Education
PhD, Business Economics University of Chicago
MBA Management Science, University of Chicago
BA Physics, Rice University
Courses taught
- Applied Economics for Managers (Health Section) BUSN6621
- Financial Decisions and Policies FNCE6310
- Health Care Financial Management HLTH6040
Areas of Expertise
- Corporate Finance
- Health Economics
Teaching Philosophy
My primary job is to help students acquire concepts and skills, which will enable them to independently assess important questions in the future. The important concepts are necessarily broad-the specific applications are not yet known. At the same time, I should be able to use current issues to illustrate the applicability of these concepts.
This entails a number of more specific elements:
I organize material for the course in a way which enables students to gain exposure to relevant concepts and applications in a relatively efficient and understandable way. At the same time, students need to acquire experience in organizing information for themselves, which also improves student retention. The course always involves a balance of the two.
Some presentation on my part is needed to assist the above, especially where the available readings are least satisfactory and on points which experience has shown are especially difficult for students to grasp.
Students must ultimately grapple with concepts and applications to make them their own. I should assist this process by reviewing with students the steps they are taking and could be taking. This is done through responses to questions and comments in class, through comments on written assignments, and through individual discussions.
I motivate students to learn.
Professional History
Academic Experience:
- Professor of Finance and Health Administration, University of Colorado at Denver, 1998-present
- Associate Professor of Finance and Health Administration, University of Colorado at Denver, 1990-98
- Director, Programs in Health Administration, University of Colorado at Denver, 1993-94, 1989-92
- Visiting Fellow, Program on Non-Profit Organizations, Yale University 1992-93
- Assistant Professor of Finance and Health Administration, University of Colorado at Denver, 1983-90
- Assistant Professor of Health Administration, Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago, 1979-83
- Associate Director, Graduate Program in Hospital Administration, Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago, 1978-83
- Associate Director for Administration, Center for Health Administration Studies, Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago, 1978-80
- Instructor in Health Administration, Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago, 1977-79
- Assistant Director, Graduate Program in Hospital Administration, Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago, 1977-78
- Assistant Director, Center for Health Administration Studies, Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago, 1977-78
- Research Associate (Instructor), Center for Health Administration Studies, Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago, 1973-77
- Research Associate, Center for Health Administration Studies, Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago, 1972-73
Other:
- Assistant Director, Division of Research, American Hospital Association, 1972
- Research Associate, American Hospital Association, 1969-71
Selected Publications
Professor Foster’s research has addressed issues in health economics, corporate finance for nonprofit organizations and program evaluation. His work has appeared in Journal of Health Economics, Journal of Human Resources, Health Services Research, Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, Inquiry and other journals and books. See his curriculum vitae for specifics.
Current Research
- How corporate finance theory applies to nonprofit organizations
- How taxes affect the cost of capital for nonprofit organizations
- How bondholders monitor managerial agency problems differently in nonprofit and for profit organizations
Selected Consulting Experience
- American Hospital Association
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
- US Department of Health and Human Services
Achievements and Honors
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Beta Gamma Sigma
- Faculty Service Awards
- HFMA Awards
Academic and Professional Activities
- Treasurer, Network for Healthcare Management
- Board of Directors, Colorado Healthcare Financial Management Associaton
- Chair, American College of Healthcare Executives Committee on Higher Education
- Chair, Association of University Programs in Health Administration Faculty Forum in Finance and Economics