Faculty member of Capella University co-authors new book that focuses on healthcare leadership

Nick Coppola, PhD, MHA, FACHE, a faculty member in the Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Capella University (http://www.capella.edu), an accredited online university that has built its reputation by providing high quality online degree programs for working adults, has co-authored a book that focuses on healthcare leadership. "Leadership for Health Professionals: Theory, Skills and Applications" enables students to study, apply and practice the theories, models and responsibilities of leadership within a health organization context.

“The text not only educates students on the sound fundamentals of leadership, it also provides an executive's guide to successful application.”

The book, which highlights leadership principles and practical cases from leaders across various health professions, provides students and professionals with the means to improve health outcomes through better leadership.

"This book fills an important gap within the health professional literature by merging the classics of leadership theory with the practical applications of leadership execution that come from over 25 years of leadership practice," Dr. Coppola said. "The text not only educates students on the sound fundamentals of leadership, it also provides an executive's guide to successful application."

Published by Jones & Bartlett Learning, "Leadership for Health Professionals" has been adopted by 40 graduate, undergraduate and doctoral programs, said Coppola. It has reached as high as #3 on Amazon's ranking of texts for health professionals.

As of Dec. 31, 2010, more than 39,000 students are pursuing an online degree at Capella with 31 percent enrolled in Capella's doctoral degree programs, and 47 percent enrolled in Capella's master's degree programs.

Coppola has been a faculty member with Capella University since 2003. He is also a tenured associate professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. His co-author, Gerald (Jerry) R. Ledlow, PhD, MHA, FACHE, is on the faculty of Georgia Southern University.