The College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS) has developed an integrated faculty scholarship program in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH). The program will provide research support for SCDPH and offer members of the CBSHS faculty of invaluable experience and research opportunities on the ground.
Specialists from interdisciplinary teachers will interact in the challenges of public health in South Carolina, will establish and strengthen professional relations with public health practitioners and political decision -makers, will have access to real -time public health data and case studies to enrich research and academic results and participate in professional development opportunities.
The program will be led by Lior Rennert, CBSHS Associate Dean for Health Sciences, and Dr. Edward Simmer, Acting Director of SCDPH.
“While the CBSHS continues to prioritize Clemson’s objectives and to engage in partnerships and programs to transform lives throughout South Carolina, we identify opportunities to advance scholarships and serve people and communities throughout the state,” said Rennert. “The CBSHS Embedded Scholars program offers a unique opportunity for faculty members to cope and meet critical health challenges in South Carolina thanks to immersive collaboration.”
“The Department of Public Health of Caroline du Sud greatly appreciates our collaboration with CBSHS, which not only benefits the two institutions, but above all, the inhabitants of South Carolina that we serve,” said Simmer. “We are very happy that Dr. Ash and Dr. Witrick work with us as part of the integrated researchers program. These recognized public health experts will offer us a very precious experience – and as our staff learn and develop, DRS. Ash and Witrick will learn more about public health problems in our state. »»
Inaugural integrated faculty scholars include:
Erin Ash, Ph.D., associate professor in the communication department
ASH’s research expertise in disinformation of reproductive health, the role of media in prevention prevention efforts and stigmatizing communication supports the objectives of the SCDPH linked to family planning and reproductive health, as well as the objectives of CBSH and Clemson increase to transform lives on the level of the State and beyond.
ASH said that his objective as an integrated researcher was to support communication and health care practitioners and to empower young people to make informed decisions on their reproductive health, including unlanned prevention of pregnancy. His specific interests include the role of media on the knowledge of women’s contraception for young adults and decision -making and other results and disparities in terms of boresic health. She will study how the use of social media influences the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to reproductive health and how it can be used for positive health results, especially among risk groups. ASH will identify the disinformation of contraception and develop and test strategies to fight against its circulation. In addition, it plans to develop media and campaign control programs to initiate adolescents, service providers and communities in support of current SCDPH initiatives.
Recently, ASH participated in a project funded by the Forensics Media Hub to understand how contraceptive methods are discussed on Tiktok. It also conducts awareness activities on health practitioners and non -profit organizations throughout the state.
Ash holds a doctorate. In mass communications and a master’s degree in media studies of the Pennsylvania State University and a Communication Baccalaureate of Charleston College.
Brian Witrick, Ph.D., deputy professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences
Witrick’s research expertise in epidemiology, spatial analysis and health disparities is aligned with the college mission to build people and communities and the immediate and long -term priorities of the SCDPH.
In this role, Witrick said he is impatiently waiting to work with practitioners in the field to acquire front line experience and more synergize CBSH and SCDPH efforts to meet health care needs throughout the state. His specific interests include improving the understanding of engines behind chronic heart disease and diabetes and the development of knowledge for exploitable public health interventions. In the end, he plans to work with SCDPH to develop targeted health policies and improve clinical results for individuals and southern Carolina communities.
In CBSHS, he is currently a spatial epidemiologist and an SIG expert in a project funded by disease control and prevention centers (CDC) to develop cartridges for supporting decision -making of infectious diseases to improve communication with public health organizations.
Witrick has a doctorate. and master’s degree in research and assessment applied in health at Clemson University. He holds a master’s degree in public health in epidemiology of Armstrong Atlantic State University and a baccalaureate in social education education at the University of Georgia.
“This program testifies to the solid partnership between CBSHS and SCDPH and our collective vision for the people and the communities of South Carolina,” said Leslie Hossfeld, CBSHS Dean. “I am convinced that our members of the faculty will receive an invaluable first line experience, and their scholarship and their interdisciplinary expertise will advance the mission of the college to build people and communities and SCDPH to protect, promote and improve the health and well-being of South Carolinians for the coming years.”
THE College of behavioral, social and health sciences (CBSHS) was created in July 2016. CBSHS is a college of 21st century lands concession which combines work in nine disciplines – communication; breastfeeding; Parks, leisure and tourism management; Political science; psychology; Public health sciences; Sociology, anthropology and criminal justice – to continue its mission to “build people and communities” in South Carolina and beyond.
THE Department of Public Health of South Carolina (DPH) was created by the State legislature with law 60 in 2023. It is the public health component of the agency formerly known as DHEC. The agency officially launched on July 1, 2024. DPH is accused of protecting, promoting and improving the health and well-being of all in South Carolina. With more than 2,500 employees working in approximately 90 locations across the State, DPH institutes an approach focused on people of everything we do. Learn more about us at DPH.SC.GOV.
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