Robyn Gershon
Robyn Gershon
Scroll
Clinical Professor of Epidemiology
-
Professional overview
-
Dr. Gershon is an interdisciplinary occupational and environmental health and safety researcher with extensive experience in the areas of disaster preparedness, healthcare safety, and risk assessment and management in high-risk work occupations. She earned her doctorate in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health, where she was on faculty for several years.
Subsequently, Dr. Gershon was a Professor at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, with a joint appointment in the School of Nursing.
At the Mailman School, she also served as the Associate Dean for Research and was the Director of the Mentoring Program. Her most recent faculty appointment prior to joining NYU GPH was Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She was also an Adjunct Professor in the UCSF School of Nursing, as well as at UC Berkeley where she taught public health disaster courses.
Dr. Gershon and her team conducted numerous ground breaking studies to develop and test new metrics of preparedness. Importantly, Dr. Gershon’s work has influenced the adoption of safe work practices and regulatory control measures, such as national needlestick prevention guidelines and high-rise building fire safety laws. Her numerous research studies encompass a wide range of topics, including, (to name a few): bloodborne pathogen exposure; hospital safety climate; psychosocial work stress in law enforcement; “ability and willingness” of essential workforce employees to report to duty during natural and man-made disasters; preparedness of responders for terrorist incidents; emergency high–rise building evacuation- (including the World Trade Center Evacuation Study); emergency preparedness of the elderly and disabled; mass fatality management infrastructure in the US; adherence to emergency public health measures among the general public; hearing loss risk in subway ridership; and noise exposure in urban populations.
Dr. Gershon recently completed a four-year, longitudinal intervention NIH-funded study on motivation and persistence in pursuing STEM research careers among underrepresented doctoral students. (the BRIDGE Project).
As a committed advocate for junior faculty and graduate students, Dr. Gershon will play an active role in research mentorship and advisement.
-
Education
-
BS, Medical Technology, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CTMHS, Medical Microbiology, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CTDrPH, Environmental and Occupational Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
-
Honors and awards
-
Recipient, American Society of Safety Engineers, Membership Award, Oakland, CA (2016)Recipient, John L. Ziegler Capstone Mentor Award, Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco (2015)Recipient, City of New York Fire Commissioner's Special Commendation Certificate of Appreciation (2006)Recipient, Survivors' Salute, World Trade Center Survivors' Network (2006)Recipient, Annual International Sharps Injury Prevention Award (2005)Delta Omega (Public Health) Honorary Society (1997)Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (Microbiology) (1976)Lambda Tau Mu Honor Society (Laboratory Science) (1976)
-
Areas of research and study
-
Disaster HealthDisaster Impact and RecoveryDisaster PreparednessEnvironmental Public Health ServicesEpidemiologyHealthcare SafetyOccupational HealthRisk Assessment and Management
-
Publications
Publications
Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Nurses in the Early Implementation Phase of California's Safe Patient Handling Legislation
Street-level noise in an urban setting: Assessment and contribution to personal exposure
Family and partner interpersonal violence among American Indians/Alaska Natives
AbstractSapra, K. J., Jubinski, S. M., Tanaka, M. F., & Gershon, R. R. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
Injury EpidemiologyVolume
1Issue
1AbstractFamily and partner interpersonal violence are common among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. AI/AN women have the second highest prevalence of violence against women among all racial/ethnic groups in the United States, and child abuse prevalence rates in AI/AN populations are among the highest. Elder abuse in AI/AN is also an important concern, although data on this are sparse. This review describes the epidemiology of child abuse, violence against women, and elder abuse among AI/AN, including prevalence and associated risk factors. The authors discuss potential reasons for the high burden of interpersonal violence among AI/AN, including common risk factors. Important limitations in existing literature are also highlighted, along with recommendations for future research on this topic.Mass fatality preparedness among medical examiners/coroners in the United States: A cross-sectional study
