Faculty/Staff Mary A. Garza, PhD, MPH

 

Assistant Professor
Deputy Director, Center for Minority Health

231A Parran Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15261

Phone: 412-624-5531
Fax: 412-624-5510
E-mail: mgarza@cmh.pitt.edu

RESEARCH

My research activities embrace the full spectrum of the intervention research process—planning, developing, implementing, evaluating, and disseminating evidence-based health interventions using a community-based participatory research approach. I also have a strong interest in health disparities research, including understanding the interplay of psychosocial, behavioral, and neighborhood- level factors associated with health behavior, specifically factors related to sustained compliance with cancer screening and health-related decision making. My research experiences include behavioral studies related to breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer and domestic violence. I also have an interest in exploring the role and influence of religion and spirituality on health outcomes.

TEACHING

I have several years of experience teaching graduate-level courses in women’s health, social and behavioral sciences, and program evaluation. Currently, I am teaching BCHS 2526 Health Disparities Research: Methods and Interventions

SERVICE

I am a member of the American Public Health Association, American Association of Cancer Research, and the American Society of Preventive Oncology. I serve as a reviewer for the following journals: Journal of the American Medical Association, Journal of Health Communication, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Health Promotion Practice, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, Journal of Gerontology, Journal of General Internal Medicine, and Journal of the National Medical Association. In addition, I have served as a grant reviewer for the Office of Minority Health, Johnson & Johnson Community Health Program, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Special Emphasis Panel. Currently, I am Co-Director of the Minority Health and Health Disparities Graduate Certificate Program.

MOST RECENT PUBLICATIONS

• Campbell  JC, Garza MA, & Gielen AC, et al (2003). Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse Among Active Duty Military Women. Violence Against Women.  9(9), 1072-1092.
• Curbow B, Bowie JV, Garza MA, McDonnell K, Scott LB, Coyne C, & Chiappelli T, (2004).  Community-based cancer screening programs in older populations: making progress but can we do better?  Preventive Medicine.  June, 38(6), 676-93.
• Garza M A,  Luan J, Blinka M, Neuhaus C, ZaboraJ, and Ford JG. (2005) A Culturally Targeted Intervention to Promote Breast Cancer Screening Among Low-Income Women in East Baltimore, Maryland. Cancer Control. Nov; 12 Suppl 2:34-41.
• Bowie JV, Curbow B, Garza MA, Dreyling E, Scott LB, McDonnell K. (2005) A Review of Breast, Cervical and Colorectal Cancer Screening Interventions in Older Women. Cancer Control. Nov; 12 Suppl 2:58-69.
• Gielen AC, Campbell JC, Garza MA, O’Campo P, Dienemann J, Jones A, Lloyd D.  (2006) Domestic Violence in the Military: Women’s Policy Preferences and Beliefs Concerning Routine Screening and Mandatory Reporting. Military Medicine. Vol 171, 8:729.
• Campbell Y, McKenna LS, Campbell JC, King C, Campbell DW, Ryan J, Torres S, Lea P, Medina M, Christi V, Garza MA, Mallard V. (2006) Postpartum Mothers: Disclosure of Abuse, Role, and Conflict. Health Care for Women International. Vol. 27: 1-20.
• O’Campo, P, Woods, A,, Kub, J, Garza, MA, and Campbell, JC. (2006) Depression, PTSD, and Co-morbidity Related to Intimate Partner Violence in Civilian and Military Women. Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention. 6(2):99-110.
• Garza MA, Abatemarco D, Gizzi C, Abbeglen L. Transforming the Pierce County Cross Collaborative through Assessment Capacity Building.   Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. 2009, Jan-Feb: 15(1): 70-4.
• Rajakumar K, Thomas SB, Musa D, Almario, D, and Garza, MA, Racial Differences in Parental Distrust Towards Medicine and Research. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 2009, Feb; 163(2):108-14.