Our Team
Working to Advance Inclusion
The National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) boasts a dynamic team made up of experts in public health, disability advocacy and health promotion. Our team is led by dedicated individuals committed to advance inclusion and empower everyone to lead active, healthy lives.
Click on an individual’s picture to learn more about them.
James Rimmer, PhD
Director of NCHPAD
James H. Rimmer, PhD, is the first Lakeshore Foundation Endowed Chair in Health Promotion and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He serves as a Professor in UAB’s School of Health Professions and holds an adjunct faculty appointment in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Rimmer is also the Principal Investigator of the CDC-funded National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability.
Dr. Rimmer developed the evidence-informed GRAIDs (Guidelines, Recommendations, Adaptations Including Disability), which provides researchers and program staff with a robust implementation science framework to include people with disabilities in research and interventions. His recent work focuses on creating a telehealth wellness program for people with disabilities, called MENTOR (Mindfulness, Exercise and Nutrition to Optimize Resilience).
Hui-Ju (Zoe) Young, PhD, CMA
Associate Director
Hui-Ju (Zoe) Young, PhD, CMA, is Associate Director at NCHPAD. Dr. Young is a trained exercise physiologist and a certified movement analyst in Laban/Bartenieff movement analysis. Her work at NCHPAD involves establishing a healthcare-to-wellness infrastructure for people with disabilities.
In addition to her work at NCHPAD, Dr. Young is a research scientist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Health Professions (SHP) Research Collaborative, examining the physiological and psychosocial impact of Movement-to-Music (M2M), an adapted exercise intervention, in people with disabilities.
Meghan L. Mills, PhD
Operations Director
Dr. Meghan L. Mills supports NCHPAD as Operations Director, directing grant administrative, management, and fiscal affairs and managing the communications, video production, administrative and NCHPAD Strategy III dissemination teams.
In addition to her role at NCHPAD, Dr. Mills is Program Director of the School of Health Profession’s Research Collaborative at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of New Hampshire in medical sociology. Her expertise is in the unequal social distribution of health and the social model of disability. Her most recent work examines the relationship between boundary work, “fake” service dogs and discrimination for people with disabilities who use Service Dogs.
Salma Aly, MD, MPH
Postdoc
Salma Aly, MD, MPH, is a member of the data management team at NCHPAD, where she has been contributing since 2023 by creating reports and conducting data analysis. She holds a Masters in Public Health, and her PhD research was focused on studying risk factors and the progression of multiple sclerosis using machine learning techniques. Currently, Salma is a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at UAB.
Pooja Arora
Predoc
Pooja Arora is a physical therapist and doctoral candidate in the UAB Rehabilitation Sciences program as well as a graduate research assistant at NCHPAD.
In her current role as graduate research assistant, Pooja works as a health coach for the MENTOR program where she helps participants adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors through telehealth coaching.
Pooja’s past educational background includes a doctorate in physical therapy from Northeastern University in Boston, a master’s degree in physical therapy from the Maharshi Dayanand University in Haryana, India, and a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Delhi University in Delhi, India. Pooja has also worked clinically in an outpatient setting at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston.
Pooja’s current research focuses on adapting tele-rehabilitation and wellness programs for people with chronic respiratory conditions like COPD with an emphasis on integrating holistic interventions to improve physical activity participation and quality of life. Her long-term goal is to become a board-certified physical therapist for cardio-pulmonary conditions and to work in an academic setting conducting research and teaching future rehabilitation specialists. She would also like to continue working clinically in some capacity.
Ivan Azarov, PhD
Data Consultant
Casey Azuero, PhD, MPH
Faculty Affiliate (Psychology)
Vasil Bachiashvili, MD, MSDS
Data Scientist
Vasil Bachiashvili, MD, MSDS, is a data scientist for NCHPAD. Vasil oversees development and maintenance of various data pipelines and previously has been involved in statistical analysis and project development for NCHPAD.
