The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) and SOPHE are pleased to announce the selection of a distinguished 14-member panel to undertake the work of the Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis III (HESPA III) study.
The HESPA III study is a significant undertaking and helps to ensure the highest standard of competency and proficiency in health education practice. The national study is the basis for two certification programs managed by NCHEC; the entry-level Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®), and advanced-level Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) examination programs.
A call for nominations for consideration to the HESPA III study resulted in over 200 responses. The HESPA III study Steering Committee considered several factors including diverse perspectives, practice setting, level of experience, completed and timely references, and other key demographic variables for the 14-member HESPA III panel. The HESPA III study is a rigorous and thorough process, involving two three-day panel meetings with input from individuals who are active CHES® and MCHES® who work in various practice settings including community, school health, healthcare, college/university, worksite, and college/university health promotion settings.
The 14-member panel consists of seven CHES® and seven MCHES®. Beth Chaney, PhD, MCHES®, Chair, and Antonio Gardner, PhD, MCHES®, Vice-Chair, will lead the HESPA III study. Jim Henderson, Ph.D., of Credentialing Examination Consulting, will facilitate the study assisted by Ian Hembry, Ph.D.
The 14-member HESPA III panelists are:
- Alexandra Diaz, MHS, CHES®, a Health Education Specialist with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health
- Amy Pulliam, DHSc, MPH, MCHES®, a Training and Development Specialist at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
- Antonio Handy, MPH, CHES®, Health Coach at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital
- Brittny Bratcher-Rasmus, PhD, CHES®, a Program Manager at ATW Health Solutions; Adjunct Faculty at Texas Southern University and Purdue Global
- Carla Valdez, Ed.D, MPH, MCHES®, Lecturer, Department of Health Sciences, California State University, Northridge
- Charity Bishop, MA, CHES®, Interim Director, Center for Service and Learning; Lecturer, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, at Indiana University Indianapolis
- Chesley Cheatham, M.Ed., MCHES®, Director,
- Community Outreach and Engagement, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center
- Heidi E. Austin, EdD, EdS, MS, BS, MCHES®, CFLE, Director of Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
- Laura Millar, MPH, MA, MCHES®, Blind Sexuality Access Network
- Leslie Eaddy, MPH, MCHES®, CSW, DRCC, Manager, Population Health-Social Determinants of Health at Hackensack Meridian Health
- Matthew McVey, MPH, CHES®, a Health Educator at New Hanover County- Health and Human Services
- Melanya Kushla, MS, RD, CHES®, Founder and Facilitator at Taste and Thrive: A Teaching Kitchen
- Reynaldo De Leon Jr., EdD, MSc, CHES®, a Research Coordinator in the Department of Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center
- Vanessa Cummings, MPH, MCHES®, a Health Educator at Sacramento County Department of Health Services, Public Health
The core work of the panel is to examine the current Eight Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists to identify emerging trends in the practice of health education, which will inform preparation programs for health education specialists as well as help to maintain national and international standards for NCHEC’s dually accredited CHES® and MCHES® programs.
“We are pleased to begin the work on the HESPA III practice analysis, which represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing the health education field,” said Dr. Chaney. “Through collaboration with the HESPA III panelists and the Steering Committee, this study will provide invaluable insights that will not only support NCHEC’s accreditation efforts but also enhance the quality and relevance of its two certification programs.”
“NCHEC is excited to launch the HESPA III study and reveal the findings that will identify the competencies required of entry and advanced-level health education specialists,” said Melissa Opp, NCHEC’s Interim Executive Director. “Practicing health education specialists are encouraged to complete the validation survey when it launches this fall. The HESPA III study panelists and certificants’ input will help NCHEC fulfill its goal to validate the competencies, and sub-competencies essential for the field of health education.”
“SOPHE is so proud to continue our work with NCHEC and be able to announce this panel” said SOPHE CEO Dr. William Datema. “We continue to work so closely together, and the combined work on this HESPA III study is the latest in our important partnership.”
Questions about the HESPA III study can be directed to Misozi Houston, NCHEC’s Credentialing Project Specialist at mh******@nc***.org .
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The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is a nonprofit association that supports leaders in public health, health education and promotion to advance healthy and equitable communities across the globe. SOPHE members work in health care settings, communities, organizations, schools, universities, worksites, and in local, state and federal government agencies. For more information visit www.sophe.org.
Founded in 1988, the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the professional practice of Health Education/Promotion. The mission of NCHEC is to enhance the professional practice of Health Education by promoting and sustaining a credentialed body of Health Education Specialists. To meet this mission, NCHEC certifies health education specialists, promotes professional development, and strengthens professional preparation and practice. For more information about NCHEC’s certification programs, visit www.nchec.org/vision-and-mission.
