In 2023, many JHMHP authors make outstanding contributions to our journal. Their articles published with us have received very well feedback in the field and stimulate a lot of discussions and new insights among the peers.
Hereby, we would like to highlight some of our outstanding authors who have been making immense efforts in their research fields, with a brief interview of their unique perspective and insightful view as authors.
Outstanding Authors (2023)
Linda Collins, Southeastern Louisiana University, USA
Alexis Vanderlee, Lee Memorial Health System, USA
Saleema A. Karim, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA
Warren Bacorro, University of Santo Tomas Hospital – Benavides Cancer Institute, Philippines
Kunal N. Patel, Northern Illinois University, USA
Michael S. Leeman, Southeastern Louisiana University, USA
Zhanming Liang, James Cook University, Australia
Nancy Borkowski, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
Outstanding Author
Linda Collins
Dr. Linda Collins (PhD) is a registered nurse by profession with years of experience working within the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom. She dedicated 10 years of her nursing career to clinical research, concentrating on the diagnosis and management of chronic urinary tract infections and lower urinary tract symptoms at University College London (UCL) and Whittington Health. Her academic career progressed when she was appointed Associate Professor of Nursing at Kingston University in London before being appointed as Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator for Population Health Management at Southeastern Louisiana University. Her continued area of interest is management of chronic diseases, as she continues to explore health concepts that lead to maximizing positive health outcomes, the significance of integrated and collaborative healthcare and the intricacies of population health management for individuals living with a long-term chronic disease. Learn more about Dr. Collins here and connect with her on LinkedIn.
JHMHP: Why do we need academic writing?
Dr. Collins: Academic writing is integral when it comes to scholarly activity and disseminating evidence-based knowledge. It provides students, academics, clinicians, and members of the wider population insight into the current concepts that are being explored, knowledge areas that need further exploration and provides a theoretical underpinning for implementation, restructuring or advancements in healthcare and care management. Academic writing is important as it showcases novel ideas, critical perspectives and collaborative scholarly work. The uniqueness of academics and healthcare professionals coming together to disseminate shared knowledge is a powerful interdisciplinary process, which bridges the gap of professional knowledge from being individualized to becoming collaborative and diverse.
JHMHP: What authors have to bear in mind during preparation of a paper?
Dr. Collins: During the preparation of a paper, working collaboratively is fundamental. Sharing ideas and equal contribution of tasks during the write up stages of the paper are essential. It’s important to have good working relationships with co-authors as this helps with the writing process. It’s also a good idea to be familiar with the work ethics of each co-author, as work ethics can promote or hinder the completion of a paper. Creating a deadline for co-authors’ contributions is the best time management strategy. This gives each author a timeframe for when designated tasks need to be completed. This is the approach I use in writing for publication and it is very effective when working collaboratively with colleagues who are in various locations nationally or internationally.
JHMHP: The burden of being a doctor is heavy. How do you allocate time to write papers?
Dr. Collins: Whilst in my quiet study time, I often think about research and writing ideas, I note these ideas down and explore them later. As an academic at Southeastern Louisiana University, we are very much encouraged and supported with assigned time for scholarly activity which includes doing research and writing papers. I dedicate additional time for writing papers within my personal time which is usually during the evenings and weekends. As an academic, I believe writing for publication is important, as I often embed evidence-based literature into teaching and learning and graduate curriculum development.
JHMHP: Data sharing is prevalent in scientific writing in recent years. Do you think it is crucial for authors to share their research data?
Dr. Collins: Sharing research data is expected when publishing a paper, as the data are the foundation of the publication, especially with primary research. However, sharing additional intricate data is dependent on patient/client consent, specifics documented in institutional review board (IRB) applications and various other factors known to the investigation or project. These are some of the aspects that need to be considered with data sharing in scientific manuscripts and publications. Nonetheless, it is a good academic and clinical practice to share research data, as it is an integral part of scientific writing and publishing new evidence-based knowledge.
