Kinesiology

Maureen Bezold

Maureen Bezold, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S.

Associate Professor

Department: Kinesiology
Areas of Focus: Public Health
Academic Programs: Master's in Public Health
Phone: 309-298-1076
Email: MP-Bezold@wiu.edu

Resume/CV

About Me

Maureen P. Bezold (Ph.D., Virginia Tech). I am an associate professor of public health and former graduate coordinator for the Department of Health Sciences and Social Work at Western Illinois University (WIU), now the Department of Kinesiology. I have taught at WIU for 14 years.  Prior to joining WIU, I earned my MPH from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and worked as public health emergency preparedness professional at the City of Milwaukee Health Department.  I have served on the American Public Health Association (APHA) Governing Council for two terms and have served as the co-program planner for the Health Administration Section for two years. I am also a member of the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) and have served as a program planner for the emergency preparedness and response section. My current research interests include emergency preparedness and access to services for medically underserved rural communities and for the disability community.

Awards:
  • American Public Health Association Health Administration Section Runner-up Best Research to Practice Abstract; 2022
  • Western Illinois University, College of Education and Human Services Student Advisory Board Highly Impactful Faculty Award nominee; 2022

Education:
Ph.D., Virgina Tech University  
MPH, Community Health Education, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse  
MS, Management, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee  
BBA, Finance and Real Estate, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee  

Research and Publications

  • Akinyemi, O., Ogundare, T., Oladunjoye, A. F., Nasef, K. E., Lipscombe, C., Akinbote, J. A. & Bezold, M. (2023). Factors associated with suicide/self-inflicted injuries among women aged 18-65 years in the United States: A 13-year retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample database. PloS One. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287141. eCollection.
  • Agboola, J. O., Ayosamni, O. S., Mogbojuri, O. & Bezold, M. (2022). Uptake of screening mammogram in west central Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons Learned. Oncology in Clinical Practice, DOI: 10.5603/OCP.2022.0024
  • Saddler, S. J., & Bezold, M. P. (2019). Brothers in Charge: Black Male Leadership in Higher Education and Public Health. New York: Peter Lang Publishing.