Hernandez new AgriLife Extension health, wellness educator for Bexar County
Ashley Hernandez is the new health and wellness educator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Bexar County.
In this role, she will be responsible for helping develop and implement the agency’s health and wellness programming along with providing educational outreach to youth and adults countywide.
Hernandez has an associate degree in science and arts from Northwest Vista College and a bachelor’s degree in science with a specialty in community health education from the University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio.
“Ashley will provide health and wellness educational outreach to residents of Bexar County in conjunction with agency programming,” said Angie Gutierrez, AgriLife Extension family and community health agent, Bexar County. “She has the educational and professional background necessary to bring our programs to life for both youth and adults in our diverse community.”
Prior to joining AgriLife Extension, Hernandez was a nutrition navigator at the San Antonio Food Bank, where she helped assess the food security and general health status of senior participants and identify any social challenges that might affect their health. She also educated senior participants on how to incorporate healthy lifestyle behaviors to improve their quality of life and manage chronic conditions or prevent the onset of lifestyle-related health conditions.
Hernandez also has experience as an American Heart Association ambassador and a resident services coordinator for the underserved.
She is a certified community health education specialist and has additional certification in first aid CPR and mental health first aid. Hernandez has also been recognized with a Community Health Outreach Leadership award from the Ila Fae Miller School of Nursing and Health Professionals at the University of the Incarnate Word.
“Through health and wellness education, I hope to help as many people in our community as I can,” Hernandez said. “My overall goal is to contribute to a healthier Bexar County, and as AgriLife Extension’s health and wellness educator, I want to be able to show other families in our community that you can incorporate a healthier lifestyle for your family and yourself.”
Hernandez said she is particularly interested in educating Bexar County youth because a healthy lifestyle starts at a young age.
“Teaching children where their food comes from, how plants grow, and how great fruits and vegetables are for our bodies is exciting and important,” she said. “Our youth need to learn about exercise and nourishment and how these can benefit them throughout their lives.”
