Tanya Morgan Benedict, PhD, CPH

Professor

Contact

TanyaBenedict@creighton.edu
School of Medicine
Public Health MPH (Master's)
Department of Clinical Research and Public Health

Tanya Morgan Benedict, PhD, CPH

Professor

Dr. Tanya Benedict prominently serves as an innovative leader in health care management. For more than twenty-five years, she has been at the forefront of developing new and creative academic courses, programs, and graduate certificates. She was one of the first to venture into the world of online teaching which is now a given expectation in order to meet the needs and demands of today’s professionals. She also brings a wealth of accreditation and assessment expertise which strengthens the courses, programs, and graduate certificates she develops. The knowledge gained in these areas allowed her to play a pivitol role in the successful attainment of the CEPH accreditation for the MPH program at Creighton University.

Dr. Benedict understands the importance of providing continuing medical education (CME, CE, etc.) for health professionals and often utilizes lectures, webinars, etc., which she develops to meet these expectations. She was employed for over 10 years in a variety of managerial positions in corporate health, including Beverly Enterprises, which has the largest nursing home chain and owns the largest institutional pharmacy in the United States with an estimated $2.2 billion in yearly revenue and over 34,000 employees.

Dr. Tanya Benedict serves as a Professor in the School of Medicine in the Clinical Research and Public Health Department with a secondary appointment in the College of Nursing at Creighton University. In the past, she served in an administrative position as the Director of the Master of Public Health Program. Prior to joining Creighton University, Dr. Benedict was at West Chester University where she served for 15 years as Director of the Graduate Program in Health Care Management in the Department of Health and as Professor in the Master of Public Health and Undergraduate Public Health/Health Promotion programs. She also held the position of Director of the Health Care Management graduate program at the University of Arkansas.

In addition to her academic roles, Dr. Benedict co-authored a nationally adopted college textbook in health and wellness, and she was a contributing author for more than 20 health and wellness chapters in numerous academic texts. Most recently, she authored a chapter in a leadership doctoral academic textbook which discusses her experience in founding a nonprofit organization for Haitian children. She peer reviewed publications in the areas of health care access, health behavior and attitudes, and distance education. She served as a textbook reviewer for Benjamin Cummings/Pearson Education and Wadsworth Thomson Learning for decades. Her research has been published in leading journals including the American Journal of Health Studies and The IAFOR Journal of Education.

Dr. Benedict has presented extensively at international and national conferences and she had the honor of teaching at Oxford’s Harris - Manchester College in Oxford, England. She served as the Chairperson of the Society of Public Health Education (SOPHE) Health Advocacy committee and she is an active member in the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Public Health Association, and the Society of Public Health Education. Currently, Dr. Benedict also serves as the president of Pascal’s Pantry, the nonprofit organization which she founded. This organization provides food for malnourished children and seeks to accompany the Haitian migrants of Bateyes in the Dominican Republic as they work to improve their lives, their health, and their own human agency. 

Dr. Benedict resides in Pennsylvania along with her husband, Joe, who is a professional pianist and instructor. Whenever time permits, you will likely find Tanya and Joe outdoors biking, walking, swimming, or kayaking.

