Dr. Adela Santana is is a seasoned public health professional with 15 years of experience in managing complex research and evaluation projects funded by various federal agencies and foundations. Adela serves as a general board member for the Texas Society for Public Health Education (TSOPHE) executive board and co-chairs its advocacy committee. Adela's areas of expertise span a wide range of health topics, including behavioral health, global health, and social determinants of health.
What inspired you to get involved with TSOPHE?
When I moved to Dallas from Atlanta 8 years ago, I was on a quest for fellow individuals who were passionate about public health and dedicated to making a difference in Texas. So, I turned to National Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), and connected to the Texas affiliation! Through TSOPHE, I have found a tribe of public health professionals on a mission to improve the health and well-being of others.
How do you see your diverse research/professional experience contributing to your role on TSOPHE's executive board?
To TSOPHE’s executive board, I believe the kaleidoscope of my 15-year career in health offers wisdom that has accumulated through my ranging experiences in the public sector, non-profit organizations, and the for-profit industry. I’ve worked in the areas of cardiovascular health, health communications, behavioral health and patient-centered healthcare. Through every role I’ve had, my core responsibilities have included health education, and continuous process improvement to drive data-insights, fine-tune operations, and strengthen collective impact. I can identify with many topics and resonate with the diversity that public health professionals bring.
Can you discuss a recent project or initiative you've been involved with at TSOPHE that you're particularly proud of?
I am a member of the TSOPHE Advocacy Committee, and we were recently connected with a non-profit organization called Healthy Democracy, Health People which aims to strengthen the overall capacity of the health sector in civic engagement, specifically voting. I am excited about opportunities we’ve identified to promote voter participation among health professionals. This is one very influential way in which health professionals can take action in shaping health policy that can lead to improved health outcomes for all.
What advice would you give to early-career professionals looking to make an impact in public health education?
As I pivoted across my career, I was always guided by wanting to make a positive impact on people’s health and their communities but it wasn’t until later in my career that I realized it was important to position myself within spheres of influence that could amplify my impact and contribute to my continuous growth and understanding. That is why I went back to school to earn my PhD, why I joined TSOPHE, and also why I became a member of Texas Evaluation Network (TEN). In addition, I started volunteering my evaluation expertise with non-profit organizations I believed have potential to make a big difference. These networks turbo-boost the impact someone can make and connect you with new learning and opportunities you would not otherwise be exposed to.
Can you discuss a recent innovation in public health/health education that you're particularly excited about?
I’m excited about advances in population health made possible by gen AI. By blending healthcare data with public health data, including information about social determinants of health such as whether people are facing food insecurity, lacking access to health insurance, transportation, or facing economic insecurity, we gain a fuller picture of what is needed to improve health outcomes, including social and environmental interventions as well as patient-centered care. Ultimately, as generative AI leverages both healthcare and public data, I believe this will lead to novel insights about how to tailor and target inventions, refine communications and strengthen organizational performance.