(by Xing Liu, Brad Li)
Alexis Vanderlee
Following doctoral studies, Alexis Vanderlee, PharmD, dedicated an additional two years to furthering her expertise, with a particular focus on business and administration. This intensive period took place at Lee Memorial Health System in Southwest Florida, where she had the privilege of working under the guidance of John Armitstead, a distinguished leader in the field. In her current role as the Manager of Pharmacy Compliance and 340B, she oversees the comprehensive management of the 340B pricing program and addresses issues related to drug diversion. Her responsibilities extend to optimizing the 340B program, a key initiative aimed at enhancing patient outcomes and ensuring the delivery of exceptional patient care through administrative initiatives. She finds great satisfaction in contributing to the optimization of healthcare systems and is driven by the goal of positively impacting patient experiences through strategic administrative measures. Connect with Dr. Vanderlee on LinkedIn.
JHMHP: What role does academic writing play in science?
Dr. Vanderlee: In my perspective, academic writing serves as the linchpin for breakthroughs not only in the field of science but across all disciplines. Writing provides like-minded individuals in diverse fields with a conduit to communicate their ideas and collectively build upon each other's work. It is through this collaborative exchange that we continuously advance patient care and imbue greater meaning into our lives. The act of sharing meaningful advancements is instrumental in preventing the repetition of mistakes while simultaneously providing a platform to amplify successes. This collaborative spirit, facilitated by academic writing, ensures that the collective wisdom of various disciplines is harnessed to its fullest potential, fostering an environment of continual improvement and innovation.
JHMHP: How to ensure one’s writing is critical?
Dr. Vanderlee: Ensuring the criticality of our writing involves an extensive pre-publication sharing process and the maintenance of a robust collaborative team. Although the editing phase involving numerous individuals may seem cumbersome, it serves the invaluable purpose of bringing diverse perspectives to the table, allowing authors to consider aspects that may have been overlooked. Emphasizing the identification of limitations and areas for improvement is paramount. Continuous self-reflection and a commitment to refining our work are essential practices. In any piece of work, there are always opportunities for enhancement, provided one looks diligently enough. It is this perpetual pursuit of improvement that fuels the growth and potency of our field.
JHMHP: Academic writing takes a lot of time and effort. What motivates you to do so?
Dr. Vanderlee: My motivation is deeply rooted in multiple sources. Firstly, my peers and mentors have dedicated substantial time and effort to shape me into the person I am today. It is only fitting that I reciprocate their investment by contributing meaningfully in return. The well-being of my patients is a driving force for me. I firmly believe that every individual deserves the highest quality of care. If my knowledge and skills can make a positive impact on patients worldwide, that serves as a powerful motivation in itself. Moreover, any meaningful advancements I contribute to the field ultimately benefit my family. I envision a future where the collective work shared by academics significantly influences the care provided to patients, including my own family. This interconnectedness underscores the significance of my motivation, as it extends beyond professional fulfillment to the broader impact on those closest to me.
(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)
Saleema A. Karim
Dr. Saleema Karim (PhD) is an Associate Professor and Interim Chair at the Department of Health Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University. She completed her Ph.D. in 2014 at the Department of Health Policy and Management at UNC at Chapel Hill. Dr. Karim teaches healthcare finance to MHA and MSHA students. Her research interests include healthcare finance, payment reform, geographical disparities, quality management, and rural healthcare access. Learn more about Dr. Karim here and connect with her on LinkedIn.
A good academic paper, in Dr. Karim’s opinion, should start by telling a story to the reader to help them understand why the topic is relevant and being studied, also how the findings of the paper will make a meaningful contribution to the current literature. The paper must be clear, concise, and well-organized to ensure the readers understand how the research study was conducted. The results need to be communicated in a way that can be understood by non-experts. The paper must also acknowledge the generalizability of the findings and recognize the limitations of the study.
Dr. Karim thinks the most important qualities an author should possess are perseverance and being open to feedback. Writing an academic paper can be difficult and overwhelming at times. However, an author should not give up. Feedback is also an essential part of the writing process and is intended to improve the author’s work. Authors need to be open to receiving feedback, recognizing that the intention is to improve the quality and caliber of their work.
“I chose to publish with JHMHP because it is an international journal that focuses on hospital management and health policy, which aligned nicely with my paper. The paper titled ‘Financial performance of rural hospitals persistently lacking or having telehealth technology’ (link here) is a topic that is relevant internationally to both healthcare managers and policymakers as they navigate the utilization, access, and cost-effectiveness of telehealth technology implementation in rural areas,” says Dr. Karim.