Vasil holds an MD from Tbilisi State Medical University and MSDS from Eastern University.
Navneet Baidwan, PhD
Epidemiologist/Data Analyst
Navneet Kaur Baidwan provides NCHPAD data related variable coding and analyses support, with a specific focus on inverse probability weighting related techniques to extend the generalizability of these data.
Navneet has a PhD in Injury Epidemiology Research from University of Minnesota and later completed post doctoral work focused on disability-related research projects at the University of Alabama.
Joseph Bodkin
Video Production Consultant
Joseph Bodkin is a video producer at NCHPAD. A UAB graduate, Joseph is passionate about making digital content.
Janice Buffett
Administrative Associate
Janice D. Buffett provides administrative support to NCHPAD and the UAB School of Health Professions Research Collaborative. Since joining in 2022, Janice has served a crucial role coordinating special events and projects across NCHPAD and UAB, overseeing logistics with local and national partners and vendors.
In June 2020, Janice retired from the UAB School of Nursing where she was an Office Associate II to the Chair of the Acute, Chronic & Continuing Care Department. She supported this large department of 50+ faculty in all things administrative. In March of 2013, she was selected as UAB’s Employee of the Month.
Prior to retiring from UAB, she was employed for 20 years at Alabama Power Company where she had a myriad of positions – with the last nine years as an appliance salesperson. Janice has also been an employee of The University of Alabama School of Law as a word processing supervisor, received a Legal Secretary Certificate from Samford University and served as a Notary Public for more than 20 years.
Janice has a very large family with siblings, nieces, nephews, greats and cousins, many still residing in Tuscaloosa. She spends a lot of her down time with her family and her rescue chihuahua/terrier mix named Sheba.
Grayson Cusimano
Brand & Graphic Designer
Grayson Cusimano is a Southern artist with over a decade of design experience. As the Brand and Graphic Designer for NCHPAD , she transforms her teammates’ visionary ideas into impactful resources and sustainable experiences, making health and wellness engaging and accessible.
Grayson earned her BFA in Design and Production from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Her early career involved traveling the world working with costumes, honing her skills in creating immersive environments and visual storytelling. She now uses this expertise at NCHPAD to support a variety of health promotion initiatives and resource development.
In her free time, Grayson enjoys reading, gardening and crafting, drawing inspiration from the natural world to enrich her creative work.
Delicia Davis, MBA
Financial Officer II
Delicia R. Davis, MBA, is the Financial Officer II for NCHPAD. She has been at UAB since 2014 and joined NCHPAD in 2020. She manages all contractual agreements for NCHPAD and assists with various other financial processes, including payment processing, expenditure reporting and payroll.
Prior to joining NCHPAD, Delicia has had financial experience in various UAB departments including Student Accounting, Contracts & Vendor Compliance, P-Card Services and Procurement. Before she began at UAB, she worked in the banking industry for seven years while attending Ramsay High School in Birmingham, AL, and during her undergraduate years in Huntsville, AL.
Delicia earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and her Master of Business Administration Degree at UAB. She lives in Clay, AL, with her husband and two children who enjoy traveling, sports, music and spending time together.
Penny Edwards, MEd
Strategy III Program Manager
Penny Edwards, Strategy III Program Manager, is a former two sport college athlete who grew up as a military child alongside her twin sister and two older brothers. She is an avid hiker who loves the outdoors, her large family, her pups and being active through various sports. She received an undergraduate and master’s degree in exercise science.
Penny started her career as an Exercise Physiologist at Montgomery Cardiovascular Associates working in Cardiac Rehab. She then moved on to be the intramurals coordinator. activities course director and an undergraduate professor at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). After two years at AUM, she wanted to work on a more national level and accepted a role as a Senior Program Manager for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation in the Healthy Schools and Communities Program. After 11 years with the Alliance, she joined NCHPAD.
