Samantha Calhoun, Phd, RN
Assistant Professor
About Samantha Calhoun
Dr. Samantha F. Calhoun serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Acute, Chronic, and Continuing Care Science at the Loewenberg College of Nursing. Her research centers on healthcare communication, shared decision-making, and patient–provider interactions, with a particular focus on improving care experiences for vulnerable populations managing chronic diseases.
Dr. Calhoun utilizes mixed-methods research to examine barriers to effective communication in routine clinical care and to identify strategies that promote trust and mutual understanding between patients and healthcare providers. Her work is driven by a commitment to health equity and the belief that all patients—especially Black men and women and other historically marginalized groups—should feel seen, heard, and empowered within clinical environments.
Through her research, Dr. Calhoun seeks to develop evidence-based communication tools that enhance patient engagement, strengthen provider–patient relationships, and improve health outcomes. Her scholarship integrates socio-cultural awareness with practical application, ensuring that care delivery reflects the lived experiences and needs of the communities it serves.
In addition to her research, Dr. Calhoun is passionate about mentorship and education. She actively supports students in nursing, public health, health sciences, and related disciplines who are interested in advancing equitable, patient-centered care through research and practice.
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (2024)
- Master of Science in Nursing Education, The University of Memphis (2017)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, The University of Memphis (2013)
- Chronic disease
- Health services research
- Underserved populations
- Vulnerable and marginalized populations
- Academy of Communication in Healthcare
- American Nurses Association
- National League for Nursing
- Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association
- Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society
- Southern Nursing Research Society
- Tennessee Nurses Association
- 2024 – Black Student Association Award, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- 2021-2022 – Mid-South Woman of Impact, American Heart Association
- 2021 – Memphis Flyer’s Top 20 Under 30
- 2019 – HRSA Graduate Nursing Loan Forgiveness Award
- 2017 – Sigma Theta Tau International Beta Theta Chapter Scholarship Award
- 2017 – Graduate Student Honors Caring Award, University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing
Calhoun, S. (2023). Examining the Shared Decision-Making Preferences of Adult Black Men with Hypertension in the U.S. Mid-South Region: A Mixed Methods Approach [PhD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center]. https://doi.org/10.21007/etd.cghs.2024.0654
Principal Investigator (2024 – Present)
Exploring Medical and Psychological Help-Seeking Behaviors among Black Men in the
U.S. Mid-South Region
Funded by Community of Research Scholars, University of Memphis
Co-Investigator (2024 – Present)
Pilot Development of Maternal Child Handbook in Shelby County, Memphis, TN: Empowering
Pregnant Women Through a Two-Way Communication Tool
Funded by Community of Research Scholars, University of Memphis
Co-Investigator (2024 – Present)
Masks, Media, and Men: Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 Media Coverage on the Mental
Wellness of Black Men
Funded by Community of Research Scholars, University of Memphis