AbstractGershon, R. R., Orr, M. G., Zhi, Q., Merrill, J. A., Chen, D. Y., Riley, H. E., & Sherman, M. F. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
BMC public healthVolume
14Issue
1AbstractBackground: In the United States (US), Medical Examiners and Coroners (ME/Cs) have the legal authority for the management of mass fatality incidents (MFI). Yet, preparedness and operational capabilities in this sector remain largely unknown. The purpose of this study was twofold; first, to identify appropriate measures of preparedness, and second, to assess preparedness levels and factors significantly associated with preparedness. Methods: Three separate checklists were developed to measure different aspects of preparedness: MFI Plan Elements, Operational Capabilities, and Pre-existing Resource Networks. Using a cross-sectional study design, data on these and other variables of interest were collected in 2014 from a national convenience sample of ME/C using an internet-based, anonymous survey. Preparedness levels were determined and compared across Federal Regions and in relation to the number of Presidential Disaster Declarations, also by Federal Region. Bivariate logistic and multivariable models estimated the associations between organizational characteristics and relative preparedness. Results: A large proportion (42%) of respondents reported that less than 25 additional fatalities over a 48-hour period would exceed their response capacities. The preparedness constructs measured three related, yet distinct, aspects of preparedness, with scores highly variable and generally suboptimal. Median scores for the three preparedness measures also varied across Federal Regions and as compared to the number of Presidential Declared Disasters, also by Federal Region. Capacity was especially limited for activating missing persons call centers, launching public communications, especially via social media, and identifying temporary interment sites. The provision of staff training was the only factor studied that was significantly (positively) associated (p < .05) with all three preparedness measures. Although ME/Cs ranked local partners, such as Offices of Emergency Management, first responders, and funeral homes, as the most important sources of assistance, a sizeable proportion (72%) expected federal assistance. Conclusions: The three measures of MFI preparedness allowed for a broad and comprehensive assessment of preparedness. In the future, these measures can serve as useful benchmarks or criteria for assessing ME/Cs preparedness. The study findings suggest multiple opportunities for improvement, including the development and implementation of national strategies to ensure uniform standards for MFI management across all jurisdictions.Emergency preparedness in a sample of persons with disabilities.
Estimation of permanent noise-induced hearing loss in an urban setting
Factors related to essential workers' ability and willingness to work and comply with personal infection control protocol during a large scale influenza pandemic in Hawaii
Mass transit ridership and self-reported hearing health in an urban population
AbstractGershon, R. R., Sherman, M. F., Magda, L. A., Riley, H. E., McAlexander, T. P., & Neitzel, R. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
Journal of Urban HealthVolume
90Issue
2Page(s)
262-275AbstractInformation on prevalence and risk factors associated with self-reported hearing health among mass transit riders is extremely limited, even though evidence suggests mass transit may be a source of excessive exposure to noise. Data on mass transit ridership were collected from 756 study participants using a self-administered questionnaire. Hearing health was measured using two symptom items (tinnitus and temporary audiometric threshold shift), two subjective measures (self-rated hearing and hearing ability), and two medical-related questions (hearing testing and physician-diagnosed hearing loss). In logistic regression analyses that controlled for possible confounders, including demographic variables, occupational noise exposure, nonoccupational noise exposure (including MP3 player use) and use of hearing protection, frequent and lengthy mass transit (all forms) ridership (1,100 min or more per week vs. 350 min or less per week) was the strongest predictor of temporary threshold shift symptoms. Noise abatement strategies, such as engineering controls, and the promotion of hearing protection use should be encouraged to reduce the risk of adverse impacts on the hearing health of mass transit users.Prevalence and factors associated with 2009 to 2011 influenza vaccinations at a university medical center
Using participatory action research to identify strategies to improve pandemic vaccination.
