Education:
- Master of Public Health (MPH) Ohio University, 2019
- Doctorate in Education (EdD) Ohio University, 2012
- Master of Education (MEd) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2000
- Bachelor of Science (BS) State College of New Jersey, 1990
Expertise:
- Health literacy
- Rural Appalachia
- Social determinants of health
- Health disparities
- Medical education
Summary of Work:
I have worked in and with rural and underserved communities since I completed my undergraduate degree, both locally in Athens County, in the surrounding counties (New Straitsville in Perry County), with colleagues in Vallejo, California, and internationally in Ecuador. I have my doctorate in Education and recently completed the Masters of Public Health program at Ohio University. Currently, I am the Director of the Rural and Urban Scholars Pathways (RUSP) Program at the Heritage College. I lead the Open Book Project at the Heritage College.
I also work with the Appalachian Rural Health Institute as their Community Outreach Coordinator. In that capacity, I work with local health departments to complete their Community Health Assessments and Community Health Improvement Plans. I am currently involved in a grant with the Athens City County Health Department to evaluate the expansion of the needle exchange program in Athens County. Additionally, I have taught graduate-level qualitative research classes that engage rural communities. I enjoy mentoring students who are interested in research about and with rural and urban underserved communities or health issues that impact them. I have published on a variety of topics relating to Appalachia and underserved communities.
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