Co-Engage: Advancing Public Health through Community Engagement
The Co-Engage: Advancing Public Health through Community Engagement focuses on the importance of Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) to address the needs of vulnerable and under-resourced communities. Dr. Hernandez’s initiatives advocate for community engagement throughout the program development, implementation, and evaluation process.
Department of Kinesiology
Dr. Denise Hernandez, PhD, MPH, CHWI
Dr. Hernandez received her PhD from the College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs (CAPPA) in Public and Urban Administration at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). She earned her Master of Public Health from the Texas A&M School of Public Health, and a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health from Texas A&M University. Her research focuses on professional and social support for Community Health Workers (CHWs), CHW organizational development, as well as collaborating with CHWS to facilitate access between the community and healthcare/social services. She has worked alongside CHWs for over 10 years and is a Texas state certified CHW instructor. Dr. Hernandez is the founder of the DFW Community Health Worker Association as well as a member of the founding Board of Directors for the Texas Association of CHWs/Promotores. Denise is a member of UTA’s inaugural research team awarded the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities Racial Justice, Equity Program Award. Dr. Hernandez currently teaches in the Public Health program at UTA and continues working to strengthen the support for the CHW workforce through research and policy at the local, state, and national level. In 2021, Dr. Hernandez received the 2021 Ford Mujeres Legendarias Award for her work and service to the Hispanic/Latinx community.
Research Projects
We focus on community based and community led projects that aim to empower individuals to improve access to social and health care services through interprofessional collaborations.
Community Engagement
The only way to know how to best serve our community is by being active participants. We do our best to stay involved with local organizations, events, and efforts to address health inequities.
Presentations, Publications and Media
Sharing about our work with others at the local, state, and national levels is key to spreading the word about the importance of giving community a seat at the table in the development and implementation of programs.
CONTACT
Please contact the Community Engagement in Public Health Lab with any inquiries!