Kevin Bennett Ph.D.
Dr. Bennett is a Professor of Family & Preventive Medicine at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, SC. He serves as the Director of the South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare. He also serves on the National Rural Health Association’s Board of Trustees and as Past President (2024).
Dr. Bennett received his Bachelors of Science from Virginia Tech in human Nutrition Foods and Exercise in 1997, followed by a Master’s of Science from James Madison University in Administration of Health and Wellness Programs in 2001. He completed his PhD in 2004 from the University of South Carolina, in Public Health Administration.
Dr. Bennett has worked in rural health policy, disparities research, and systems research since 2001. He began as a Senior Research Associate at the SC Rural Health Research Center, where he worked on federally-funded rural policy papers and briefs. Since joining the faculty of the School of Medicine in 2005, Dr. Bennett has been a prolific publisher of more than 100 manuscripts, 150 presentations (state, national, and international), and 35 rural health policy papers.
He has also taken on a large national leadership role in rural health policy, having served as the 2024 President of the National Rural Health Association. With the national advocacy group, Dr. Bennett has assisted in the formulation of national rural policy, regulations, and improving access and care to rural Americans nationwide. He has also served on various committees with the organization, including Chair of the Health Policy Congress, Research & Educational Constituency Group, and Journal of Rural Health Editorial board. For this work, Dr. Bennett was awarded twice by the Association – in 2004 as the John Snow, Inc. / National Rural Health Association Student Leadership Award, and in 2023 as the Volunteer of the Year.
In general, his work focuses on improving healthcare delivery for marginalized and underserved communities, particularly in rural areas, while examining the influence of national, state, or local policies and legislation on these populations. He has worked extensively with community groups, rural health networks, healthcare systems, and state agencies to pioneer and assess innovative care delivery programs.