Stewart (Stewart C. Alexander) Chang Alexander

Areas of Expertise

• Medical Communication
• LGBTQA+ Adolescent Health
• Oncology Communication
• Palliative Care Communication
• Patient-Provider Communication
• Oncology & Palliative Care

HHS Signature Research Area(s)

• Developmental Health and Wellness
• Healthy Lifestyles and Vital Longevity
• Sustainable Organizations and Thriving Communities

Department of Public Health Research Area(s)

• Health Disparities
• Prevention Science
• Community-Engaged Research
• Intervention and Implementation Science
• Health Systems and Policies
• Rural Health

Biography

Dr. Stewart C. Alexander is a medical communication methodologist. His work examines how medical providers communicate with patients to help patients better understand their illnesses, choose effective treatment options, and improve their overall health and well-being. His contribution to science is in advancing communication assessment of medical encounters and developing communication assessment systems that quantify the content of conversations between providers and their patients – to translate qualitative data (i.e., conversations) into quantifiable data (i.e., variables measured with frequencies and proportions).

Education

• Post Doc, 2002-2004, Durham VA Medical Center, Health Services Research and Development
• Ph.D., 2002, Department of Communication, University of Illinois
• M.S., 1994, Department of Speech Communication, Indiana University
• M.L.S., 1991, School of Information Science, Indiana University
• B.A., 1989, Communication, Purdue University

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Growing Intercultural Learning Mentor
• Center for Intercultural Learning, Mentoring and Research

Current Courses

• PUBH 250 - Social Factors in Public Health
• PUBH 380 - Public Health Policy
• PUBH 250 - Intercultural Development in Public Health and Human Sciences
• PUBH 501 - Introduction to Health Equity

Selected Honors/Awards

• Engel Award (Outstanding Research Contributing to the Theory, Practice, and Teaching of Effective Health Care Communication and Related Skills), Academy of Communication in Health Care - 2021
• Class of 1922 Outstanding Innovation in Helping Students Learn Award, Purdue University - 2021
• Vision Award, Center for Intercultural Learning, Mentoring and Research, Purdue University - 2020
• Study Abroad Leadership Award, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University - 2018
• Purdue University’s Trailblazer Award, Purdue University - 2017
• Career Development Award, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - 2012