Blogs

Meeting Patients Where They Are: Chrylann Barrett, MPH, BSN, RN, CHES®, on Listening, Learning, and Leading with Care

By Jessica Wessner posted 9 days ago
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When patients receive a call from Chrylann Barrett, they may not expect a transformative conversation—but many of them get exactly that. As a Complex Care Manager and registered nurse at Codman Square Health Center in Massachusetts, Barrett brings a rare mix of clinical insight, public health strategy, and deep human empathy to her work. “I can’t fix everything,” she says, “but I can provide a safe space for someone to feel heard, validated, and supported. That’s where healing begins.” Barrett, a CHES® and MPH graduate, didn’t always imagine herself in this hybrid role. She became an RN just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly found herself ...
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Forging a Pathway to Resilience: An Interview with Savannah Gene, M.S., MCHES®

By Jessica Wessner posted 24 days ago
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When Savannah Gene, M.S., MCHES®, talks about her work, it’s immediately clear that community, culture, and accountability aren’t just priorities—they’re foundational to how she leads. As Program Director of the Community Health Education and Resiliency Program (CHERP) at the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board, she oversees trauma-informed initiatives in STI/HIV prevention, substance use, positive youth development, and mental health across 27 tribal communities in New Mexico, Southern Colorado, and West Texas. “I serve as the program director for CHERP, and we provide person-centered capacity building,” Savannah explains. “Our team is committed to addressing ...
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Shaping Sustainable School-based Mental Health Systems: With Dr. Heidi Austin, MCHES®

By Jessica Wessner posted 05-09-2025
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For more than two decades, Heidi Austin, EdD, EdS, MS, BS, MCHES®, CFLE, has been shaping school health education from the classroom to the state level. Today, as Project AWARE Director for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, she leads the charge in designing sustainable, school-based mental health systems that span six pilot districts and impact thousands of students. Project AWARE —short for Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education —is a federally funded initiative through SAMHSA that prioritizes awareness, training, and access to mental health services in schools. In her current role, Austin manages over $18 million in grant funding ...
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Empowering the Future of Public Health Leadership: An Interview with Dr. Garvita Thareja, PhD, CHES®

By Jessica Wessner posted 04-25-2025
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For Dr. Garvita Thareja, supporting student success isn’t just part of the job—it’s the heart of her work. As an Associate Professor and Public Health Program Coordinator at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Garvita brings deep dedication to helping non-traditional undergraduate and graduate students succeed in the classroom and beyond. Whether she’s leading CHES® prep workshops, designing flexible course delivery models, or mentoring research projects, her mission is clear: make public health education accessible, equitable, and professionally rewarding. “My students are often working adults, parents, and first-generation college-goers balancing multiple ...
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Bridging Research and Advocacy: An Interview with Paris Pryor-Banks, M.Ed., NCPT, CHES®

By Jessica Wessner posted 03-07-2025
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Paris Pryor-Banks did not begin her professional journey on a path to becoming a health education specialist. Sometimes, however, the right career calling finds you when you least expect it. But Paris recalls, “One thing changed the whole trajectory of how I felt about health education and promotion.” That one thing? A single health promotion class that opened her eyes to the power of structured, evidence-based education in improving community health. Now a Program Manager at Case Western Reserve University, Paris is deeply embedded in community-based research. She helps enroll participants in the DAWN study—a project focused on expanding genetic research related ...
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The Power of Social Marketing in Health Education: An Interview with Lisa Clough, MS, CHES®

By Jessica Wessner posted 02-28-2025
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Effectively communicating health information is just as critical as the science behind it. Social marketing—the use of foundational marketing principles to influence health behaviors for social good—is a powerful tool in shaping public health initiatives. Recently, NCHEC staff sat down with Lisa Clough, MS, CHES®, a seasoned professional who has spent her career applying social marketing to the art and science of strategic health communication. An Improbable Journey In her thirty-plus year career span, Clough has worked with patient advocacy organizations, hospitals, and health professional groups to craft award-winning health communications campaigns. ...
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Building a Stronger Prevention Workforce: An Interview with Jen Morel, MPH, CHES®

