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Health Science Education Center first in nation

Clarion University's Health Science Education Center

Clarion University’s Health Science Education Center (HSEC) recently became the first facility in the nation to be accredited by the Accreditation Commission for the National Association of Health Education Centers (NAHEC).

“NAHEC accreditation demonstrates that we meet and exceed standards of health education measured against programs from across the country,” said Dr. Nancy Falvo, director of Clarion University’s HSEC, located at 330 Main St., Clarion. “We are excited about this, it is one of the goals that we set three years ago.”

Clarion University’s Health Science Education Center, one of only four in Pennsylvania, was established in 2002 to expand health education opportunities to a seven county area including Clarion, Venango, Armstrong, Butler, Elk, Forest, and Jefferson. The primary goal of this project, partially funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, is to provide health education programs, which meet National Health Education standards, for school-aged students living within a 40-mile radius of the center.

It is a distinctive facility as the NAHEC visiting commissioners learned during their visit.

“We are unique,” said Falvo. “We are one of only two health science education center’s in the country to be part of a university, the other being Florida Gulf Coast. We are the only one to be completely grant funded and offer all programs free.”

The latter status provided a challenge to the visiting review team. In most visits they have to look at cost of services and results of fund raising activities. Instead, they got to meet with one of HSEC’s biggest booster Clarion University President Joseph Grunenwald and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

“We are greatly indebted to President Grunenwald for sharing with them how we fit into the university’s objectives,” said Falvo. “It was apparent to the Commissioners how well Clarion University HSEC fits in with the university’s plans and the value the university places on it.”

Patricia Horvath, chair of The Accreditation Commission of NAHEC and David Midlan, executive director of NAHEC, appreciated the effort. In the accreditation announcement letter they wrote: “It is with great pleasure that the Accreditation Commission of the National Association of Health Education Centers confers accreditation status to the Clarion University Health Science Education Center. As a flagship member of NAHEC your center staff demonstrated that Clarion University HSEC meets the high quality standards of NAHEC Accredited Health Education Center.”

In the accreditation report, two of Clarion University’s HSEC programs, Leadership Academy and PA SWAT, received special recognition as, “Outstanding Programs.”

Leadership Academy targets minority students from specific school districts across the state. Acceptance into the Academy is based on student desire to attend, recommendations from teachers and/or counselors, and parental permission. Approximately 35-50 youth attend each Academy held over two and one-half days on Clarion University’s campus. The Academy focus is on promoting leadership skills in students, decision making in leaders, career choices, team building, and problem solving. As an incentive to participate and focus on future goals, students accepted into the Leadership Academy are accepted at Clarion University upon high school graduation.

PA-SWAT, is an active and growing organization committed to empowering the campus community to choose and promote a tobacco-free lifestyle and environment.

Falvo investigated the national accreditation process three years ago. Following the NAHEC guidelines, Clarion University HSEC completed the application and a self-study. Application for accreditation was made in March 2007, followed by NAHEC visits in June and September 2007. The accreditation was announced early in 2008.

“This is a rigorous process and the Clarion University HSEC staff was phenomenal,” said Falvo. “They are the Center and during the three-day NAHEC visit they rose to the occasion.”

With the completion of Clarion HSEC’s accrediting process, Falvo has been appointed as one of the eight NAHEC Commissioners. She is serving as vice-chair until June, at which time she will become the chair of the NAHEC Commissioners.

The NAHEC was established in 1989 as a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting a national network of organizations that provide health education programs. With 38 member organizations in 22 states and the District of Columbia, over 3.7 million children and adults receive vital health education that empowers them to actively participate in creating healthier communities.

Its mission is to make health education broadly accessible, effective, and sustainable with a vision of empowered children and adults building healthier communities resulting in reduced healthcare costs.

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