Health Sciences Faculty

Wesley Benton teaches various undergraduate classes for the School of Health Sciences and has been a faculty member at Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) since 2008. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in distance higher education, having taught in both online and on-campus formats in institutions since 2004. As an educator, Benton specializes in leveraging technology to assist students in learning complex material and is known for his ability to create a supportive learning environment where both novice and experienced adult students thrive and learn.

Education: DC, Logan University; MA; MSEd

Honors and Achievements: Distinguished FT Adjunct, 2012 Excellence in Teaching Award (Davenport University), additional teaching awards

Ginger Cameron teaches graduate courses in the master’s of public health program, with a special emphasis on epidemiology. She serves on numerous committees and focuses on ways to increase students participation in research. Cameron has served as a department chair, as well as assistant dean of students, programs, and assessment. She has also served as the dean of the School of Health Sciences at multiple institutions. Cameron's research has been published in a variety of journals and she has presented at national and regional conferences. She has been interviewed numerous times for her expertise in public health. Cameron serves as President of the PG Faculty Senate.

Education: PhD, MPH, Walden University; MEd, Central Michigan University

Honors and Achievements: Three-time winner, Professor-of-the-Year Award; Greene County Achievers Award (U.S. House of Representatives, 10th District)

Research Interests: Environmental influences on the opioid crisis, nationwide food insecurity

Jennifer Claire has worked with the School of Health Sciences since early 2007. She teaches undergraduate courses in health care administration, but previously taught in the medical office administration and medical assisting programs. Claire has been an active member of numerous committees throughout Purdue Global, including the Curriculum Committee, IRB, Faculty Senate, Academic Appeals Committee, and the Innovation and Learning Committee. She has also served as a Portfolio Evaluator and Faculty Advisor for student clubs. Prior to Purdue Global, she taught health science and medical assisting at various colleges and schools. She began her career as a nursing assistant, followed by medical assistant, RN, and then office manager at various medical practices. Claire is working on a Patient Advocate Certification as well as a Naturopath program.

Education: MS Law, Kaplan University; MSHS, Touro University; MSPH, Trident University International; BS Psychology, Chapman University; BS Sociology, Trinity University

Publications: The Secrets of a Nigh Nigh, Claire, Jennifer (2007) JC Publications. ISBN 978-0-615-17903-2

Certifications: Certified Allied Health Instructor; Registered Medical Assistant; graduate certificate in law; post-bachelor paralegal certification

Honors and Achievements: Faculty Scholarship Award, Purdue Global 2019; 2013, 2011 Outstanding Faculty Award (Kaplan University), additional teaching awards. Graduation speaker Chapman University and Cero Coso Community College. Proceeds from Claire's book, The Secrets of a Nigh Nigh were used to create a scholarship fund for single moms returning to school.

Memberships: HCCA (Health Care Compliance Association); American Medical Technologist Society; Online Learning Consortium; Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education; Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE); National Teachers Association; International Association of Administrative Professionals; American Association of University Women.

Research Interests: Effective teaching methods, ethics, bioethics, leadership styles, diversity, and equality.

Kim Dunn teaches various undergraduate courses in the medical assisting program. She joined Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) first as a part-time faculty member over 10 years ago. In addition to teaching, Dunn works in the medical field, where she has over 30 years of experience in a number of positions and sub-specialty practices. Currently, she serves as a consultant for a large regional health information exchange as well as a member of the readmission coalition for her community.

