School of Social Work

Matthew Morgan is a doctoral candidate. He received his B.S. in psychology (2012) and M.S.W. (2015) from Virginia Commonwealth University. Matthew’s research interests focus on gerontology, specifically disparities in end-of-life (EOL) care among historically marginalized populations. He is specifically interested in access to end-of-life services and supports for low-income and underserved populations.

His dissertation investigates the potential for public health interventions in end-of-life (EOL) care, particularly focusing on the role of community health workers (CHWs). While the importance of CHWs in addressing EOL disparities has gained recent attention, spurred in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, there's limited research on their specific knowledge, attitudes and practices in this area. His mixed-methods study addresses this gap by examining Virginia CHWs' perspectives on EOL care through an online survey and focus groups. The goal is to understand their current knowledge, attitudes and practices, as well as their insights on improving EOL care access within their communities. This research serves as a crucial first step in informing the development of effective public health interventions to reduce EOL disparities.

Matthew is a proud father of a 3-year old, who gives him plenty of excuses for play breaks. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, reading and spending time with his family.

Areas of interest

• Aging Services and Gerontology
• Communities and Neighborhoods
• Health
• Inequality Poverty and Social Welfare Policy

Education and credentials

M.S.W., Virginia Commonwealth University
B.S., Virginia Commonwealth University

View Matthew Morgan's curriculum vitae.