Raquel Hernandez

Dr. Hernandez is a dedicated public health leader and educator with more than 25 years of experience advancing community health, managing disease management programs, and driving positive health outcomes. Her expertise spans epidemiology, disease management, data analysis, and project leadership across healthcare and public health settings. She has successfully led multidisciplinary teams in outbreak response, data system enhancement, and intervention development, most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At Walden University, Dr. Hernandez fulfills her calling as a public health educator within the College of Health Sciences and Public Policy. She teaches in both the self-paced Tempo and traditional 6-week course modalities, fostering learner engagement and academic excellence. In addition to her teaching, Dr. Hernandez serves on doctoral committees for PhD in Public Health students, mentoring and guiding them throughout their research and scholarly journeys.

Dr. Hernandez earned her PhD in Public Health (Epidemiology) from Walden University, a Master of Public Health (Health Education and Promotion) from Benedictine University, and a Bachelor of Healthcare Administration from Southwest Texas State University. She has also held professional certifications, including Certified Health Coach (CHC), Community Health Worker (CHW), and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).

Education

PhD, Walden University

MPH, Benedictine University

BS, Southwest Texas State University

Awards / Honors

Leadership Excellence Award, Walden University, 2024