AAHP STAFF

AAHP LEADERSHIP TEAM

George McFarland, MSW

AAHP Program Manager and CEO and President of McFarland and Associates, Inc.
gmcfarland@montgomerycountymd.gov
George McFarland has more than 46 years of experience developing programs and providing service in the areas of health care, education, employment and economic sustainability. A resident of Montgomery County for more than 41 years, Mr. McFarland has worked closely with numerous federal, state and community organizations in the County and throughout the U.S. to improve the quality of life for people whose lives are affected by health risks. He has authored and implemented more than $100 million in grants and contracts to promote health and human development, playing a major role in shaping our understanding of the influence of behavior on overall health and wellness.

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Under his leadership, McFarland & Associates, Inc., provides program and management consulting services in health care, social science research, education, criminal justice, housing, information technology, and substance abuse prevention. A native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, George McFarland holds a bachelors in political science from Howard as well as a master of social work in social policy formation from Howard University.

Nkossi Dambita, MD, MPH, MS

Clinical Director
ndambita@montgomerycountymd.gov
Dr. Nkossi Dambita is the Director of Clinical Services at McFarland & Associates in the African American Health Program in Montgomery County, Maryland. Dr. Dambita is a public health physician trained in epidemiology at SUNY at Buffalo where he received his Master of Science degree. Dr. Dambita received his MPH in health systems management from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana and a master's in health sciences informatics from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. For more than two decades, he has directed public health programs at the state and local levels, as well as internationally. He has successfully managed major public health projects, including the serological monitoring of HIV in Maryland and the surveillance of bioterrorism in Baltimore City.

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Dr. Dambita has provided education and advisory services to governments and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). He has been faculty at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine since 2006. He is a passionate advocate of knowledge management systems as a means of delivering knowledge at the point of need for better decision-making in Public Health.

Andrea Guy-McFarland, MSW

Senior Associate for Project Development and Quality Assurance
aguymcfarland@mcfarlandassociate.com
Andrea Guy-McFarland began her long career in public service and social work as a community organizer in Philadelphia. In support of services and programs that help the mentally handicapped, mentally retarded and emotionally disturbed, and children in need of protection, she has held leadership positions that involved developing policy and procedures; designing, implementing and evaluating programs; assisting in the preparation, monitoring, and adjustment of budgets; and managing and supervising staff, among other tasks. For ten years, she served as the District Program Manager, Deputy District Administrator, and District Administrator (on an as-needed basis) as well as the Vice-president of operations for two social service organizations.

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In these roles, she was responsible for a welfare reform case management contract and supervised and coordinated social services for programs related to alcohol and drug abuse, mental health, and other health issues. After relocating to the DC metropolitan area, she worked as the Deputy Director of Planning, Policy and Program Support for DC Child and Family Services for 15 years. In 2015, she joined McFarland and Associates as a senior associate for project development and quality assurance, where she is responsible for staff development and quality assurance. Ms. McFarland holds a bachelor’s in liberal arts from Temple University as well as a master’s in social work from University of Pennsylvania. She also has numerous professional affiliations, volunteers extensively, and has been recognized for her work and dedication with accolades that include the Valeria Bullard Black Administrator of the Year Award.

Monica Brame, SHRM-SCP, PMP, MBA

Chief Financial & Business Operations Officer
mbrame@mcfarlandassociate.com
Monica Brame has more than 15 years of federal contracting, program management and accounting experience with several health and human services agencies. Early in her career, she worked for KPMG performing client engagement and later worked as an analyst for Lockheed Martin, where she provided financial support and leadership. Prior to joining McFarland and Associates, she worked as an accountant for the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Ms. Brame joined AAHP as a finance manager providing managerial leadership and staff direction for financial and accounting administration, company operating budgets, payroll operations, accounting deliverables, cost management and pricing proposals, internal audits, fiscal reporting, and business controls.