Curriculum Vitae

Department

Clinical Research and Public Health

Position

Professor

Articles

  • The IAFOR Journal of Education
    Smidt, E., McDyre, B., Bunk, J., Li, R., & Gatenby, T. (2014) Faculty attitudes about distance education.The IAFOR Journal of Education, 2(2), 181-209. Retrieved from http://iafor.org/iafor/iafor-journal-of-education-volume-2-issue-2/. 
    2(2), p. 181-209 2014
  • The IAFOR Journal of Education
    Smidt, E., Bunk, J., McGrory, B., Li, R., & Gatenby, T. (2014). Student attitudes about distance education: Focusing on context and effective practices. The IAFOR Journal of Education, 2(1), 40-64.Retrieved from http://iafor.org/iafor/ije-volume-2-issue-1/ 
    2(1), p. 40-64 2014
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Health in the 21st Century: New Challenges, New Choices in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences.  2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan.  (2013). Psychological Health: Maintaining the Mind and Spirit in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences.  2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Stress Management: Coping with College Life in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences 2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Sleep: Repairing Your Body, Recharging Your Mind in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences 2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013).  Body Image, Body Weight: Achieving a Health Balance in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences.  2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Compulsive Behaviors and Psychoactive Drugs: Understanding Addiction in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences.  2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Alcohol: Choices and Challenges in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences.  2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Tobacco: A Clear and Present Danger in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences.  2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Reducing Your Risk in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences 2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Cancer: Choices for Prevention in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences.  2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Immunity and Infection: Breaking the Chain in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences.  2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Relationships: Communication, Conflict and Commitment in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences.  2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Sexuality: Your Body, Your Choices in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences.  2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Contraception: Avoiding Unintended Pregnancy in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences. 2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Choosing Parenthood: Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Challenge of Infertility in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences. 2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013).  Consumer Health: Options in Health Care in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences. 2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Personal Safety: Caution Ahead in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences.  2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Environmental Health: Protecting Yourself and Your World in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences.  2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2013). Embracing Change: The Gifts and Challenges of Aging in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences.  2013
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2012). Stress Management: Coping with College Life. In Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, and Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life Test Booklet. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences. 2012
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome, and Gatenby, Tanya Morgan. (2012). Alcohol: Choices and Challenges. In Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, and Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life Test Booklet. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences. 2012
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Morgan, Tanya. (2012). Stress Management: Coping with College Life. In Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, and Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life Test Booklet. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences. 2012
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Morgan, Tanya. (2012). Alcohol: Choices and Challenges. In Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, and Kotecki, Jerome, Health: Making Choices for Life Test Booklet. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Higher Education, Benjamin Cummings – Applied Sciences.  2012
  • Health: Making Choices for Life
    Lynch, A., Elmore, B., Kotecki, J., and Gatenby, T. M. (2013). Physical Activity: For Fitness, Health, and Fun in Lynch, April, Elmore, Barry, Kotecki, Jerome

Presentations

  • Martin, V., and Gatenby, T. Mental Health Status and Access to Mental Health Care in Pennsylvania LGBT College Students. To be presented at the Society of Public Health Education (SOPHE) 66th Annual Conference, Portland, OR, April 23 - 25, 2015. 2015
  • Li, R., Smidt, E., Bunk, J. & Gatenby, T. (October 2014). Faculty and online education: A replication study of the 2012 National Survey. Paper presented at the World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2014 (E-Learn 2014). New Orleans, LA 2014
  • Smidt, E., McDyre, B., Bunk, J., Li, R., & Gatenby, T. (September 2014). Faculty attitudes about distance education in an online faculty development program. Paper presented at the IAFOR North American Conference on Education (NACE 2014). Providence, RI. 2014
  • Smidt, E., Bunk, J.,Li, R., & Gatenby, T. (November 2013). Continuing the Distance Education Scholarship at WCU: An Update on Current Research. Paper presented at the Pennsylvania Distance Learning Association (PADLA) 11th Annual Conference. West Chester, PA. 2013
  • Smidt, E., Bunk, J., McGrory, B., Li, R., & Gatenby, T. (July 2013). Student reactions to and attitudes about distance education. Paper presented virtually at the European Conference on Technology in the Classroom (ECTC 2013). Retrieved July 4, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea-ARc-akGYand http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OFobDL_07w. 2013
  • Smidt, E., Bunk, J., McGrory, B., Li, R., & Gatenby, T. (May 2013). Student reactions to and attitudes about distance education. Paper presented at RECAP 2013. West Chester, PA. 2013
  • Guidotti, T., Bunk, J., Smidt, E., Gatenby, T., & Li, R. (May 2013). Using I/O psychology to understand reactions to distance education: An applied, multi-disciplinary project. Paper presented at RECAP 2013. West Chester, PA 2013
  • Li, Rui, Bunk, Jennifer, Funkhouser, Beverly, Gatenby, Tanya, and Smidt, Esther. (Nov 16 2012). Distance Teaching and Learning: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Presented at the Pennsylvania/Delaware/New Jersey Distance Learning Association (PADLA) 10th Annual Conference and Expo, Temple University: Ambler Campus 2012
  • Bunk, J., Funkhouser, B., Gatenby, T., Li, R., & Smidt, E. (November 2012). Distance teaching and learning: An interdisciplinary approach. Paper presented at the Pennsylvania Distance Learning Association 10th Annual Conference (PADLA). Ambler, PA. 2012
  • Smidt, E., Funkhouser, B., Li, R., Bunk, J. & Gatenby, T. (October 2012). Reactions to and attitudes about asynchronous online discussion forums in an online faculty development program. Paper presented at the World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2012 (E-Learn 2012). Montreal, Canada. 2012