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ViewAttendees 27

Oral Session

Leadership, Mentoring, and Training the Next Workforce

A1. Deep Dive: Strengthening Professional Identity and Building a Collective Research Agenda for Health Education Specialists

A1.01 - Deep Dive: Strengthening Professional Identity and Building a Collective Research Agenda for Health Education Specialists

Wednesday, April 22, 2026
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM PST
Location: Mainstage (Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level)
Subcompetencies: 4.1.4 Assess capacity to conduct evaluation.
4.5.1 Communicate findings by preparing reports, and presentations, and by other means.
5.2.3 Create formal and/or informal alliances, task forces, and coalitions to address the
proposed change.
5.3.3 Sustain coalitions and stakeholder relationships to achieve and maintain policy, system, or
environmental change.
8.4.6 Develop presentations and publications that contribute to the profession.,

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
  • Describe strategies to strengthen professional identity for Health Education Specialists.
  • Identify key priority areas for a collective research agenda to advance the profession.
  • Discuss methods for leveraging collaborative partnerships and data to demonstrate professional impact.
As the health education profession evolves, a strong professional identity and a coordinated research agenda are essential for advancing practice, demonstrating impact, and informing policy. This panel brings together leaders, educators, and practitioners to explore profession-wide efforts to strengthen the identity of Health Education Specialists and establish a collective research agenda, while navigating the complexities of today’s political and policy landscape. Panelists will discuss strategies to align practice with the HESPA III 2025 framework, integrate competencies and promote ethical, evidence-based professional practice. Emphasis will be placed on identifying priority research areas, leveraging collaborative partnerships, and using data to document the contributions of health education specialists outcomes.