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ESG 50 Anniversary Fellow Profile
SHEILA PATTERSON

Sheila M. Patterson, PhD
Graduate Program Director
Department of Health and Human Performance
Cleveland State University
Cleveland OH 44115

Dr. Sheila M. Patterson assumed the role of Editor for The Gamma when I was initiated into the Beta Kappa chapter
Health Educator in June 2012. She was introduced to Eta at Mankato State University (now Minnesota State
Sigma Gamma while an undergraduate at Mankato State University at Mankato). The journey continued when I
University (MN). She received a MS and a PhD in Health began graduate school at Southern Illinois University and
Education from Southern Illinois University where she was joined the Alpha Alpha Chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma. I
an active member of the Alpha Alpha Chapter of ESG. She will be forever grateful to the faculty at Mankato State (Drs.
currently is a faculty member and Graduate Program Luebke, Bohnnenblust and Slobof) and those at SIU (Drs.
Director within the Department of Health and Human Drolet, Sliepcevich, Vitello and Russell) as they were the
Performance at Cleveland State University. Dr. Patterson role models for engaging students in professional service.
also is a certified Quality Matters Peer Reviewer for online As a graduate student at SIU, each of us understood
learning courses and is working with colleagues in CSU’s that becoming involved with Eta Sigma Gamma and
School of Health Sciences to develop a health coaching professional membership organizations like ASHA,
certificate program. She also is the Coordinator for CSU’s APHA, AAHE & SOPHE was what was expected for
Journey to Wellness, a component of the employee health emerging professionals. A few years later I was fortunate
promotion program. She recently completed terms as the to be involved with ESG as a faculty member and later
Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) for the NCAA and honored to be appointed as the Editor of The Health
served on the Institutional Review Board for the Protection Educator.
of Human Subjects. In addition to her academic positions,
Dr. Patterson also is a former Board Chair of the National What led to your becoming involved in national-level
Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) leadership of ESG?
and served on many national committees. She has
published her research in a variety of health education- I consider my involvement with ESG as my way of
related journals, conducted numerous presentations at the giving back to the organization for the many opportunities
national/state levels and currently is a reviewer for four afforded to me as a student and young professional. I
professional journals. Her teaching interests include health remain involved because of my ESG colleagues and their
behavior, food politics and worksite health promotion. deep commitment to the profession. The commitment and
Current research areas of interest include a comparison of passion they exhibit on a daily basis continues to inspire
online vs. traditional learning, food politics as an influence me as they work to make a difference in our field.
on obesity rates and the effectiveness of health coaching.
Please describe your most meaningful contribution –
your legacy so to speak - to ESG.
How did your involvement with your local Eta Sigma
Gamma begin?
I believe our most meaningful contribution to ESG is to
keep it going--to stay true to the values and vision of the
In the mid 1980's, I began my journey with Eta Sigma

THE HEALTH EDUCATION MONOGRAPH SERIES, Volume 34, Number 1, 2017 33