Within NCHPAD, Penny’s original role was to help co-manage the educators’ sector but has since been named the Strategy III Program Manager. In this role, she works to make sure we are utilizing our strengths, partners and expertise to provide programs, resources, trainings and partnerships within communities across the country.
Yochai Eisenberg, PhD
NiCIP Evaluation Lead
Yochai Eisenberg, PhD, is the NiCIP Evaluation Lead for NCHPAD. He is an associate professor in the Department of Disability and Human Development, Community Health and Disability Inclusion, at the University of Illinois Chicago. Please access his full bio here.
Christine Ferguson, PhD
Faculty Affiliate
Christine Ferguson, PhD, RD, CSG, is an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Assistant Director of the Dietitian Education Program. Please access her full bio here.
John Franks
Data Entry Specialist
John Franks is the data entry operator for the UAB Research Collaborative. John has been with UAB since 2018 and has worked on several projects including TEAMS, M2M, CHIME and BLADES.
Prior to his work here, John was a math and science tutor for the UAB athletic program. He was also a high school math teacher and managed a logistics company. He has B.S. Degrees in mathematics and biomedical engineering, both from UAB.
John has two sons who are both attending college. In his spare time, he enjoys live music and loves to travel when the opportunity arises.
Matt Gorum, PhD
Communications Manager
Matt Gorum, PhD, is the Communications Manager for NCHPAD. Since joining NCHPAD in 2022, Matt has overseen the development and implementation of NCHPAD’s communications functions, including website, social media, email marketing and strategy.
Prior to joining NCHPAD, Matt has served in various internal and external communications roles, developing and executing paid and organic social media and marketing strategies, managing and refining intranets and employee communications, and writing and editing content for various audiences. Before working in marketing and communications, Matt taught writing and literature on the junior high, high school and college level for close to a decade.
Matt holds a PhD in American literature from the University of Kentucky, a master’s degree in secondary language arts education from Troy University, and a bachelor’s degree in English and cultural and religious studies from Huntingdon College. He lives in Homewood, Alabama, with his wife and two sons.
Kenya Harris, MSW
Participant Engagement Coordinator
Kenya Harris is the NCHPAD Participant Engagement Coordinator. In her role, she oversees the NCHPAD Call Center and collaborates on other projects. Kenya is passionate about creating positive change and enhancing the quality of life for individuals. A Birmingham native, Kenya graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in social work.
Will Harris
Communications Specialist
Nazmul Hassan
Predoc
Md Nazmul Hassan, MScPT, BScPT, currently serves as a health coach for MENTOR while pursuing his PhD at UAB. As a research assistant, Md Nazmul focuses on expanding his knowledge in rehabilitation science, particularly in improving and measuring wellness and quality of life, under the supervision of Dr. James Rimmer.
Prior to his current role, Md Nazmul’s journey in rehabilitation began at the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where he gained substantial experience in clinical physical therapy and rehabilitation. Transitioning into academia, he pursued postgraduate studies at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, earning a post-graduate diploma. He also holds a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from the Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI) under the Medicine faculty at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Md Nazmul resides in the Five Points South neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama, with his wife and daughter.
Hasaan Hawthorne
Program Manager
Larry Hearld, PhD
Evaluation and Performance Measurement Team Director
Larry R. Hearld, PhD, NCHPAD Evaluation and Performance Measurement Team Lead, is a Professor in the Department of Health Services Administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Please access his full bio here.
Chelsea Henderson, MS
Strategy II Program Manager
Chelsea Henderson, MS, is the Strategy II Program Manager over NCHPAD’s wellness promotion programs. She began her career in the fitness and wellness industry over a decade ago as a personal trainer and still holds an active certification. Chelsea is a graduate of UAB with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in exercise physiology.
In addition to working as a certified personal trainer, health coach and fitness center services manager, Chelsea has experience in a hospital setting as a member navigator where she helped patients integrate different fitness programs and medical services into their lives to support healthy lifestyle changes.
