Dr. Darcy Scharff, originally trained as a registered nurse and practiced for over 10 years, has 30 years of academic public health experience. She is trained as a behavioral scientist and focused her work on practice-based research, particularly in maternal and child health, working closely with a number of local and state governmental agencies and community-based organizations including Generate Health, the St Louis county and city health departments, American Cancer Society, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the St. Louis American, the St. Louis Regional Health Commission, Mid-America Transplant Services, and Nurses for Newborns. 

During her time in academia, she served in several administrative roles including division director, departmental practice-experience director, MPH director, associate dean for academic affairs, and founder and director of the Office of Public Health Practice. In that role, she worked with several local organizations to encourage partnerships with the schools and to provide opportunities for student learning and practice. Darcy also served as the co-director of the St. Louis Academic Health department, a collaboration between the College and the St. Louis city and county health departments developed to improve public health infrastructure and ultimately the health of the St. Louis community. She continues to volunteer with them to provide her experience and expertise.

As part of her dissertation, Darcy developed a program called Mother to Mother that provided group and telephone support for women with perinatal mood disorders. After several years, the program became a not-for-profit organization, and she served on its board in many roles. As a new board, they learned to work together effectively, relying on outside resources for guidance. Although the organization no longer exists, the support groups and telephone support continue through SSM as their Mom’s Help Line. They use the Mother to Mother model to provide support, which helps to empower women through their struggle. 

Dr. Scharff continues to volunteer with them. Darcy also continues her volunteer work with Generate Health and serves on the boards of the Miriam School and the St. Louis Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women. She served on the board of the Missouri Family Health Council for ten years, two of which she was board president. In addition, she served on several local and state public health related committees. She currently works with universities and schools and programs of public health to support them as they seek accreditation. 

Darcy joined the Ashrei board in January of 2025.