Dr. Teresa Wagner co-launches and completes clinical health equity certification
Earning a professional certification is a major achievement, but creating one is an
even bigger challenge. Dr. Teresa Wagner, an associate professor at UNT Health Fort Worth’s College of Public Health, has
done both.
Dr. Wagner co-developed a new certification focused on clinical health equity, working alongside the globally recognized Institute for Healthcare Improvement. The certification, the Certified Professional in Clinical Health Equity, officially launches on October 1.
Like most certifications, earning the CPCHE requires dedication, time management and practice. But beyond those demands, it calls for a deeper commitment to making a real difference in communities by advancing health equity.
Wagner embodies that dedication. Not only did she help create the program, but she also became one of the first professionals to earn the CPCHE certification while serving on the Expert Oversight Committee within the Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety, which oversees the credential.
This new certification aims to equip healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge to address gaps in care and promote fairness in patient care, a crucial step toward building healthier, more equitable communities.
“With increasing recognition that health outcomes, access, and quality are uneven across populations, equity has become an ever more important issue,” Wagner said. “Earning this credential helps validate that someone has the knowledge and skills to help make care more equitable.”
This credential allows health professionals to show formal competence in health equity. It validates the “great intentions” someone already possesses but also creates credibility with employers, stakeholders, funders, and communities. The certification can open doors to more opportunities, develop leaders, equip them for equity-focused positions, and shift more organizations’ mindsets towards the value of equity. Employers or health systems with CPCHE-certified staff are more likely to embed equity into their workflows, policies, metrics, design of care and assessments because of these change agents on their teams.
Who is eligible to enroll?
Individuals whose role includes advancing clinical health equity in their professional duties are eligible to enroll in the “Certified Professional in Clinical Health Equity” course. This may include clinicians (physicians/nurses/pharmacists), quality/safety leaders, consultants, researchers, public health practitioners and managers who are implementing equity initiatives in their current role or demonstrating health equity as an integral part of their professional responsibilities.
Individuals must have two years of experience advancing clinical health equity over the past four years. This experience can include education, clinical practice, advocacy, patient navigation, community health work, or research.
What is the exam structure?
The exam covers content domains of Health Systems & Context; Equitable Health Care Assessment & Design, and Health Data & Information. It is offered in-person at PSI Assessment Centers and online via a live remote proctor.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Cost: $425 for domestic candidates; $525 for international candidates; $79 for the practice exam
Discount code for early adopters: CBPPS50 for 50% off exam fees
Valid for the initial beta testing period (October 1-November 30, 2025)
Click here for the exam registration
IHI offers review courses via live streams and webinars to prepare in the domains, while including test-taking strategies. The exam is available year-round in both international and domestic locations or online.
“Dr. Wagner’s initiative to co-launch this clinical health equity certification—and her own success as an early recipient—exemplifies the leadership and real-world impact we aspire to at our College,” says Dr. Shafik Dharamsi, CPH dean. “Her dedication advances our mission to improve the quality and conditions of life through innovation in public health education, research, and practice.”
Wagner is also involved in the current development of the 2026 Health Literacy Collaborative Summit, an interprofessional ten-state collaboration taking place on the UNT Health Fort Worth campus next year. The two-day summit joins students and professionals from health care, community-based organizations, libraries, health insurance, health information technology, and public health to reimagine new ways to make health information work for all. Registration is now open for the April 23-24 summit!