Marybeth Mitcham

Titles and Organizations

Assistant Professor,
Director of Online MPH Program, Public Health. 

Contact Information

Email: mmitcha2@gmu.edu

Phone: 518-338-7497

Personal Websites

Biography

Dr. MB (Marybeth) Mitcham is the Director of the Online MPH Program and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Global and Community Health.

Her research and work focus on the interplay between humans and their environment, leveraging available resources to address disparities and achieve improved holistic community health, and exploring intergenerational and interdisciplinary approaches to foster personal connectedness, using qualitative and mixed-methods research designs to measure initiative outcomes. Her primary research foci include rural health, nutrition, and wellness, with an emphasis on Food as Medicine, plant-rich diets, social justice, and resiliency in environmental, physical, and holistic health outcomes.

Research

Select Publications

  • Mitcham, MM. Sea Salt as a Food Preservative. In: Saini, R, ed. Science of Sea Salt. 2022.

  • Mitcham, MM. Hawthorn. In: Wallace, TC, ed. Health Professional's Guide to Dietary Supplements. NY, NY: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; 2023.

  • Mitcham, MM. Horehound. In: Wallace, TC, ed. Health Professional's Guide to Dietary Supplements. NY, NY: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; 2023.

  • Charoenmuang M, Helmholdt A, Mitcham M. Food systems for thought and change. https://4-h.org/about/4-h-at-home/food-systems/. 2021

  • Mitcham, MM. Sea Salt as a Food Preservative. In: Saini, R, ed. Science of Sea Salt. 2022.

  • Mitcham, MM. Hawthorn. In: Wallace, TC, ed. Health Professional's Guide to Dietary Supplements. NY, NY: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; 2023.

  • Mitcham, MM. Horehound. In: Wallace, TC, ed. Health Professional's Guide to Dietary Supplements. NY, NY: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; 2023.

  • Mitcham, MM. An exploration into public health experiences of rural residents to facilitate understanding of chronic poor health habits: A phenomenological study [Ph.D. dissertation]. Lynchburg, VA: Liberty University; 2021.

  • Mitcham, MM, Wolfe, W, Tidball, M, Bowe, J, Tidball, K. 4-H Outdoor Cooking. Cornell University Cooperative Extension; 2020.

  • Mitcham, MM. Addressing youth obesity in Warren County, NY, through the provision of nutrition and health education [master’s thesis]. Lynchburg, VA: Liberty University; 2016.

  • Charoenmuang M, Helmholdt A, Mitcham M. Food systems for thought and change. https://4-h.org/about/4-h-at-home/food-systems/. Published October 28, 2021. Accessed November 2, 2021.

Submitted:

  • Mitcham, MM. Ducks, dandelions, Dutch ovens, and discussions: Using innovation to address community health disparities. Submitted to: Journal of Community Health, 2023

  • Mitcham, MM. Making baked squash blossoms: Methods of effective rural public health education. Submitted to: Health Education Journal, 2023

  • Mitcham, MM. Hiking towards connection: Fostering mental wellness through an intergenerational approach. Submitted to: International Journal of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science, 2023

  • Mitcham, MM, Gazpacho andaluz: Combating extreme heat through community education. Submitted to: Climate and Health Journal, 2023

  • Mitcham, MM. Combatting loneliness: Intergenerational hikes as an effective means of fostering connectivity amongst rural residents. Submitted to: International Journal of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science.

Awards

  • Early Career Mentorship Program, 2024 American Society of Nutrition (ASN)

  • Online Teaching Excellence Award (Nomination), 2023, George Mason University                                                                                                                 

  • Best Education Curriculum Package, 4-H Outdoor Cooking 2020-2021, National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) State Award (New York). 

  • Best Education Curriculum Package, 4-H Outdoor Cooking, 2020-2021National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS)Region Award (Eastern States District)

  • Continued Education Award for Academic and Professional Excellence, 2020Fred B Morris Professional Development. 

  • Best Education Curriculum Package, 4-H Outdoor Cooking, 2020, 2021
    National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) State Award (New York)

  • Best Education Curriculum Package, 4-H Outdoor Cooking 2020, 2021
    National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) Region Award (Eastern States District)

  • Continued Education Award for Academic and Professional Excellence, 2020
    Fred B Morris Professional Development

Affiliations 

  • Advances in Nutrition; Reviewer, 2021-present
  • NYS Food as Medicine Coalition Committee Member, 2023-present
  • American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), 2022-present
  • American Society for Nutrition (ASN), 2016-present
  • American Public Health Association (APHA), 2022-present
  • Virginia Rural Health Association (VRHA), 2022-present
  • Virginia Public Health Association, 2023-present
  • Adirondack 46ers

Degrees

  • PhD, Curriculum and Instruction, Liberty University
  • MPH, Nutrition, Liberty University
  • BS, Biology, SUNY Empire State College
  • AAS, Human Development, SUNY Empire State College
  • AAS, Science, Mathematics, and Technology, SUNY Empire State College