Amber Lopez, Mph-Paph Email & Phone Number

Atlanta, Georgia

Dallas, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Spartanburg, South Carolina

• Assessed and identified potential organizations and employers within the targeted counties who have the capacity to implement the CDC-led Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and worked with them to become recognized programs. Provided technical assistance to pending DPP sites for data collection and other activities related to program recognition to ensure that the program achieves quality performance outcomes. • Worked with Eat Smart Move More South Carolina (ESMMSC) to provide technical assistance to pending DPP sites to develop sustainability and marketing plans.• On a local level, convened a region network of partners and local organizations to support implementation of a DPP comprehensive plan that would build support for lifestyle change, such as promoting coverage for evidence-based lifestyle change programs. • On a local level, built clinical-community linkages between health care providers and organizations offering CDC-recognized LCPs. Trained organizations to use the American Medical Association (AMA)/CDC Provider Tool Kit to conduct outreach and education with health care providers within their service areas.• Coordinated and organized a Lifestyle Coach Training with a Master Trainer from DTTAC and became trained as a DPP Lifestyle Coach.•Became trained as a DPP Lifestyle Coach and assisted as needed in teaching DPP classes in the targeted counties.•Participated in the Diabetes Advisory Council of SC Pillar 4 Workgroup, which is focused around increasing health plan and employer coverage of the National DPP.•Assisted in the development of the work plan for Pillar 4 and implementation of the statewide Diabetes Prevention Program Comprehensive Plan.•Convened a region network of partners and local organizations to support implementation of a DPP comprehensive plan that will build support for lifestyle change programs (LCPs), such as promoting coverage for evidence-based LCPs.

Columbia, South Carolina Area

As the Obesity and Health Outcomes Specialist, I had the opportunity to assist in writing the Energy Balance Basics page and was the lead writer for the News Page and monthly Newsletter. I wrote short summaries of recent publications, media, and upcoming events obtained from the executive committee members to populate the news page and newsletter.

Columbia, South Carolina Area

As a research assistant for the Clinical Exercise Research Center (CERC), I acted as the liaison between the participants and personal investigators. A main role of this position was to take anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and waist & hip circumference), and physiological measurements (resting heart rate & blood pressure, resting metabolic rate (RMR), fitness tests), as well as urine analyses with Doubly Labeled Water to measure energy expenditure, electrode placement for EKGs & input diet logs into the tracking system. I was also nominated by the personal investigators to apply for a Magellan Scholar research grant, which I was awarded $1,500 to study the primary determinants of body weight change in a population of young adults from data obtained through the Energy Balance Study.

Columbia, South Carolina Area

I utilized this opportunity as my graduate practicum experience, where I gained 250 hours of work-related experience. Within the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, & Obesity at DHEC, I researched policy, systems, and environmental change strategies to become familiar with best practices. I also reviewed and analyzed county comprehensive plans for healthy eating and active living principles, in addition to reviewing and evaluating current SC Health + Planning Toolkit to make changes and improvements. Lastly, I assisted in the development of a statewide status report of county comprehensive plans.

Master Of Public Health (Mph), Physical Activity And Public Health, 3.808

Activities and Societies: Golden Key International Honor Society, Practicum at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental.

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Kinesiology And Exercise Science, 3.522

Activities and Societies: Phi Mu, Magellan Scholar, Emerging Leaders Abroad Program (ELAP), Sigma Alpha Lambda, Alpha Lambda Delta.