Sarah H. Kershner

About Sarah H. Kershner

I joined Francis Marion University in Spring 2017 as an Assistant Professor of Public Health and Chair of the Healthcare Administration Department. I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from Clemson University, Master of Public Health degree from the University of South Carolina, and Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Health Promotion, Education and Behavior from the University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health. My research areas of interest include public health policy, reproductive health/sexual health, contraceptive technologies, sexually transmitted infections and adolescent risky behaviors.Prior to my role at Francis Marion, I worked at Fact Forward (formerly the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy) for over nine years where I managed a federal research study supporting the implementation of a reproductive health curricula in South Carolina middle schools aimed at reducing the teen birth rate statewide. In this role, I worked with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Health and assisted with the writing of a $1.5 million grant award per year over five years. I also worked with the University of South Carolina on a multi-year, multi-site randomized controlled trial aimed at improving adolescent sexual health outcomes. I have authored several peer-reviewed articles, presented dozens of presentations nationwide and have been involved on review teams and panels with Mathematica Policy Research, Cornell University and ETR Associates.

Experience

1. Associate Professor Chair of the Healthcare Administration Department

   Francis Marion University

   Jan 2017 — Present · Florence, SC, US

   I joined Francis Marion University in Spring 2017 and currently serve as an Associate Professor of Public Health and Chair of the Healthcare Administration department. I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from Clemson University, Master of Public Health degree from the University of South Carolina, and Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Health Promotion, Education and Behavior from the University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health. I was the recipient of the Jeffrey Keith Mattison award from the USC Arnold School of Public Health for outstanding student achievement in 2008. I am a Certified Health Education Specialist and is trained in several reproductive health/sexual health curricula aimed at decreasing risky sexual behavior among adolescents. My interest areas include public health policy, reproductive health/sexual health, contraceptive technologies, sexually transmitted infections and adolescent risky behaviors. In my role at Francis Marion, I teach courses in the Healthcare Administration program, advise the 160+ students enrolled in the program and serve as Faculty Advisor for the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) campus chapter and the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) campus chapter.

Education

• Clemson University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General

• University of South Carolina

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Public Health Education and Promotion

• University of South Carolina

  Master of Public Health - MPH, Public Health Education and Promotion