October 30, 2012

Stephen Gambescia, PhD, an associate clinical professor in the Health Services Administration Program and the Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, was awarded the title of MCHES (Master Certified Health Education Specialist) this summer. He was one of 816 Health Education Specialists out of a pool of 4,500 candidates who earned the credential based on their ability to fulfill Experience Documentation. The new procedure is actually the result of Gambescia’s own work through a collaboration with members of the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC).

“Experience Documentation is a way to validate a professional’s understanding of competencies, as well as dictates who judges and approves this understanding through a triad review process,” Gambescia explained. During this review process, individuals’ abilities are assessed by the candidate themselves, a recommender, and by a certifying body.

Since the establishment of the new accreditation, Gambescia has contributed or been the leading author in four publications about the Experience Documentation assessment. His recent report, titled “A Summative report of applications submitted for the experience documentation opportunity (EDO) for the Master Certified Health Education Specialist credential,” discusses the first cohort who received the MCHES credential. Gambescia was the lead writer for two additional publications: “Understanding of application of advanced-practice health educator Sub-competencies by Certified Health Education Specialists” and “Experience documentation in assessing professional practice: Lessons from awarding advanced certification to health education specialists.”