Danielle Walker | People, Biola University

Department	Department of Kinesiology and Public Health (KPH)
Biola Affiliations	Faculty

Degrees

B.S. Public Health Education, California State University Northridge
M.A. Organizational Leadership Azusa Pacific University
Ph.D. Interdisciplinary Health Sciences University of Texas at El Paso
A.S. Biological and Physical Sciences College of the Canyons
Certified Health Education Specialist, CHES National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
COVID-19 Contact Tracing Certification Johns Hopkins University
COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness Certification London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Biography

Danielle Walker’s teaching experience and interests include global health, epidemiology, community health, public health education, HIV/AIDS, health promotion, disease prevention, health behavior, and ethics. She was awarded the Outstanding Dissertation Award for the UTEP College of Health Science for her doctoral work on understanding the multidimensional factors that influence HIV testing among women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She finds joy in helping students learn the foundations of public health, identify their unique gifts, and provides hands on experiences with current projects so connections can be made between theory, gifts, and practice. She has a passion to fight injustice, which guided her career in HIV care at CDC and currently as the CEO of a global health nonprofit. Her current research is focused on increasing HIV knowledge and testing to optimize the HIV Continuum of Care in Davao, Philippines, along with improving access to care in Uganda. Walker also has experience in HIV research in other African countries, building statistical predictor models for HIV testing, conducting community assessments around the world, and is exploring how public health models can improve community development in Mexico.

Danielle and her husband are co-founders of Meeting TENTS (Meeting The Everyday Needs To Survive), a global health nonprofit that comes alongside community leaders to help improve health outcomes. They focus on collaborating with community leaders, conducting formal community assessments, and using public health methodologies to drive sustainable goals. Meeting TENTS also provides direct avenues for students to conduct internship hours and get involved in global health projects.

“The field of public health amazes me with how it links to faith so naturally. Public health models are at the core of my research, and when those are applied to global missions then unique avenues to serve the forgotten and marginalized begin to emerge. Many Christians have a heart for missions, but allowing research and sound methodology guide international collaboration provides evidence-based strategy for sustainability,” said Walker. “We merge the heart of Jesus with sustainable solutions to help global communities thrive. The field of public health gives us valuable tools to be the practical hands and feet of Jesus to this world.”

Affiliations

(2019-present) Meeting TENTS Board of Directors
(2015-2017) Vice President, Board of Directors Glory Reborn Organization
(2014) Chair of HIV Education, HIV Community Mobilization Committee El Paso Department of Public Health
(2011-2013) Chair of CDC ADAP Board, Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention, State of Maine
(2009 – present) CSUN Alumni Association
(2007-2009) American Public Health Association (APHA)- International Health
(2007-2009) Society of Public Health Education (SOPHE)
(2005-2007) Alpha Gamma Sigma (AGS)

Awards

(2021) Award of Achievement, Biola University, La Mirada, CA
(2019) 2017-2018 Outstanding Dissertation Award, College of Health Science, University of Texas at El Paso
(2014-2017) Ph.D. Research Associate 3-year Award, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX
(2012) HRSA-12-132, Department of Health and Human Services, Ryan White Part B HIV Care Grant Program “Maine ADAP” (FY 4/2013-3/2014) Awarded: $967,207.00
(2012) State of Maine HIV Services Grant (FY 2013) Augusta, Maine Awarded: $50,000.00
(2011) HRSA-11-061, Department of Health and Human Services, Ryan White Part B HIV Care Grant Program “Maine ADAP” (FY 4/2012-3/2013) Awarded: $904,462.00
(2011) State of Maine HIV Services Grant (FY 2012) Augusta, Maine Awarded: $50,000.00

Publications (Selected)

