Olivia Sullivan, DrPH, MPH, EMT
Research Associate
Center for Rural Health and Research
College of Public Health
College of Public Health
EDUCATION
EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
Doctor of Public Health (Community and Behavioral Health), expected May 2025
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Master of Public Health (Maternal and Child Health), 2021
ST. OLAF COLLEGE
Bachelor of Arts (Biology, Chinese), 2018
RESEARCH FOCUS
Rural Health, Appalachian Health, Healthcare Access Barriers, Gender and Sexual Minority Health, Family and Child Health, Peripregnancy, Emergency Medicine/Emergency Medical Services, Health Services Research
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Alvis, K. M., Sullivan, O. (2025). Recovery and Resilience from Natural Disasters: Lessons Learned and Recommendations from Eastern Kentucky. East Tennessee State University Center for Rural Health and Research.
Mathis, S. M., Sullivan, O., Francisco, M., Galler, N., Beatty, K. E., Meit, M. B., Morrison, C., Keinath, C. M., & Balio, C. P. (2025). A review of common limitations in rural-related studies in the peer-reviewed literature. Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration. https://www.etsu.edu/cph/rhrc/documents/rhrc_091025.pdf
Balio, C. P., Sullivan, O., Petty, E. G., Pelton, B., Dockery, N., & Beatty, K. E. (2025). An assessment of area-level vulnerability and resilience indices by geography: A rural–urban comparison. The Journal of Rural Health. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.70059
Brannock, M. K., Sullivan, O. A., & Beatty, K. E. (2024). Availability of certified sexual assault nurse examiners in Appalachian states. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 50(4), 544–550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2024.04.003
Sullivan, O. A. (2020). Pilot study of a gender and sexual minority patient sensitivity curriculum for prehospital emergency medical technician students. Public Health Review, 3(2). https://pubs.lib.umn.edu/index.php/phr/article/view/3408/2617
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
Sullivan, O. (2025, June 12). Engaging community venues for sexual minority-focused research in rural and Appalachian communities. National Network of Public Health Institutes Annual Conference 2025, Minneapolis, MN.
Huang, Q., Sullivan, O., Dockery, N., Joyner, N., Toitole, K., Garcia, I., Dooley, M., & Meit, M. B. (2025, May). Rural–urban education disparities among Tennessee registered nurses. NRHA Annual Rural Health Conference, Atlanta, GA.
Parkhe, R., Kishpaugh, J. M., Keith, J. D., Batson, H., Obleschuk, C., Sullivan, O., Perrine, L., & McLain, S. (2025, April 15). Learning about Rural LGBTQ Pennsylvanians’ Health Needs (Poster). Pennsylvania Community and Public Health Conference, State College, PA.
Balio, C. P., Beatty, K. E., Sullivan, O., & Petty, G. (2024, October 29). Area-level social determinants of health indices: Use, utility, and perspectives with implications for rural communities and policy. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo, Minneapolis, MN.
Sullivan, O. (2024, October 29). The impact of different definitions of rurality on HIV funding eligibility for queer and trans Pennsylvanians. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Expo, Minneapolis, MN.
Sullivan, O., Dockery, N., Leslie, H., & Minnick, C. Y. (2024, September 26). Insights and opportunities in student-led rural health research. East Tennessee State University 6th Annual Equity and Inclusion Conference, Johnson City, TN.
Sullivan, O. A., Parkhe, R., Graham, C., Obleschuk, C., Simon, K., Jones, K., Keith, J., & McLain, S. (2024). The impact of different definitions of rurality on HIV funding eligibility for queer and trans Pennsylvanians (Poster). American Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Expo.
Graham, C., Obleschuk, C., Simon, K., Sullivan, O. A., Keith, J., Batson, H., Kishpaugh, J., Parkhe, R., & McLain, S. (2024). From data collection to collective impact: Recruiting, engaging, and sustaining partnerships via the Pennsylvania LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment (Poster). National LGBTQ Health Conference.
Balio, C. P., Sullivan, O. A., Petty, E. G., & Beatty, K. E. (2024). Measuring area-level social determinants of health (Poster). National Rural Health Association 47th Annual Rural Health Conference.
Sullivan, O. A., Brannock, M. K., & Beatty, K. E. (2024). Availability of certified sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) in Appalachian states. Appalachian Student Research Forum.
Parkhe, R., Sullivan, O. A., Kishpaugh, J. M., Keith, J. D., Batson, H., Graham, C., & McLain, S. (2024). Exploring rural and urban LGBTQ health needs (Poster). Xavier University of Louisiana 17th Health Disparities Conference.
Sullivan, O. A., Pettyjohn, S., & Wahlquist, A. (2024). The impact of vaccine hesitancy in caregivers on the next Appalachian generation. Appalachian Studies Association 47th Annual Conference.
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Knitting, gardening, home improvement, and spoiling my Pyrenees/hound mix, Rey.