Sharon L. Larson, PhD, is a Research Investigator at Geisinger Center for Health Research. Dr. Larson is an expert in rural health issues.

After earning her Post-Doctoral Certificate in Psychiatric Epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health-Department of Mental Health, Dr. Larson became a service fellow for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality-Center for Financing, Access and Cost Trends. As a fellow she was a rural expert on the National Health Disparities Report. She also conducted research on the utilization of health services with a focus on rural health services and vulnerable populations.

Recently, Dr. Larson served as a Senior Statistician and Psychiatric Epidemiologist at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-Office of Applied Studies (SAMHSA). At SAMHSA she produced methods to evaluate the occurrence of severe mental illness and psychological distress, conducted research, and provided consultation and supervision on studies.

Dr. Larson has made numerous presentations to medical organizations and has published works in medical and health services journals. She has presented her research to organizations such as the American Public Health Association, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, National Association for Rural Mental Health, and the American Sociological Association. She has contributed to published works such as, the Encyclopedia of the Sociology, Rural-Urban Chartbook: Access, Utilization and Expenditures, and The American Ritual Tapestry: Social Rules and Cultural Meanings.

Dr. Larson obtained her Doctorate in sociology, Master’s in sociology, and Bachelor degrees in psychology and sociology from the University of Nebraska.