Some health education specialists begin their journey intentionally, enrolling as undergrads in colleges of public health or health education, already knowing this is the direction they want to pursue. Others arrive here after years of doing the work long before they even had the word for it—quietly shifting behaviors, teaching healthier choices, challenging misinformation, and changing lives one individual or family at a time.
For Dr. Sandra Panattieri, DHSc, CHES®, that diverse career journey unfolded naturally across decades of wellness coaching, nutrition education, and community engagement before ultimately leading her into higher education, where her impact now reaches both future health educators and families in need.
Evolving Expertise in Wellness
Sandra began as a personal trainer whose clients constantly asked questions about nutrition. After earning her master’s in nutrition, she eventually founded her own wellness company, which provided corporate wellness programs, workshops, family nutrition support, and cooking classes across New York communities for 15 years. “The results my clients and accounts received have assured me that I did make the right move because I was impacting so many lives in different ways,” she shared.
Sandra’s passion for the power of health education began with recognizing how deeply misinformation shapes personal health decisions. “With many social media platforms pushing supplements and ‘quick fixes,’ food labeling scams, and doctors who are quick to medicate rather than educate, I furthered my education to teach Americans how to eat right and advocate for their own health.” She believes firmly that people can learn to practice disease prevention if they are educated and supported—and that has been a driving force throughout her career.
Expanding Impact in Academia and Community Health
Today, Sandra is an Adjunct Professor at Iona University in Bronxville, NY, where she teaches Nutrition Fundamentals, Health & Wellness Promotion and Advocacy, and Fitness Programming. “Since my teaching skills became stronger and more effective over the years, my passion for teaching students who are interested in this field grew immensely,” she shared.
“Now, my students are not only learning about nutrition, health, and fitness, but they are learning how to assess and manage different people, communities, and health situations.” She hopes these skills open broad career paths, from schools and community centers to medical and fitness settings.
Sandra sees a clear distinction between readiness for change across settings. “Working with college students in our Health and Wellness program is wonderful because they are so eager to learn about real-life health situations and how to intervene. A community setting requires more time and patience to educate, support, and encourage change. In sum, college students are usually eager to learn and change, however, a community of people usually resist change in the beginning.”
Sandra also teaches health and wellness workshops at Harlem’s Children Zone, where many families face barriers to accessing healthy foods. “As a single mother myself, I related to the families with regard to finances, and that was an instant connection between myself and the community.” Teaching affordable, quick, nutritious meal preparation has been key to supporting lasting change for many.
Why CHES® Matters
Sandra first learned about the CHES® credential when she began teaching Health Promotion & Advocacy and decided to pursue it for herself. “I am so excited to have this credential because I can now add more continuing education on my calendar that supports and strengthens my career path.” She incorporates multiple Areas of Responsibility into her work but highlights leadership and communication as vital. “Many people need an educated and motivated individual to lead them in the right direction, and that requires communication and trust.”
She firmly believes CHES® elevates professional credibility. “It truly elevates effectiveness because we are professionally trained to assess, plan, and execute a health goal. We research the facts, we work with other professionals in our field, and we strive to understand and respect cultural needs as well.”
Guidance for Emerging Professionals
Sandra emphasizes that there are many paths into this field—and growth requires resilience, curiosity, and awareness of credentials. “There are many different career paths in health and wellness and whichever path they choose, there will always be continuous research and challenges. If they choose to move onto a higher position in this field, it is important to know which credentials to obtain.”
She also shares a lesson learned over time in community-based work: “Do not take anything personally! Working with the public can be challenging. Continue to be supportive and build that trust between you.”
Looking Ahead
Sandra hopes to return to volunteering at food banks and plans to join future research groups examining hidden ingredients in food and environmental health issues. “I want to get back to servicing the hungry,” she reflects. She also hopes to pursue an additional degree—an MPH—down the road.
Her career reflects the heart of this profession: transforming knowledge into empowerment. Sandra’s life’s work is a reminder that health education is not just strategy and skill. It is strengthened through relationships, trust, patience, and the belief that change is possible when people are both supported and informed.