Professional Summary
Heather earned a PhD in Educational Studies with a concentration in Educational and Community-Based Action Research (ECAR) from the University of Cincinnati. She also earned a Master of Education from the University of Cincinnati in Health Promotion & Education with a concentration in Exercise Science. Heather earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio University (Athens) in Psychology.
She is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) and has a great deal of experience in public health and health education in Ohio. She has worked for a variety of organizations on a broad array of issues such as school health, health education standards, heart health, clean air regulations, maternal and child health, farm vehicle and horse back riding safety for children, shared use of school physical activity facilities, and leadership and management issues for the public health workforce.
Currently, Dr. Vilvens is a full-time Associate Professor and Program Director for the Health Promotion and Education Programs in the Allied Health Department at UC Blue Ash College. Her research interests include topics related to health communications, complementary and alternative medicine, exercise and fitness, nutrition, community-based participatory action research, and social and cultural factors related to health.
Education
PhD: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio, 2023 (Educational Studies with a concentration in Educational and Community-Based Action Research)
Master of Education: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio, 1998 (Health Promotion and Education with a concentration in Exercise Science)
Bachelor of Arts: Ohio University Athens, Ohio, 1995 (Psychology)
Publications
Published Abstracts
Vilvens, H. L., Bernard, A. L. & Wilson, B.R.A. (2001. ) Effect of Yoga, Aerobic Exercise, and Weight-Training on Mood .[Abstract]Complementary Health Practice Review , 7 (1 ) ,76Co-Author
Peer Reviewed Publications
Vilvens, Heather L; Vaughn, Lisa M; Southworth, Hayley; Denny, Sarah A; Gittelman, Michael A (2020. ) Personalising Safe Sleep Messaging for Infant Caregivers in the United States.Health & Social Care in the Community, , 28 (3 ) ,891 -902More Information
Choe, Angela Y; Unaka, Ndidi I; Schondelmeyer, Amanda C; Bignall, Whitney J Raglin; Vilvens, Heather L; Thomson, Joanna E (2019. ) Inpatient Communication Barriers and Drivers When Caring for Limited English Proficiency Children.Journal of Hospital Medicine, , 14 (10 ) ,607 -613More Information
Chace, Mary; Vilvens, Heather (2015. ) Opening the Doors for Health: School Administrators' Perceived Benefits, Barriers, and Needs Related to Shared Use of School Recreational Facilities for Physical Activity.Journal of Physical Activity & Health, , 12 (7 ) ,1017-22 More Information
Crawford, J Mac; Vilvens, Heather; Pearsol, Joanne; Gavit, Katie On linkages: An assessment of training needs in a rural public health agency: Barriers to local public health training.Public Health Reports, , 123 (3 ) ,399-404 More Information
Vilvens, H. L., Frame, D. L., & Owen, P. C. (2020. ) Promoting the Inclusion of Mindfulness & Contemplative Practices in the College Classroom.Pedagogy in Health Promotion, , More Information
Haddad, K., Lindquist-Grantz, R., Vilvens, H., Boards, A., Jacquez, F., & Vaughn, L. (2020. ) Empowering Youth to Build BRIDGES: Youth Leadership in Suicide Prevention.Collaborations: A Journal of Community-Based Research and Practice, , 3(1): (10 ) ,1-10 More Information
Vilvens, H., Henderson, C., Maloney, B., Roman, T. & Trotta, D. (2016. ) Improving Health Care Collaboration and Communication: Integration of Inter-professional Education Opportunities for Undergraduate Students .Journal for Research & Practice in College Teaching, , 1 (1 ) ,1-8
Eismann, E.A., Vaughn, L.M., Vilvens, H.L., Page, E., Folger, A.T., Huynh, J., & Shapiro, R.A (2021. ) Parent Perspectives on Co-located Parent Coaching Services within Pediatric Primary Care.Journal of Child and Family Studies, , (30 ) ,1965 -1978More Information
Vilvens, H.L., Jones, D.E. & Vaughn, L.M. (2021. ) Exploring the Recovery of Non-offending Parents after a Child’s Sexual Abuse Event.Journal of Child and Family Studies, , (30 ) ,2690 -2704More Information
Holtzhauer, F., Pearsol, J., Sever, M. & Vilvens, H. (2007. ) Successfully Integrating a Public Health Training Center with a Public Health Leadership Institute .Leadership in Public Health, , 7 (3 ) ,29 -35
Honors and Awards
05-2018 Be Well UC, Wellness Champion Award https://www.uc.edu/hr/bewelluc/champions.html Be Well UC Status:Recipient Level:University Type:Recognition
03-2019 Be Well UC #HealthyUC Award for being an example to others of what a #HealthyUC looks like. Status:Recipient Level:University
11-2017 2017 Promising Practice Award for American Academy of Pediatrics, Ohio Chapter, Safe Sleep Messaging Project - Key Researcher on Project Team Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Injury Prevention Partnership Status:Recipient Level:State Type:Recognition
10-2013 Distinguished Achievement Award American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Status:Recipient Level:State Type:Recognition