Matt Henton
Video Production Manager
Matt Henton, NCHPAD Video Production Manager, is a filmmaker, photographer and a Birmingham native deeply committed to human-centered storytelling. He believes film and video play a huge role in changing the world by amplifying diverse voices and experiences. Over the last decade, he has worked on projects with a focus on inclusivity and authenticity. In his current role, he collaborates with teams of creatives, experts and individuals with disabilities to bring health related content to a national audience.
Casey Herman, PhD
NiCIP Implementation Lead
Casey Herman, PhD, is the NiCIP Implementation Lead for NCHPAD. She is a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Disability and Human Development, Community Health and Disability Inclusion, at the University of Illinois Chicago. Please access her full bio here.
Emily Hornsby
Mindfulness Curriculum Coordinator
Emily Hornsby is the NCHPAD Mindfulness Curriculum Coordinator and teaches mindfulness in the MENTOR (Mindfulness, Exercise and Nutrition to Optimize Resilience) Program. Emily received her certification to be a mindfulness meditation teacher through the two- year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP) taught by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach in January 2021.
Emily has worked with individuals who have been severely injured and disabled through her previous work as a personal injury attorney for over 25 years. Emily is passionate about teaching mindfulness to participants of the MENTOR program and to the community. Through Mindfulness practices, it is Emily’s intention that participants will have more freedom in how they respond to external stimuli and that they will find more clarity, peace and acceptance in the face of difficulties in their life.
Emily graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in English and business administration in 1991, and Emily received her J.D. degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1994. Emily resides in Birmingham, Alabama.
Traci Johnson, MME
Instructional Designer
Traci Johnson, MME, is the Instructional Designer for NCHPAD. Since joining NCHPAD in 2024, Traci has developed and consulted on the development of various eLearning projects.
Prior to joining NCHPAD, Traci served as an instructional designer in various organizations, developing and executing a variety of eLearning and training projects. Before working as an instructional designer, Traci was a teacher with experience in teaching Music, English and English as a Second Language to a variety of age groups in various locations.
Traci has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Yumi Kim, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)
Jamie Krasnigor, MPH
Strategy I Program Manager
Jamie Krasnigor is a Program Manager over the recruitment and referral strategy of NCHPAD Connect. Jamie oversees the NCHPAD Call Center and collaborates with the DCC and other teams to ensure your data is protected and secure.
Jamie graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and a master’s degree in public health. She has hosted webinars and created educational content on ways to address health disparities. Jamie seeks to create opportunities that advance health equity.
Byron Lai, PhD, MS
Faculty Affiliate (Pediatrics)
Robin Lanzi, PhD, MPH
Community Engagement and Translational Science Director
Stephen Lanzi
Communications Specialist
Stephen Lanzi serves as Communications Specialist for the UAB SHP Research Collaborative, focusing his efforts on the Center for Engagement in Disability Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (CEDHARS). In his role, Stephen produces written content on inclusion science research and stories from the disability community, which he disseminates through a monthly newsletter. Stephen also aids in the communication efforts for the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability, bridging the gap between the disabled and nondisabled worlds through communication on research and programming.
Prior to joining the Collaborative, Stephen received Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degrees from Auburn University in May 2020. While at Auburn, Stephen served as an editor for the award-winning, student-run newspaper The Auburn Plainsman, where he honed his skills in news reporting. He also served in leadership roles for other student organizations and graduated as a University Honors Scholar.
Bob Lujano, MS, PLY
Expert Inclusion Specialist
Bob Lujano joined the NCHPAD staff as an Information Specialist as part of the University of Alabama Birmingham/Lakeshore Foundation Research Collaborative in April 2012. Prior to that, he spent 14 years as a Recreation Specialist for Lakeshore Foundation, serving the mission of providing recreation opportunities for people with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions.
