Interview with Alum Barbara Barton, PhD, MPH, RN, CHES

Recently, we had the opportunity to interview Dr. Barbara Barton via email. She is PhD alum from the TWU Department of Health Studies. She gave us insight on her new position at State University of New York (SUNY), College at Cortland. We are thankful that she took time out of her busy schedule to respond to our questions.

Dr. Barton is currently an Assistant Professor at SUNY, College at Cortland in the Health Department. She teaches various courses, both online and face-to-face. She also develops course materials in the Health Department at SUNY Cortland and advises students as they progress through their courses to obtain their degrees. She also has research responsibilities that she attends to.

What is your research topic of interest?

Dr. Barton’s research topics of interest are as follows:

·         College health promotion and using community-based participatory research in the college setting

·         Mental health: anxiety and depression among college students

·         Interface of family caregivers of Alzheimer's patients with community services

·         Needs assessment & Program evaluation focusing the services rendered

What inspired you to get your degree in Health Studies?

“I wanted to pursue a HS PhD to complement my degrees in nursing and public health.  I was looking for a program that would provide a health promotion and teaching focus and TWU was a good match.”

What courses in the Department of Health Studies helped you the most with your current job?

“Really, all of them!  What was most helpful was the teaching experience, both in the classroom and online, that I was able to get while at TWU.” Dr. Barton explains that the experience she gained from TWU to develop and plan courses continually informs her teachnig for online courses and face-to-face course. She explains, “I also have more online experience than most of my colleagues, which is helpful as we transition our programs here in that direction.”

If you could give any advice to current or future health studies students what would it be?

“You can do it!  Stay organized, be positive and get everything you can out of each and every class.  Don't be afraid to ask for help, and don't be afraid to stretch yourself.  You will get out of your educational experiences only as much as you put into them.  I strongly believe that stretching yourself at TWU will come back to you with positive benefits ten-fold in the future.”