ALPQC Leadership
Brian Brocato, DO, FACOG, Obstetrics Lead
Brian is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) specializing in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Maternal-Fetal Medicine. He is part of the Brookwood Baptist Health Primary and Specialty Care Network, dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of chronic and complex maternal and fetal health conditions. He received his medical degree from Western University in Pomona, CA in 2007 and completed his residency and fellowship training at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis. He is a Fellow of The American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. Brian has advanced knowledge of the obstetrical, medical, and surgical complications of pregnancy & their effect mothers & babies.
Eric W. Ford, PhD, Quality Improvement Lead
Eric is a Professor in the School of Public Health and the Collat School of Business at the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB). He provides expertise in Lean – Six Sigma and Quality Improvement / Assurance (QI/QA) programs for healthcare organizations and governmental initiatives. Major projects include studies of hospital operations at Cone Health in Greensboro, NC; an assessment of the Texas’ Nursing Home Survey System; and an evaluation of the Leapfrog Group’s employer engagement grant.
Samuel Gentle, MD, Neonatology Lead
Samuel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics (Division of Neonatology) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine. He received his medical degree from UAB, completed his residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and completed a fellowship at UAB. His special interests include local and statewide quality improvement initiatives, education/curriculum development, and research related to prematurity.
DeeAnne Jackson, MD, MPH, Pediatrics Lead
DeeAnne is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics (Division of Academic General Pediatrics) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine. She received her medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia, completed both residency and fellowship at UAB/Children’s of Alabama, and received an MPH from the UAB School of Public Health. As Medical Director of the UAB Hospital Newborn Nursery and attending physician in the Pediatric Resident’s Primary Care Clinic, she develops curriculum/educational materials for pediatric residents and medical students, authors clinical protocols and policies, and participates in several Alabama committees relating to newborn care.
Martha Wingate, DrPH, Administrative/Public Health Lead
Martha is a Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Health Care Organization and Policy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Public Health. Her work focuses on preterm birth, fetal and infant mortality, racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes, public health systems, and health policies related to pregnancy and infant health. She provides local, statewide, and national technical assistance to the MCH workforce.
ALPQC Staff
Julie McDougal, MAE
Julie is a Program Manager with the Department of Health Care Organization and Policy in the School of Public Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She has been with the ALPQC since its inception in 2018, serving as its first Coordinator. Julie is a graduate of the UAB Research Coordinator Training Program, has a Master’s in Education from UAB, and a Bachelor’s in Respiratory Therapy from the University of South Alabama. The bulk of her career has been spent focused on supporting and expanding various aspects of Maternal and Child Health. Julie has loved seeing what started as a great idea blossom into a powerfully effective statewide collaborative with immense impact.
Steering Committee
| Name | Credentials | Organization Representing |
|---|---|---|
| Rosemary Blackmon | Alabama Hospital Association | |
| Brian Brocato | DO, FACOG | Brookwood Baptist Health Primary and Specialty Care Network |
| Janet Bronstein | PhD | University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health |
| Mallory Camerio | BS | Medical Association of the State of Alabama |
| Lisa Carter | MSN, RN, CLC | Alabama Department of Public Health, Perinatal Program |
| Britta Cedergren | MPH, MPA | March of Dimes, Maternal Child Health & Government Affairs |
| Donna Dunn | PhD, CNM, FNP-BC | Jacksonville State University Alabama Office of Women’s Health |
| Eric Ford | PhD | University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health |
| Samuel Gentle | MD | University of Alabama at Birmingham, Pediatrics, Neonatology |
| DeeAnne Jackson | MD, MPH | University of Alabama at Birmingham, Academic General Pediatrics |
| Drew Nelson | MPH | Alabama Medicaid, Quality Assurance Division |
| Cathy Nichols | RN | Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nurses, Alabama Section |
| Ginnie Prater | MD | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama |
| Rhiannon Reed | DrPH | Consumer Representative |
| Lacie Ring | MEd | Consumer Representative; State Representative for Save The Mommies |
| Melinda Rowe | MD | Alabama Medicaid |
| Janice Smiley | MSN, RN | Alabama Department of Public Health, Perinatal Program |
| Sheri Smith | RN, BSN | Southeast Health |
| Allison Todd | MSN, RN | University of Alabama at Birmingham, OB/GYN |
| Dianna Tullier | MEd | Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education |
| Martha Wingate | DrPH | University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health |