(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)
Warren Bacorro
Dr. Warren Bacorro is a radiation oncologist from the University of Santo Tomas Hospital – Benavides Cancer Institute in Manila, Philippines. He is currently doing his doctoral degree in Health Research, and allocates his time between the clinics, research, mentoring, and medical society activities. His clinical practice and research focus are on brachytherapy and quality of life tool development in gynecology, prostate and head and neck malignancies. Recently, he has extended his research collaborations to evidence review and clinical practice guideline development for head and neck, colorectal and pediatric cancers, and health service delivery research such as multidisciplinary approach and shared decision-making in oncology. Connect with Dr. Bacorro on LinkedIn.
A good academic paper, according to Dr. Bacorro, bears good scientific value and validity and reflects scientific integrity and ethical standards. It should help advance clinical practice or build scientific research by presenting data that were derived from unbiased and ethical queries and conclusions that are supported by analyses and interpretations. To him, research should be useful, good, and true.
Dr. Bacorro allocates his time in a flexible manner between the clinics, research, mentoring, advocacy, and study, regularly attends clinical and research conferences, maintains a diverse collaboration across different disciplines, generations and settings, and engages in different research methodologies or roles. The clinics and advocacy activities give him insights as to what his research could bring into clinical practice and health policies. Studying through personal time and conferences keeps him updated on the clinical advances in his field and technical advances in research. He extends his collaborations not only to other medical specialties but also to non-medical fields and engages with health policy developers, clinical and basic researchers, academicians, and students to enrich his research experience, environment and network. In his opinion, open-mindedness fosters true interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration and transformative research.
“Academic writing for me feels mathematical and at the same time artful. The philosophy of science is old, the methods of scientific query continue to evolve over the decades, and every time I start to mark a fresh sheet to take a small part in this vast and brilliant saga of human thought is a humbling experience,” says Dr. Bacorro.
(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)
Kunal N. Patel
Dr. Kunal N. Patel is an Assistant Professor and ACUE Distinguished Teaching Scholar in the School of Health Studies in the College of Human Health and Sciences at Northern Illinois University. His passion is bringing down the cost of healthcare. He works to expand his existing hospital charge and pricing transparency research portfolio, where he analyses tens of thousands of data points from hospitals across the US. These efforts aim to improve the quality of healthcare delivery while reducing the financial burden for patients. Classes he professes include Introduction into Health Care Administration, Economic Issues in Public Health, Financial Management of Health Care Organizations, Public Health and Health Services Management, Health Economics for Health Services Managers, Financial Decision Making for Health Services Managers, and lastly, Governance, Leadership, and Ethics in Healthcare Quality Improvement (which he is the course founder of). When it comes to working with students, Dr. Patel said in a recent interview that he is “focused on using coursework to drive real-life policy changes.” Learn more about him here and connect with him on LinkedIn.
JHMHP: What are the essential elements of a good academic paper?
Dr. Patel: Although no detail in an academic paper is insignificant (all the way from the title to the references at the end), the best academic papers end with a strong discussion section that sparks readers’ curiosity and leaves them contemplating a plethora of questions. For example: Did the authors truly accomplish their objectives and goals? How can the information be applied to other settings? Did the authors overlook anything? How will this study impact existing practices? How can we further explore these ideas? In summary, a great paper will leave the reader pondering a million questions and motivated to continue the discourse long after they’ve finished reading the piece.
JHMHP: Science advances rapidly day by day. How do you ensure your writing is up-to-date and can give new insights to the field of research?
Dr. Patel: Healthcare and public health, perhaps, are the most rapidly changing and growing fields in the world. Maintaining currency for me in these sister industries starts with asking new questions and getting the data needed to find the answers. To do so, I always make sure that I am continuing to collect new primary data to fill in knowledge gaps and, ultimately, with robust analyses, answering my research questions (rather than relying solely on existing secondary data sources). Finally, I am on a constant search for diverse ideas, connecting with novices and experts who may contribute technologies, insights, and methodologies that I am unfamiliar with to my work.
JHMHP: Would you like to say a few words to encourage other academic writers who have been devoting themselves to advancing scientific progress?
