BSHA Faculty and Staff | School of Allied Health Professions

Karla Lavin Williams, DrPH

Program Director, Assistant Professor

Dr. Lavin Williams is a full-time faculty member and Program Director for the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration Program, positions she has held since the program’s inception in 2010. Her healthcare industry background spans over 25 years. She has skillfully held a variety of positions with emphasis in sports medicine, allied health, healthcare administration, health education, emotional intelligence and executive and wellness coaching.

Laura Evans, MA, JD

Assistant Professor

Laura Evans is the Assistant Program Director for the Bachelors of Science in Healthcare Administration program. She teaches a number of classes in the program. She also mentors students with their Signature Projects and assists with student recruitment, marketing, and other program administration.

Lida Gharibvand, MS, PhD

Associate Professor

I teach several statistics and health research courses at various departments within Loma Linda School of Allied Health Professions. My skillset encompasses quantitative research, study design, pedagogical, organizational, and creative best practices to accelerate student development and performance. My research interests involve air pollution, cancer, public health, geriatrics, medical science and oncology.

Debbie Hamada, EdD, MA, RHIA

Health Informatics, Information Management, and Administration Department Chair, Assistant Professor

Dr. Debra Hamada is an Assistant Professor and Chair for Loma Linda University HIIMA Department. She currently teaches in the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration, the Master of Science in Health Informatics programs and the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA) programs. She completed her baccalaureate studies at The College of Saint Scholastica, her master’s from the University of Redlands, and her doctoral degree at the University of Southern California.

Melanie Hanson, MBA, PMP

Assistant Clinical Professor

Melanie Hanson is an assistant clinical professor for Loma Linda University, teaching Project Management courses in the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration, the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration and Master of Science in Health Informatics programs. She also serves full time as an Executive Director, Strategic Services in the Information Systems department for Loma Linda University Health, Shared Services.

James Rippetoe, MAH(c), MAM.

Instructor - Service Learning Faculty

James Rippetoe has taught for the School of Allied Health Professions since 2010. As a full-time Instructor/Service-Learning faculty member, he teaches courses in the Bachelor of Science degrees in Radiation Sciences, Healthcare Administration, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, and Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs, as well as the Master of Science in Radiation Science program.

Ryan E. Stephan, MAM, RHIA, CCS

Assistant Professor

Ryan Stephan is an assistant professor for the Department of Health Informatics and Information Management at Loma Linda University. Ryan serves as the program director of the Coding Specialist certificate program and teaches several courses in the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration and Master of Science in Health Informatics programs, as well as Financial Management for the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration (BSHA) program.