Carlton Young

Photo by Russ Houston

After almost 20 years as a Birmingham, Ala. attorney helping physicians set up practices and providing legal consultations on the healthcare industry, Carlton Young took a new career path.

He began teaching in the College of Business at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he also earned a doctorate in health services administration before taking a job in the Research Triangle of North Carolina.

Six years ago, the associate professor of healthcare administration came to Mississippi State University-Meridian with a wealth of knowledge and experience to help students prepare for healthcare management careers.

MSU-Meridian's healthcare administration program had just begun when Young joined the faculty. Today, approximately 50 students have graduated, many of whom taking jobs lined up before they left campus.

"The healthcare administration concentration is a great fit for MSU-Meridian, given the historic contributions that Meridian's Riley, Rush and Anderson families have made to the advancement of healthcare in Mississippi," Young said. "It fills the employer's need for a skilled worker and our students' need for a productive, fulfilling career."

He expressed pride at being "part of a university that recognizes Mississippi's needs and steps forward to address them."

When not in the classroom, engaged in research or advising area healthcare organizations, Young and wife Lisa often may be found helping out behind the scenes at MSU Riley Center events. They also are active with the Central United Methodist Church and the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum in Meridian.