Exposures to transit and other sources of noise among New York City residents
Safety in the home healthcare sector: Development of a new household safety checklist
AbstractGershon, R. R., Dailey, M., Magda, L. A., Riley, H. E., Conolly, J., & Silver, A. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Journal of Patient SafetyVolume
8Issue
2Page(s)
51-59AbstractObjectives: Unsafe household conditions could adversely affect safety and quality in home health care. However, risk identification tools and procedures that can be readily implemented in this setting are lacking. To address this need, we developed and tested a new household safety checklist and accompanying training program. Methods: A 50-item, photo-illustrated, multi-hazard checklist was designed as a tool to enable home healthcare paraprofessionals (HHCPs) to conduct visual safety inspections in patients' homes. The checklist focused on hazards presenting the greatest threat to the safety of seniors. A convenience sample of 57 HHCPs was recruited to participate in a 1-hour training program, followed by pilot testing of the checklist in their patients' households. Checklist data from 116 patient homes were summarized using descriptive statistics. Qualitative feedback on the inspection process was provided by HHCPs participating in a focus group. Results: Pretesting and posttesting determined that the training program was effective; participating HHCPs' ability to identify household hazards significantly improved after training (P < 0.001). Using the checklist, HHCPs were able to identify unsafe conditions, including fire safety deficiencies, fall hazards, unsanitary conditions, and problems with medication management. Home healthcare paraprofessionals reported that the checklist was easy to use and that inspections were well accepted by patients. Inspections took roughly 20 minutes to conduct. Conclusions: Home healthcare paraprofessionals can be effectively trained to identify commonplace household hazards. Using this checklist as a guide, visual household inspections were easily performed by trained HHCPS. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the reliability of the checklist and to determine if hazard identification leads to interventions that improve performance outcomes.The World Trade Center evacuation study: Factors associated with initiation and length of time for evacuation
Genes, jobs, and justicCe: Occupational medicine physicians and the ethical, legal, and social issues of genetic testing in the workplace
AbstractBrandt-Rauf, S. I., Brandt-Rauf, E., Gershon, R., Li, Y., & Brandt-Rauf, P. W. (n.d.).Publication year
2011Journal title
Ethics and MedicineVolume
27Issue
1Page(s)
51-61AbstractThe application of new genetic technologies in the workplace not only holds the promise of improving worker health and safety but also raises significant ethical, legal, and social issues which could have serious adverse effects on workers, including effects on their employability and insurability. In the workplace, one appropriate target for study and intervention concerning the use of genetic technologies and information is the occupational health care professional, particularly the occupational medicine physician. Occupational medicine physicians frequently are directly involved in the development and implementation of employer policies regarding medical testing in the employment setting as well as in the control, interpretation and application of the resulting information. Therefore, a study was undertaken to determine the extent of involvement of occupational medicine physicians in the U.S. in genetic testing in the workplace and their level of knowledge and concern about the ethical, legal, and social issues of such testing. A questionnaire survey of members of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) was performed with distribution by email and in-person at the organization's annual national meeting. Among respondents, 7.7% reported being currently engaged in genetic testing in the workplace, primarily to protect workers from workplace hazards. Overall, 40% of respondents felt that workplace genetic testing should be used in decisions about job placement, but 17% felt that workplace genetic testing was never appropriate. Most respondents (57%) did not feel competent dealing with genetic testing issues, and the vast majority (75%) reported feeling ethically conflicted about workplace genetic testing. For guidance in the resolution of ethical conflicts, respondents reported relying primarily on professional codes of ethics and guidelines, but their level of familiarity with ACOEM's position on genetic testing in the workplace was generally low. These results suggest that occupational medicine physicians do not feel prepared to deal with the ethical, legal, and social issues of genetic testing in the workplace and that professional organizations should consider increasing their educational efforts in these areas.Mass fatality preparedness in the death care sector
AbstractGershon, R. R., Magda, L. A., Riley, H. E., & Merrill, J. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2011Journal title
