Hult Center for Healthy Living Staff
Leadership Team
Community Health and Promotion Team
Hult Center for Healthy Living’s Team Bios
Debbie has 19 years of experiences as a Health Education Specialist II, 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, Heart of Illinois United Way Volunteer Administrators Committee, Heart of Illinois United Way Peer Group Committee, Early Childhood Forum of Central Illinois & Early Childhood Forum sub-committee Legislative Happening Hour, Peoria Bright Futures P.I. Advisory Board, & A.O.K (All Our Kids), Tazewell-Woodford Head Start Health Advisory Committee & PCCEO Health Advisory Committee.
In her spare time Debbie is the Coordinator for the Morton-Peoria St. Jude Run and volunteers for Morton-Peoria St. Jude Kids Muddy Madness and 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.
Betsy Ayers is a dedicated health educator at the Hult Center, where she combines her expertise in biology, psychology, and emergency medicine with certifications in personal training and nutrition to provide individuals with practical, evidence-based strategies for healthier living. With a strong foundation in health counseling and motivational interviewing, Betsy is committed to serving diverse communities, focusing her efforts on developing inclusive, community-centered health education programs, particularly for at-risk youth. She specializes in creating culturally responsive curricula, conducting thorough program evaluations, analyzing data, and incorporating client feedback to drive continuous program improvement. Betsy’s professional and community involvement includes serving on the Central Illinois AHEC Community Advisory Board, the Peoria District 150 School Health Advisory Board, and contributing to the Community Health Implementation Plan through the Healthy Eating Active Living and Adolescent Obesity committees. Her dedication to health and wellness is further highlighted by her certifications as a Corrective Exercise Specialist, Youth Exercise Specialist, and SafeSitter instructor. Outside of her work, Betsy enjoys lifting weights, cooking nutritious meals, and spending quality time with her family, friends, and two dogs.
Payton Beach is a dedicated health educator currently working as a Health Education Specialist I at the Hult Center for Healthy Living. With a Bachelor’s degree in health Promotion and Education-Public Health from Illinois State University, she leverages her diverse experiences to connect with individuals from various backgrounds and effectively communicate information on a variety of health topics. Payton is actively involved in community health initiatives, including the Illinois State University Public Health Advisory Board and the Partnership for a Healthy Community Substance Use Committee. She is proficient in using various tools to create engaging educational materials and is passionate about empowering individuals to live healthier lives.
Nathaniel Johnson is a Certified Health Education Specialist at the Hult Center for Healthy Living. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education from Illinois State University and has worked in various roles within the public health sector for the past eight years. His diverse professional experiences have enhanced his ability to connect with individuals from different backgrounds and age groups, allowing him to effectively communicate complex health information. Nathaniel’s commitment to community health is evident in his dedicated work at the Hult Center, where he teaches almost all the programs offered and serves on the Carle Health School Advisory Board. He also contributes to the Healthy Eating Active Living committee. Nathaniel began his career at Hult by helping to establish a health coaching program focused on preventing type 2 diabetes in youth. This program remains active at Hult, continuously expanding and accepting new patients. He is skilled in using tools such as Canva, Zoom, and Microsoft Office applications to create culturally inclusive and engaging educational materials. Additionally, he is adept at designing and updating curriculum. With a strong foundation in health education and a passion for empowering individuals to lead happy and healthy lives, Nathaniel is committed to making a positive impact on the health and well-being of his community.
Cheyanne has been in the field of Public health since the spring of 2019, previously working for the Peoria City/County Health Department where she conducted community and environmental programming through compliance and education. Cheyanne is the coordinator for Hult Center’s collaborative grant called Illinois Tobacco-free Communities, working closely with the tri-county health departments. Cheyanne is certified in CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) and the Stanford Medicine Toolkit curriculum. Cheyanne serves on several committees for Partnership for a Healthy Community, a tri-county regional approach focusing on key health priorities and sub-committees. Cheyanne supports Hult Center’s youth education programming through teaching grade levels k-8th grade in general health, nutrition, and substance use education.
In her spare time, Cheyanne enjoys spending time with her family and encouraging people to live healthier lives.
