NCHEC is pleased to announce the results of the 2018 Outstanding Service and Leadership Award in recognition of two professionals and one employer displaying exemplary commitment to the advancement of our profession and the CHES® and MCHES® credentials. This award was first instituted in 2016 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.
Winner, Established Professional Category: Dr. Mary Wyandt-Hiebert, PhD, MCHES®
Dr. Wyandt-Hiebert was selected as the award winner in the established professionals category for her significant commitment as an advocate for the profession of Health Education and Promotion, and for being a valuable resource to students entering the field and a strong supporter of the CHES® and MCHES® certifications. Within her Department at the University of Arkansas, Dr. Wyandt-Hiebert mentors graduate and undergraduate students and promotes their professional development through encouraging them to ‘dream big.’ In addition to mentoring within the American College Health Association, she Chairs a Sexual Assault Task Force and creates toolkits to help students and communities with an approach to sexual and relationship violence. Dr. Wyandt-Hiebert received glowing endorsement by Joan Masters, the Senior Coordinator for University of Missouri Wellness Resource Center Project Director, of Missouri Partners in Prevention.
“All in all, my career in health education has provided me with great opportunity to help others in various capacities. I cannot imagine a better path to have taken to be able to provide resources and create opportunities for wellness. It is an honor to be a leader in this field.” ~ Dr. Mary Wyandt-Hiebert
Winner, Emerging Professional Category: Angela Stander, CHES®
Ms. Stander is an Opioid Prevention Coordinator for the Utah Department of Health, where she helps facilitate and organize opioid prevention efforts across the state. She received the 2016 Governor’s Award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Advisory Committee in recognition of her leadership and role in the Opioid Community Collaborative, as well as receiving a “20 in their 20s” Utah Business Award. Ms. Stander has been breaking ground in spearheading the first “Stop the Opidemic” campaign, as well as championing the intervention, treatment, and direct care service for individuals and communities as well, and is very visible in the Utah public eye and media outlets. Angela also successfully planned and implemented the first ever Heroin and Opioid Summit which brought together law enforcement and healthcare professionals to find shared solutions in addressing the opioid epidemic in Utah.
“With Opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose becoming a crisis for our nation at my state, I know that taking a public health approach and utilizing CHES® principles is essential.” ~Angela Stander
Winner, Employer/Organizational Category: Shasta Community Health Center
Shasta Community Health Center was selected as the 2018 Outstanding Service and Leadership Award winner in the employer category. The Patient Education Department at Shasta Community Health Center is deeply engaged in the community, and coordinates with county, state and federal organizations to better meet the needs of their community and their patients. The Department has initiated county-wide programs and activities/workshops for patients and community members, launched new and innovative media campaigns to promote health messaging and public awareness and hosted over 14 Health Fairs to expand services for the public.
Shasta Community Health Center is recognized for the continued advancement of its staff members who hold the CHES® or MCHES® certifications, and uses a multifaceted approach to bring more awareness to the CHES®/MCHES® credential. The CHES®/MCHES® credential has been added as a requirement for the patient education/promotion positions, and the MCHES® is a requirement for the department manager positions. Exam fees and study materials are paid by the center, as CHES® or MCHES® certification is seen as the gold standard in the field, and conferences and trainings that provide CEU’s to support the certification are also covered.
“There is a growing respect in our organization for the field of Health Education & Promotion based on the accomplishments and certifications of the Patient Education & Health Promotion Department and their staff at Shasta Community Health Center. Clinicians are seeing the great value of having a CHES®/MCHES® Certified Health Educator Specialist on staff.” ~Shasta Community Health Center
The 2018 Outstanding Service and Leadership Award proved to be a great success, and has provided an opportunity to highlight the career and industry achievements made by these individuals and organizations to others in the profession of Health Education and Promotion. NCHEC will be announcing the opening of nominations for the 2019 Outstanding Service and Leadership Award later this year.