Published on July 31, 2025 at 5 p.m. by Alison Ingle  
Carol Ratcliffe 2024

Carol Ratcliffe, professor and chair of Samford University’s Department of Healthcare Administration and Informatics in the School of Public Health, has been appointed to a second three-year term by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to serve on the Statewide Health Coordinating Council (SHCC).

The SHCC reviews and develops the Alabama State Health Plan and advises the State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA) on matters related to health planning and resource development. Ratcliffe will represent consumers across the state during her term, which extends through 2028.

A registered nurse and accomplished health care executive, Ratcliffe brings more than three decades of leadership experience in clinical, academic and administrative settings. Her career has been defined by a commitment to expanding access to care, advancing health equity and preparing the next generation of health care leaders.

“I am honored to serve once again and represent Alabama’s health care consumers,” Ratcliffe said. “The SHCC plays a very important role in shaping state health policy and overall health planning.”

“Professor Ratcliffe’s appointment is a testament to her deep knowledge of Alabama’s health care landscape and her passion for service,” said Suresh Mathews, interim dean of the School of Public Health. “She will be an exceptional advocate for the voices of health care consumers across our state.”

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.