Julie May Croff (née Ketchie; born September 2, 1980) is an American academic and public health researcher, known for her work in the field of health behavior. She is currently a professor of Rural Health at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (OSU-CHS).[1] She was the founding Director of the Master of Public Health program at Oklahoma State University and served as the founding executive director for the Center for Wellness and Recovery at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.[2]
Research and contributions
editCroff's research focuses on the interaction of health behaviors, for the past decade with an emphasis on substance use behaviors in the periconceptional and perinatal time frame. She is particularly interested in prevention of adverse health outcomes through primary prevention programs with children and adolescents; harm reduction strategies, and improved implementation of evidence-based treatment approaches.[3] Her work has been instrumental in identifying the unique challenges faced by rural communities and in developing strategies to improve health outcomes in these areas. Croff's expertise on prevention and recovery from substance use disorders was leveraged by the state of Oklahoma in its abatement plan from the opioid epidemic; during this time she testified in the state's lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson in 2019.[4]
Croff's NIH-funded research includes lead (contact) PI of the Oklahoma State University site of the NIH HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study,[5] together with Amanda Sheffield Morris and Jennifer Hays-Grudo. She also serves on the leadership of the Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Adversity (CIRCA) funded by NIGMS.[6]
In addition to her research, Croff has held several leadership positions in the field of public health. She is currently President Elect of the American Academy of Health Behavior.[7] She previously served as the executive director for the Center for Wellness and Recovery[8][9] and as the Director of the MPH program at OSU.
Awards
editCroff has received several awards for her work, including the Graduate Faculty Excellence Award,[10] the Research Excellence Award from the OSU College of Education.[10] and 2018 President's Fellows Faculty Research Award.[11] She has also been honored as a Fellow of the Academy of Health Behavior.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Faculty Profile: Julie M. Croff, PhD". Oklahoma State University.
- ^ McNutt, K. S. "Federal grants help Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences combat opioid epidemic". The Oklahoman.
- ^ "Hardesty Center will allow OSU researchers to collaborate more efficiently". Oklahoma State University. September 17, 2021.
- ^ "Wellness expert: Recovery from state's opioids crisis could take decades". The Journal Record.
- ^ "Hardesty Center for Clinical Research and Neuroscience is finding answers to combat addictive behaviors". Oklahoma State University. 28 April 2021.
- ^ "OSU Medicine and Its National Center for Wellness and Recovery Receive NIH Grant Through HEAL Initiative". GTR Newspapers.
- ^ "Board of Directors 2023-2024". American Academy of Health Behavior.
- ^ Holton-Dean, Anna (31 March 2021). "'Access equals hope'". TulsaPeople Magazine.
- ^ Crawford, Grant D. (24 July 2019). "Parents get tips on discussing opioids with teens". Tahlequah Daily Press.
- ^ a b "Faculty Receive Awards for Excellence". Oklahoma State University. May 16, 2018.
- ^ "Croff Recipient of 2018 President's Fellows Faculty Research Award - Oklahoma State University". Oklahoma State University. 9 January 2018.
- ^ "Fellows Directory". American Academy of Health Behavior.