Jen Morel, MPH, CHES®, currently serves as the Managing Director of the Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion and the President of Ohio SOPHE. With 20 years of experience in the field, Jen's journey from aspiring biologist to a leader in public health education has centered on systems change, partnership, and passion for improving community health.
From pre-med to public health education
Jen's path to public health education began in college, where she initially pursued a pre-med track. However, her interest soon shifted from treatment to prevention. "I started to really think about the impact I could have if I focused my efforts on preventing disease in the first place," she recalled. She decided to pivot her studies to a major in Community Health Education, a new path that paved the way for a career deeply rooted in public service. Jen's roles in infrastructure development, systems change, and capacity building deepened her understanding of the connection between public and behavioral health.
Laying the Center’s foundation
Today, Jen is the Managing Director of the Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion, which is housed within the Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service’s Partnership for Community Based Prevention. Guided by a faculty director and alongside seven professional staff members, Jen works to create a central access point for behavioral health prevention in Ohio.
“Building the Center has felt like what I imagine working in the start-up space would feel like. It takes time to develop infrastructure and build trust of partners, but when you are intentional about conversations, strategies and processes, you are more likely to build strong partnerships and produce high-quality initiatives.”
The Center aims to support behavioral health prevention and promotion by working with federal, state, and local partners to institutionalize the science of behavioral health prevention. "In Ohio, we like to say if you’ve been to one community, you’ve been to one community because every community is so different and has their own culture,” said Jen.
“Creating a Center of Excellence that serves the entire state requires a lot of listening and sharing conversations that focus on appreciative inquiry and possibilities- one size does not fit all. We leverage our individual strengths and build partnerships to increase Ohio’s capacity to provide high-quality prevention and public health programs and initiatives.”
One of the Center's current initiatives includes launching the world’s first Project ECHO dedicated to Behavioral Health Prevention. Project ECHO is an interactive, virtual learning experience focused on amplifying the knowledge and experience of those in the room to create an “all teach, all learn” atmosphere. The Center is proud to have recently become a Multiple Event Provider through NCHEC to offer Category I CECH for ECHO participants and for members of several learning communities that are hosted by the Center.
The Center also emphasizes capacity-building for Ohio’s prevention professionals through community grants and affinity groups, and through intentionally leveraging newsletters, podcasts, blogs, social media posts and other communication channels to educate the field and amplify effective prevention strategies. The goal behind all Center initiatives is to provide information they need, when they need it, and in the manner that best resonates with them.
The importance of CHES® certification
Jen's commitment to her profession is also evident in her pursuit of the CHES® certification, which she earned in 2006 as soon as she was eligible. "The CHES® credential is an amazing way to advocate for our profession," she said. For Jen, the certification not only validated her expertise but also served as a way to promote the value of health educators in various roles and settings.
She has noticed a positive shift in the state of Ohio, with more health departments and other organizations listing "CHES®-preferred" on job applications. "This acknowledgment is a testament to the growing recognition of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes health educators bring to the table," Jen added. She believes that CHES® certification helps professionals hit the ground running and enhances their ability to create environments that foster health.
Looking ahead, Jen plans to pursue her Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES®) certification. "I’ve been mentored and continued to be mentored by some really amazing individuals, some who identify as health educators, and some who do not. I am more frequently finding myself in positions where I am mentoring others. I am so humbled to have the opportunity and share my experiences and knowledge with others in the spirit of creating a stronger public health and prevention workforce. Sitting for the MCHES exam this coming April feels right for me at this stage in my career."
Advice for emerging health education professionals
For those just starting in the field, Jen offers this advice: "Don't get hung up on position titles during your job search. Many health education roles are disguised under different names like program manager or analyst." She emphasizes the importance of networking and getting involved in professional organizations, such as the national and state chapter of the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE).
Jen's own involvement with Ohio SOPHE began as a student when she joined to access job postings. "It wasn’t until I began attending meetings, volunteering as a committee, and subsequently a board member during my first year as a professional, that I truly understood the power of networking," she said.
" I can’t overstate the importance of connecting with others in the field and nurturing those relationships,” she advised. “Being involved in SOPHE at both the national and state level has opened up so many opportunities for me, including serving in my current role at Ohio University and the Center of Excellence."
She also encourages new professionals to pursue their CHES® certification early in their careers. "Honestly, there’s zero downside to getting your CHES® certification," Jen stated. "It not only opens doors but also positions you to make a meaningful impact in public in the early stages of your career."