Dr. Deborah Parra-Medina: Researcher Continues Blazing Leadership Trail

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Dr. Deborah Parra-Medina, a health researcher at the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at UT Health San Antonio, recently became a national research fellow and is co-leading regional health education centers in South Texas.

Parra-Medina was named a Fellow by the American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB), a national group of researchers who apply study results to improve public health. Fellows are selected for their significant contributions to advancing health behavior knowledge, as well as a strong record of scientific investigations, publications, and presentations.

She is being recognized at the AAHB’s scientific meeting Feb. 21-24, 2016, in Florida.

Parra-Medina also recently became co-director of the South Texas Area Heath Education Centers (AHEC) Program in the Center for South Texas Programs at the UT Health San Antonio. AHEC aims to improve South Texans’ access to quality, competent healthcare through preparation, composition, and distribution of the health professional workforce.

In these new roles, Parra-Medina brings her vast research experience in cancer, chronic disease, and healthy lifestyles using many approaches, including community partnerships, peer health education, and multimedia strategies, such as text-messaging.

“I’m honored to be a part of organizations that are dedicated to improving the health of populations in South Texas and beyond,” Parra-Medina said.

Parra-Medina leads several research projects at the IHPR, including: a professional education and community outreach program to increase awareness and uptake of the HPV vaccine in South Texas; Health4Kids program that uses family counseling, texting and newsletters to control weight and encourage healthy habits; and the Enlace study that uses the promotora peer education model to promote physical activity among people in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

She also is a member of the Mays Cancer Center (formerly the Cancer Therapy and Research Center), an NCI-designated cancer center.