• Doctor of Philosophy, Public Health Education and Promotion, University of Georgia, 2017
• Master of Science, Human Nutrition, University of Georgia, 2002
• Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences, Dietetics, University of Georgia, 2000

• Commission on Dietetic Registration, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
• Member, Graduate School Faculty
• Member, UGA Obesity Initiative

• Worksite health
• Employee well-being
• Nutrition
• Weight management
• Obesity prevention and treatment
• Chronic disease prevention and management
• Program evaluation

• Graduate Study Abstract Award for Outstanding Research in Pain or Palliative Care, Society of Behavioral Medicine Pain Special Interest Group, 2016
• Student Abstract Award, Society of Behavioral Medicine, Student Special Interest Group, 2016
• Phi Upsilon Omicron
• Golden Key National Honor Society
• Gamma Sigma Delta

• Society of Behavioral Medicine
• American Public Health Association
• The Obesity Society

• HPRB 7470  Program Evaluation

Dr. Padilla seeks to understand the relationship between work and health. Her primary interests are the prevention and management of obesity and chronic disease among working adults. She is interested in using technology in interventions that help people achieve health and well-being.

Padilla, H. M., Wilson, M., Vandenberg, R. J., Davis, M., & Clark, M. A. (2019). Health behavior among working adults: Workload and exhaustion are associated with nutrition and physical activity behaviors that lead to weight gain. Journal of Health Psychology. doi:10.1177/1359105319851205

Padilla, H. M., Zuercher, H., Robertson, M., DeJoy, D. M., Wilson, M., Vandenberg, R. J., & Corso, P. S. (2019). Reach, uptake, and satisfaction of three delivery modes of FUEL Your Life. Health Promotion Practice. 1524839919869921. doi:10.1177/1524839919869921

McCardel, R. E., & Padilla, H. M. (2020). Assessing workplace breastfeeding support among working mothers in the United States. Workplace Health and Safety. doi:10.1177/2165079919890358

Rajbhandari-Thapa, J., Zhang, D., Padilla, H. M., & Chung, S. R. (2019). Opioid-related hospitalization and its association with chronic disease: Findings from the National Inpatient Sample, 2011-2015. Preventing Chronic Disease, 16. doi:10.5888/pcd16.190169

Padilla, H. M., Zuercher, H., Wilson, M. G., DeJoy, D. M., Vandenberg, R. J., Haynes, N., Smith, M. (2019). Program satisfaction with a worksite translation of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. Poster presentation at the American Public Health Association Meeting, November 2-6, 2019, Philadelphia, PA.

Padilla, H. M., McCardel, R., DeJoy, D. M., & Wilson, M. G. (2019). Health inequities in access to worksite health promotion programs. Roundtable presentation at the American Public Health Association Meeting, November 2-6, 2019, Philadelphia, PA.

Padilla, H. M., Zuercher, H., Smith, M. L., DeJoy, D. M., & Wilson, M. G. (2019). Translating the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program to Worksites: Understanding the bidirectional relationship between work and chronic disease. Oral presentation at the Society for Public Health Education 70th Annual Conference, March 27-29, 2019, Salt Lake City, Utah.