Dr. Ritika Bhawal

Dr. Ritika Bhawal is an accomplished academic professional and Professor, serving as the Program Director of the Bachelor’s in Public Health at the Department of Healthcare Leadership, National University. With a physician’s degree from India and advanced degrees, including a Master’s in Public Health and a PhD in Health Behavior from Indiana University, Dr. Bhawal brings extensive experience and knowledge to her role. Specializing in human sexuality, Dr. Bhawal has made significant contributions to public health education and healthcare leadership. Her pioneering research explores the impact of social and behavioral factors on sexual health, with a particular focus on developing educational interventions for marginalized groups. Notably, she developed an innovative educational intervention regarding the gynecological exam for women with developmental disabilities, aiming to inform policy changes and improve healthcare outcomes. Dr. Bhawal is deeply committed to community service and actively promotes community engagement through her volunteer work with the Center on Community Solutions. Her passion for advocating against domestic violence drives much of her research and community work, as she seeks to support and advocate for the target population. A visionary and change agent, Dr. Bhawal is adept at leading academic programs and contributing to public health research. She is recognized for her ability to see the visions of tomorrow and the revelations of today, continuously advocating for the underprivileged and underrepresented populations, and making strides toward advancing health education and research. Her work not only enriches her students' learning experiences but also actively contributes to the betterment of public health frameworks locally and globally.

Presentations

• (2018-05-12). Cultural challenges - Immigrant victims of intimate partner violence in the United States of America. Intersectionality Panel - Center of Community Solutions. San Diego, CA.
• (2018-01-04). Caring for the Whole Person: Developing Unique Experiences and Promoting Campus-Wide Engagement between Students, Faculty, Staff, and External Affiliates. Hawaii International Conference on Education. Honolulu, HI.
• (2016-11-01). A Systematic Review of Yoga as an Intervention for Autistic Spectrum Disorders. American Public Health Association's Annual Meeting. Denver, CO.
• (2016-11-01). A systematic review of resources available for families having children with special healthcare needs in California. American Public Health Association's Annual Meeting. Denver, CO.
• (2016-11-01). A Systematic Review of the existing services for domestic violence survivors. American Public Health Association's Annual Meeting. Denver, CO.
• (2016-11-01). A Systematic Review of the Benefits of Yoga for Children. American Public Health Association's Annual Meeting. Denver, CO.
• (2016-11-01). Changing the way we educate future healthcare workers to deliver patient-centered care. American Public Health Association's Annual Meeting. Denver, CO.
• (2016-01-06). Anthropomorphic Learning Environments: The application of affective interaction in order to advance student connectedness and performance. Hawaii International Conference on Education 14th annual Conference. Honolulu, HI.
• (2014-12-08). Pathways to Health: Task force on Disability and Health. 20th Annual Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities Conference,. Indianapolis, IN.