Making a local and global impact
The Department of Social Medicine is an interdisciplinary department comprised of social scientists, humanities scholars and physicians. We study the dynamic interplay of people, culture, the environment and their impact on health care delivery and health outcomes. Our teaching, research and service inform medical students, health professionals and the public about factors affecting clinical decision making, the social responsibilities of health care providers, the social determinants of health and illness, and health policy and politics.
Chair, Joe Bianco
Email: bianco@ohio.edu
Phone: 740.593.2130
Administrative Specialist, Cassie Tritipo
Email: tritipo@ohio.edu
Phone: 740.593.4694
Our Expertise
Our department has active research and teaching expertise in the following areas:
- Biostatistics
- Clinical prevention and population health
- Cultural competence and health care
- Epidemiology of diabetes and cardiovascular disease
- Evidence-based medicine
- Gerontology and geriatrics
- Global warming, climate change and health
- Health in Appalachia
- Health policy
- International health and medicine
- Maternal and child health
- Medical decision making
- Medical ethics
- Reproductive health
- Stress, nutrition and aging
- Sustainability and urban environments
Our Disciplines
Our faculty's disciplines include:
- Biological anthropology
- Biostatistics
- Epidemiology
- Experimental psychology
- Family studies
- Health psychology
- History of medicine
- Interpersonal communication
- Pediatrics
- Social psychology
Global Health Initiative
Students, faculty and staff experience impactful research, education and outreach activities abroad and in immigrant communities in the U.S. to truly understand global health issues and increase multicultural awareness.
Our Faculty
Discover the diverse research topics and current projects conducted by our faculty.
Social Medicine
From our mission to teaching topics to employment opportunities, you’ll find it all here.
Events
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December 16, 2022
For National Rural Health Day on Nov. 17, Kasey Roush, OMS IV, took first-year student Suzanne Chaar on a drive to one of her favorite spots in the Athens area.
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November 17, 2022
Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine graduate Kate Spencer, D.O. ('22), grew up in rural Glouster, Ohio and is now doing her residency at O'Bleness Hospital in Athens. For National Rural Health Day, we talked with her to learn more about why practicing medicine in a rural area is exactly where she wants to be.
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November 17, 2022
In conjunction with National Rural Health Day on Nov. 17, we spoke with second-year student Meghan Trout, who has lived in a rural community and plans to work with underserved populations when she becomes a physician. She and two other students participated in a social media takeover to mark National Rural Health Day.
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November 17, 2022
Third-year medical student Kasey Roush grew up in Meigs County and plans to practice medicine in a rural community when she graduates. For National Rural Health Day, we spoke with her to learn more about her experience with the Rural and Urban Scholars Pathways program and why she returned to her roots.
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November 3, 2022
The Heritage College sat down with Nicolas Suglio, OMS-I, to talk about his path to medical school, including his time serving in the Air National Guard.
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October 17, 2022
Allyson Hughes, Ph.D., whose research focuses on health policy related to the intersection of diabetes and disabilities, was part of a recent cluster hire. In this research spotlight, learn why she finds research rewarding.
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October 6, 2022
In this research spotlight, learn more about Professor of Social Medicine Graciela Muniz-Terrera, Ph.D., whose research focuses on aging and brain health, including dementia.
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October 4, 2022
In August, 40 new RUSP students visited rural and underserved communities in Columbus and Glouster to learn about social determinants of health and the assets that exist in these communities.
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October 4, 2022
Jaret Shook, OMS-I, details his experience as a farmhand, a pharmacist and what brought him to the Heritage College.
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September 1, 2022
Nathan P. Samsa grew up in a rural area and began his career as a pharmacist before earning his osteopathic medical degree. He returned to his roots and is providing personalized medicine to his rural patients.
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August 30, 2022
For the first time a summer session of the Aspiring D.O.ctors Program was held on the Heritage College's Cleveland campus. Second-year medical students planned the four-day program.
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July 12, 2022
Medical school provides a unique opportunity to grow your passion in life and support your community at the same time. Two Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine students have taken this approach to medical school and created a community outreach organization that combines their excitement for holistic health with their personal pursuit of wellness.
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July 12, 2022
Belainesh Nigeda, OMS III, whose research focuses on how doulas help Black women have healthier birth outcomes, shares why research is rewarding.
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July 12, 2022
A team of researchers, including Associate Professor of Instruction Sarah Rubin, Ph.D., and Joselyn Hines, OMS III, followed 17 pregnant mothers throughout their pregnancy to learn more about Black motherhood and structural racism.
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June 1, 2022
Three HCOM alumni and one first year student have been working on collecting supplies for new mothers to help improve health outcomes for newborns. We sat down with them to get insights into the project and how others can help.
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May 21, 2022
Three legacy graduates from the Class of 2022 discuss how their family impacted their path to becoming a D.O.
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May 17, 2022
Recent graduate Kyle McGrath, D.O. discusses how his connection to HCOM has made multiple impacts on his life, not just his career.
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May 18, 2022
David Strawhun is a recent Heritage College graduate with the Class of 2022. We talked with him about his career, the pandemic and what he would tell those who are interested in a medical career.
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May 11, 2022
In this research spotlight, Ellie McNutt, Ph.D., an assistant professor of instruction in medical anatomy shares her most unique research experience.
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May 2, 2022
Emily Cronin discusses the impact that family medicine has had on her life and the path of her medical career.