• Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), UT Health School of Public Health (Enrolled Fall 2026)
• Master of Science (MS), Lamar University
• Bachelor of Science (BS), Lamar University
• Graduate Coursework in Public Health, Lamar University (Completed coursework toward a Master of Public Health)

• Adjunct Instructor, Department of Nutrition, Hospitality & Human Services
• Lamar University, March 2025 to Present
• Courses: Nutrition Through the Life Cycle, Nutrition Assessment and Counseling, Community Nutrition
• Adjunct Instructor, General Education Department
• Lamar State College-Port Arthur, May 2024 to Present
• Courses: Nutrition & Diet Therapy

• Registered Dietitian (RD)
• Commission on Dietetic Registration
• Credential ID 86041123 
•  Licensed Dietitian (LD)
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
• Credential ID DT83992
• International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
• International Board of Lactation Consultants 
• Credential ID L-319298
• Certified Community Health Worker (CHW)
• Texas Department of State Health Services 
• Credential ID 20953 

• Director, Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program
• City of Port Arthur Health Department, July 2016 to Present
• Adjunct Instructor, Department of Nutrition, Hospitality & Human Services
• Lamar University, March 2025 to Present
• Adjunct Instructor, General Education Department
• Lamar State College-Port Arthur, May 2024 to Present
• Clinical Dietitian, Steward Healthcare, February 2023 to February 2025
• Consulting Dietitian, Hebert Adult Center, The Hughen Center, December 2017 to March 2020
• Clinical Dietitian, The Medical Center of SETX, July 2015 to July 2016
• Bariatric Dietitian, Dr. Waheeda Mithani, February 2016 to June 2016
• Research Assistant, Lamar University, July 2015 to October 2015
• Dietetic Intern, Lamar University, July 2014 to July 2015
• Senior Manager, The Nature's Bounty Co., July 2000 to July 2014

• Texas Association of Local WIC Directors
• Treasurer (2025 to present)
• 1st Vice President (2022-2025)
• 2nd Vice President (2019-2021)
• Technology Task Force Chairperson (2020-2025)
• Gulf Coast Regional Representative (2017)
• Nurse Family Partnership Advisory Board
• Advisor (2016 to present)
• Nederland ISD Student Health Advisory Committee
• Member (2018 to present)
• Jefferson County Child Fatality Review Team
• Member (2025 to present)

Publications

Baughman, T., Washington, D., Patteson, C., & Hernandez, J. (2022, June 1). Strengthening our nation one bite at a time: Benefits of a permanent Cash Value Benefit (CVB) increase for Women, Infants and Children [Issue brief]. WIC Research, Policy and Practice Hub. Retrieved from https://thewichub.org/strengthening-our-nation-one-bite-at-a-time-benefits-of-a-permanent-cash-value-benefit-cvb-increase-for-women-infants-and-children/

Professional Presentations

Co-Presenter, Leveraging Local Partnerships to Improve Infant and Maternal Health Outcomes National WIC Association Annual Education and Training Conference | Dallas, TX | June 2026

·        Co-presented on innovative community partnerships that improve maternal and infant health outcomes through WIC, public health, healthcare, and community collaboration. Highlighted successful local initiatives, interdisciplinary partnerships, and strategies to strengthen breastfeeding support and maternal health services.

Guest Panelist, Texas Injury Prevention Conference Texas Department of State Health Services | Austin, TX | November 2025

·        Served as an invited panelist sharing applied public health expertise in injury prevention with a focus on maternal and infant safety. Discussed community-based approaches to safe sleep education, coalition-led prevention initiatives, and integration of injury prevention strategies within local public health and WIC programs.

Guest Panelist, Let's Talk Webinar: Texas Statewide Initiative Texas Department of State Health Services | Virtual | January 2025

·        Invited to serve as a subject matter expert for a statewide audience of more than 250 maternal and child health partners. Highlighted local coalition initiatives and integration of Local Texas Systems of Care for Infants and Children (LTSIS) resources into community programming. Shared evidence-informed strategies for safe sleep and sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) prevention and participated in a statewide panel discussion supporting implementation and cross-agency collaboration.