Research Assistant
Association of Schools of Public Health Prevention Research Center Minority Fellow

Academic Degrees

MPH, The Johns Hopkins University SPH, 1999; AB, Brown University, 1995

School

Bloomberg School of Public Health

Department / Division

PFRH

Center and Institute Affiliations

Center for Adolescent Health

Departmental Address

Email: tgurman@jhsph.edu
Phone: 410-614-3953
Fax: 410-614-3956

Research and Professional Experience

• My research and professional experience and interests include health communication, reproductive health issues, program evaluation, and cultural competency training development and facilitation. More specific health communication interests include provider-patient communication and mass media research.
• Regarding mass media research, I am currently conducting original research analyzing the sexual content on English- and Spanish-language television programs popular among Latino adolescents. Originally from Venezuela and moving to the United States as a child, I am interested in the immigration experiences of Latino adolescents and the role that mass media serves for both cultural maintenance and acquisition.
• Regarding cultural competency and provider-patient communication, I recently completed a project assessing how to improve the ability of labor and delivery departments in area hospitals to serve the needs of Spanish-speaking immigrants. This project included quantitative surveys of health care providers and qualitative interviews and focus groups with Spanish-speaking patients. I assisted each hospital tailor strategies to meet their needs. In addition, I helped develop a video for patients—in the style of Spanish-language soap operas (telenovelas)—about navigating the health care system in Maryland. Professionally, I have developed and conducted cultural competency trainings for health care facilities for over seven years.

Keywords

• Minority health; Latino health; International health; Sexual health; Mass media; Health communication; Cultural competency; Health disparities; Program evaluation; Adolescent Health; Public-health practice

Honors and Awards

• Association of Schools of Public Health/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Minority Fellow: (2005-current)
• American Public Health Association Student Caucus Award: (2006)
• American Public Health Association Latino Caucus Best Student Abstract Award: (2006)
• Silber Fund: (2006)
• KY Health Communication Conference Best Student Paper Award: (2006)
• Honorable Mention, Association of Schools of Public Health Student Award for Excellence in Public Health Practice: (2005)
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Minority Health Award: (2005)
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Kann Trowbridge Fund Award: (2005; 2004)
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Ernest L. Stebbins Award: (2004)
• Honorable Mention, 2004 Abell Foundation Award in Urban Policy: (2004)
• Member, Delta Omega Honor Society: (1999- current)
• Teagle Foundation Scholarship: (1991-1995; 1998-1999; 2002-2004)
• Public Health Traineeship Grant: (1998)
• Brown University, Graduation with Honors: (1995)
• Brown University, Joslin Award: (1995)
• Brown University, Community Leadership Award, Howard Swearer Center for Public Service: (1995)
• Brown University, Third World Alumni Committee Award: (1995)

Selected Publications

Gurman T, Borzekowski DLG. Condom use among Latino college students. Journal of American College Health. 2004; 52: 169-178.

Research Projects

Media and Latino Adolescent Sexuality
The purpose of this project is to explore the role of mass media as a source for sexualization of Latino adolescents. The primary research method for this project is a content analysis of the sexual messages found in Spanish- and English-language television programs popular among Latino...

Last Updated: 11/14/2006