Michael Matthews receives Kinard Award from Winthrop University President Dan MahonyMichael Matthews, Ph.D., alumnus of the UAB School of Health Professions’ PhD in Administration-Health Services program, has been honored by Winthrop University with its top teaching award. On December 17, 2016, Matthews received the Kinard Award for Excellence in Teaching as part of Winthrop’s Commencement Ceremony.

Matthews, an associate professor of management, gave credit to his classmates and instructors at UAB for helping him reach this pinnacle achievement.

“My experience at UAB was, and still is, nothing short of amazing,” said Matthews. “The network of MSHA and PhD alumni from UAB is unparalleled and I am fortunate to be a part of this incredible network. Winning the Kinard Award is my greatest professional honor and a direct reflection of those who invested time and energy in me during my academic and industry career and I am eternally grateful.”

Matthews taught courses in the UAB Health Care Management program until 2003. In 2005, after teaching at Mercer University, he joined the Winthrop faculty as an assistant professor and was promoted in 2009 to associate professor.  Currently he teaches healthcare management and management courses for the College of Business Administration and Human Experience courses for Winthrop’s general education program.

Matthews said the ties he formed with UAB colleagues and classmates run deep even today and that he still looks to them for mentoring, professional development and friendship.

Matthews with one of his Winthrop undergraduate classes“Colleagues like Dr. Donna Slovensky allowed me to teach my first classes and mentored and developed my approach in the classroom. Friends like Pam Paustian working late into the nights as we developed online content and programs (back the dark ages of 2001),” said Matthews. “UAB PhD alumni Dr. Thomas McIlwain mentored me in my undergraduate program at Appalachian State and at the Medical University of South Carolina. Professors like Howard Houser, Bob Hernandez, Steve O’Connor, Myron Fottler, Randa Hall and Rick Shewchuck were always available and a guiding force throughout my studies. Fellow PhD students like Nir Menachemi, Eric Ford, Kevin LaFrance, Amy Landry, Beth Woodard and Matt Rousculp not only pushed me through the PhD program but provided a social network that I so strongly value today.”

As for why Matthews won Winthrop’s top teaching honor. The university had this to say:

“Dr. Matthews uses varied content, instruction, and assessments for his classes that include traditional lectures, service learning projects, current event topics, and visits by outside industry executives,” said Debra Boyd, the university’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

Matthews also received the College of Business Administration’s Service Award last spring for his impact on the university, the community and beyond. One of his service projects – the Life Blooms Eternal Campaign which started in 2010 – began with placing colorful umbrellas by the Winthrop Lake at Homecoming in partnership with Agape Hospice to help remember lost loved ones. Today, it is used by Agape Hospice in every market in South Carolina.