The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC) has recognized Dr. Gwendolyn Roberts Francavillo, Associate Professor of Health and Human Performance at Marymount University, with its coveted Established Professional Outstanding Leadership Award in honor of her leadership, work and continued support for the advancement of the health education and promotion profession.
NCHEC’s Leadership Award program 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. Each year, NCHEC’s marketing committee reviews each nomination that meets 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.
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 health promotion (PHEHP) professionals, improving the mental health of health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic and the use of the ‘Eight Areas of Responsibility for Health Educators’ to prepare students to sit for the CHES exam. She was instrumental in developing Public Health undergraduate and graduate curricula that she teaches at Marymount, and serves as President-Elect of Faculty Council.
She is also heavily involved with the American Public Health Association (APHA), having taken on leadership roles in three sections of the organization since 2015. Within the PHEHP section in particular, she is the founding chair of the Learning and Professional Development Committee, abstract reviewer, conference moderator and previously served as a governing councilor representing the PHEHP section and co-chair of the membership engagement committee. Also, she recently received APHA’s Judith R. Miller Award, which recognizes a member of its PHEHP section for going above and beyond to provide service to the organization.
“I feel so honored to have received this recognition! I work with some amazing colleagues at Marymount University and the American Public Health Association. We all collaborate and support one another to provide educational and mentoring opportunities for public health education and promotion students and professionals, and we have achieved great successes together,” Dr. Roberts Francavillo said. “I am truly passionate about assisting others on their public health journey!”
Founded in 1988, NCHEC is a nonprofit dedicated to the professional practice of health education and promotion by promoting and sustaining a credentialed body of health education specialists. Its purpose is to certify health education specialists, promote professional development, strengthen professional preparation and practice and promote the health education and promotion profession.
