Our Team

Hult Center for Healthy Living Staff

Leadership Team

Andrea Parker, RN, MS
Executive Director


Email | Biography


Community Health and Promotion Team

Kay Blankenship, BA, MPC, LCPC, NCC, CCMHC
Behavioral Health Clinical Counselor


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Cheyanne Harper, BS
Health Education Specialist


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Addie Collins, BS
Health Education Specialist


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Ella Dancey, BA
Health Education Specialist


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Debbie Harris, BS
Health Education Specialist II


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Jessica Johnson, BS, MCHES
Health Education Specialist II


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Nate Johnson, BS, CHES
Health Education Specialist


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No photo available

Elizabeth, BS

Health Education Specialist

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Alex Winsor, BS

Health Education Specialist

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Hult Center for Healthy Living’s Team Bios

Education:

Methodist College, Bradley University and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Biography:

Andrea Parker has more than thirty years’ experience as a registered nurse with a background in public and community health, pediatrics and medical surgical nursing, having most recently served as Regional Health Officer for the Illinois Department of Public Health and formerly held the Public Health Administrator for the Peoria City/County Health Department.  Parker is a recognized health leader in the community and serves on the Peoria Downtown Rotary Board, Human Service Board, and the University of IL Dean’s Community Council. Andrea has an extensive list of awards and achievements, among her most recent accomplishments are being inducted into the Bradley University’s Centurion Society, receiving the “25 Women in Leadership” and the “Women of Influence” awards.

Other professional recognitions include the Bradley University Mildred Pflederer Memorial Alumni Award for contributions to public health nursing; the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Exceptional Achievement Award, induction into the Peoria African American Hall of Fame Museum, “Mentor of the Year” from Peoria Richwoods High School and “Those Who Excel” award from IL State Board of Education.  Mrs. Parker holds adjunct faculty positions with Bradley University and Methodist College teaching undergraduate, graduate and post graduate nursing majors. She has published several articles on a variety of health topics in local journals and featured in the Peoria Medicine, the Official Journal of the Peoria Medical Society, Healthy Cells Magazine, IBI, and the Peoria Women.

Andrea is married to her husband Bryan for over 35 years and they have two adult children and five fantastic grandchildren!

Education:

University of Great Falls, Montana

Biography:

Kay Blankenship is a licensed clinical professional counselor. She has worked in the field of mental health and has taught in higher education for over twenty years. Kay has an extensive background in youth mental health and helped design and implement a community wide suicide prevention screening program for schools in Wisconsin. She is certified as a QPR (suicide prevention) gatekeeper trainer and also services as a suicide prevention consultant for schools and communities. Kay is currently the behavioral health clinical counselor for the Hult Center for Healthy Living’s Youth Mental Health Matters educational program.

Education:

Bachelor of Science from Eastern Illinois University

Biography:

Cheyanne began working in Public Health in the spring of 2019 for the Peoria City/County Health Department where she served on the Environmental Health Outreach Committee and conducted community and environmental program work through compliance and education. Cheyanne is excited to be working with the Illinois Tobacco Free Communities grant and the Asthma Management program to empower and promote individuals to live healthier lives through education, outreach, and promotion. She received her Bachelor of Science at Eastern Illinois University in the spring of 2018 and immediately began working for a local hospital system prior to moving to the Peoria, IL area to begin her career in public health.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, exercising, painting, and preparing nutritious recipes with her fiancé.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Community Wellness from Bradley University

Biography:

Addie graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelor of Science in Community Wellness. When Addie is not at work she enjoys painting, running, and traveling. She is a Memphis to Peoria St. Jude Runner and enjoys volunteering at various locations in the Peoria area. Addie’s ultimate goal is to make a positive impact in the community by inspiring others to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (Sociology and Political Science) and French from Bradley University

Biography:

Ella graduated from Bradley University and is a Peoria local and Peoria Public Schools graduate. Ella’s experience with teaching started with the Peoria Public Schools Foundation’s “Horizons Club” programming for middle school students. This experience is what sparked her passion for education and community development. In her free time Ella enjoys gardening, sewing, and home improvement projects.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from Illinois State University

Biography:

Debbie has 16 years of experiences as a Health Education Specialist, previously working as a Health & Nutrition Specialist in the school system. Debbie was awarded the Robin A. Orr Community Partnership Award for promoting health and wellness through nutrition education coordination of services and access to nutrition program so that Illinois residents can achieve food security. Debbie is the coordinator for PNC “Your Amazing Body” and Hult Center’s dental health programs. She is also a National Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach and certified CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) Implementation Trainer, and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Trainer. Debbie is the United Way Pacesetter Campaign Coordinator for our team. She also serves on several committees, United Way Success by Six, Early Childhood Forum of Central Illinois & Early Childhood Forum sub-committee Legislative Happening Hour, & A.O.K (All Our Kids), Tazewell-Woodford Head Start Health Advisory Committee & PCCEO Health Advisory Committee.

In her spare time Debbie is the Business Sponsor Coordinator for the Morton-Peoria St. Jude Run and a member of the Young Professionals of Greater Peoria, and volunteers for Hooked on Fishing Park.  Debbie is very passionate about encouraging people to live healthier lives.

To learn more about Debbie, connect with her on LinkedIn.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education and a Minor in Psychology from Illinois State University

Biography:

Jessica’s first formal experience in health education began at the ISU Health Promotion and Wellness office where she thoroughly enjoyed facilitating programs for college students as a peer educator and undergraduate intern. With over six years of experience in teaching swim lessons to children and adults of all age, she is now continuing her passion for teaching people how to live healthier lives at the Hult Center for Healthy Living. At Hult Center, Jessica is responsible for the Illinois Tobacco Free Communities grant. In this role she assists college campuses, multi-unit housing properties, and other outdoor spaces in strengthening and/or adopting smoke-free policies. Jessica believes the healthy choice can be the easy choice for individuals through policy change, education and empowerment.

Right before her journey began at Hult Center, Jessica spent the summer of 2015 living and working on an organic blueberry farm in Sonoma County through an organization called World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. She is always looking for local and traveling opportunities where she can have a positive impact on a community.

To learn more about Jessica, connect with her on LinkedIn.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from Illinois State University

Biography:

Nate is a graduate from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education. He is currently presiding as one of our Health Education Specialists. Nate was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois. He enjoys hiking, CrossFit, cooking healthy meals, traveling, and going out to eat. Also in his time away from work, he volunteers through the youth mentoring organization, Heart of Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters as a Big Brother. His interest in both learning and promoting healthy behaviors to the community, energies his passion to work at Hult Center.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Biography:

Elizabeth is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale and grew up in East Peoria. After she graduated earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology, she began to pursue a career in medicine by working as an emergency room technician. During this time, she became aware of the need to educate and protect the community through health and wellness education. After five years in emergency medicine, she decided to follow her passion in health and wellness. She became a certified nutritionist and certified personal trainer though the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She is also a Corrective Exercise Specialist through NASM. During her spare time, she loves strength training, yoga and spending time with family and friends.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Community Health Promotions from Illinois State University

Biography:

Alex graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Promotions. Alex is now one of our Health Education Specialists. Alex was born and raised in the surrounding Peoria area. During her free time Alex loves baking treats for friends, being outdoors, traveling to new places, or can be found reading the next “best book”. She is always ready to learn something new whether it be health related or not. She has a passion for anything healthy and is always looking for a way to make it a fun experience for those around her so they too can lead a healthy life.

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