The Greater Valley Area Health Education Center is one of five area health education centers in the state of Arizona. The GVAHEC program is managed by Empowerment Systems, Inc. a non profit corporation that is located in Apache Junction, Arizona. The GVAHEC has an independent advisory board that meets on a monthly basis.
Meet the GVAHEC Team:
Ellen Owens-Summo, M.Ed., DTR is the Director of the Greater Valley Area Health Education Center. With a background in nutrition and wellness, Ellen is committed to health promotion and prevention activities and enjoys sharing this passion with future health professions students.
Her hobbies includes competing and training for triathlons, cooking, hiking, art, and enjoying time with family and friends.
Ellen holds a Masters degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University as well as undergraduate degree in nutrition from Ball State University in nutrition and dietetics. She is a member of the American Public Health Association, the National Wellness Institute, and serves on the board of the Arizona Public Health Association.
 Patti Taylor is a Program Manager for GVAHEC. Patti holds a Bachelors degree in Exercise and Wellness from Arizona State University. She is passionate about health promotion and prevention programs especially for young children.
In her current role, Patti coordinates health profession students' internships, and works with community partners to facilitate community education to populations that might not recieve health education classes.
Her hobbies include being a great mom to her two daughters, spending time with family, and enjoying life!
Patti is a member of the Arizona Public Health Association and chairs the health education section.
 Schelley Swearengin is the Site Coordinator for GVAHEC at LifeBridge. She has a background in non-profit administration and has spent the last 20 years serving in the Phoenix area. Schelley has a great connection to the community surrounding the center and a love for learning.
Schelley holds a Bachelors in Christian Education from Point Loma Nazarene University and completed certification as a Behavioral Consultant. She is a member of the Arizona Public Health Association.
She spends her spare time reading, gardening and investing in the lives of local high school students through her church. 
Irma Copeland joins GVAHEC as a Program Coordinator. Her focus with GVAHEC will be on promoting the participation of K-12 students in community-based healthcare activities, such as, HOSA and Food for Thought programs.
Prior to joining the GVAHEC team, Irma was an elementary school teacher in Coolidge, Arizona. On the weekends Irma volunteers as a Sunday-School Kindergarten teacher at Mission Community Church. Children have always been close to her heart, especially when it comes to their well-being and education.
Irma holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mexican American Studies from the University of Arizona. She is currently working on her Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Nothern Arizona University. Irma's midterm goal is to visit New York City and a long term goal is to write and publish a children's book. She enjoys new experiences and challenges. After an eventful work/school week Irma enjoys nothing more than eating sushi at her favorite restaurant.
Afiafiotoaga P. (Afi) Carter is the Program Assistant for the Greater Valley Area Health Education Center. Afi served her country for 22 years in the United States Army as a Personnel Administrative/Logistic Manager. She retired as a Sergeant First Class (E-7).
Afi has been employed by Empowerment Systems, Inc. for 8 years as a Customer Service Representative/Facility Manager.
Afi Volunteers in her spare time for the Highland High School Marching/Jazz/Concert Band where her son Julius plays the saxophone. Highland High School is the "ALL STATE" Champion for the State of Arizona.
|
|
William Brown
Executive Director - Arizona HOSA Foundation
|
Christine Morgan
Midwestern University |
|
|
Christa Johnson
MIHS Refugee Womens Clinic
|
Frederick Hubbard
Az Advisory Council on Indian Health Care AHCCCS, State of Arizona |
Gordon Jensen
Arizona Department of Health Services, Retired |
|
Jane Pearson
St. Lukes Health Initiative |
Randy Danielsen
AT Still University |
Robert Resendes
Yavapai County Health Department |
Wendy Armendariz
Arizona Associaiton of Community Health Centers |
|
Jacob Cabrer-Ramirez
Student Memeber
|
Chandra Jennings
Student Member
|
|
The Greater Valley Area Health Education Center or GVAHEC, is one of five health education centers across Arizona. Funded primarily through Arizona State lottery funds. AHEC's connect students to health careers, health professionals to communities, and communities to health promotion and prevention activities. The Greater Valley AHEC region includes Maricopa, lower Yavapai, and western Pinal Counties. Other regional AHECS can be found by clicking on the links below.
Eastern Arizona AHEC
Northern Arizona AHEC
Southeast Arizona AHEC
Western Arizona AHEC
State Arizona AHEC
National AHEC
|
 |
|
Social Media Policy
The Greater Valley Area Health Education Center (GVAHEC) has a presence on a number of social media platforms. User-submitted comments may be available depending on the platform. For all platforms and options for comments, our comment policy remains the same.
User-submitted comments represent the thoughts and opinions of the individual publishing the comment and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of or endorsement by GVAHEC. However, if a comment does not adhere to this comment policy or to the below terms and conditions of the site, GVAHEC reserves the right to remove the comment without prior notice.
Where comments are welcomed, we encourage users to use the feature to share their thoughts, questions, and opinions. However, comments that do not adhere to the following guidelines will be subject to deletion.
Please be sure your comment is relevant to the video, photo, or post to which you’re commenting. If you would like to communicate something to GVAHEC that does not pertain to the existing conversation or content, you can contact us
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Personal attacks and foul language are not tolerated. However, constructively adding to the discussion is encouraged. Comments should contribute to the dialogue and be respectful of GVAHEC, Empowerment Systems, Inc. and other commenters.
In particular, please note that GVAHEC is managed by Empowerment Systems, Inc. GVAHEC may edit, remove, or refuse to add any content on this site if it conflicts with or has the potential to be misconstrued as conflicting with Empowerment Systems, Inc. policies and principles. |
|