Health Science Student Honored

April 10, 2013

UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Graduate Student Recognized by Texas Public Health Association

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April 10, 2013

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

April 10, 2013

Jessica Hyde of Diana, a graduate health science major at The University of Texas at Tyler, was recognized at the Texas Public Health Association’s 89^th Annual Education Conference in San Antonio.

Hyde received the TPHA’s “Public Health Presentation Award” for her research abstract presentation titled, “Using Focus Groups to Explore Health Literacy and Health Numeracy in Hispanics.”

The association invited those conducting public health-related research to submit their abstracts for competition in three categories: paper, poster and education materials. Out of those research abstracts submitted statewide, hers was one of only five selected for the oral presentation portion of the conference.

“It was a great privilege to have my abstract selected in the first place and an even bigger honor to have won the presentation award,” Hyde said. “Attending and presenting at the conference was a great learning experience for me. I came away from it with so many new ideas on how to move forward with my research. It also gave me the opportunity to meet many new people and make connections with others from across the state of Texas who are also working on similar research topics. It was very uplifting to be around others who share the same fervor for making a difference in the world through improving the health and quality of life of our communities.”

Dr. Cheryl Cooper, UT Tyler associate professor of health and kinesiology, served as her faculty mentor.

Hyde will graduate in May 2014 with a master’s degree in health sciences. She plans to pursue a doctorate degree in health education and communication, eventually working with the underserved/vulnerable populations to decrease health disparities and promote health literacy.

Hyde holds a bachelor’s degree from UT Tyler.

As an undergraduate, she received the UT Tyler Department of Health and Kinesiology’s “Above and Beyond” Award. Her memberships include Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Chi and Kappa Omicron Nu.

Students within the UT Tyler Department of Health and Kinesiology currently hold a 100 percent pass rate on the Physical Education Teaching Exam. Graduates go on to careers in various areas of health care, teaching, coaching, athletic training, business and research.

For more information about the department, call 903.566.7031 or visit http://www.uttyler.edu/hkdept/.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler offers excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 7,000 high-ability students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.