My profile
I'm an ordinary woman, one who works hard to have a fulfilling and meaningful work, family, and personal life.
My research and teaching life
Just follow the links below to get an idea of some of my work!
I have been an active qualitative researcher since the late 1990s. My scholarly work has long focused on the interplay between health, gender, culture, and communication. For example, my earlier projects included an examination of women’s online disclosure of their sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as of women’s perceptions of reproductive challenges/opportunities regarding genetic technologies and information.
These days, I have moved into the study of Appalachia & health communication. My dedication to the understanding of the role culture plays in health interactions remains strong. For example, I have an article in Academic Medicine about International Medical Graduates (“foreign” residents) and barriers to physician-patient communication.
What's the latest?
Over the last six years, I have worked with the amazing women of Appalachia, women who defy every regional stereotype. The women I know are community & family members, mothers, employees: They hold a number of roles, challenging researchers, health professionals, and the general public to re-consider how to meet the needs of and partner with this amazing region. My work with Appalachian women has taken me into their homes, communities, and clinics to talk with them about breast cancer, survivorship, HPV (human papillomavirus) and the cervical cancer vaccine.
All of my work is collaborative and trans-disciplinary--Research teams often consist of nurses, physicians, public health practitioners/researchers, communication professionals, gender/feminist scholars, survivors, and community leaders. Such collaborations are vital to planning and carrying out quality health communication research.
Healthy sex & sexual health, anyone?
My interest in sexual health communication continues to evolve. Back in 2009, I began working with Dr. Sadie Hutson (Nursing) on educating young women about healthy sex. Since then, Ms. Kathryn Duvall (M.A., Communication) has joined the teams, bringing her specializing in family health communication to the workshops and gatherings. From intimate groups to large health fairs, the trans-disciplinary team of outreach experts talks about STIs, the cervical cancer vaccine, safe sex options, good sex, "bad" sex...whatever. Feel free to email me with questions (dorgan@etsu.edu).
But do I actually teach?
Yes I do!
I have taught at the university level nearly 2 decades! East Tennessee State University's been my home for 9 years, but I've also taught in Kentucky, Georgia & North Carolina.
My passion for teaching hasn’t decreased over the years; it has matured, however, into a style that emphasizes active and experiential learning. Like many professors, I prefer working with smaller classes and with students who treat their education as their own. In coming semesters, I will teach a variety of special issues courses revolving around health communication.
My research and teaching life
Just follow the links below to get an idea of some of my work!
I have been an active qualitative researcher since the late 1990s. My scholarly work has long focused on the interplay between health, gender, culture, and communication. For example, my earlier projects included an examination of women’s online disclosure of their sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as of women’s perceptions of reproductive challenges/opportunities regarding genetic technologies and information.
These days, I have moved into the study of Appalachia & health communication. My dedication to the understanding of the role culture plays in health interactions remains strong. For example, I have an article in Academic Medicine about International Medical Graduates (“foreign” residents) and barriers to physician-patient communication.
What's the latest?
Over the last six years, I have worked with the amazing women of Appalachia, women who defy every regional stereotype. The women I know are community & family members, mothers, employees: They hold a number of roles, challenging researchers, health professionals, and the general public to re-consider how to meet the needs of and partner with this amazing region. My work with Appalachian women has taken me into their homes, communities, and clinics to talk with them about breast cancer, survivorship, HPV (human papillomavirus) and the cervical cancer vaccine.
All of my work is collaborative and trans-disciplinary--Research teams often consist of nurses, physicians, public health practitioners/researchers, communication professionals, gender/feminist scholars, survivors, and community leaders. Such collaborations are vital to planning and carrying out quality health communication research.
Healthy sex & sexual health, anyone?
My interest in sexual health communication continues to evolve. Back in 2009, I began working with Dr. Sadie Hutson (Nursing) on educating young women about healthy sex. Since then, Ms. Kathryn Duvall (M.A., Communication) has joined the teams, bringing her specializing in family health communication to the workshops and gatherings. From intimate groups to large health fairs, the trans-disciplinary team of outreach experts talks about STIs, the cervical cancer vaccine, safe sex options, good sex, "bad" sex...whatever. Feel free to email me with questions (dorgan@etsu.edu).
But do I actually teach?
Yes I do!
I have taught at the university level nearly 2 decades! East Tennessee State University's been my home for 9 years, but I've also taught in Kentucky, Georgia & North Carolina.
My passion for teaching hasn’t decreased over the years; it has matured, however, into a style that emphasizes active and experiential learning. Like many professors, I prefer working with smaller classes and with students who treat their education as their own. In coming semesters, I will teach a variety of special issues courses revolving around health communication.
