R. Patricia Herring

R. Patricia Herring, PhD, is a Professor and Program Director in the School of Public Health at Loma Linda University, specializing in Maternal & Child Health. She holds academic roles including Program Director for the SPH-Maternal & Child Health and Post-BS Certificate Program. Her research focuses on minority health, health disparities, community health, and Adventist health studies. She has contributed to over 77 publications, with recent work addressing HIV disparities in Black America, hookah smoking among youth, and workforce impacts during healthcare mergers.

Education: PhD from Texas Woman's University (1992), MA from University of Texas at Dallas (1988), BS from University of Saint Joseph (1985), and AS from Pacific Union College (1969).

Research Interests: Dr. Herring's work spans public health interventions, community-based participatory research, and health equity. She leads studies on topics such as LGBTQ+ health, disaster preparedness, and the effects of mergers on healthcare workforces. Her approach integrates qualitative and quantitative methods to address systemic health challenges.

Grants & Awards: She has secured funding from NIH, USDA, and LLU initiatives for projects like 'Ending the HIV Epidemic in Black America' and 'Community Gardens for Disadvantaged Populations'. Her grants often address under-resourced communities and minority health outcomes.

Teaching: She teaches courses like Qualitative Research Methods and Doctoral Project, emphasizing hands-on research training. She advises doctoral students and serves on multiple university committees, including cultural competency and diversity initiatives.

Community Service: Dr. Herring collaborates with organizations like the Inter American Improvement Association and the Black Faculty Forum to promote health equity. She has developed community gardens and led health seminars in underserved areas.