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Intructional Associate Professor
Department of Health Education & Behavior
FLG 71
P.O. Box 118210
Gainesville, FL 32611-8210
(352) 294-1807 | rodgersj@ufl.edu
Dr. Rodgers received her Ph.D. in Health Communication from the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida. A Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), Dr. Rodgers holds two master’s degrees in business management and health education and behavior from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Arizona.
Dr. Rodgers’ research is interdisciplinary, cutting across several areas of communication to include social marketing and health. She is especially interested in how health organizations can promote an atmosphere of trust – both online and offline – that will lead to positive, healthy behavior change among audiences. Specifically, Dr. Rodgers’ research focuses on how individuals process health messages and how message characteristics influence individuals’ decisions to adopt certain behaviors. Her dissertation – a qualitative health communication study – unites these areas by analyzing how women with fibromyalgia conceptualize media and medical messages about their experiences and primary health concerns.
Dr. Rodgers’ teaching areas are varied, reflecting both her professional background as a former newspaper reporter and editor and public relations practitioner, and her academic experiences in business, health education, and mass communication.