Degree of Success

Public Health alumna goes global with doctoral degree

by Frank Ruggiero

When she enrolled in the School of Public Health, Liza Pugh Nicholson had business to attend to.

As founder and chief executive officer of Avail Management Services, a Tuscaloosa, Alabama-based health care management company, Nicholson, a 2022 graduate of the school’s Doctor of Public Health, had already established herself as a leader in her field.

"But you can never know enough," she said. "I pursued a Doctor of Public Health to enhance my knowledge and skills, thus leveraging my interdisciplinary expertise to further the efforts of Avail Management and bridge business and public health solutions."

Avail provides program/project planning, direction and technical assistance within clinics, health care systems, academic institutions, home care and community-based organizations, with a focus on improving performance, capacity and cost-saving solutions.

“Avail ensures that people are getting the absolute best care possible,” Nicholson said.

In her studies, Nicholson focused on health management and policy, which proved instrumental in expanding her business to serve clients globally.

“I am appreciative of the opportunity I had at Samford to expand my expertise in addressing emerging trends in public health,” she said. “The exposure to the phenomenal faculty and diverse cohort of peers allowed for lasting relationships and a network of public health leaders impacting populations across the world.”

Although the Dr.P.H. curriculum is offered fully online, Nicholson never felt disconnected from her instructors and peers. Furthermore, being part of this program helped her develop a public health initiative called the Cultured Heart Connection. What started as Nicholson’s capstone project now promotes culturally responsive education among African American women to reduce cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.

Since earning her Dr.P.H., Nicholson was named one of the “75 Black Health Care Leaders to Know” by Becker’s Healthcare/Hospital Review in 2022 and featured as the cover story for CIO Views’ 2023 International Women’s Day issue, among numerous other accolades.

“Liza is one of the most inspiring students I have ever taught,” public health professor Ahinee Amamoo said. “I am so proud of her and can’t wait to see how God continues to use her. She is truly operating in her calling.” ◗