Whitehall, PA. The Leadership Award program, offered by The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC), was created to recognize the achievements of early career and established Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) in the health education profession, as well as recognize organizations that acknowledge the value and support the hiring of CHES® and MCHES® in the field. The awards are given annually, and a call for nominations is open from December 1st through January 31st.
Each year, NCHEC’s Marketing Committee reviews and selects the top nominees for the Leadership Awards. As Chair of the committee, since the program began, Dr. Beth Chaney states, “It gives me and the committee much pride to recognize the exceptional work of the CHES®/MCHES® and organizations that demonstrate commitment and passion for advancing the field through certification and their extraordinary work.”
NCHEC’s Marketing Committee reviews each nomination that meets the eligibility criteria, which includes: the nominee having active CHES® and MCHES® status, a recommendation letter, and documentation of achievements supporting programs and activities that have produced organizational, community-wide, or state and/or national impact.
Through the awards program, NCHEC aims to recognize CHES® and MCHES® leadership in health education and health promotion. This year, the Marketing Committee selected two winners, Johnny Michael Wilkerson, Ph.D., MCHES®, CTTS, and Gwendolyn Roberts Francavillo, Ph.D., MPH, CHES®, RYT. The nomination materials of Dr. Wilkerson highlighted his achievements and contributions to the profession, with his work on decreasing HIV and substance use dependence disorder, and his promotion of the CHES® and MCHES® certification programs. NCHEC is honored to present the Leadership Award to Dr. Wilkerson to bring special recognition to his work, leadership, and continued support for the advancement of the health education and promotion profession.
Dr. Roberts Francavillo's nomination materials highlighted her achievements and contributions to increasing access to professional development and networking opportunities for public health education and promotion professionals, improving the mental health of health professionals during the pandemic, and the use of the Eight Areas of Responsibility for Health Educators to prepare students to sit for the CHES® exam. NCHEC is honored to present the Leadership Award to Dr. Roberts Francavillo to bring special recognition to her leadership, work, and continued support for the advancement of the health education and promotion profession.
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Founded in 1988, the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the professional practice of Health Education/Promotion by promoting and sustaining a credentialed body of Health Education Specialists. The purpose of NCHEC is to certify health education specialists, promote professional development, strengthen professional preparation and practice, and promote the health education/promotion profession. (See www.nchec.org)