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Barbara L. Michiels Hernandez  

Educational Background:
Ph. D., Health Studies; minor in Technology, Texas Women's University
M. Ed., Health & Physical Education; minor in Early Childhood, Supervision & Dance Education, Northwestern State University of Louisiana
B. A., Elementary & Physical Education; minor in Health and Dance, Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Current Position: Professor and Health Graduate Coordinator, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX  

Immediate Past Professional Position: Associate Professor, Texas Wesleyan University of Fort Worth  

Professional Activities:         

  • Master Certified Health Education Specialist, M.C.H.E.S. (2011).        
  • Chapter Founder and Advisor: Delta Omicron chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma Health Education Honorary, Society, Lamar University (2003-2011).         
  • Published Health Textbook:  Hernandez, B. L. M. (2011).  Foundation Concepts of Global Community Health Promotion and Education. Amherst, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
  • Funded Grant and Published Journal Article:  Hernandez, B. L. M., Vengurlekar, R., Kelkar, A., & Thomas, G. (November, 2009). The legacy of Carville:  A history of the last leprosarium in the U.S. American Journal of Health Studies, 24(2), 314-325.        
  • International Presentation: Hernandez, B. (2008).  An examination of culturally diverse teenage diet & physical activity patterns in the U.S.  [Abstract].  Paper presented at the 8th IUHPE Conference on Health Promotion and Education, Turin, Italy.        
  • National Presentation: Hernandez, B. (April, 2009).  What is health advocacy? Paper presented at the American Association for Health Education, AAHPERD Conference. [Abstract].  Reston: VA.         
  • Invited Feature Speaker:  Hernandez, B. (September, 2009).  A changing paradigm for health educators; culturally and linguistically competent health programs. Texas Society for Public Health Education Conference, San Antonio, TX        
  • Publications and Presentations:  peer reviewed books, book chapters, journal articles, proceedings,  and international, national and state professional presentations

AAHE/AAHPERD Professional Activities and Service:        

  • American Association for Health Education: Advocacy Committee Member, 2006-2010; Program reviewer 2008-2010.         
  • Research Consortium of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: National Fellow of the Research Consortium, Inducted 2009; Board of Directors, 2011; Reviewer for Research Consortium Fellows Candidates, 2009-2010.        
  • TAHPERD Board of Directors: Vice President for Health, 2009-2011; Representative Assembly 2004-2006, 2008-2011; Program reviewer and presider for conferences, 2008-2011; Awards Selection Committee, 2003-2011; Health Instructional Committee, 2008-2011; Health Education committee, 2008-2011; Chair, Health Instructional Program, 2003-2007.        
  • Southern District American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (SDAAHPERD):
    • General Division Committee Member, 2011-2013; Member at Large, Delegate to Representative Assembly,
    • 2006-2009; Chair of Council of Adults Development and Aging, General Division, 2008-2010; Chair, Legislative Action Committee, 2004-2008; Health Education Council Member, 2006-2008; Health Program Peer Reviewer,
    • 2006-2011; Health Division, 2006-2008.        
  • National Dance Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance: Executive Director, 1999-2001.        
  • Journal Reviewer for: International Electronic Journal of Health Education, American Journal of Health Education, and Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 2004-2011.
  • Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance: Editorial board, 2011-2013. 
  • American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD):
    • Board of Governors,  Alliance Assembly voting member, 2002- 2003, 2005- 2006; Special Services Committee, 2001; Exemplary Schools Recognition Committee, 1999-2000; National Leadership Conference, 1999-2001; Professionals Actively Leading Students, 1997-1998; Membership Director Selection Committee, 2001.
  • American Association for Physical Activity & Recreation (APAR) Program Peer Reviewer, 2007-2008.
  • National Dance Association:  Pedagogy Conference Proceedings Editor, 2002; Publications Director, Board of Directors, 1999-2004; Promotions Unit Committee, 1997-1998; Dance Educator of the Year Adjudicator and Chairperson, Dance in Higher Education, 1996-1998 

Brief Statement             
            My vision for service at AAHE involves broad scale efforts promoting evidence based health programs, theories, and strategies to sustain healthy lifestyles for our nation. I would support community environments and infrastructure system changes promoting healthy lifestyles as advocacy efforts for the AAHE Board of Directors (BOD). My advocacy efforts are for mandated, coordinated school health programs to set the standard for improving the health habits of our youth. As an AAHE leader, I would also work to promote health literacy, protective health legislation, access to health services, prevention programs, and member directed services and issues.  The future of our nation's health depends on AAHE's leadership and collaborations with other health organizations to embed healthy practices and institutionalize healthy environments for lifetime health.              
            Service is a professional responsibility for me as a health educator. I would collaborate with the AAHE board members to facilitate wise decision making at this critical time in history to advance the profession. The Board of Directors serves the members in promoting, protecting, and maintaining national health.  The burden of continuing these efforts is determined by choosing strong, visionary board members. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to these efforts and help solve new, emerging health issues. The AAHE BOD is a leader in advocacy, resolving health issues, professional development opportunities, promoting evidence based practice, endorsing legislation, publishing health position statements and collaborating with other health organizations.  I would advocate for AAHE to continue these efforts and increase efforts to strengthen the profession.  As a focused board member, I would be poised for predicting health changes, leading the association, and contributing to the future direction for AAHE.  With chronic diseases and obesity problems in our nation, AAHE is a strong leader and advocate for positive systemic changes to healthy environments. I believe this contribution was through the leadership of a dedicated board of directors and member driven association.             
            I hope to bring unique leadership and perspective to AAHE with my varied professional background.   Colleagues describe me as knowledgeable, tenacious, and task oriented. These are skills needed for board members. My wide range of health experiences includes administration, community health practice, university teaching, and K-12 public school teaching.  I have an understanding of the AAHPERD Board of Governors and the AAHE Board of Directors structure through my 2 years of employment at AAHPERD.  My state, district, and national level service on boards of directors gave me valuable decision making and leadership skills.  These skills could assist with the planning and guidance of AAHE.  If elected, my main goals would advocate for solutions to national health issues supported by AAHE, promoting healthy environments, and mandating coordinated school health for the nation. My additional goals are strengthening member services, professional development, advocacy training, and leadership opportunities.  I pledge to make informed decisions for the future direction of AAHE.  Achieving these goals and those endorsed by the AAHE Board of Directors and members would guide my efforts, if elected.  I would be honored to serve in this capacity.

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