Profile

Mark Bush joined University of Central Florida in 2016 and currently serves as an Associate Lecturer in the School of Global Health Management and Informatics. With more than 25 years of progressive leadership experience in the healthcare industry, he brings extensive real-world expertise to the classroom. His professional background includes serving as Chief Executive Officer for three hospitals, as well as Chief Financial Officer for both hospitals and the long-term care division of a healthcare system in Michigan.

Since transitioning from healthcare executive leadership to academia in 2011, he has been committed to preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders. His teaching career spans multiple universities, where he has instructed graduate and undergraduate students in healthcare management and finance. Drawing from his executive experience, he integrates practical applications, strategic decision-making frameworks, and financial acumen into his courses to bridge theory and practice.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Mark has served as a faculty advisor to various student organizations, mentoring students as they develop leadership skills and professional competencies. His primary focus is on student success—equipping learners with the analytical tools, ethical foundation, and strategic mindset necessary to excel in complex healthcare environments. Through a combination of industry insight and academic rigor, he remains dedicated to fostering career readiness and advancing excellence in healthcare leadership.

• Healthcare Leadership
• Finance and Accounting
• Operations Management

• Doctoral of Healthcare Administration - Central Michigan University
• Masters in Business Administration - DePaul University
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Operations Management - Central Michigan University

My research agenda centers on the intersection of healthcare finance, organizational strategy, and workforce development within complex healthcare systems. Drawing upon executive leadership experience and academic scholarship, my work examines how financial structures, market dynamics, and educational strategies influence organizational performance and long-term sustainability in healthcare.

A significant portion of my scholarship has focused on healthcare reimbursement and market behavior. Through multiple peer-reviewed publications analyzing Medicare inpatient charges and payments across states including Florida, California, New York, and Texas, I have explored the variability between charges and actual reimbursements and its implications for financial management and strategic planning. Complementing this line of inquiry, my research on nursing home markets examined how factors such as distance and primary contact location influence market selection and competitive dynamics. These studies contribute to a deeper understanding of patient decision behavior, market segmentation, and reimbursement-driven financial strategy.

In addition to financial and market analysis, I have examined public health and quality outcomes, including an empirical analysis of unintentional falls in the United States that resulted in death. This work highlights the importance of data-driven decision-making in shaping prevention strategies and policy considerations.

My research also extends to healthcare education and workforce readiness. Presentations at national forums such as Association of University Programs in Health Administration have focused on bridging the gap between classroom instruction and industry practice, pathways to securing fellowships, cross-cultural teaching methods, and leveraging technology to engage emerging healthcare leaders. This scholarship reflects my commitment to aligning academic preparation with evolving workforce demands.

Overall, my research integrates financial analytics, market structure, and educational innovation to advance sustainable healthcare leadership and improved organizational outcomes.

• Healthcare reimbursement variability and its impact on hospital financial strategy
• Market dynamics and consumer decision behavior in post-acute and long-term care settings
• Data analytics in quality improvement and patient safety outcomes
• Workforce development and transition models from academia to healthcare leadership roles
• Technology-enabled learning strategies in graduate healthcare education

My service contributions reflect a sustained commitment to institutional governance, professional engagement, and community partnership in advancing healthcare education and leadership. At the department level within the University of Central Florida, I have served in numerous leadership and advisory roles, including Chair of the HSA Enrollment Enhancement Committee, member of the Global Health Management and Informatics (SGHMI) Budget Committee, and participant in AESP revisions. I have also contributed to student success through long-standing involvement with the HSA Community Advisory Board, Internship Committee, scholarship committees, and as a Case Team Coach since 2018. My leadership as search committee chair for multiple faculty positions further supported strategic departmental growth.

At the college level within the College of Community Innovation and Education, I have served on the Faculty Senate and Undergraduate Council, including as Chair of the Undergraduate Council and Chair of the Professional Service Selection Committee. My service has also included participation on safety committees, the Essential Activities Fund, and prior governance roles within the former College of Health and Public Affairs. At the university level, I have contributed to the Undergraduate Course Review Committee and served as an HMI liaison supporting clinical integration review efforts.

Nationally, I am an active member of Association of University Programs in Health Administration, serving in multiple committee leadership roles, including Chair of the Certification and Recertification Committees. I also maintain long-standing professional involvement with the Healthcare Financial Management Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Through governance, accreditation support, professional association leadership, and community outreach, my service efforts strengthen academic quality, professional standards, and community engagement in healthcare management education.

• Undergraduate Program Director for Health Services Administration 2015-2026
• College of Community Innovation and Education Faculty Senate 2019-2026
• College of Community Innovation and Education Undergraduate Council 2018-2026
• Undergraduate Course Review Committee 2022-2025
• HMI liaison working with CHPS clinical integration review December 2020- 2022
• Senior Living Management Advisory Board/ Lifestyle Community Management Advisory Board 2022-2025 – Rosen College Program Advisory Board
• Judge for Amy Zeh High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2023
• AUPHA Finance Committee June 2020- 2026
• Chair of AUPHA Certification Committee 2025-2026 University of Michigan Flint
• American College of Healthcare Executives; 2005 – present

• Teaching Incentive Program - College of Community Innovation and Education
• Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award - College of Community Innovation and Education

• HSA 3111: US Health Care Systems
  A survey of the economics, social, and political aspects of the health care system in the United States.
• HSA 4939: Health Services Administration Capstone
  Capstone course applies healthcare administration theory to a healthcare organization. Students will integrate previous coursework to evaluate an existing healthcare organization.
• HSA 6179: Financial Accounting for Health Care Managers
  Examines accounting and financial management concepts, along with managerial protocols and regulatory constraints affecting health care organizations.
• PHC 6160: Health Care Finance
  The identification of resources available to health care institutions, allocation of resources, and control of resource expenditures.
• PHC 6164: Health Care Finance II
  Course facilitates the development of strategic financial plans and its application to current health care management issues.