Education: MBA, Pfeiffer University

Publications: Phlebotomy Skills for the Nurse

Certifications: Professional Coder, Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management, Online College Education, Applied Behavior Analysis

Memberships: American Academy of Professional Coders, American Association of Medical Assistants, American Medical Technology, Medical Group Management Association

Research Interests: Improving patient education and coordination of care in the post-acute setting

Christopher Gransberry teaches several graduate courses in the School of Health Sciences at Purdue Global. Gransberry began his career with the university as an adjunct faculty member and transitioned to course leader, then full-time faculty where he specializes in health information governance, healthcare technology, health informatics, and healthcare operations management. His industry expertise includes electronic health record (EHR) implementation, change management, and utilization in support of key healthcare goals, objectives, and deliverables during the deployment of an EHR software application using a comprehensive set of strategies and project management. Gransberry has led numerous research studies and authored articles, policy briefs, and position papers. He is a trained instructional designer and has developed academic courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.        

Education: PhD, Northcentral University; PMHOM, Nebraska Methodist College; MHI, Louisiana Tech University; BGS, Southern University at New Orleans; AGS, Delgado Community College

Publications: A Quantitative Study to Explore the Relationship Between Organizational Leadership and Employee Innovation

How Emotional Intelligence Promote Leadership and Management Practices

Current Industry Trends and Future Career Outlook in Health Informatics

Certifications: Certified Healthcare Technology Specialist: Implementation Manager (CHTS-IM); Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS); Executive Leadership (NSLS-EL) Certification; Certified Federal Program/Project Management (FAC-P/PM) Professional; Certification in Effective Online Teaching Practices (ACUE)         

Memberships: American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA); The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS); Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)

Research Interests: Electronic health record modernization; Social determinants of health; Health science workforce and leadership development

Christine Hollander teaches medical assistant clinical courses and is the course lead for the online professionalism in health care and clinical competencies courses, as well as the online externship. She has completed undergraduate degrees in business, health information technology, and general health studies. Holding the honor of American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) Past President in 2013, Hollander’s involvement with the AAMA also includes serving on the AAMA Board of Trustees and as the State President for Colorado since 1997. She currently serves on the AAMA Continuing Education Board and chairs the ABC Task Force.

Education: DM (pending), MA, University of Phoenix; MSEd, Kaplan University (now Purdue Global)

Certifications: Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA)

Memberships: American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)

Grant Iannelli teaches undergraduate health science courses, including medical terminology and coding, and serves on the Faculty Curriculum Committee at Purdue Global. Iannelli began his teaching career at National College of Chiropractic and served for 25 years, rising to professor of clinics. In addition to teaching, Iannelli maintained a chiropractic practice for over 25 years and participated in several externally-funded clinical research projects. Iannelli has frequently presented at professional conferences and has acted as an author and consultant for several publishers, focusing on creating textbook and multimedia resources for anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and critical-thinking skills for undergraduate health science students.             

Education: DC, National College of Chiropractic (now National University of Health Sciences); BS, University of Michigan

Certifications: Certified Coding Specialist—Physician-Based (CCS-P AHIMA), board-certified chiropractic internist

Honors and Achievements: Multiple Outstanding Faculty Awards for teaching and professional development; additional teaching, research, and service honors

Memberships: American Health Information Management Association, Illinois Health Information Management Association.

Shelly Johnsen teaches in the health information management and billing and coding programs at Purdue Global. She began her teaching career at the University in 2013 as a part-time adjunct and became a full-time University faculty member in August 2018.

Education: MBA, Tiffin University; BHS, Ferris State University

Certifications: Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT); Billing and Coding Specialist Certificate (BCSC)

Memberships: American Health Information Management Association

Todd Kane is a full-time faculty member in the School of Health Sciences at Purdue Global, where he teaches undergraduate courses in health care finance, quality improvement, and health care management. Kane’s experience in business, human resources, health care, and health care administration spans more than 20 years. During this time, he served as president and chief executive officer of a multi-million dollar private national health care recruitment, human resources, and outsourcing firm for more than a decade, as vice president of a publicly traded health care staffing and outsourcing firm, and in various leadership positions including chief operating officer, regional vice president, and regional director.

