a deeper understanding of the strategic thinking, innovation and collaborative leadership required to improve healthcare systems and patient outcomes and advance the field of public health.

((R-L) Dr. Manali Ghag, Healthcare Administrator – Operations, Regional One Health, Clint Cummins, Chief Executive Officer, The Memphis Medical Society, Dr. Diane Sanders-Cepeda, Senior Health Leader and Clinical Strategist, United Healthcare

(L-R) Dr. Diane Sanders-Cepeda, Senior Health Leader and Clinical Strategist, United Healthcare; Clint Cummins, Chief Executive Officer, The Memphis Medical Society; Dr. Ashish Joshi, UofM SPH Dean and Distinguished University Professor; Dr. Manali Ghag, Healthcare Administrator – Operations, Regional One Health; Sarah Gaskell, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare; Dr. Dale Sanders, Interim Division Director, Program Director and Professor of Health Systems Management and Policy

(L-R) Dr. Diane Sanders-Cepeda, Senior Health Leader and Clinical Strategist, United Healthcare; Clint Cummins, Chief Executive Officer, The Memphis Medical Society; Dr. Ashish Joshi, UofM SPH Dean and Distinguished University Professor; Dr. Manali Ghag, Healthcare Administrator – Operations, Regional One Health; Sarah Gaskell, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare; Dr. Dale Sanders, Interim Division Director, Program Director and Professor of Health Systems Management and Policy