Stuart H. Tedders

Biography, Disciplines and Teaching Interests

A native of Perry, Georgia, Dr. Tedders was an original member of the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH) when it was founded on January 1, 2006.  Beginning his employment as an Assistant Professor in 2000 at Georgia Southern University, Dr. Tedders is a Professor of Epidemiology and currently serves as Dean of the college.  

Dr. Tedders earned his BS degree in Biology from Georgia Southern College in 1987.  After graduating from Georgia Southern College, he earned a MS degree in Medical Entomology from Clemson University (1989) and a PhD in Public Health from the University of South Carolina (1994).  As a former Assistant Professor at Mercer University School of Medical (1994 - 2000), Dr. Tedders developed a keen interest in working with rural Georgia communities and was named Georgia Rural Health Researcher of the Year in 1999 by the Georgia Rural Health Association. As a faculty member in the JPHCOPH, Dr. Tedders has served in numerous faculty and administrative capacities prior to being named the Dean, including service as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, the Director for the Center for Rural Health and Research, and the Director of the Office of Public Health Practice and Community Service.

Dr. Tedders has worked with rural and underserved communities in Georgia for nearly 26 years. His community interactions have involved the application of epidemiologic principles, including public health surveillance, to more fully understand the complexities of rural population health status. He has considerable expertise conducting Community Health Assessments and working with rural communities to design and evaluate health promotion programs.  His research interests involve the social, economic, and educational factors that influence risk and risk perception. Dr. Tedders has served on health-related boards throughout the state including the Georgia Rural Health Association (Secretary, Treasurer), the Statewide Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Advisory Council, and Morehouse School of Medicine AHEC Advisory Board. Dr. Tedders currently serves as the Chair of the Magnolia Coastlands AHEC and Secretary of the State Office of Rural Health Advisory Board.