Education: MEd, MBA, BBA, Northcentral University; MSIT, Kaplan University (now Purdue Global)

Jericho Leftwich began his career with Purdue Global in 2021 as an adjunct faculty member for the School of Health Sciences. Leftwich is a board certified Doctor of Natural Medicine, Holistic Health Practitioner, Master Herbalist, Homeopathic Practitioner, and Usui Reiki Master/Teacher who maintains a private holistic health care practice. Leftwich is also a public health practitioner with focus areas in infectious diseases, program management, and system building using the Collective Impact Model. Prior to establishing his private practice, he served as the Regional HIV/STD Program Manager for the Texas Department of State Health Services and has worked as a Contract & Compliance Officer for the City of Houston Health Department.     

Education: MPH, Kaplan University; BS, Chowan University          

Certifications: Board Certified Doctor of Natural Medicine, Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Certified Homeopathic Practitioner, Certified Master Herbalist, Certified Reiki Master/Teacher               

Memberships: Board Member, American Association of Natural Wellness Practitioner (AANWP)

Research Interests: Metaphysical science, herbal medicine, meditation and health, mindfulness-based stress reduction, conscious living, public health practices

Sandra Masten teaches various undergraduate courses in the Masters of Health Information Management Program and Health Informatics programs. Previously, Masten has worked as a health information management department director for various health care organizations.  

Education: Doctor of Health Sciences, A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ; MS Health Services Administration, University of Central Florida; BS Health Information Management, University of Central Florida; Licensed Practical Nurse, Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, Orlando, FL                               

Publications: Technical reviewer, Computers in the Medical Office

Certifications: Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Billing & Coding Specialist (BCSC), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Honors and Achievements: Community service hours tutoring young adults seeking GED

Memberships: Member of National (AHIMA), State (NCAHIMA) and Local Health Information Management Associations. Member of National and State Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)

Research Interests: Global health

Holly Parker teaches several courses in the School of Health Sciences at Purdue Global. She began her career with the university as an adjunct faculty member and transitioned to full-time faculty and course leader. She has experience managing the office of a medical clinic as well as owning a company responsible for creating electronic health records.

Education: MA, Missouri State University; BS, Missouri State University; BS, Kaplan University

Certifications: Medical Billing and Coding Certificate (Kaplan University); Medical Records Transcription Certificate

Honors and Achievements: 2016 Spirit of Excellent Award (Kaplan University); 2014 Outstanding Full Time Faculty (Kaplan University)

Memberships: National Wellness Institute; American Holistic Health Association

Research Interests: Food security in economically insecure populations

Michael Snell is a faculty member in the bachelor’s degree in health care administration program at Purdue Global. He specializes in health care administration, health care policy and economics, and operational analysis and quality improvement. With more than 20 years of managerial health care experience, Snell has worked for a variety of private, nonprofit, and government health care entities, including the Washington State Medical Quality Assurance Commission. He was appointed and re-appointed to the Commission by the governor of Washington. Snell served in this role for 6 years, during which he helped establish the policies and procedures for the practice of health care in the state.

Education: DBA, MBA, University of Phoenix; EJD, Concord University; MCSS, MCPM, Villanova University

Leslie Young teaches a wide range of nutrition courses, assists with course curriculum development, and acts as the faculty sponsor for the Student Nutrition Association at Purdue Global. She frequently coordinates with other departments to provide degree and career path information to maximize student achievement. Young has been teaching college nutrition courses in both traditional and online environments since 2006. She has also worked as a clinical dietitian in both hospital and home care environments and has extensive training in nutrition support methods. Young has authored articles and given presentations on topics relating to essential oils, dietary collagen, and navigating the nutrition job market.

Education: MS, Winthrop University; BS, Appalachian State University

Certifications: Registered and licensed dietitian

Honors and Achievements: 2015 Kaplan Way Award (Kaplan University); 2005 State Dietitian of the Year

Memberships: Local and national nutrition associations

Research Interests: Effect of childhood and adolescent obesity on early development of type 2 diabetes