Bethany Lanese, Ph.D.
Associate Professor in the College of Public Health
What is your position at Kent State University?
I am an Assistant Professor of Health Policy & Management in the College of Public Health
What is your role in the Division of Mental Health and Substance Use?
I am an affiliate of the Center for Public Policy and Health, and the Division of Mental Health and Substance Use is part of that. I work on various projects with colleagues and various students in the Division. We (Dr. Kenne, Godslove Bonnah and Sweta Patel) just submitted a manuscript for publication on Medicaid, FQHCs, and Mental Health services. I am the Health Data Acquisition Coordinator on the Tri-County Drug Prevention Infrastructure SAMHSA grant. Related to that grant work we will be giving a presentation at APHA this year entitled “Using Big Data to Target Prevention Efforts in Local Communities” (with Dr. Kenne, Dr. Beaird, Megan Anderson, and Dr. Jin).
How long have you been at Kent State?
I started here in the Fall of 2015.
Why did you choose to go into public health?
My academic background is in Political Science, with a concentration in Public Administration. In 2010 I earned a graduate certificate in Healthcare Administration because I thought I was going to make a career change. It was not a good fit; but my experience in healthcare administration combined with my fascination with public policy proved to be a perfect fit for public health.
What is your favorite place to eat in Kent?
Probably Bistro on Main. But I don’t really go out to eat. When I’m on campus I almost always just eat a packed lunch at my desk.
What is the last tv show you watched or book that you read?
I recently reread The Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood (she’s better known for The Handmaid’s Tale) and it was just as good as I remembered it from my undergrad years.
What are you looking forward to this year?
Snow! I am hoping for a great ski season!