Sheila Parker, MS, MPH, DrPH, participated in the establishment of the Arizona Graduate Program in Public Health and in the establishment of the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. She is a former Associate Professor in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman Arizona College of Public Health, University of Arizona. She chaired the Health Education Program for undergraduates and taught in the Masters of Public Health Program in the College of Public Health until her retirement in 2006. She has a long history of working with community agencies to improve the nutritional status and health status of individuals, families and communities. Dr. Parker has special interests and expertise in the role of self-esteem, body image, culture, and spirituality in health behaviors and lifestyle choices. Dr. Parker has served in a number of public health leadership capacities for more than 38 years.

Dr. Parker continues to have great interest in public health workforce development in Arizona in health promotion. She has returned to teaching as a Lecturer in the Health Promotion Division to continue her contribution to the process of developing public health professionals and leaders in Arizona.

Education:

DrPH - Public Health Nutrition, University of North Carolina, 1981

MPH - Public Health Nutrition, University of North Carolina, 1976

MS - Human Development and the Family, North Carolina Central University, 1974

Selected Publications:

Parker, S.H. (2014). The Practice and Process of Health Education in Health Promotion. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.

Page, Melissa, Parker, S.H., Renger, R. How Using a Logic Model Refined Our Program to Ensure Success. Health Promotion Practice, Vol. 10, No.1, January 2009, pp.76-82.

Parker, S.H. (2000). “Nutrition, Weight, and Body Image, Women and Health.” In: M.B. Goldman and M.C. Hatch (Eds.), Women and Health (pp. 578-588). Academic Press: San Diego, CA.

Nichter, M., Vuckovic, N., Parker, S.H. (1999). “The Looking Good, Feeling Good Program: A Multi-Ethnic Intervention for Healthy Body Image, Nutrition, and Physical Activity.” In: Preventing Eating Disorders: A Handbook of Interventions and Special Challenges (pp. 175-193). Brunner/Mazel: Philadelphia, PA.

Parker, S., Nichter, M., Vuckovic, N., Sims, C., Ritenbaugh, C. Body Image and Weight Concerns Among African American and White Adolescent Females: Differences That Make a Difference. Human Organization, Vol. 54, No. 2, summer 1995, pp. 103-114.

Parker, S. Appropriate Dietary Assessment Methodology for the WIC Clinic Setting. Technical Paper #14 published by the US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 1991. Funded by the US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, under Cooperative Agreement #58-3198-1-005. Review of Nutritional Risk Criteria for the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

Lucey, D., Parker, S. The Open Door Medical Clinic: A Community Response to the Medically Indigent. North Carolina Medical Journal, Vol. 48, No. 9, September 1987.