News Release

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May 26, 2006

Boise State Student First to Pass Health Exam

Rebecca DeKeyrel, who graduated from Boise State University earlier this month with a master’s in health science with an emphasis in health promotion, has passed the Certified Health Education Specialist exam. The test was given for the first time at Boise State University; previously, the closest testing location was in Pocatello. DeKeyrel is the third Boise State student to take and pass the exam in the last 10 years. There are currently about 4,000-5,000 certified health education specialists nationwide.

Certified Health Education specialists are professionals who design, conduct and evaluate activities to help improve people’s health. These activities can take place in a number of settings, including schools, community centers, health care facilities, colleges and businesses.

DeKeyrel, a health education specialist for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, prepared for the exam as a way of honing her skills. “Continuing Education is important to me and this provided me with an avenue to do this,” she said, adding, “It was so helpful to have the exam here in Boise.”

In addition to her master’s degree, DeKeyrel earned an undergraduate degree in economics, with a communications minor. She decided to continue on for a master’s in health science after taking a health economics course her senior year.

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Contact: Caile Spear, Kinesiology, (208) 426-3656, cspear@boisesetate.edu 
Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Communications, (208) 426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu

May is “Return to Learn” month at Boise State University. “Return to Learn” is a campuswide effort to provide information for those who may be considering taking classes from the university and help them learn about the best options for returning to school and earning a degree. For more information call (208) 562-3127 or click returntolearn.boisestate.edu.

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email communications@boisestate.edu

Last reviewed on Wednesday, January 03, 2007