Blogs

When I met Efe M. Oghoghome in person at the 2025 Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) Annual Conference in Long Beach, California, it was immediately clear that she brings both depth and drive to her role in public health. Her work isn’t merely about messaging—it’s about reimagining the entire ecosystem of health communications, especially for young people navigating a complex world. As a Health Communications Specialist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Efe plays a central role in shaping the voice and vision of youthink Incubator Hub , an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that redefines how we approach ...

For Mitchell Marcus, health education and promotion is more than a field—it’s a framework for building equity, advocacy, and well-being in every corner of student life. As Assistant Director for Student Engagement & Wellbeing and an Adjunct Faculty member in the Entry to Baccalaureate Division at Rutgers University School of Nursing, Marcus is helping to shape the next generation of healthcare professionals, both inside and outside the classroom. From Public Health Roots to a Nursing School Role Marcus began his journey in health education while conducting outreach in local high schools across urban parts of New Jersey. “I was having conversations with ...

For Brittaney Jenkins, BS, CHES®, CPST, public health is more than a profession—it’s a calling rooted in philanthropy, community, prevention, and trust. “I’ve always been a people person,” Jenkins shares. “I like to say I never meet a stranger. I love serving my community, and that’s really the reason behind everything I do every day in my business.” That commitment has shaped her journey from early hospital work to founding Jenkins Public Health Consulting®, where she focuses on designing and implementing programs, building strategic partnerships, and building trust with communities that turn viewers into doers. A Shift from Treatment to Prevention Brittaney’s ...

As a Health Promotion Specialist at Penn Family Medicine in Philadelphia, Charlese Hawkins-Hatton is leading efforts to bring healthcare directly into the community. Her portfolio includes pop-up clinics that provide vaccines, blood pressure checks, A1C tests, acute care, and physicals for school sports, driver’s licenses, and employment. She also helps run a recurring school-based clinic three days a week, ensuring local students have access to essential care. “We understand that access to primary care is a major issue in Philadelphia,” she explained. “Sometimes it can take six months to a year to get an appointment. Our community events help fill those gaps ...

As a Certified Health Education Specialist and Program Manager for Rural Health at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Rosalinda Saucedo is leading the charge to expand pediatric care access in rural and underserved communities. With over 25 years in the field, Saucedo brings both lived experience and professional expertise to her work—developing innovative, scalable solutions that support children’s health where resources are limited but needs are great. Building Rural Capacity Through the ECHO Model For the past several years, she’s helped build the infrastructure and strategy behind the National Rural Adolescent and Child Health (NRACH) ...

Dr. Mehrete Girmay wears many hats in the field of public health—government project officer, educator, researcher, and mentor. With over a decade of experience, she has dedicated her career to improving behavioral health outcomes and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. Her work focuses on ensuring that federally funded programs addressing substance use and mental health are not only compliant but effective and inclusive. As an adjunct professor, she also helps shape the next generation of public health professionals by translating policy and practice into the classroom. In this interview, Dr. Girmay shares her journey into the profession, the ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...