Marshall University
Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
1600 Medical Center Drive, Suite 1400
Huntington
WVUSA
25701
Biographical Sketch: Richard Crespo, Ph.D., is a tenured professor in the Department of Family and Community Health with an appointment in research and service. His degree is from Michigan State University in curriculum research and development. Currently he is involved in community health programs in West Virginia, the Appalachian region and overseas.
Dr. Crespo manages thirteen grants and contracts in the fields of chronic disease management, school health, mental health, and oral health.
With funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Centers for Disease Control, Dr. Crespo and his staff have developed an innovative program for establishing diabetes coalitions in rural, poor counties in the Appalachian Region. Currently there are 67 coalitions in nine states, and 85 percent of coalitions whose funding period ended have remained active. His training program called Diabetes Today for Community Leaders is endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control.
Dr. Crespo and his team have trained more than 120 leaders throughout the Appalachian Region as facilitators of the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. Key partners in this program are federally qualified health centers. His team has been working with these health centers to integrate self-management into their medical practice. They have also created a series of health self-management tools for consumers.