Education

BS, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1997
MS, James Madison University, 2001
PhD, University of South Carolina, 2004

Research

Dr. Bennett’s research agenda focuses upon care delivery for vulnerable populations, such as non-whites, rural residents, and those with chronic diseases.   In particular, his research focuses upon how rural minorities experience problems related to access to health care services, utilization of these services, and out-of-pocket expenditures for services.  In addition to this work, Dr. Bennett also conducts quality improvement research, which focuses upon the use of health information technology and systems redesign as tools to improve care delivery, particularly among vulnerable and underserved populations.

Biography

Dr. Bennett is a Professor of Family & Preventive Medicine at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, SC. He serves as the Director of the South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare. He also serves on the National Rural Health Association’s Board of Trustees and as President (2024).

Dr. Bennett received his Bachelors of Science from Virginia Tech In human Nutrition Foods and Exercise in 1997, followed by a Master’s of Science from James Madison University in the Administration of Health and Wellness Programs in 2001.  He completed his PhD in 2004 from the University of South Carolina, in Public Health Administration.

Dr. Bennett has working in rural health policy, disparities research, and systems research since 2001.  He began as a Senior Research Associate at the SC Rural Health Research Center, where he worked on federally-funded rural policy papers and briefs. Since joining the faculty of the School of Medicine in 2005, Dr. Bennett has been a prolific publisher of more than 95 manuscripts, 130 presentations (state, national, and international), and 27 rural health policy papers.  

He has also taken on a large national leadership role in rural health policy, currently serving as the 2024 President of the National Rural Health Association.  With the national advocacy group, Dr. Bennett has assisted in the formulation of national rural policy, regulations, and improving access and care to rural Americans nationwide.  He has also served on various committees with the organization, including Chair of the Health Policy Congress, Research & Educational Constituency Group, and Journal of Rural Health Editorial board.  For this work, Dr. Bennett was awarded twice by the Association – in 2004 as the John Snow, Inc. / National Rural Health Association Student Leadership Award, and in 2023 as the Volunteer of the Year.

In general, his work focuses on improving healthcare delivery for marginalized and underserved communities, particularly in rural areas, while examining the influence of national, state, or local policies and legislation on these populations. He has worked extensively with community groups, rural health networks, healthcare systems, and state agencies to pioneer and assess innovative care delivery programs.

Publications

Graves JM, Beese SR, Abshire DA, Bennett KJ. How rural is All of Us? Comparing characteristics of rural participants in the National Institute of Health's All of Us Research Program to other national data sources. J Rural Health. 2024 Apr 29. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12840.  

Deng S, Bennett KJ (2023). On the geographic access to healthcare, beyond proximity. Geospatial Health 2023; volume 18:1199. https://doi.org/10.4081/gh.2023.1199 

Crouch, E, Radcliff, E, Merrell, M A, Bennett, KJ, & Wilson, M (2022). Examining racial–ethnic differences in positive childhood experiences among rural children. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 46(2), 128–139. https://doi.org/10.1037/rmh0000185 

Crouch, E, Radcliff, E, Merrell, MA, Bennett KJ. (2022). A national examination of poverty and interactive caregiving practices among parents of young children. J Child Fam Stud 31, 2266–2274. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02349-3 

Crouch E, Probst JC, Shi S, McLain A, Ebert JE, Brown MJ, Merrell M, Bennett KJ. (2022)Examining the association between rurality and positive childhood experiences among a national sample.  Journal of Rural Health, 39(1): 105-112. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12708

Crouch E, Radcliff E, Merrell M, Kelly K, Bennett KJ. (2022). Examining the influence of positive childhood experiences on childhood overweight and obesity using a national sample. Preventive Medicine, 154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106907 

Crouch E, Probst JC, Shi S, McLain A, Eberth J, Brown M, Merrell M, Bennett, KJ. (2022). Examining the association between rurality and positive childhood experiences among a national sample. Journal of Rural Health, 39(1): 105-112. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12708