Overall, Mr. Lujano has spent the past 17 years working in the field of recreation and sport for youth, adults, seniors and veterans with physical disabilities. After earning a Pre-law degree at the University of Texas at Arlington, Bob earned a Master of Science degree in Recreation Sports Management at the University of Tennessee. This led to a position at 1996 Paralympic Games as the Venue Director of the City Hall East Project, where he was responsible for accrediting, training and informing over 12,000 volunteers for the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
He joined the Lakeshore Foundation staff in November of 1998 as a Recreation Specialist, where he was part of the development and implementation of recreation programs for kids and youth, but also has been part of the overall growth and awareness of Lakeshore Foundation as a pillar in the field of competitive sports and fitness. Bob is a member of the Lakeshore Demolition wheelchair rugby team, which has 5 USQRA National Championships (98-2003).
This led Bob to being selected to the US Paralympic Rugby Team in which he won a bronze medal at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece. Bob was also one of the athletes featured in the Academy Award nominated movie Murderball.
Finally, Bob is professional international public speaker, in which he speaks on topics such as faith, disability, diversity, rehabilitation, competitive sports, physical fitness and the benefits of a healthy active lifestyle. In April 2014, he was elected as the President of the United States Quad Rugby Association.
Alex X. Martínez, MEd
Content and Inquiry Manager
Alex X. Martinez, NCHPAD Content and Inquiry Manager, began his career as a physical education teacher and sports coach. Alex’s background in physical education, physical activity and sports is the foundation for his commitment to promoting inclusion in physical activity and healthy programs for people with disabilities. Alex earned his undergraduate degree in Physical Education Teaching from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico and his master’s degree in Curriculum and Teaching in Physical Education from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico.
Alex joined NCHPAD in 2015 as a disability information specialist. In his current role as Content and Inquiry Manager, Alex leads a team of experts focused on creating and disseminating resources specific to the promotion of health and wellness for people with disabilities. Other roles specific to his work with NCHPAD include providing inclusive adaptations for health and wellness programs by utilizing NCHPAD’s Guidelines, Recommendations, Adaptations, Including Disability (GRAIDS) framework, conducting trainings for individuals serving people with disabilities, and managing strategic partnerships with local and national organizations to provide inclusion in their health and wellness promotion efforts.
Alex was introduced to the disability field after serving in the US Marine Corps. After his military service, Alex was involved in providing physical activity and sports to disabled military veterans through military service organizations such as Team Red White and Blue, The Lakeshore Foundation, USA Sitting Volleyball, and the Department of Defense Warrior Games.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys spending time with his family camping, mountain biking, exercising, and attending sporting events.
Emily McAllister, RD
Registered Dietitian (MENTOR)
Emily McAllister, RD, is the Lead Nutrition Instructor for MENTOR. Her role involves delivering nutrition classes and cooking demonstrations virtually. Emily also works with the NCHPAD video team to create nutrition content for our YouTube channel.
Emily attended the University of Alabama where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Nutrition along with completing the coordinated program of Dietetics. Since then, Emily has gained experience in her field through various roles in clinical settings, outpatient counseling and corporate wellness.
Emily is very passionate about nutrition and overall wellness. She loves being able to create a non-judgmental environment and guide others to sustainable healthy habits. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband and two dogs.
Tapan Mehta, PhD
Data Coordinating Center Director
Arrow Mills
Paw-sitivity Director
Madison Mintz
Predoc (State of Slim Everybody)
Madison Mintz, a graduate doctoral candidate for UAB’s Rehabilitation Science program, is a program manager for State of Slim Everybody, a weight loss transformation program designed and adapted for people with disabilities.
Before working for NCHPAD, Madison earned her Bachelor of Science from Samford University in 2019. Her current work focuses on lived experiences of people with disabilities who complete virtual health promotion interventions.