Dr. Patel: Believe that you can succeed and just get started! You can enter from all levels of skills and abilities without having all the tools and skills at your disposal in the early stages of a study. Be open to exploring new concepts and developing from failures. You’ll quickly learn there are endless opportunities, and people willing to collaborate in research efforts.
(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)
Michael S. Leeman
Dr. Michael S. Leeman received his PhD from Georgia State University in Counselor Education. He is a licensed professional counselor and has clinical experience in various settings, including private practice, community clinics, and school settings. He has provided counseling for both children and adults struggling with trauma-related issues. Dr. Leeman is an assistant professor in the counseling program at Southeastern Louisiana University. He has presented nationally and internationally on various topics, including psychological trauma and posttraumatic growth, disenfranchised grief and ambiguous loss, and self-care. His research interests include the effects of psychological trauma and posttraumatic growth, as well as self-compassion, authenticity and burnout. Learn more about Dr. Leeman here.
JHMHP: What are the essential elements of a good academic paper?
Dr. Leeman: The elements of a good academic paper begin with the relationship between the author and the material. First, a sound connection between the author and the material promotes the authenticity, inventiveness, and credibility of the paper. This credibility is essential for gaining the interest and trust of readers. When authors have a genuine grasp of the material, they can present it in a clear, coherent, and compelling manner. They can effectively structure their arguments, provide relevant evidence, and articulate complex concepts in a way that is meaningful to readers. Additionally, I think authors who engage closely with the material are better equipped to critically evaluate and analyze it. They can identify key themes, patterns, and contradictions, as well as assess the strengths and weaknesses of different arguments or interpretations. This attention to detail and depth of understanding makes the material relevant to the reader.
Second, a sound connection between the author and the material can foster originality and innovation. Authors with a keen sense of the material may uncover new insights, perspectives, or research questions that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their field of study. This creativity is essential for generating interest and making meaningful contributions to scholarly discourse.
Third, authors have a responsibility to accurately represent the material they are writing and to attribute sources properly. When authors have a sound relationship with the material, they are more likely to cite sources accurately, avoid misinterpretation or misrepresentation, and adhere to ethical standards of academic integrity.
Finally, authors who are passionate about their subject matter are more likely to produce engaging and compelling academic papers. When authors are invested in the material, their knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication are evident in their writing and can inspire further curiosity and exploration of the topic. Overall, the relationship between author and material shapes every aspect of the academic writing process, from research and analysis to interpretation and presentation. By gaining an authentic connection with the material, authors can produce impactful, insightful, and meaningful contributions to their respective fields of study and areas of research.
JHMHP: Science advances rapidly day by day. How do you ensure your writing is up-to-date and can give new insights to the field of research?
Dr. Leeman: Ensuring that my writing is up-to-date and can give new insights into the field of research requires a proactive approach. I try to stay current with the literature by regularly reading current publications, journal articles, and books relevant to my field of study and areas of research. My favorite part of any academic project is collaboration, especially interdisciplinary collaboration in which there are new discoveries, innovative ideas, shared resources, and diverse perspectives. This kind of collaboration inspires me to explore new questions, methodologies, or perspectives and keeps me interested in learning more about areas of interest in my field and related disciplines as well. Conducting ongoing literature reviews and research projects allows me to identify gaps, controversies, or emerging trends in existing literature. By exploring, analyzing, and synthesizing existing research, I can ensure that my own research is current and relevant. Finally, I attend conferences, workshops, seminars, and symposiums regularly to network with colleagues, present my research findings, or engage in discussions about the current trends and advancements in my field. These events provide valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, receive feedback, and stay informed about new research.
JHMHP: Would you like to say a few words to encourage other academic writers who have been devoting themselves to advancing scientific progress?
Dr. Leeman: Most importantly, I would like to say thank you to all the academic writers who work to contribute helpful and important information to their readers. Published work is essential to inform, educate, and inspire readers, promote the health and well-being of the public, and encourage and enhance the work of other writers. The sacrifice and dedication that is required to publish is well worth it when you discover that your work touched the life of another person. In the first class I taught at my first college, I was approached by a student who disclosed that she had read my article on post-traumatic growth and that it helped change her life. It was at that moment when I truly realized the importance of research. So, in those moments when you feel overwhelmed or discouraged, remember why you started this journey in the first place. I remember the joy of discovery, the thrill of exploration, and the satisfaction of making a difference. My hope is that academic writers love what they do and continue to do it because you never know how many lives you will impact.
