Program Staff
Program Director
Senior Associate Dean and Professor
(956) 882-5000
BSIHS@utrgv.edu
Dr. Christopher M. Ledingham serves as Senior Associate Dean in the College. In this role Dr. Ledingham works to assist faculty with any issues related to Faculty Governance in the College; serves as a resource person for issues concerning Tenure, Promotion, Post-Tenure Review and Annual Evaluation; facilitates community engagement activities and initiatives at the level and serves as the "Point Dean" when Dr. Lehker is out of the office.
Dr. Ledingham is also the Program Director for the Bachelor of Science in Integrated Health Sciences and Professor in the Department of Health & Human Performance. Dr. Ledingham holds a PhD in Health Education from Texas A&M University, College Station Tx. and both a BCH and MPH in Community Health Education from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM. Dr. Ledingham’s research interests include community & school health program evaluation, obesity prevention in children, and children’s empathy towards animals.
Program Specialist
(956) 665-7819
(956) 882-5149
BSIHS@utrgv.edu
Bianca Farrell brings over a decade of experience mentoring pre-med, health, and research students She graduated with a BS in Biology from the former University of Texas at Brownsville in 2013. Since then, she has actively supported student success as a coordinator for NIH-funded undergraduate research initiatives at UT-Brownsville and UTRGV, most recently as the Integrated Health Sciences program specialist.
Bianca has mentored numerous undergraduate students throughout her career, guiding them through academic exploration, preparation, and application to internship and graduate programs. She prioritizes academic support and the development of soft skills, professionalism, and fundamental research skills.
Available both in person and virtually on the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses, Bianca is dedicated to helping each student overcome their academic challenges and achieve their goals.
Program Faculty
Lecturer I
(956) 665-7818
Anu.banerjee@utrgv.edu
Dr. Anu Banerjee possesses an impressive track record spanning over two decades in the realms of healthcare quality, experience of care, and healthcare innovation. He has effectively led and collaborated with executive leadership within integrated healthcare organizations, encompassing acute and post-acute care healthcare systems. Dr. Banerjee's educational contributions are notable, having instructed various courses in areas such as Healthcare Quality, Legal Issues in Healthcare, Healthcare Data Analytics, Nursing and Health Informatics, and Evidence-Based Practices. He holds a patent for a groundbreaking chronic disease management application that not only encourages enhanced patient engagement but also facilitates seamless transitions of care.
His prowess extends to the realm of data analytics, where he has successfully devised and executed a robust prescriptive analytics platform capable of addressing real-time, intricate data inquiries within the healthcare domain.
Dr. Banerjee is particularly dedicated to fortifying healthcare strategies through predictive analytics, empowering stakeholders with actionable data and information capabilities. Continuously striving for excellence, he remains committed to grooming the next generation of healthcare professionals, molding them to address the most demanding healthcare challenges and shape the future of healthcare.
Lecturer I
(956) 665-7820
Melissa.gonzalez10@utrgv.edu
Melissa is a dedicated professional and a teacher at heart with a passion for education and academic advancement. Holding degrees in Clinical Research Management Regulatory Science concentration, Health Science Technology, and Respiratory Therapy, she brings a wealth of knowledge to COHP Integrated Health Science students. She has worked in the field of health science education for over 15 years with extensive course variety and course development experience.
Serving as Chairperson of the Student Recruitment Committee, Melissa is very involved with student recruitment and retention. She is deeply committed to supporting student success and holistic development. Encompassing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, workforce development, and empathy for their future consumers are at the top of her list when teaching students.