HLHSCI - 101 - Introduction to Health & Healthcare Careers - Velia Jimenez
| Course: | Introduction to Health & Healthcare Careers |
|---|---|
| Professor: | Velia Jimenez |
| Email: | velia.jimenez@canyons.edu |
| Format: |
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| Course Length: |
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Introduction
Hello and Welcome!
I am Professor Dr. Jimenez, and I am excited to teach this class!
Here's a little about me: I received my Doctor of Healthcare Science from Pacific University Oregon. I have a Master's degree in public health with a concentration in health promotion and health education, two bachelor's degree in nutrition and dietetics & food science, I completed the didactic program in dietetics, I have two specialized certificates in lactation consultant and lactation educator counselor, and a ServSafe certification. I have been teaching at COC for over two years as a Health Science Adjunct. I was a clinical-degreed nutritionist and a health educator with Northeast Valley Health Corporation in the medical nutrition therapy and patient and community wellness department. My primary role at Northeast Valley Health Corporation was working with RDNs, providing and receiving nutrition referrals from providers, and screening pediatrics who were positive for food insecurity. Then I switched to being a health educator and teaching nutrition classes for adults and pediatrics in Spanish and English, as well as making food demos/taste tests, creating health education handouts, assisting with the mobile food pantry, and working with Food Rx for health grant where I assisted type 2 diabetic patients who screened positive for food insecurity.
My experience in the healthcare field has shown me the need for more nutrition-knowledgeable professionals. We also need more healthcare staff professionals in various health-allied fields.
I strongly advocate for active learning through discussions, activities, and high-level thinking. I firmly believe that teaching is the best way to learn, and I am always open to new methods. As a lifelong learner, I hope to instill a similar outlook in you. I want you to embrace challenges, cultivate a passion for learning, and understand that with hard work, critical thinking, and input from others, you can continue to grow in any area of your work, learning capabilities, and life.
Course Description
Hello and welcome to College of the Canyons! I am Professor Dr. Velia Jimenez, and I will be your professor for the 2025 fall semester. I am so excited to teach this class!
Here's a little about me: I received my Doctor of Healthcare Science from Pacific University Oregon. I have a master's degree in public health, a concentration in health promotion and health education from CSUSM, two bachelor's degrees in nutrition and dietetics & food science from CSUN; I completed the didactic program in dietetics at CSUN, I have two specialized certificates in lactation consultant and lactation educator counselor from UCSD Extension Program and a ServSafe certification. I have been teaching at COC for over two years. I was a clinical degreed nutritionist and health educator with Northeast Valley Health Corporation in the medical nutrition therapy and patient and community wellness departments. My primary role at Northeast Valley Health Corporation was working with the RDNs, providing nutrition referrals from providers, and screening pediatrics who are positive for food insecurity. Then I switched to being a health educator and teaching nutrition classes for adults and pediatrics in Spanish and English, as well as making food demos/taste tests, creating health education handouts, assisting with the mobile food pantry, and working with Food Rx for health grant where I assisted type 2 diabetic patients who screened positive for food insecurity. As of right now, I am focusing on being a professor at COC to help students choose majors in the health profession since it is a high-demand profession, especially if you are working with low-income, minority, and monolingual populations.
My experience in the healthcare field has shown me the need for more nutrition-knowledgeable professionals. We also need more healthcare staff professionals in various health-allied fields.
I strongly advocate for active learning through discussions, activities, and high-level thinking. I firmly believe that teaching is the best way to learn, and I am always open to new methods. As a lifelong learner, I hope to instill a similar outlook in you. I want you to embrace challenges, cultivate a passion for learning, and understand that with hard work, critical thinking, and input from others, you can continue to grow in any area of your work, learning capabilities, and life.
Please take this class seriously and contact me with questions or concerns! Welcome!
What to Expect in this Course
- Response to Forum Discussion Prompts: Each week, a prompt will be posted on the Canyons Canvas site for the class. Students are asked to respond to these prompts each week. (8 prompt responses @ 10 points each, 80/460 points)
- Classmate Forum Responses: After students post their response to the discussion prompt, each student is asked to respond or comment to two (2) classmates� posts. (8 total comments @ 5 points each, 40/460 points)
- Chapter Quizzes: There will be 6 quizzes. Each quiz will cover readings, presentations, and material from the previous weeks. Each quiz will have 30 multiple-choice questions or T/F or fill-in-the-blank questions, to be completed online using Honorlock system. (3 quizzes @ 30 points each, 90/460 points)
- Mandatory Research Quiz: Students will complete this quiz on Canvas. (1 quiz @ 10 points, 10/460 points)
- Syllabus Quiz: Students will complete this quiz on Canvas during the first week of class. (1 quiz @ 5 points, 5/460 points)
- Chapter Assignments: Students will answer chapter readings. (4 assignments @ 15 points each, 60/460 points)
- Signature Writing Assignment Paper: Students will write a final 4-page paper. The paper is worth 100/460points
- Group Presentation: Students will create a PowerPoint presentation based on the topics provided. 75/460 points.
Textbook Information
Stanfield, P.S.; Cross, N. & Hui, Y.H. (2022). Introduction to the Health Professions. Jones and Bartlett.
ISBN # 9781284219456
DeLaet, R. (2020). Introduction to Health Care & Careers. Jones and Barlett Learning, Burlington, MA.
ISBN # 10:1284322297
Other readings, videos, websites, etc. will be assigned throughout the semester and will be posted on COC Canvas for the corresponding topic week.
Additional Resources
Canvas
This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at . Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:
- CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
- CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password
Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.
Online Education
Check out the for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.
The Learning Center (TLC)
The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!
Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)
College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.
Online Counseling
The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.
Management of Stress and Mental Health
Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.
Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.
You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.
Veterans Resource Center
The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.
Library
The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!
Last updated: 09/09/2025 Sub#: 1784 Sub ID: 177997