AHHOF Welcomes Two Healthcare Professionals to the AHHOF Board

William Ferniany, PhD, Retired CEO UAB Health System

A senior leader in health care since 1975, Dr. Will Ferniany retired in January of 2022 as Chief Executive Officer of the UAB Health System and the UAB-St.Vincent’s Alliance. Dr. Ferniany holds a Ph.D. in Administration-Health Services and a Master of Science in Hospital and Health Administration from UAB Birmingham. He is past chair of the Alabama Hospital Association. UAB established The Will Ferniany Endowed Professorship in Health Leadership and the Will Ferniany Academic Contribution annual award in recognition of his contributions.

Maria R. Shirey, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, ANEF, FACHE, FAAP, FAAN

Dr. Maria R. Shirey is the Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair in Nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing. As a tenured professor, Dr. Shirey teaches and mentors students in both the PhD and DNP programs.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida State University, A Master of Science in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University, a Master of Business Administration from Tulane University, and a PhD in Nursing Science from Indiana University. Dr. Shirey is a prolific author, editor, and speaker having disseminated her work in over 150 publications and over 200 presentations across the globe.