GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dr. William Chen, a professor in the department of Health Education and Behavior, was elected as the Commissioner (At-Large) to the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing for the 5 year term from 2008-2012.

The mission of the NCHEC is to improve the practice of health education and to serve the public and profession of health education by certifying health education specialists, promoting professional development, and strengthening professional preparation and practice. Only Certified Health Education Specialists in good standing are eligible to become a candidate for and NCHEC board. Dr. Chen has been a credentialed CHES member since 1988.

The application process began several months ago when Chen first submitted his application, candidate statement and résumé for review. The review was based on the fulfillment of criteria outlined by the Commission. 

Chen considers the certification of health education specialists to be “a very important mechanism for quality assurance and professional improvement of health education.”

“I am very interested in contributing to this challenge and success of the profession,” said Chen.

Chen served on the Board of Directors for Certification of Health Education Specialists from 1995-1999. Chen said that his experience from his involvement in various programs and on several committees will be helpful to him as he serves on the NCHEC Board of Commissioners.