By Jessica Wessner posted 12-06-2024
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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 ...
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Shaping Wellness in the Workplace with Greta Watkins, MPH, MCHES®, NBC-HWC, R-YFT200, ACSM-EP, CPT, EIM, PAPHS, CIFT

By Jessica Wessner posted 11-22-2024
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Greta Watkins, a Lifestyle Coordinator for Wellness Campaigns at Aquila Onsite Health and Fitness Management , serves as a model of encouragement and inventive approaches within the governmental sector of health and wellness. Her role involves meticulous planning and execution, from conceptualizing campaigns inspired by events like the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games to integrating themes of inclusivity and environmental sustainability. The role of a lifestyle coordinator As a Lifestyle Coordinator, Greta orchestrates comprehensive wellness campaigns that go beyond mere physical fitness to embrace the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. “In our wellness ...
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Spotlight on Sonita Simelus MD, DrPH(c), MPH, CHES®: A Journey from Clinical Medicine to Public Health Advocacy

By Jessica Wessner posted 10-11-2024
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Dr. Sonita Simelus has always been committed to improving health outcomes for individuals and communities – it’s what defines her as a professional. Her journey from clinical medicine to public health education speaks to the value and necessity of prevention, community engagement, and health equity. Now serving as an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Missouri, Sonita brings her wealth of experience to the classroom and beyond, artfully shaping the future of public health education. From Physician to Public Health Advocate Sonita's career path to public health began in the Dominican Republic, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from ...
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The Fall 2024 NCHEC News Bulletin: Hot off the Press

By Jessica Wessner posted 09-23-2024
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Read the latest CHES and MCHES news, interviews and updates HERE ! Topics: HESPA III update, CHES feature, NCHEC Provider Interview, Featured Employer
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Breaking Barriers in Public Health: The Inspiring Journey of Catherine Erosie Igben, MEd, PhD(c), CHES®

By Jessica Wessner posted 08-23-2024
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The professional journey of Catherine Igben, a Nigerian, is a story of resilience, initiative, and an unwavering passion for improving community health. Currently finalizing her PhD program in Public Health at Maseno University in Kenya, Catherine’s recent certification as a Certified Health Education Specialist has further solidified her expertise in the field. With a strong foundation in health education and an avid desire to address critical health issues, Catherine's innovative work in family planning using the Symptothermal Method (STM) as a strategy to ameliorate unmet need for family planning, underscores her commitment to empowering women and enhancing ...
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Bridging Community and Wellness: An Interview with Janielle Bryan, MPH, CHES®

By Jessica Wessner posted 07-25-2024
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As the Director of Community Wellness, Outreach, and Strategic Partnerships, Janielle Bryan’s role is vital to Drexel University's community health initiatives. Operating primarily at the 11th Street Family Health Services in Philadelphia, PA, she works to facilitate the integration of health education and community well-being and positive health outcomes. Cultivating a Culture of Health Bryan’s approach is deeply collaborative, working alongside the center's staff, patients, and the broader community to nurture a culture of health and healing. "I am the primary representative of 11th Street within the community, enhancing and strengthening its presence ...
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Elevating Patient Care through Education: An Interview with Montefiore’s Savino J Stallone, BS, CHES®

By Jessica Wessner posted 07-12-2024
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As the Director of Health Education for Orthopedic Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center, Savino Stallone, MS, CHES®, is making a mark in the specialty of orthopedic health education. Savino's pathway to his current role as the Director of Health Education for Orthopedic Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center began in an untraditional fashion. Initially employed as an orthopedic casting technician, this hands-on experience in the orthopedic department sparked his interest in the disparities between patient instructions and their adherence to those guidelines. "I didn’t know anything about patient education initially," says Stallone, “but I had this unshakable ...
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34 Ways to Get Advanced-level MCHES® Continuing Education Credits

