Faculty Profile for Dr. Cristian H Lieneck

profile photo for Dr. Cristian H Lieneck
Dr. Cristian H Lieneck
School Director-Assoc Professor — School of Health Administration
ENC 250
phone: (512) 245-3494

Biography Section

Biography and Education

Dr. Lieneck brings over 10 years of hands-on experience in healthcare administration, specializing in medical group practice management, alongside a decade of experience in higher education, where he has been instrumental in preparing future healthcare leaders. He currently serves as the Interim Director for the School of Health Administration at Texas State University.

His journey in healthcare began in high school when he became a licensed emergency medical technician (EMT). He later joined the United States Army as a Medical Service Corps officer, starting as a Lieutenant where he managed a garrison medical clinic and a field medical evacuation platoon in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Promoted to Captain, he took on roles such as Executive Officer and Dental Company Commander at Fort Carson, overseeing four outpatient dental practices and an oral surgery clinic.

Dr. Lieneck has been widely recognized for his military leadership and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his service. His post-military career includes leadership roles in various healthcare organizations, such as the Community Living Assistance Support Services for the Texas Medicaid-Waiver Program and the Austin Radiological Association. He also managed a physiatry and pain medicine group practice in Austin, which included multiple locations and an outpatient procedure suite.

He holds fellowships and board certifications from the American College of Medical Practice Executives, the American College of Healthcare Executives, and the Academy of Healthcare Management. Dr. Lieneck is also a Certified Professional in Health Information and Management Systems.

In addition to his administrative duties, Dr. Lieneck remains active in various professional leadership roles. He teaches the Healthcare Finance module for the American College of Healthcare Executives’ Board of Governors FACHE exam review course and serves as the Regent for Central/South Texas. He is also the MGMA Forum Representative for Texas and contributes to multiple local, state, and national committees.
Dr. Lieneck's research interests focus on healthcare value, particularly in finance and marketing, as well as practice and ambulatory care administration. He is passionate about education, both teaching and ensuring the quality of healthcare management programs as a reviewer for the Association of University Programs in Health Administration.

Outside of his professional life, he enjoys playing music, particularly bluegrass, and cherishes time spent with his family.

Research Interests

Healthcare value (directed towards finance and marketing perspectives), practice administration (ambulatory care), and healthcare administration andragogy.

Selected Scholarly/Creative Work

  • Lieneck, C. H. (2022). Healthcare financial accounting:  A guide for leaders, 1st ed. San Diego, CA: Cognella.
  • Brooks, M. S., Beauvais, B. M., Kruse, C. S., Fulton, L. V., Mileski, M., Ramamonjiarivelo, Z. H., … Lieneck, C. H. (2021). Accreditation and Certification: Do They Improve Hospital Financial and Quality Performance? Healthcare, 9, 887. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9070887
  • Lieneck, C. H. (2020). Is bigger better?  Hospitals and ‘Merger Mania.’ In Hospitals and Health Systems (pp. 101–116). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
  • Lieneck, C. H., Garvey, J., Collins, C., Graham, D., Loving, C., & Pearson, R. (2020). Rapid Telehealth Implementation during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic: A Rapid Review. Healthcare, (8). https://doi.org/doi:10.3390/healthcare8040517
  • Ramamonjiarivelo, Z. H., Lieneck, C. H., Kruse, C. S., Greene, L., & Fulton, L. V. (2020). Assessing the impact of professional certifications on time-to-hire, job satisfaction, and career growth of health administration alumni. Journal of Health Administration Education, 37(1), 25–44.

Selected Awards

  • Award / Honor Recipient: Third Place - Faculty/Student Research Category, Texas State University College of Health Professions Faculty and Student Research Forum. 2021
  • Award / Honor Recipient: MGMA Lifetime Achievement Award, Medical Group Management Association. June 2021
  • Award / Honor Recipient: American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Regent Award (Senior Level), American College of Healthcare Executives. 2017
  • Award / Honor Recipient: First Place - Faculty/Student Research Category, Texas State University College of Health Professions Faculty and Student Research Forum. 2017
  • Award / Honor Recipient: First Place – Faculty/Student Research Category, Texas State University College of Health Professions Faculty and Student Research Forum. 2016

Selected Grants

  • Lieneck, Cristian H. The evolving role of the healthcare CFO: A 10-year follow-up study to determine senior financial executive group differences, Texas State University, $500. (Funded: 2013). Grant.
  • Lieneck, Cristian H. The journey towards accountable care, Texas State University, Texas State University, $2805. (Funded: 2012). Grant.
  • Lieneck, Cristian H. Health Information Management Systems Technology and Analysis (HIMSTA) Program: Data and Information Course Series (3 modules), Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) and Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), Private / Foundation / Corporate, $5000. (Funded: 2011). Grant.

Selected Service Activities

Member
Office of Distance and Extended Learning (ODEL) Faculty Mentor Corps
2020-Present
Chair
Honor Code Council, Texas State University
January 1, 2017-Present
State Forum Representative
Medical Group Management Association-American College of Medical Practice Executives (MGMA-ACMPE) State Forum Representative (Texas)
January 1, 2012-Present
Other
Search Committee Chair: School of Health Administration Search Committee
2016-2022
Member
Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) Undergraduate Program Review Committee member
January 1, 2019-2020