Walker, D. A., Johnson, K. L., Moore, J. S. (2020). COVID-19 basic information: Whitepaper. Meeting TENTS.
Walker, D. A. (2020). COVID-19: A public health plea to the American church. Meeting TENTS.
Walker, D. A., Johnson, K. L., Moore, J. S. (2019). Stigma remains a significant barrier to HIV knowledge and treatment in Zambia. Journal of Family Medicine and Disease Prevention.
Walker, D. A., Johnson, K. L., Moore, J. S. (2019). Stigma related to fear and shame restricts access to HIV testing and treatment in Tanzania. Journal of Family Medicine and Disease Prevention.
Walker, D. A., Thomas, T. B., Johnson, K. L., Dorgo, S., Moore, J. S. (2019). Overcoming barriers to improve HIV education and public health outcomes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Journal of Family Medicine and Disease Prevention.
Walker, D. A. (2018). Understanding the multidimensional factors that influence HIV testing among women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX. 136 pages; ProQuest 10824974.
Walker, D. A., Johnson, K. L., Fox, P. J., Moore, J. S. (2018). Bivariate analyses of factors that may influence HIV testing among women living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Science Index, Medical and Health Sciences, 12(5), 2754.
Walker, D. A., Johnson, K. L., Thomas, T. B., Dorgo, S., Moore, J. S. (2018). Overcoming barriers to improve HIV education in the Democratic Republic of Congo. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Science Index, Medical and Health Sciences, 12(5), 2753.

Presentations

Walker, D.A. (2021). COVID-19: Global health update and vaccine safety. Assumption College of Davao, Davao City, Philippines.
Walker, D.A. (2021). Public health behavior theories to understand the COVID-19 pandemic. Assumption College of Davao, Davao City, Philippines.
Walker, D.A., Walker, J. M. (2021). Mental health tools and spiritual practices: COVID-19 community impact. Assumption College of Davao, Davao City, Philippines.
Walker, D.A. (2020). Let gratitude be your guide. Biola University Mental Health Chapel Series Fall 2020, La Mirada, CA.
Walker, D. A., Altamirano, K. (2020). Faculty self-care: Practical steps to live from a place of overflow instead of burnout. Biola University Faculty Conference, La Mirada, CA.
Walker, D.A. (2019). Global health partnerships: Cross cultural considerations for program implementation. Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM
Walker, D. A., Thomas, T. B., Johnson, K. L., Dorgo, S., Moore, J. S. (2018). Overcoming barriers to improve HIV education and public health outcomes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. International Conference on HIV/AIDS, London, UK.
Walker, D. A. (2017). Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs toward HIV/AIDS in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A multi-dimensional perspective. Seminar presentation for the UTEP College of Health Sciences and Nursing Healthy Exchange Lecture Series, El Paso, TX.
Walker, D. A. (2016). Overcoming barriers to improve HIV education and
public health outcomes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Poster session presented at the Annual IHS PhD Interdisciplinary Research Conference, El Paso, TX.
Walker, D. A. (2016). Overcoming barriers to improve HIV education and public health outcomes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Poster session presented at the National Institute Conference on Social Work and Human Services in Rural Areas, El Paso, TX.
Walker, D. A. (2012). An international perspective on HIV/AIDS: Zambia. Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention World AIDS Day Symposium, Augusta, ME.
Walker, D. A. (2012). Maine HIV/AIDS care. Panel presentation and discussion at the Maine Ryan White Annual Conference, Augusta, ME.
Nolan, J. A. (2008). Coping with schizophrenia: The role of personal beliefs and practices. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, San Diego, CA.

Courses

Courses Taught

KNES 107, Lifetime Wellness
KNES 110, Walking & Running
KNES 450, Health Behavior Theory
KNES 452, Health Promotion Programming

Courses Developed

PHLT 510, Community & Global Health ONLINE (graduate)
KNES 310, Community & Global Health Hybrid
KNES 107, Lifetime Wellness ONLINE
KNES 450, Health Behavior Theory
KKES 452, Health Promotion Programming

Areas of Expertise for Media Interviews

HIV/AIDS
Global Health
Access to Care
Community Health Education