Journal of Occupational and Environmental MedicineVolume
53Issue
10Page(s)
1179-1186AbstractObjective: To characterize mass fatality preparedness of the death care sector (ie, funeral industry organizations) and to determine the workforce's ability and willingness to report to duty during a hypothetical high fatality pandemic event. Methods: Anonymous, Web-based, cross-sectional survey of a national funeral industry sample. Preparedness was characterized using descriptive statistics. Factors significantly associated with ability and willingness were identified using chi-squared bivariate analysis. Results: Respondents (N = 492) generally rated their organizational preparedness planning as suboptimal; only six of thirteen preparedness checklist items were typically in place. In contrast, response intentions were uniformly high; more than 80% of the respondents were willing to report to work, although high prevalence of secondary obligations might hinder this. Conclusions: Preparedness strategies that address interorganizational, surge capacity, and personal emergency planning are likely to be most efficacious. STATEMENT OF CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Occupational medicine plays an important role in emergency preparedness and response. Funeral industry organizations could benefit from skills and resources of occupational medicine, including training, fit testing, development of plans, and coordination and hosting of planning exercises.Modeling pre-evacuation delay by evacuees in World Trade Center Towers 1 and 2 on September 11, 2001: A revisit using regression analysis
AbstractSherman, M. F., Peyrot, M., Magda, L. A., & Gershon, R. R. (n.d.).Publication year
2011Journal title
Fire Safety JournalVolume
46Issue
7Page(s)
414-424AbstractWe have tested a linear regression model to identify significant predictors of pre-evacuation delay in a sample of evacuees enrolled in the World Trade Center Evacuation Study. We have found that pre-evacuation delay was greater when there were more environmental cues, more seeking out of information, and more pre-evacuation actions. Additionally, higher perceived risk was predictive of shorter pre-evacuation delay times. These findings are compared and contrasted with an analysis of participants in the National Institute of Standards and Technology investigation of the World Trade Center disaster, recently reported by Kuligowski and Mileti (2009). Both studies reported factors associated with pre-evacuation delay that were similar to those associated with community evacuation. Additionally, we found that greater knowledge and greater emergency preparedness were associated with greater perception of risk. Greater emergency preparedness was negatively related to pre-evacuation delay within World Trade Center Tower I, but within World Trade Center Tower II, the relation between emergency preparedness and pre-evacuation delay was positive. These findings have implications for training of occupants of high-rise buildings.The differing perspectives of workers and occupational medicine physicians on the ethical, legal and social issues of genetic testing in the workplace
Disaster mental health training programmes in New York City following September 11, 2001
Factors associated with the ability and willingness of essential workers to report To duty during a pandemic
Pandemic-related ability and willingness in home healthcare workers.
Evaluation of a pandemic preparedness training intervention for emergency medical services personnel
Evaluation tool for the assessment of personal protective respiratory equipment
Gershon, R. R., Pearson, J. M., & Westra, L. J. (n.d.). In Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology (1–).Publication year
2009Volume
30Issue
7Page(s)
716-718Mental, physical, and behavioral outcomes associated with perceived work stress in police officers
AbstractGershon, R. R., Barocas, B., Canton, A. N., Xianbin Li, L., & Vlahov, D. (n.d.).Publication year
2009Journal title
Criminal Justice and BehaviorVolume
36Issue
3Page(s)
275-289AbstractThis study estimates the effects of perceived work stress in police officers and determines the impact of coping on both perceived work stress and health. Officers from a large, urban police department (N = 1,072) completed detailed questionnaires. Exposure to critical incidents, workplace discrimination, lack of cooperation among coworkers, and job dissatisfaction correlated significantly with perceived work stress. Work stress was significantly associated with adverse outcomes, including depression and intimate partner abuse. Officers who relied on negative or avoidant coping mechanisms reported both higher levels of perceived work stress and adverse health outcomes. Results have implications for improving stress-reducing efforts among police officers. Interventions that address modifiable stressors and promote effective coping and resiliency will probably be most beneficial in minimizing police stress and associated outcomes.Noise levels associated with New York City's mass transit systems
Nurse work environments and occupational safety in intensive care units