Faculty Profiles

Colleges and Departments

Mr. Joseph Baar Topinka

  • Associate Professor of Practice - School of Health Administration
Portrait of Mr. Joseph Baar Topinka

Biography and expertise

Joseph Baar Topinka is a retired military attorney who previously taught as an Assistant Professor in the Army-Baylor University Graduate Program in Health and Business Administration and was also a Legal Instructor for the Army Medical Department Center and School’s Leader Training Center. He is the former Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the U.S Army Medical Command and the former Command Judge Advocate and Center Judge Advocate for the Army’s Western Regional Medical Command and Madigan Army Medical Center respectively. He has published or co-published many works over the last twelve years.

Education

Special Professional Degree

JD in Law

Northern Illinois University, 1993

Master's Degree

LLM in Health Law

Loyola University of Chicago, 2008

Master's Degree

MHA in Health Administration

Chapman University, 2007

Master's Degree

LLM in Military Law

Judge Advocate General's School, 2003

Master's Degree

MBA in Business Administration

Saint Martins College, 2002

Bachelor's Degree

BA in Political Science

Double Major: Political Science/PreLaw and History

Univ of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1990

  • Topinka, Joseph Baar. Service Learning Section Designation Grant, Service Learning Excellence Program, Texas State University, $500. (Funded: September 7, 2021 - Present). Grant.
  • Mileski, M., Mendoza Torres, A., Beauvais, B. M., Betancourt, J. A., Ramamonjiarivelo, Z. H., Topinka, J. B., … McClay, R. (2026). The role of artificial intelligence in enhancing quality of life in nursing homes: A rapid review. Healthcare, 14(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14111455
  • Mileski, M., Shapley, R. T., Beauvais, B. M., Topinka, J. B., Shanmugam, R., Betancourt, J. A., & McClay, R. (2025). The Utilization, Application, and Impact of Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNPs) in Nursing Facilities: A Rapid Review. Healthcare, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14010071
  • Mileski, M., McClay, R., Kruse, C. S., Topinka, J. B., Heinemann, K. A., & Vargas, B. I. M. (2024). The use of serenity rooms and similar tools to improve the workplace during COVID-19: A rapid review. Nursing Reports. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep14010029
  • Topinka, J. B. (n.d.). Chapter 13.  Actions and Reports Required of Physicians in Treatment Situations. In ILLINOIS PRACTICE SERIES (2022 Edition, Vol. 21). Eagan, MN, United States: Thompson Reuters.
  • Betancourt, J. A., Stigler Granados, P. E., Pacheco, G. J., Reagan, J. K., Shanmugam, R., Topinka, J. B., … Fulton, L. V. (2021). Exploring Health Outcomes for U.S. Veterans Compared to Non-Veterans from 2003 to 2019. Healthcare, 9(604). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9050604
View all scholarly/creative works
  • Award / Honor Recipient: The Orator Award, San Marcos Toastmasters Club. December 5, 2022
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great, State of the Holey See. May 10, 2013
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Ten Years of Service, Texas State University. August 20, 2025
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Favorite Professor, Alfred H. Nolle Chapter of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. May 1, 2024
  • Award / Honor Recipient: College of Health Professions 2021 Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Service, College of Health Professions, Texas State University. 2021
View all awards
  1. Participant

    Nontenure Line Faculty Committee

  2. Member

    Review Committee to Hire Assistant Vice-President and Director, International Affairs Health Professions

  3. Other

    Service Learning Initiative

  4. Board of Directors

    Morton College Foundation

  5. Board of Directors

    Friends of the Bohemian Cemetery

  6. Member

    Study Abroad and Study in America Committee

  7. View all activities