LEADERSHIP
BRIAN BROCATO, DO, FACOG
Obstetrics Co-Lead
Dr. Brocato is a physician specializing in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine. His expertise is in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of chronic and complex maternal and fetal health conditions, including substance use disorder in pregnancy. 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.
Frances Burgan, MD
Obstetrics Co-Lead
Dr. Burgan is a general obstetrician-gynecologist. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine. Her areas of interest and expertise are in patient safety and the patient experience, trauma-informed care, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She received her medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine in 2011 and completed her residency at Magee-Women’s Hospital at UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA. She is a mother and is a Fellow of the American Congresss of Obstetricians & Gynecologists.
Kelechi C. Ikeri, MBBS, FAAP
Neonatology Lead
Dr. Kelechi Ikeri is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of South Alabama with specific interest in quality improvement (QI) initiatives and coaching. His interest in QI led to his appointment as QI Director in the Division of Neonatology at the University of South Alabama Children’s and Women’s Hospital (USA CW), Mobile, Alabama. In this role, his QI initiatives have focused on addressing health disparities, enhancing system efficiency and improving overall patient safety. In these endeavors, he learnt the value of collaborations, which was exemplified in his collaboration USA CW hospital, where his team developed a breastfeeding loaner program—a program for mothers of lower socioeconomic status to promote the use of mother’s own milk as the primary source of nutrition for their very low birth weight infants. His completion of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Improvement Coach Professional Development Program allows him to serve as a regional coach. Armed with this certification, he continues to provide guidance and mentorship to various QI teams both within and outside of the NICU.
DeeAnne Jackson, MD, MPH
Pediatrics Lead
Dr. Jackson is a 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, 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, MPH
Administrative/Public Health Lead
Dr. Wingate 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.
STAFF
BRITTA CEDERGREN, MPH, MPA
Program Director
KRISTY PLUMP, MPA
Director of Community Engagement & Health Equity
Destiny Bibbs
Program Coordinator
Lora Ham, MSN, RN
RN Quality Improvement - Obstetric Initiatives
Caitlin Ballard, MSN, RN, CNL
RN Quality Improvement - Pediatric & Neonatal Initiatives
Mattie Logan, MPH
Communications Specialist