Rate My Professor Kate Heelan

Heelan's research centers on childhood obesity prevention and treatment, physical activity interventions, energy balance, and implementing evidence-based weight management programs in rural and micropolitan communities. As principal or co-investigator, she has obtained grants exceeding $4 million, including a $2.5 million Centers for Disease Control and Prevention award from 2019 to 2024 to adapt the Building Healthy Families pediatric weight management intervention for rural areas. Her publications include over 40 peer-reviewed articles, such as 'Packaging of a Pediatric Weight Management Intervention and Implementation Blueprint for Rural and Micropolitan Communities – The Nebraska CORD 3.0 Project' (Childhood Obesity, 2021, with Abbey B.M. et al.), 'Perceptions of Participants and Staff of Implementing a Physical Activity Program in Rural Primary Care' (Evaluation and Program Planning, 2020, with Reed J. et al.), and 'Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Program and Participant Factors that Explain Success in a Micropolitan Pediatric Weight Management Intervention' (Childhood Obesity, 2022, with Golden C.A. et al.). Heelan has earned the Leland Holdt/Security Mutual Life Distinguished Faculty Award in 2020, Fellowship in the American College of Sports Medicine in 2010, SHAPE Nebraska Health Education Professional of the Year in 2015, and multiple College of Education awards for scholarship, service, and mentoring at UNK. She organizes the annual Nebraska Kids Fitness and Nutrition Day, evaluates school grants, and serves on statewide health committees, significantly impacting public health initiatives in Nebraska.