Robyn Gershon

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, CT

MHS, Medical Microbiology, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT

DrPH, 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 Health

Disaster Impact and Recovery

Disaster Preparedness

Environmental Public Health Services

Epidemiology

Healthcare Safety

Occupational Health

Risk Assessment and Management

Publications

Publications

Protecting home health care workers: A challenge to pandemic influenza preparedness planning

Baron, S., McPhaul, K., Phillips, S., Gershon, R., & Lipscomb, J. (n.d.).

Publication year

2009

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

99

Page(s)

S301-S307

10.2105/AJPH.2008.157339

Abstract

Abstract

The home health care sector is a critical element in a pandemic influenza emergency response. Roughly 85% of the 1.5 million workers delivering in-home care to 7.6 million clients are low-wage paraprofessionals, mostly women, and disproportionately members of racial and ethnic minorities. Home health care workers' ability and willingness to respond during a pandemic depends on appropriate communication, training, and adequate protections, including influenza vaccination and respiratory protection. Preparedness planning should also include support for child care and transportation and help home health care workers protect their income and access to health care. We summarize findings from a national stakeholder meeting, which highlighted the need to integrate home health care employers, workers, community advocates, and labor unions into the planning process.

The prevalence and risk factors for percutaneous injuries in registered nurses in the home health care sector

Violence, job satisfaction, and employment intentions among home healthcare registered nurses

Web-based training on weapons of mass destruction response for emergency medical services personnel.

Epidemiology of subway-related fatalities in New York City, 1990-2003

Factors that influence Medical Reserve Corps recruitment.

Home health care registered nurses and the risk of percutaneous injuries: A pilot study

Household-related hazardous conditions with implications for patient safety in the home health care sector

Participatory action research methodology in disaster research: Results from the world trade center evacuation study

Safety factors predictive of job satisfaction and job retention among home healthcare aides

Worksite emergency preparedness

Factors associated with high-rise evacuation: Qualitative results from the world trade center evacuation study

Home health care challenges and avian influenza

Non-hospital based registered nurses and the risk of bloodborne pathogen exposure

Organizational climate and nurse health outcomes in the United States: A systematic review

Gershon, R. R., Stone, P. W., Zeltser, M., Faucett, J., Macdavitt, K., & Chou, S. S. (n.d.).

Publication year

2007

Journal title

Industrial Health

Volume

45

Issue

5

Page(s)

622-636

10.2486/indhealth.45.622

Abstract

Abstract

Increasing interest has been focused on understanding the role working conditions play in terms of the serious issues facing hospitals today, including quality of patient care, nurse shortages, and financial challenges. One particular working condition that has been the subject of recent research, is the impact of organizational climate on nurses' well-being, including occupational health outcomes. To examine evidence-based research on the association between organizational climate and occupational health outcomes among acute-care registered nurses, a systematic review of published studies was conducted. Studies assessing the association between organizational climate variables and three common health outcomes in nurses (blood/body fluid exposures, musculoskeletal disorders, and burnout) were reviewed. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Although most were cross-sectional in design and variability was noted across studies with respect to operational definitions and assessment measures, all noted significant associations between specific negative aspects of hospital organizational climate and adverse health impacts in registered nurses. While evidence for an association between organizational climate constructs and nurses' health was found, data were limited and some of the relationships were weak. Additional studies are warranted to clarify the nature of these complex relationships.

Organizational climate and occupational health outcomes in hospital nurses

Prevalence and risk factors for bloodborne exposure and infection in correctional healthcare workers

Roadmap for the protection of disaster research participants: Findings from the world trade center evacuation study

Nurse work environments and occupational safety in intensive care units

Pilot survey of subway and bus stop noise levels

Health and safety hazards associated with subways: A review

Gershon, R. R., Qureshi, K. A., Barrera, M. A., Erwin, M. J., & Goldsmith, F. (n.d.).

Publication year

2005

Journal title

Journal of Urban Health

Volume

82

Issue

1

Page(s)

10-20

10.1093/jurban/jti004

Abstract

Abstract

Subway systems are key components in mass transportation networks worldwide, providing rapid and affordable transportation to urban communities in 58 different countries. The benefits afforded by subway transit are numerous and mainly derived from the reduction in automobile use, thereby limiting environmental and health hazards associated with exhaust-air emissions. Additionally, by limiting congestion and providing vital transportation links within a city, subways also improve the overall quality of life of urban communities. However, to best maximize the positive impact on the urban environment, subway systems need to provide a safe and healthy environment for both passengers and subway transit workers. Periodically, safety concerns are raised, most recently in relation to the vulnerability of subways, to terrorist attacks. To examine this issue more carefully, we conducted a structured review of the literature to identify and characterize potential health and safety hazards associated with subways. A secondary goal was to identify various risk management strategies designed to minimize the risk of these hazards. This information may be helpful to urban communities, urban planners, public health specialists, and others interested in subway safety.

Health care workers' ability and willingness to report to duty during catastrophic disasters

Hepatitis B vaccination in correctional health care workers

Gershon, R. R., Mitchell, C., Sherman, M. F., Vlahov, D., Lears, M. K., Felknor, S., & Lubelczyk, R. A. (n.d.).

Publication year

2005

Journal title

American Journal of Infection Control

Volume

33

Issue

9

Page(s)

510-518

10.1016/j.ajic.2005.04.245

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Data on bloodborne pathogen risk among health care workers (HCWs) employed in the correctional setting are sparse, even though the prevalence of bloodborne infections, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), among inmates is high. To address this, we determined prevalence and correlates of hepatitis B virus vaccination status in correctional health care workers (CHCWs) employed in 3 state correctional health care facilities. Methods: A confidential, self-administered cross-sectional survey was performed. Results: Four hundred eleven (69.8%) of 588 eligible participants completed the survey. Of these, 264 (64.2%) reported receiving a primary hepatitis B (HB) vaccine series. Vaccination rates varied by state and by job category. Parenteral exposures were not uncommon; 8.6% (n = 24) of clinical CHCWs and 2.0% (n = 7) of nonclinical CHCWs reported one or more needlesticks in the 6-month period prior to the study. Among clinical staff, vaccination correlated with licensure (RN or MD) and race (white) and in nonclinical staff with history of close contact with HBV infected inmates and with needlestick injury. Conclusion: Although the HB vaccination rate among CHCWs was generally high, given their potential risk of exposure to HBV, universal vaccination should be encouraged and should include those nonclinicians with job duties that may involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids.

Public transportation: Advantages and challenges

Gershon, R. R. (n.d.).

Publication year

2005

Journal title

Journal of Urban Health

Volume

82

Issue

1

Page(s)

7-9

10.1093/jurban/jti003

Reports of intimate partner violence made against police officers