Assistant Professor
Health and Human Performance
Academic Credentials
PhD, MCHES
Biography
Dr. Sara Pappa is an Assistant Professor in the Health and Human Performance Department.
She holds a BS in Health Education and Promotion from the University of Cincinnati, an MA is
Exercise Physiology from Kent State University and a Ph.D. in Health Education from the
The University of Cincinnati. In addition to teaching, she manages the regional falls prevention
the initiative, including the Northern Virginia Falls Prevention Alliance. This work is supported by a
a federal grant from the Administration on Community Living. Current research initiatives include
evidence-based falls prevention programs for older adults and professional preparation of
health educators. In previous roles, she worked in local public health departments in Fairfax
County and in Ohio. She has extensive experience in managing public health projects at the
local, regional and state levels. Her experience includes implementing and evaluating health
promotion programs and policies; conducting community health needs assessments;
developing and evaluating community health improvement plans; media outreach and public
relations; grant research, writing and administration; coalition development and leadership;
and strategic planning.
Other Information
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Publications