Linda Lysoby, Executive Director of the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC), after more than 20 years of service, has announced her retirement anticipated on January 31, 2023. Beginning in 2002, Lysoby brought her commitment to quality improvement leadership to the activities of this national organization which credentials Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES®).
During her tenure at NCHEC, Lysoby initiated and worked within a steering committee/ advisory panel for four national practice/job analysis initiatives to validate the practice of entry- and advanced-level health education specialists and then ensured the update of the CHES®/MCHES® certification examinations to align with contemporary health education practice. She also led a major initiative to introduce a second level of certification known as the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES®), with first credentials awarded in 2011 which continues to grow today.
Dedication to quality improvement leadership was demonstrated by Lysoby through the successful accreditation of the NCHEC-sponsored certifications by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA) (beginning in 2008) and the ISO 17024 standard as conferred by the International Accreditation Service (IAS) (beginning in 2015). Now, NCHEC’s policies are in line with the national and international standards of these recognized third-party accreditors.
More recent initiatives included efforts to influence the progress toward reimbursement for CHES® and MCHES® health education services. NCHEC also began to add Live Remote Proctoring as a testing modality to the conventional Computer Based Testing Centers. Additional improvements include a switch of testing vendors to a new system with Single Sign On allowing certification candidates to apply and register for the examinations directly through the NCHEC portal.
Lysoby was committed to increasing the recognition of NCHEC by gaining membership in the Coalition of National Health Education Organizations (CNHEO) and also served as an invited participant and manuscript author regarding a global dialogue about health education competencies known as the Galway Consensus Conference. She was an invited or selected speaker on health education competences in South Korea, and for the International Union of Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) conferences in Brazil, Switzerland, New Zealand, and virtually. She represented NCHEC in national efforts to improve quality assurance as part of the National Implementation Task Force for Accreditation in Health Education, addressing issues in certification, accreditation, professional preparation, and professional development.
She demonstrated her commitment to certification excellence through numerous elected and appointed positions within the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.) serving on the Board of Directors in (2012- 2015) and chair (2014 and 2015). She also served on the International Accreditation Services (IAS) Technical Advisory Council (TAC) – Personnel Certification Bodies as a member (2018-2022) and chair (2021-2022).
Before coming to NCHEC, Lysoby had a productive career at a non-profit hospital, first as a licensed respiratory therapist and then as a Community Health Promotion and Wellness Manager. She earned a Graduate Certificate - Healthcare Administration from Penn State University, a M.S. - Health Education from Arcadia University, a B.A. - Behavioral & Social Gerontology from Gwynedd Mercy College and received a diploma from Grand View School for Respiratory Therapy.
"I appreciate all of the opportunities afforded me as the Executive Director of NCHEC, a reputable credentialing organization, over the past 20 years. I have met and worked with so many enthusiastic individuals who are committed to the importance of health education. "The dedication and commitment of the board of directors, staff, and volunteers at NCHEC combine to make NCHEC the reputable organization that it is today. We have created positive change and recognition in the health education field. While my time in NCHEC employment will end in January, I look forward to seeing the full impact of NCHEC work for many years in the future.”
“There is never a perfect time to make a transition like this, but I believe now is the right time," Lysoby said. “NCHEC is recognized as a reputable credentialing organization for health education specialists and well-positioned for future challenges and opportunities. Even though leaving NCHEC, I remain open to future opportunities for growth with certification and health education organizations.”
“The NCHEC Board of Commissioners are grateful for Lysoby’s years of leadership and service and recognized the significant contributions to promote health education as a credentialed profession,” stated Kathy Janes Jinkins, Chair of the Board of Commissioners. “NCHEC is committed to delivering a seamless leadership transition as we begin a comprehensive nationwide search for the Executive Director position.”
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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. The mission of NCHEC is to enhance the professional practice of Health Education by promoting and sustaining a credentialed body of Health Education Specialists. To meet this mission, NCHEC certifies health education specialists, promotes professional development, and strengthens professional preparation and practice.