Clarence Spigner (Health Services)
Office: H-692 Health Sciences Building, Box 357660
Phone: 206 616-2948
Email: cspigner@uw.edu

Website: https://globalhealth.washington.edu/faculty/clarence-spigner

Raised in poverty and segregation in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Clarence Spigner, DrPH, served in the U.S. Air Force (1964-68) which included a tour in Vietnam (1966-67). Worked as a telephone lineman (1968-74) in Los Angeles County while attending community colleges in Santa Monica (1974-76) and Oakland (1977) on the GI Bill. Worked series of odd-jobs (dispatcher, janitor, physical fitness instructor, kitchen-worker and tutor) while completing his BA in sociology at UC Berkeley (1977-1979) and MPH (1980-1982). Did pre-doctoral work as health planner for the National Health Service in London, England (1982-83). Earned doctorate (DrPH) in 1987 from U.C. Berkeley. Assistant Professor at University of Oregon in 1988 where he developed research/teaching interests in race/ethnic relations and health. Earned tenure as Associate Professor in 1994. Recruited to University of Washington’s School of Public Health (1994). Studied tobacco-related behavior and opinions about organ donation and transplantation. Teaches Program Planning & Evaluation, Qualitative Research Methods, and Values and Ethics in Research. Developed new courses in Honor’s College based on prize-winning books (I am Charlotte Simmons and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks). Directs his own study abroad program since 2007 called Dark Empire addressing multiculturalism and health in Britain.