Crouch, E., Radcliff, E., Merrell, M, Bennett, K. J. (2021). Positive Childhood Experiences Promote School Success. Maternal and Child Health. Oct;25(10):1646-1654. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-021-03206-3 

Crouch, E., Radcliff, E., Merrell, M, Bennett, K. J. (2021). Examining Racial-Ethic Differences in Positive Childhood Experiences among Rural Children. Journal of Rural Mental Health. 46(2), 128–139. https://doi.org/10.1037/rmh0000185 

10.     Crouch, E., Radcliff, E., Bennett, K. J., Brown, M. J., & Hung, P. (2021). Examining the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and ADHD diagnosis and severity. Academic Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2021.03.009. 

Crouch, E., Radcliff, E., Merrell, M, Bennett, K. J. (2021). Rural-Urban Differences in Positive Childhood Experiences Across a National Sample. Journal of Rural Health, 37(3); 495-503. https://doi-org.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/10.1111/jrh.12493 

Haynes E, Crouch E, Probst J, Radcliff E, Bennett KJ, Glover S. (2020). Exploring the association between a parent’s exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and outcomes of depression and anxiety among their children. Children and Youth Services Review, 113:105013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105013 

Hall JWW, Holman H, Barreto T, Bornemann P, Vaughn A, Bennett KJ, et al. (2020). Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Family Medicine Residencies 5-Year Update: A CERA Study. Family Medicine, 52 (7), 505-51. https://doi.org/10.22454/FamMed.2020.223648 

Bennett KJ, Borders T, Holmes M, Kozamanhil K, Ziller E. (2019). What is Rural Anyway? Health Affairs, 38(12); 1985-92. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00910.

Crouch EL, Radcliff E, Hung P, Bennett KJ. (2019). Challenges to School Success and the Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences. Academic Pediatrics, Nov-Dec 2019;19(8):899-907. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2019.08.006

Crouch EL, Bennett KJ, Radcliff E. (2019). Identifying Families at risk for Out of Pocket Caregiving Costs using a U.S. Population-based sample. Family Science Review, 23(1):99-121.

Current Projects

• SC Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare. SC Department of Health and Human Services. 2017-present. Role-Director of Research & Evaluation, 45% Effort. 8,200,000
• Suski E, Bennett KJ, et al. Duke Endowment; Medial-Legal Partnership. 2018-2022. Role: Evaluator, 9% effort, 1,500,000.
  SC Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare. SC Department of Health and Human Services. 2017-present. Role-Director of Research & Evaluation, 45% Effort. 8,200,000
• Catawba CMHC/Community Medicine Foundation Primary Care Initiative. SAMHSA 2017-2020. Role—Lead Evaluator, 10% Effort. $75,000
• Savannah River Rural Health Network. Evaluation of the Rural Network Development Grant, HRSA 2017-2020. Role—Lead Evaluator, 10% Effort. $75,000
• Upper Midlands Rural Health Network. Evaluation of the Rural Network Development Grant, HRSA. 2017-20. Role— Lead Evaluator, 10% Effort. $106,316

Past Projects

• Probst JC (PI), Bennett KJ (Co-I).  Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration; South Carolina Rural Health Research Center.  2012-2016.
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Disability Research and Dissemination Center. RFA-R14-002, EMR Rare Conditions. Rare Condition research using a combined Administrative / Clinical Data warehouse. Bennett KJ (Co-PI). 10% Effort, 3 Years
  Probst JC (PI), Bennett KJ (Co-I). Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration; South Carolina Rural Health Research Center. 2012-2016.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coordinating Center for Research and Training to Promote the Health of People with Developmental and Other Disabilities. 2012-2016. Role: Co-Investigator, 10% effort
• Bennett KJ (PI). Upper Midlands Rural Health Network. Evaluation of Upper Midlands Rural Health Network Rural Health HIT Network Development Grant. September 2013-August 2017.
• Bennett KJ (PI). Abbeville Area Medical Center. Evaluation of a Case Study of the Impact of the Community Paramedicine Program on Abbeville Area Medical Center. September 2013-August 2015.
  
  

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