Meet Our Conference Organizers
Rupert M. Evans, Sr., DHA, MPA, FACHE
.jpg "Evans, Rupert Sr.")
Dr. Rupert M. Evans, Sr., DHA, MPA, FACHE, is an Assistant Professor and Interim Chairman and Director of the Healthcare Administration Program at Governors State University (GSU). He is the owner of his own consulting company, Trepur LLC. He is also the Executive Director of the Thapelo Institute, Inc.
At GSU, Dr. Evans has served as course director for the Healthcare Management Courses, and lectures in many others. His consulting practice focuses on diversity and healthcare management. Prior to joining GSU, he was the President and CEO of the Institute for Diversity in Health Management and prior to that, the President and CEO of the Erie Family Health Center. Erie is one of the largest Federally Qualified Community Health Centers in Chicago.
Dr. Evans is a Harvard Macy Scholar, a Fellow in the UIC Public Health Leadership Institute and a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives, which is the highest honor for American and Canadian Health Care Executives. He is a past President of the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE). He has written articles for Hospitals and Health Systems Magazine, Modern Healthcare, and Journal of the American College of Health Care Executives; he has also authored chapters in two renowned healthcare administration text books.
Dr. Evans served as faculty for Rush University, Health Systems Management Department, the Governance Institute, American College of Health Care Executives, National Association of Health Services Executives, AONE, the American Governance and Leadership Group, and The International and Quality and Productivity Center.
Major Evans is a highly-decorated veteran of the United States Air Force and holds many honors and awards. He was recognized in the August, 2002 and August, 2004 issues of Modern Healthcare Magazine as one of the top 100 “Most Powerful People in Healthcare.”He serves on the Board of Directors of the African American Healthcare Council, the UIC Urban Health Advisory Council and is a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc.
Dr. Evans holds a Doctorate of Healthcare Administration at Central Michigan University, a master's degree in Public Administration/Health Services Management and BA in Environmental Studies. He is married to Cynthia Griffith Evans, has a son, Rupert Jr., daughter, Angelette M., daughter-in-law Alicia (d) and grandsons; Marcus (12) and David (11).
Penny L. Havlicek, Ph.D.
Penny L. Havlicek, Ph.D., is the Director of Administration and Operations in the Center for the Care and Study of Vulnerable Populations at Governors State University (GSU).
In this capacity, Dr. Havlicek identifies the Center’s strategic objectives and strives to achieve them through the appropriate and effective organization and utilization of Center Resources and through outreach to and support of GSU’s research faculty.
While at Governors State University, Dr. Havlicek has assumed increasing responsibility for the design, management, and execution of tasks associated with the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research, including opening and reinforcing lines of communication, establishing procedures and protocols, collecting and maintaining grant-related information, and managing grant-related reporting activities.
Dr. Havlicek played a significant role in the development and preparation of the $4.9 million healthcare workforce training grant awarded to Governors State University by the U. S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration in February of 2010.
Prior to joining the university, Dr. Havlicek spent more than 20 years managing surveys and databases, ensuring data quality, and disseminating information critical to the formation of health-related policy for the American Medical Association, including a seminal series of reports related to the growth, formation, and importance of medical group practices to the U.S. health care delivery system.
Dr. Havlicek holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Master degree in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a BS degree in Sociology from Illinois State University. She is married to Ralph Bell, Ph. D., has a son currently attending Illinois State University, and a wacky black cat named Al.
Funding for this conference was made possible in part by P20MD001816 from the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention by trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
