Alabama Community Engaged Alliance (CEAL) is built on community engaged research, with a focus on addressing chronic disease by focusing on social determinants of health (SDH) barriers such as access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity in communities that face disparities. To do this, Alabama CEAL has introduced the Prescription for Community Health initiative that aims to help residents make neighborhood-wide changes to address community-identified SDH barriers, making good health more accessible. As part of this community-driven approach to good health, Alabama CEAL now includes a new leadership role—Community Multiple Principal Investigator—a community member who joins the academic researchers to guide the project.

Community Multiple Principal Investigator, Michael Wesley, Sr., DMin, Senior Pastor of Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and Executive Director of the Cornerstone Revitalization Foundation will be working alongside Lead Principal Investigator, Mona Fouad, M.D., MPH and fellow MPIs Robert Kimberly, M.D. and Lori Bateman, Ph.D., R.D. to address health at the community level.

“Having a Community MPI for Alabama CEAL is critical to ensure true community partnership in developing interventions that improve community health. CEAL is about more than addressing the community. It’s about having a seat at the table to lead, make decisions, and shape the outcomes of this program. We are excited to have Dr. Wesley on the team.”

– Mona Fouad, M.D., MPH

The Community Health Working Group (CHWG) brings together community members, health experts, and the Alabama CEAL team to create health programs that work for our communities. The group includes dedicated residents who know their neighborhoods well, along with nutrition and exercise specialists who provide professional guidance. CHWG members are passionate about improving community health and committed to making a difference. Working together, the CHWG helps shape Prescriptions for Community Health and develop program activities that fit each community’s unique needs and strengths.

Community MPI

Michael Wesley, Sr., DMin

Community MPI

MPI

Lori Bateman, Ph.D., R.D.

MPI

MPI

Mona Fouad, M.D., MPH

MPI

MPI

Robert Kimberly, M.D.

MPI

Live HealthSmart Alabama, an initiative of UAB, works to reduce chronic disease by making good health simple. Through partnerships and community-driven strategies, LHSA improves nutrition, physical activity, prevention, and education. Alabama CEAL is working with LHSA to implement its Prescriptions for Community Health initiative.

Sherry Lewis

Sherry Lewis
Cornerstone Revitalization Foundation

Terri Harville
Birmingham YMCA

Joel Simmons
I AM BHAM

Tamara Wilson

Tamara Wilson
Nutrition Expert

Geno Reasor
Exercise Expert

Austin Williams YMCA

Austin Williams
Selma YMCA

Alabama CEAL

Christy Harris
Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth, and Reconciliation

Alabama CEAL

Daphne Martin
Selma Bloch Club

Dr. Rose Wilkens
City Block Wellness Center

Joseph Smith

Joseph (TJ) Smith
City Block Wellness Center

Bush Hills
Amanda Radov
Lolita Sims

North Titusville
Shelia Mitchel

East Lake
Talveta Collier
Philip Howard

Selma
Christy Harris
Daphne Martin

Kingston
Brenda Holified

Program Director
Melissa Ryan

Coaches Core
Julie Schach
Angela Williams

Community Engagement
Tiffany Osborne
Jaylin Austin
Thamar Taylor
Grace Okoro

Investigators
Young-il Kim
Gabriela Oates
Will Anderson
Jennifer Croker

Communications
Susan Driggers
Jessica Rhinehart
Summer Bowman