Our Mission

Our mission is to empower organizations, public health professionals, and communities with the knowledge, skills, and support to implement evidence-informed solutions that advance health, well-being, and health equity.

Meet Ninfa Peña-Purcell

Dr. Ninfa Peña-Purcell, founder and owner of Vibrant Health Training, has over 25 years of experience and expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating community-based health interventions. She has a proven record in developing evidence-based diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) curricula and fostering stakeholder partnerships to improve health outcomes.

With a proven record in content development and community health programming, Dr. Peña-Purcell concentrates on translating research-based concepts into relevant, accessible health information. Her passion is promoting health equity by increasing access and relevance of health programs in underserved communities.

Click below for Dr. Peña-Purcell’s resume.

Resume

Who We Serve

Vibrant Health Training values establishing community trust and leveraging partnerships to create meaningful opportunities for learning, support, and healthier living.

With this guiding principle, we serve:

  • Health care organizations such as public health departments, clinics, and non-profit health entities.

  • Health coaches, Community Health Workers (CHW), and Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES).

  • Faith-based and other community-based organizations that are important in delivering culturally-relevant health programs.

We also collaborate with research foundations and academic institutions on community-driven initiatives. Community Health Workers are our passion, and we have designed our programs to be CHW-led. CHW workforce continuing education trainings are planned for 2027.

Publications

Below is a list of Dr. Peña-Purcell’s relevant research contributing to the development of her health programs and community engagement activities.

  1. Peña-Purcell, N.C., Lee, J., Ory, M.G.(2025).  Integrating a Care Supporter in Diabetes Self-Management Education to Enhance Health Outcomes: A Pilot Study. The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care. 5(12);156-167.

  2. Peña-Purcell, N., Abdoh, R., Hong, S.J., Collins, D., Johnson, K. (2021). Assessing Rural Communities’ Readiness to Prevent Prescription Drug Misuse among High School Students. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education. 65(1).

  3. Peña-Purcell, N., Hong, G., Smith, M., Peterson, R., Ory, M. (2019). Impact of Diabetes Self-Management Education on Psychological Distress and Health Outcomes among African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos with Diabetes. Diabetes Spectrum. https://doi.org/10.2337/ds18-0081

  4. Peña-Purcell, N., Rhan, R., & Dailey, T. (2017). An Online Survey Assessing College Students Perceptions about Cigarette Smoking: Implications for Prevention. American Journal of Health Education, 49, 3. doi:10.1080/19325037.2018.1428701

  5. Peña-Purcell, N., Cutchens, L., & McCoy, T. (2015). “You’ve got to love yourself”: PhotoVoice stories from Hispanic/Latinos and African Americans living with diabetes. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, doi:10.1177/1043659617696976

  6. Peña-Purcell, N., González y González, E., Higuera, M.C., & Jimenez, N. (2014). Participants’ Perspectives of a Culturally Competent Diabetes Education for Hispanic/ Latinos. California Journal of Health Promotion, 12(2), 1-12.

  7. Peña-Purcell, N., Jiang, L., Ory, M., & Hollingsworth, R. (2015). Translating an evidenced-based diabetes education approach into rural African-American communities: The Wisdom, Power, Control program. Diabetes Spectrum, 28(2), 106-115

  8. Peña-Purcell, N., & Cutchen, L. (2013). Diabetes self-management education for African Americans: Using the PEN-3 model to assess needs. American Journal of Health Education, 44(4), 203-212.

  9. Peña-Purcell, N., & Boggess, M. (2013). An application of a diabetes knowledge scale for low-literate Hispanic/Latinos. Health Promotion Practice, 15(2), 252-262.

  10. Peña-Purcell, N., Boggess, M., & Jimenez, N. (2011). An empowerment-based diabetes self-management education program for Hispanic/Latinos: A quasi-experimental pilot study. Diabetes Educator, 37(6), 770-779.

  11. Peña-Purcell, N. (2008). Hispanics’ use of Internet health information: An exploratory study. The Journal of the Medical Library Association, 96(2), 101-107.