School of Public Health

SPH HSMP Program Partners with Mid-South MGMA to Co-host Annual MGMA CEO Roundtable

Thursday, 22 October 2026

The University of Memphis School of Public Health (UofM SPH) partnered with Mid-South MGMA (MS-MGMA) to co-host the annual MGMA CEO Roundtable, bringing together local healthcare executives to discuss industry trends and mentor future healthcare leaders.

Organized as an event of the Health Systems Management and Policy program, the panel session was moderated by HSMP Assistant Professor, Dr. Cameron Bigler. The program featured an executive panel discussion followed by an interactive student SkillShop. The SkillShop was facilitated by local executives Eric Gibson, Partner and CFO of Clearly MD LLC, and Jessica Harrison, MHA, FACMPE, Vice President of Specialty Operations at University Clinical Health.

The panel brought together Michael Drake, CEO of Christ Community Health Services, Shannon Tacker, CEO of University Clinical Health, and Philip O’Malley, CEO of The Urology Group. The healthcare leaders engaged in a dynamic discussion about the ever-evolving healthcare landscape and detailed the strategic, real-time adaptations their respective organizations are implementing to navigate industry shifts.

Following the main presentation, Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) students participated in a two-hour interactive SkillShop. This session offered students a unique opportunity to learn directly from local executives and MGMA board members. Discussion topics focused on the operational realities of physician practice settings, including opening new clinics, advanced project management and healthcare finance fundamentals.

The executives also shared personal insights on career progression and strategic career planning. They emphasized the critical traits, skills and approaches necessary for students to develop strong leadership capabilities early in their professional journeys.

SPH HSMP Program Partners with Mid-South MGMA to Co-host Annual MGMA CEO Roundtable

(L-R) Michael Drake, CEO of Christ Community Health Services, Shannon Tacker, CEO of University Clinical Health and Philip O’Malley, CEO of The Urology Group

(L-R) Michael Drake speaks to MHA Students Mario Brown and Jalynn Caldwell

MEDIA CONTACTS:

For Media Inquiries contact: SPHCommunications@memphis.edu
The Office of Communications at The University of Memphis School of Public Health