Dr. Teresa Wagner expands health literacy leadership with international and state appointments
As a longtime leader in health literacy, Dr. Teresa Wagner is expanding her impact
on clear communication and health equity through three prestigious recognitions. Wagner,
associate professor in the Department of Public Health at UNT Health Fort Worth, was
elected to the Board of Directors for the Center for Plain Language and recognized
for her service as a Pledge Program Peer Mentor for Health Confianza. She was most
recently appointed to serve the state of Texas on the Texas Medical Board. Together,
these roles position her to help shape plain language standards and patient safety
standards while mentoring organizations to build sustainable, health-literate systems
that improve access to trustworthy health information.
The Center for Plain Language is one of three organizations that comprise the International Plain Language Federation. Wagner’s term, which began June 1, ends in 2029. The associate professor was also recognized as a Pledge Program Peer Mentor for Health Confianza in San Antonio, Texas. This award-winning collaborative program utilizes health literacy principles and strategies to enhance health equity for those individuals living in ZIP codes with the most significant health disparities. Their goal is to equip people with skills and access to scientific and accurate health information to make informed health decisions for themselves and their families.
The state of Texas on the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel creates official consent forms and sorts medical treatments into lists to establish clear legal standards for informed consent in Texas. As a health literacy expert, Wagner will help patients better understand the forms they are signing.
“Much of my career has focused on developing evidence, leading programs, educating future professionals, and building community partnerships that improve health literacy,” Wagner said. “These new roles allow me to further build on my foundational contributions on systemic, statewide, and global levels.”
With the Center for Plain Language, Wagner will have the opportunity to further shape
broader conversations around plain language standards and their implementation. Her
impact will extend beyond her individual research and organizational involvement to
formally influence communication practices at the national and international level.
“This role also strengthens my connections with the International Plain Language Federation and the International Organization for Standardization,” Wagner said. The International Organization for Standardization provides a clear definition of plain language as a communication style that focuses on simplicity, clarity, and effectiveness. “I can help ensure that health literacy perspectives inform the evolving global standards for clear communication.”
Her mentorship with Health Confianza contributes a different skillset. Instead of leading an initiative, something Wagner is familiar with, she will support and mentor others as they create sustainable, health-literate systems within their own organizations. Her focus will be on growing the health literacy capacity of community organizations in a role that aligns closely with her foundational research across published works while scaling best practices across diverse underserved and rural settings.
“All three recognitions illustrate the continued progression of my career,” Wagner said. “From advancing health literacy through research, education and community practice to influencing even more organizations that shape how people understand health information across the globe.”