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Baldwin, Butler, Clarke, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, Washington County
Vanessa M. Hall
Executive Director
Vanessa Hall is the Executive Director of the Southern Alabama AHEC. She is an Air Force veteran having served 15 years as an avionics technician, radiologic technologist, instructor/trainer, and manager. While serving, Vanessa achieved the rank of Master Sergeant (E-7) and was stationed in Mississippi, Japan (twice), California, Texas, and Florida. After her separation from the Air Force in 2013, she served as a Radiology Clinical Instructor at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Florida. Vanessa has a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences/Radiologic Science, a Master’s Degree in Human Services Counseling and graduate certificates in Organizational Communication and Health Promotion. She holds a national certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and is a member of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. Additionally, Vanessa is a member of the Grants Professionals Association. She was appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey to serve on the Alabama Committee on Credentialing and Career Pathways Technical Advisory Committee and the Alabama State Department of Education CTE Textbook Committee. Vanessa served on the Alabama Rural Health Association board of directors from 2018-2024. Working with SAAHEC has allowed her opportunities to engage with health care professionals, students, fellow veterans as well other community-based organizations to make a difference in Southern Alabama.
Md Ikbal Parveg
Associate Director
Ikbal is originally from Bangladesh. He completed his Masters of Science in Environmental and Occupational Health Science with a concentration in worksite health promotion from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Ikbal also completed B.S. in Physical Therapy from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Ikbal worked as an intern with the South Central Kentucky AHEC for a year and as a Graduate Assistant and Graduate Research Assistant at Western Kentucky University while pursuing his master's degree. He also served as a Physical Therapy Consultant at the National Foundation for Development of Disabled Persons and the Bangladesh Diabetic Association in his home country. Ikbal joined Southern Alabama AHEC as the Program Manager in 2017. In 2021, he was promoted to Director of Programs as he assumed an increased managerial role in Center operations. In 2023, Ikbal was promoted to Associate Director. He is enjoying living in Alabama and serving the rural and underserved communities to improve their health through the Southern Alabama AHEC.
Kelly Brandin
General Manager, Programmatic Operations
Kelly M. Brandin, a native of Louisiana, has resided in Alabama since 1990 and currently calls Opp her home. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education (Louisiana College, 1985), a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education (Troy State University, 1994), a certification at the Master’s level in Educational Leadership (Troy State University, 1996), and an Education Specialist degree in Teacher Leader (Troy University, 2015). During her studies at Troy University, Kelly received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award (2014) and the Dean's Highest Award for Academic Excellence, Leadership, and Community and University Service (2015). In 2017, after 32 years of service to the field of education, she retired as a reading specialist for Crenshaw County Schools, but the vast majority of her educational career was spent as a first-grade teacher for Daleville City Schools. Upon retirement, Kelly served as the Executive Administrator for her local chamber of commerce where, in 2020, she was recognized as the inaugural Chamber Champion of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. In July of 2023, Kelly was hired for the newly-created position of General Manager of Programmatic Operations at the Southern Alabama Area Health Education Center. Kelly’s passion for elementary education will now be focused on improving access to rural healthcare and promoting rural health education in South Alabama.
Katie Morgan
Community & Education Liaison
Katie Morgan became the Community and Education Outreach Liaison for Southern Alabama AHEC in 2023. As a Troy University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services, she is passionate about serving her community and bridging gaps in rural and underserved areas. She is a Crenshaw county native who desires to see small towns and communities thrive in their socioeconomic status and overall well being. Katie is happily married to her husband, Jonas, and has a three year old son named Micah.
Dr. Natalie Kidd
Program Manager
Dr. Kidd (Natalie) grew up in Birmingham, Alabama and has lived in Alabama for most of her life. She graduated from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 2018 with a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry, Pre-medical. She took a gap year before medical school and was a Fulbright Scholar chosen to perform cancer immunology research in Kiel, Germany for 10 months. After her grant period, she completed her medical degree (MD) at the University of South Alabama's Whiddon College of Medicine in Mobile, Alabama 2023. While in medical school, she grew in passion for underserved communities, both in Alabama and abroad, through her involvement in clinical rotations in underserved communities and in Friends of Internationals student group at South. She was chosen for the Program Manager position for AHEC in October 2023, and is excited about the opportunity to encourage healthcare professional students in their journeys to serve the rural and underserved communities.
Ismath Jim Ferdous
Program Coordinator
Ismath Ferdous Jim is from Bangladesh and has a diverse professional background with significant experience in Human Resources, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Performance Management Systems (PMS), and Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS). Transitioning to the role of Business Process Officer in 2020, Ismath gained valuable experience in internal collaborative teamwork and online office management. Ismath holds a Bachelor's and Master of Science in Art and Creative Studies, but her passion lies in promoting a prosperous and healthy lifestyle. In pursuit of this passion, she completed a Master of Health Promotion degree from the University of South Alabama in the USA in 2024. In 2023, Ismath held a Graduate Assistant position at the USA Innovation in Learning Centre, which aims to develop faculty through technology and innovation. Additionally, she is an AHEC scholar graduate for the class of 2024 and worked as an intern with the SAAHEC in the Spring of 2024. Following her internship, she joined the Southern Alabama AHEC team as the Program Coordinator in May 2024. Ismath is dedicated to bridging the gaps between rural and underserved communities and the resources needed to improve healthcare access, health education, and community wellness.
LaQuanda Williams
Community Health Coordinator
LaQuanda Williams was born and raised in Frisco City, Alabama. LaQuanda graduated from Frisco City High School in 2001. Thereafter she proceeded to attend Reid State Technical College with an academic scholarship where she served as a SGA member, ILT Safety Committee member, and earned an Associates in Industrial Electronics and Electricity with Computer Information Systems as a certification in 2003. After several years of being a CNC operator and Millwright, LaQuanda Williams attended Columbia Southern University. Although LaQuanda enjoyed her previous career, she knew she wanted to explore the healthcare field because she has a passion to help others in need. LaQuanda obtained her Bachelors of Science in Health Care Administration with a minor in Emergency Medical Services Management in 2021. Immediately afterwards, LaQuanda enrolled in the Masters of Public Health with a minor in Community Health Education program at Columbia Southern University receiving her MPH in 2023. She is enrolled currently at CSU working towards earning her Masters in Occupational Safety and Health/Environmental Management projected to graduate in 2025. She has received several academic achievements such as American Scholar, Dean's List, NSCS, NSLS, Presidents List, Who’s who award, and a member of Omega Nu Lambda National Honor Society. LaQuanda absolutely loves being a service to underserved rural communities. In 2023, LaQuanda worked as a contrator on the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program building rapport with Veterans in our local rural communities where she became a member of the VRG for her true dedication. She is eager to work with our team to serve those in our rural and underserved communities. Her focus is to learn the barriers that are causing unhealthy communities to prevent/alleviate the causes.
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