title: Perspectives From the Field: Certified Health Education Specialists on the Value of Health Education Credentialing.
abstract: In this commentary, four Certified Health Education Specialists (CHESs) share their reasons for obtaining national certification as health education specialists, the value of national credentialing to their employers, and the career development benefits of National Commission for Health Education Credentialing certification. CHESs play a vital role in diverse research and practice settings and increasingly contribute to changes in practice and policy that promote health equity. National Commission for Health Education Credentialing certification enhances our individual capacity as public health educators and also enhances our profession through systematic verification of responsibilities, competencies, and subcompetencies. This commentary is particularly timely in light of the Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis 2015, which updated, refined, and validated the model of health education practice.
authors.affiliation: South Florida Community Care Network, Sunrise, FL USA.
authors.forename: Suzie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pierre Ste-Rose
authors.affiliation: City of El Paso Department of Public Health, El Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Rosalinda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.affiliation: City of El Paso Department of Public Health, El Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.affiliation: City of El Paso Department of Public Health, El Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Sarai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: YMCA of El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA mata.holly@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Holly J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Mata
mesh_terms: D003406:Credentialing; D004496:Education, Continuing; D006266:Health Education / Q000592:standards; D040441:Health Educators / Q000592:standards*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D057766:Policy; D013192:Staff Development / Q000592:standards
keywords: career development/professional preparation; continuing education; health promotion