Dr. Paul Spurlin is Professor in the Department of Healthcare Administration at Mississippi State University, where he contributes to program development, curriculum design, and student engagement. He has also served as Interim Program Director, providing leadership in strengthening academic programs and advancing initiatives that support student success.  His work has included enhancing healthcare administration education through applied learning, rigorous academic standards, and alignment with the evolving financial and operational demands of healthcare organizations.

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Spurlin has demonstrated a strong commitment to teaching excellence and interdisciplinary education. With a background spanning finance, economics, and healthcare administration, he has developed and delivered a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses, including healthcare economics, financial management for healthcare, and corporate finance. His teaching emphasizes practical application, analytical decision-making, and preparing students to navigate complex financial environments within healthcare systems.

Dr. Spurlin’s research centers on financial markets, banking, and the role of community banks in rural economies, with growing application to healthcare policy and finance—particularly in understanding value-based payment models and access to capital for rural hospitals. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Banking & Finance, Managerial Finance, and International Review of Economics and Finance, and he has presented his research at numerous academic conferences. His scholarship reflects a consistent focus on real-world financial challenges and their implications for organizations and communities.

In addition to his academic and research contributions, Dr. Spurlin brings valuable professional experience from industry, having served as a data processing manager and programmer prior to entering academia. This experience informs his practical, systems-oriented approach to teaching and program development. 

Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (Finance), University of Mississippi

Master of Business Administration, University of Southern Mississippi

Bachelor of Science in Biology, Delta State University