Matthew Lazari, MHA, FACHE, CLSSBB

Assistant Professor of Practice

Biography

Matt Lazari, MHA, FACHE, CLSSBB is an assistant professor of practice in public health.  Matt brings over 15 years of health services administration experience working in a variety of not-for-profit health systems.  He has worked in roles across acute care and ambulatory care in both operational and financial capacities.  Originally from the central valley in California, Matt expanded his career in southern California and has been in east Tennessee since 2021.  Recently Matt served as the Chief Financial Officer of a large medical group in east Tennessee.  Prior to that Matt developed the Thompson Autism Center in Orange County California, providing multidisciplinary care to children with Autism and other related behavioral care needs.  Matt spent a big portion of his career working on expanding access to care for children. 

Matt enjoys spending time with his family, which includes his wife who is also a professor and is his motivation in becoming a professor.    

Curriculum Vitae

Research

My research focuses on a multi-disciplinary interconnectedness across different healthcare disciplines and educational development.  Public Health and Public Policy provide the ideal foundation to drive change and innovation throughout the healthcare system. 

Future research focus is across these key areas:

• Public Financing options through policy change to fund public health prevention efforts.
• Evaluation of community benefit from not-for-profit hospitals vs the dollars being spent on public health initiatives, increasing funding for public health initiatives.
• Evolution of education through population health related efforts focused on social determinants of health.
• Education and mentorship opportunities and development for public health practitioners and health care administrators.

Education

• Doctor of Policy, Planning and Development (DPPD)
  University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 2024

• Master of Health Administration (MHA)
  University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 2010

• S., Biological Sciences and Business Administration
  California State University Stanislaus, Turlock, 2008

Professional Service

• Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives
• Government Relations Council Member, American Medical Group Association
• Finance Chair, AnewCare Accountable Care Organization
• Board of Zoning Appeals, City of Johnson City

Awards and Recognitions

• Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award – East Tennessee State University

Publications

Selected Publications:

Parks, A., Lazari, M., O'Dell, B., Avalos, R. (2022). Provider and Staff Responses to Non-Facility Specific Patient Experience Feedback with Post-Acute Care Transitions. Journal of Quality in Health Care and Economics.

Parks, A., Lazari, M. (2022). Evaluating Self-Reported Patient Experience with Transitions from General Acute Care to Post-Acute Care Settings. Journal of Quality in Health Care and Economics.

Parks, A. & Lazari, M. (2015). "NAHQ Leadership Model Series: Communicating Effectively for Change and Improvement". California Association for Healthcare Quality.

Parks, A., Lazari, M. (2014).  "NAHQ Leadership Model Series: The Art of Data Management", California Association for Healthcare Quality.

Select Presentations:

Lazari M., Parks, A. (2022). “A Systematic Review of the Impact and Factors Surrounding the CMS Price Transparency Initiative”. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo, Boston, 11/7/2022

Parks, A., Lazari, M. (2021). “Nutrition and Food Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic Era: Exploring the Relationship between Nutrition, Psychological Distress, and Family/Social Life Impairment”. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo, Virtual, 10/25/2021

Parks, A., Lazari, M. (2020). “Self-Reported Mentorship Needs and Preferences of Health Administration and Public Health Students”. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo, Virtual, 10/24/2020

Parks, A., Lazari, M. (2019). "A Portrait of California's Workforce: Mental Health Status, Family Relationships, and Hours Worked".  American Psychological Association: Work, Stress, and Health. Philadelphia, PA. 11/10/2019.

Parks, A. Lazari, M., O’Dell, B., Cheema, K. (2019). “Self-reported Mentorship Needs and Preferences of Public Health Students”. Southern California Public Health Association. Los Angeles, CA. 10/14/2019.

Parks, A. Lazari, M., O’Dell, B., Cheema, K. (2019). “Best Practices for Preparing Students for the Healthcare Workforce”. AUPHA 2019 Undergraduate Workshop. Winston-Salem, NC. 10/13/2019.

Parks, A. Lazari, M., O’Dell, B., Cheema, K. (2019). “Addressing Mentorship Needs and Preferences of Undergraduate Healthcare Administration Students”. AUPHA 2019 Undergraduate Workshop. Winston-Salem, NC. 10/12/2019.

Parks, A., Lazari, M. (2019). "Advancing the Healthcare Quality Profession by Developing Direct Educational Pathways".  National Association for Healthcare Quality – NAHQ NEXT Conference.  Phoenix, AZ. 09/16/19. 

Parks, A., Lazari, M. (2019). "Adapt, Motivate, Leverage: Engagement Techniques Used by Online and In-Person Faculty".  Online Teaching Conference, Anaheim, CA. 06/18/2019.