(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)
Zhanming Liang
Associate Professor Liang is a leading researcher and educator in management competency and management workforce development in the health sector. She is currently the Associate Dean of Research Education who provides regulatory leadership to higher degree research (HDR) students and HDRs advisors at the College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Science, at James Cook University, Australia. As President of the Society for Health Administration Programs in Education, A/Prof. Liang has played a leading role in shaping the health management training and workforce capacity development in Asia Pacific. The novel MCAP Tool that A/Prof. Liang and colleagues developed and validated has been broadly used to assess the competency of health service managers in many countries. She has published substantially in the areas of leadership, management and health system development in journal publications, reports and books. Learn more about A/Prof. Liang here and connect with her on LinkedIn.
JHMHP: What do you regard as a good academic paper?
A/Prof. Liang: We write academic papers for many reasons, such as sharing newly gained knowledge and discovery and sharing learnings and experiences gained from research and practical work. Sometimes, we share our plans for research and wisdom in a specific discipline. Therefore, the first answer to what constitutes a good academic paper is that the paper is written in high quality and makes the key messages very clear to readers. The second answer is related to the word ‘academic’ which clearly differentiates academic papers from ‘social commentary’ or ‘personal opinion’. The theory, ideas and solutions to a problem that an academic paper trying to persuade/convince readers should have been developed based on updated and relevant evidence. The third answer is that the academic paper is written for the right readers in a way that can generate interest and advance knowledge and understanding, hence benefiting readers’ work and practices. Lastly, the academic paper has clear structure that guides a logical flow of ideas, and different parts of paper are connected cohesively forming a unified whole.
JHMHP: Science advances rapidly day by day. How do you ensure your writing is up-to-date and can give new insights to the field of research?
A/Prof. Liang: No one can share new discoveries and insights into the field of research without good scientific research itself. Therefore, the fundamental first step is to ensure that research questions were constructed to address actual gaps and that the design and method for data collection were determined and informed by both research method literature and the most relevant and recent research conducted in a similar field. The second strategy is to try to reduce the gap time between research project implementation and research results dissemination. A good plan for the timely development of academic papers and presentation of research and research findings at relevant and well-attended national and international conferences is the key.
JHMHP: What is fascinating about academic writing?
A/Prof. Liang: Developing and finalizing an academic paper is just like managing a mini project, starting with a thoughtful plan - developing an outline; getting consensus from co-authors on who to contribute, what to contribute and by when; core focus/core message, and key points to help developing and delivering the core messages… Seeing the mini project to fruition is a very satisfying process. Being rejected by journals or requesting major revision are all parts of the journey that improve our confidence and capacity in developing high-quality academic publications.
(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)
Nancy Borkowski
Dr. Nancy Borkowski, DBA, CPA, FACHE, FHFMA, is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Health Services Administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She is a certified public accountant, board-certified in health management, and a Fellow of both the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Dr. Borkowski is a nationally recognized author of numerous textbooks with the first edition of her book Organizational Behavior in Health Care being referred to as “one of the most significant advances in the field of health services administration”. Her work has been published in various journals. Her teaching interests are leadership, organizational behavior, and strategic management. She has been presented with numerous excellences in teaching awards, which are given to faculty who engage in furthering academic excellence and the professional development of health management students. Learn more about Dr. Borkowski here, and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Academic writing plays an essential role in science, according to Dr. Borkowski. Without it, we cannot advance new ideas and concepts, theories, or research findings to our wider audiences for consideration and debate. She regards it as the main means for scholars to collaborate to advance our knowledge by identifying gaps, presenting new hypotheses or proposing previously unasked research questions.
In Dr. Borkowski’s view, the peer-review process for academic writing provides the “quality control” that one’s scholarly submission is critical for advancing our knowledge gaps. The peer-review process provides the mechanism to ensure that published works are credible and impactful for addressing society’s many challenges.
“As I would assume shared by most scholars, my motivation for academic writing is the desire to improve the practitioners’ current state of affairs. In other words, the desire to assist managers and leaders address the challenges that causes them great concern for which there is limited empirical research to assist them in their decision-making,” says Dr. Borkowski.
(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)