By Jessica Wessner posted 06-05-2024
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Finding credit opportunities at the advanced level for maintaining the MCHES® credential is not as difficult as one might think. Here are 34 ways to obtain these credits, many of which may already align with activities you are currently undertaking without realizing they can earn you CE credit. Creative Endeavors In a nutshell, creative endeavors involve developing and implementing innovative health education materials, programs, and proposals that advance professional practice. Developing a Train the Trainer Curriculum for Health Education Professionals CECH : 5 per curriculum Documentation : Summary/Outline of Curriculum AND Reference of ...
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Shaping the Future of Adolescent Health with Leigh Szucs, PhD, CHES®

By Jessica Wessner posted 05-31-2024
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In the evolving landscape of adolescent health and school-based education, Leigh Szucs, PhD, CHES® works to enhance the well-being of youth through comprehensive health education. Her journey from an undergraduate student passionate about health and physical education to a senior health scientist at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) encapsulates a blend of personal inspiration, rigorous academic pursuit, and a deep-seated desire to make a lasting impact. Advancing adolescent health at the CDC In her current role at CDC, Dr. Szucs is at the forefront of advancing the scientific understanding ...
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Fostering Inclusive Environments for Puberty and Sexuality Education: An Interview with Kate Littman Greenberg, MA, CHES®, Founder of The Puberty Project

By Jessica Wessner posted 05-17-2024
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In the evolving landscape of health education, professionals are continually seeking innovative ways to engage and educate kids and teens about puberty and sexuality . One standout example of excellence in this field is Kate Littman Greenberg, a consultant specializing in puberty and sexuality education for 4th through 8th graders in New York City public and independent schools. Her work is supported by NYC Public Schools and not only adheres to the National Sex Education Standards but also pioneers in providing an inclusive and affirming learning environment for students. Kate's journey into health education was marked by an early passion and solidified through ...
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Driving Change: An Interview with MCHES® Vanessa Cummings, Sacramento County Public Health

By Jessica Wessner posted 04-10-2024
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As a Health Educator with the Sacramento County Public Health, Health and Racial Equity Unit, MCHES® Vanessa Cummings’ role is to ensure that our community receives accurate and accessible health information. With a focus on leveraging her expertise to address systemic disparities, Vanessa offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of public health education and communication. "The Health and Racial Equity Unit was established in April 2022 after the Board of Supervisors declared Racism as A Public Health Crisis in November 2020,” Vanessa explains, “and since then, we've been dedicated to addressing health disparities associated with vaccine equity ...
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Building Trust and Bridging Divides: A Day in the Life of Andee Wik, MPH, CHES®

By Jessica Wessner posted 03-27-2024
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Andee Wik, a public health fellow at the New York State Department of Health, offers a nuanced perspective on her multifaceted role, which centers on leveraging social media and communication channels to disseminate critical health information. As a part of the state-funded fellowship program aimed at nurturing the next generation of public health professionals, Wik finds herself embedded within a local health department, where she spearheads various initiatives to engage and educate the community. "Understanding the population you're trying to reach is crucial, and it's important to start small and not expect huge changes overnight," she emphasizes. By grounding ...
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The 2023 Outstanding Service & Leadership Award Nomination period is now open

By Jessica Wessner posted 11-27-2023
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Deadline for nominations: January 31, 2024 The 2023 Outstanding Service and Leadership Award is now open for nomination submissions. The award was first instituted in 2016 in order to highlight career achievements in the implementation of programs and policies that promote the role of Certified Health Education Specialists within communities, populations, and/or organizational structure. Individuals nominated for this award will currently hold an active CHES® or MCHES® credential, and will have completed one or more of the following: initiated programs that produce a community-wide or state/national impact promoted the CHES® or MCHES® credential ...
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Promoting your CHES® or MCHES® credential

By Misozi N Houston posted 08-09-2023
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By Wanda Carter-Calhoun, MCHES® and L. Lynn Willis CHES® Before starting to promote your CHES®/MCHES®, you should ask yourself one important question. As the credential holder, looking to increase awareness of your credential, you may need to educate your current or potential employers regarding the value of your certification. You must position your credential as a benefit in the industry for those professionals who have earned it. Some employers and their hiring teams give preference to credentialed professionals, and may also encourage their staff to pursue credentialing by providing incentives (such as sponsorship of exam or recertification fees). ...
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