Joan L. Exline Ph.D.

EXLINE Joan L. Exline, Ph.D., passed away on July 26, 2012 after a hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer. Joan was born on February 13, 1957 as the third of four children to the late M. Joan Exline and Eugene V. Exline in Evansville, IN. She grew up in Evansville, IN, graduating from F.J. Reitz High School in 1975. She went on to earn a B.S. in Business from Indiana University and a master's degree in health administration from the University of Michigan. After working as a hospital administrator in the Midwest for a number of years, she returned to Wayne State University to earn a doctorate in public policy, specializing in health policy. In 1997, she completed a fellowship in health services research with Duke University and the Department of Veteran Affairs. In addition to being the Principal Consultant of J Exline & Associates consulting firm, serving on several healthcare, educational, and profess-ional publications' commi-ttees and boards, and teaching health policy and administration at several universities, Joan held several positions during her successful eleven year career at the University of Southern Mississippi, including Graduate Program Director; Director, Department of Community Health Sciences; Interim Dean, College of Health; and Assistant to the President-Accreditation, Planning, and Articulation. Joan moved to Mobile, AL, to join the University of South Alabama in 2008 as AVP of Institutional Research, Planning, Assessment and Regional Campuses while also teaching online graduate health administration and policy courses within the MPA program. She was instrumental in revamping processes and practices to bring the University into compliance with SACS Principles and directed all necessary requirements to achieve SACS accreditation. While there, she also chaired numerous committees and developed new programs within the University. Joan was honored numerous times during her storied career, including the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Best Practices Award, Strong Woman of Mississippi-Leadership, and CHHS Distinguished Teaching Award. She authored several professional publications and articles. In Mobile, she met Steve Green, to whom she married on May 2, 2009. Joan and Steve shared a passion for golf, walks on the beach, USA football and basketball, gardening, and their three poodles: Molly, Casey, and Emma. Joan was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Mobile, AL and various professional organizations. Survivors include her husband, Steve Green; brother, Michael Exline of McKinney, TX; and sisters, Barbara Exline of Mobile, AL and Susan Exline (David Bowling) of Monrovia, IN. She is also survived by Sarah, (niece) and Brian Witzig of Chicago, IL; Phil Exline (nephew) of Portland, OR; sister-in-law, Sandy Exline of Evansville, IN; and Amy and Laney Green of Mobile, AL. Joan's family extends a very heartfelt thank you to the Infusion Staff at USA Mitchell Cancer Center and Drs. Butler, Russo, and Contreras for the excellent care and attention that was provided to Joan. A memorial service celebrating Joan's life will take place at 11:30 am on August 2, 2012 at Christ United Methodist Church, 6101 Grelot Road, Mobile, AL, 36609. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. Memorials in Joan's honor can be made to the church or to the Exline Pancreatic Cancer Scientific Investig-ation Fund, University of South Alabama Develop-ment Office, 650 Clinic Dr., Mobile, AL, 36688-0002. On-line condolences may be made at hughesfh.com. Arrangements are by Hughes Funeral Home & Crematory of Daphne, AL.