In her spare time, Madison enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Sedetra Moody
Financial Officer I
Sedetra Moody is a Financial Officer I for NCHPAD at the UAB School of Health Professions. Collectively, she has been with UAB for about 5 years and has vast experience in the fields of business administration and finance.
Sedetra hold a BS in finance from the UAB as well as an associate’s degree in business administration from Lawson State Community College.
Born and raised in Birmingham, AL, Sedetra enjoys spending time with family, reading, binge watching TV series and experimenting with different recipes.
Monique Nelson
Receptionist
Monique Nelson is the receptionist for NCHPAD. She assists with maintaining records, handling correspondence via email, placing orders, troubleshooting office equipment and other logistics and coordination.
Monique is an alumna of the University of Montevallo with a major in communications and a minor in deaf studies. She is fluent in American Sign Language and passionate about addressing socioeconomic disparities.
Ingrid Pfau
Lead Video Producer
Birmingham native Ingrid Pfau was born with cerebral palsy on the right side of her body and has active complex partial epilepsy – diagnosed when she was 18 years old. Ingrid’s friends and family, including her father, mother (a native of Chile), and three sisters (including her twin), are very important to her.
Ingrid has worked with NCHPAD for over nine years helping make all kinds of films. One of her favorite parts of filmmaking is meeting other people with disabilities. Her favorite style of film to make is short documentary films, but she can make anything from guided workout films to nutrition films as well.
In addition to spending time with her family, Ingrid’s favorite thing to do outside of work is hang out with her pets, travel and enjoy the outdoors. She has a MFA in Science and Natural History Filmmaking and a BS in Environmental Science.
Phuong Quach
Predoc
Phuong Quach, PhD candidate, is a health coach at NCHPAD and research assistant at UAB. Since joining NCHPAD, Phuong has played a pivotal role in the MENTOR program, providing telehealth coaching to individuals with disabilities. Through personalized guidance and support, Phuong has successfully helped participants achieve significant improvements in their overall wellbeing.
In addition to mentoring, Phuong is a dedicated research assistant at the UAB School of Health Professions. In the Department of Physical Therapy, Phuong investigates factors affecting mobility and neuromotor performance. Her expertise in data collection and analysis, using advanced technologies and analytics tools, has significantly contributed to various clinical and research projects for both UAB and NCHPAD.
Phuong is pursuing a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at UAB, where she also holds a Master of Public Health degree. With a strong background in wellbeing sciences, digital health and scalable interventions, Phuong is dedicated to enhancing health outcomes through research and practical applications.
Marilyn Rawls
Administrative Assistant
Marilyn Rawls is a Consultant for SHP Research Collaborative. Since joining, Marilyn has been responsible for providing administrative and human resources support.
Prior to joining the Collaborative, Marilyn has served in various roles and has more than 25 years of responsible and effective administrative, office management and program management experience in corporate, academia and nonprofit sectors. Her work with the nonprofit sector includes nine years of resource development, program development, community outreach and collaboration.
John Reams
Exercise Physiologist (MENTOR)
John Reams, an exercise physiologist with NCHPAD, has over 20 years of experience in exercise science, clinical exercise physiology, research and nutrition. John is a graduate of UAB having earned master’s degrees in both exercise science and nutrition science. Experienced in working with multiple demographics, John’s professional focus is lifestyle management and disease prevention for people living with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions.
Cara Riggins, MPH
Expert Inclusion Specialist
Cara Riggins, Expert Inclusion Specialist, is a Master of Public Health graduate of Tennessee State University and has a bachelor’s in health education and promotion from Berea College. She has over 12 years of federal, state and non-profit public health experience. She believes everyone deserves and should have access to equitable, affordable healthcare and that access to a healthy life is a right, not a privilege. Cara is a Birmingham native who enjoys exploring the city and the world.
Emma Taylor
AmeriCorps VISTA and GROWTH Mental Health Coach
Emma Taylor is a Mental Health Coach at NCHPAD for the GROWTH program. Since joining NCHPAD in 2022, she has played a pivotal role in developing, creating content and facilitating the mental wellness program. Emma contributes to the program’s ongoing success through research, logistics and personal experience to participant communication.
Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Emma has a form of cerebral palsy called hemiplegia, which affects the right side of her body. At just one year old, she participated in a constraint-induced therapy study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. This was an experience that sparked her lifelong commitment to promoting inclusion and enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with disabilities. This early experience, along with the support of dedicated parents and healthcare professionals, further solidified her passion for helping others.
Emma is a certified mindfulness instructor, complementing her work in mental health by integrating mindfulness practices into her coaching. She is currently pursuing a master’s in public health at UAB. She earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology from Roanoke College in 2022, where she was actively involved in residence life and student affairs. In addition, Emma spent eight summers in North Carolina as a camp counselor, eventually progressing to leadership roles within the camp.
Emma currently resides in Mountain Brook, Alabama.
Mohan Thirumalai, PhD
Director of Information and Communication Technology
Chase Tinnon
Video Producer
Tracy Flemming Tracy, OT/L, MSCS, PhD (c)
Healthcare Inclusion Specialist
Tracy Flemming Tracy serves as the Healthcare Inclusion Specialist for NCHPAD. She is also a licensed Occupational Therapist, Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Specialist and a PhD Candidate in the School of Health Professions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
Over the past seven years, Tracy has focused on research on tele-rehabilitation and its promotion among persons with physical disabilities. In her current role with NCHPAD, she has been able to implement a participant-centered approach to recruitment, program delivery and retention to enrich the participant experience and collaborate with healthcare and organizational partners.
Kalani Upshaw, MPH
GROWTH Program Coordinator
Kalani Upshaw, MPH, is a Community Health Educator for NCHPAD. Since joining NCHPAD in 2021, she has played a crucial role in the development and implementation of the Growing Resilience Out of Wellness and Thoughtful Habits (GROWTH) mental health and well-being program. Kalani currently oversees and co-facilitates this program.
Before joining NCHPAD, Kalani served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Public Health, where her work focused on mental health promotion and research.
Kalani holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Global Health from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences from the University of Alabama. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Community Health Promotion at UAB.
Adrian Walston
Video Producer
Yang Wang
Financial Officer III
Yang Wang, Financial Officer III, joined the NCHPAD team in April 2023. Yang serves as the lead Financial Officer and point of contact for guidance and adherence on UAB Policy and Procedures including fiscal management of the grant.
Yang has been working at UAB for 22 years. Prior to joining NCHPAD, she worked in Financial affairs as Grants Accounting manager and SHP dean’s office as a business officer.
Yang has a master of accounting degree from UAB. She likes outdoor activities and loves to travel.
Stephanie Ward
Coffee Club Program Coordinator
Stephanie J. Ward is a Community Health Educator for NCHPAD and leads NCHPAD Coffee Club. Her job in community engagement is all about fostering connections and creating positive change along with promoting inclusiveness to eradicate barriers and empower everyone to live a healthier life. Twice a month, Stephanie hosts Coffee Club, an engaging virtual program for people with disabilities to foster connections, build friendships, and learn about health and wellness.
Stephanie holds a B.S. in business from Faulkner University. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, being involved in her church and shopping. She lives in Birmingham with her son Cameron.
Aimee Whitten
Health Coach Coordinator (MENTOR)
Aimee Whitten is the Health Coach Coordinator of the NCHPAD MENTOR Program. She has been responsible for supervising and coordinating all activities related to MENTOR, and her current role involves training health coaches to deliver online exercise and wellness programs, coordinating recruitment efforts, and overseeing program evaluation and implementation plans.
Aimee holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management, which has provided her with a strong foundation in health promotion and program coordination. She is passionate about helping others and is dedicated to supporting participants in the MENTOR Program.
Jereme Wilroy, PhD
Faculty Affiliate (Health Behavior)
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