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She later became McFarland’s CFO and business operations office; in that role, she provides guidance in the design and implementation of strategic plans and initiatives for measurement of company progress against contract requirements. She also currently works as a consultant in finance, contracts, human resources, accounting and sales. A certified PMP, she holds a bachelor's in accounting from Morgan State University and a master's in management, and an MBA from University of Maryland University College. She is a member of the National Association of Black Accountants and Beta Gamma Sigma, a business honor society.
AAHP STAFF

Deloris Abrokwa, RN

S.M.I.L.E. Nurse Case Manager
dabrokwa@mcfarlandassociate.com
As AAHP's SMILE Nurse, Deloris Abrokwa brings a wealth of expertise and experience, notably from her tenure in the Pediatric/Mother-Baby Unit at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, where she was instrumental in providing disease-specific care for pediatric clients, conducting routine physical assessments, and offering vital education to postpartum patients on newborn care. Her expertise also extends to managing intravenous therapies, blood product administration, interpreting laboratory values, and coordinating patient care plans with interdisciplinary teams. Deloris also serves per diem with Prospect Blue Agency, where she conducts COVID-19 screenings and tests. Her professional journey includes significant experiences as a student intern and volunteer at Howard University Hospital and during the NOAH NY Haiti Medical Mission. Deloris holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Howard University and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Maryland Baltimore. Moreover, she is proficient in Akan-Twi (spoken in Ghana and among Ghanian-American immigrants), adding a valuable dimension to her ability to communicate with a diverse patient population.

Joyceta Cole, M.Ed.

Data Coordinator/Administrative Assistant
jcole@mcfarlandassociate.com
Joyceta Cole is an experienced professional with over 15 years in the educational sector, currently expanding her skills in the Health Information Management Program at the University of Arizona Global Campus. She previously excelled as a Medical Records Clerk at Yes Care Corp. and as an Elementary School Teacher with Richmond City Schools and Henrico County Schools. Additionally, she is actively involved in volunteer work, including leadership roles in community and religious organizations. Joyceta holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Walden University (2007) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Columbia Union College (2003).

Sybil Cooper, BSN, RN, CM/DN, IBCLC

SMILE Nurse Case Manager
scooper@mcfarlandassociate.com
Sybil Cooper has seven years of professional experience as a registered nurse and is an IBCLC (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners)-certified lactation consultant as well as a doula. Her clinical experience has focused on providing prenatal, birth, and postpartum support and education to women and children through adolescence. She has also worked as a charge nurse, homecare nurse, and as a care manager. Her wealth of experience delivering high-quality care to expecting and postpartum moms and their infants serves her well in her role as AAHP’s SMILE nurse case manager.  Ms. Cooper holds a bachelors from Coppin State University.

Charlene Day, RNC-OB, MSN, CNS, C-EFM

Nurse Case Manager
cday@montgomerycountymd.gov
Charlene Day has twenty years of experience as a registered nurse specializing in maternal and child health and labor and delivery. She most recently worked to provide nursing care for antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum patients at Walter Reed National Military Hospital and as a travel nurse with Inova Fair Oaks and Montgomery General Hospital. Prior to that, she worked as a clinical nurse specialist at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and Washington Adventist Hospital. Ms. Day received her associate’s from the Helene Fuld School of Nursing, her bachelor of science in nursing from the C.W. Post Long Island University, and her master’s in nursing from Hunter College.

Stacey Gantz, MPH

Community Health Worker
sgantz@montgomerycountymd.gov
Stacy Gantz is a public health professional with expertise spanning multiple fields including outpatient care, rehabilitation, health advocacy, and health education. Prior to joining AAHP, Ms. Gantz worked as a contact tracer investigator for the Department of Health. In this role, she educated residents about COVID-19 mandates and helped manage programs and initiates for COVID outreach. As an assistant physical therapist at Forever Fit Physical Therapy, she helped patients get the care they need by helping doctors and planning health-related events. Ms. Gantz has certifications as a Physical Therapist Assistant from Montgomery College, Takoma Park and received her BS in exercise science as well as her MPH from Trinity Washington University.

Dr. Erica C. McFarland

Senior Health Advisor/Researcher
emcfarland@mcfarlandassociate.com
Dr. Erica McFarland, DVM, serving as AAHP”s Senior Health Advisor/Researcher, is a highly skilled medical professional with a deep passion for advancing healthcare and health services, especially among underserved populations. Her focus on chronic disease prevention and management, combined with her passion for research and unwavering commitment to understanding, developing, and enhancing best practices in healthcare service delivery, underscores her profound commitment to advancing health outcomes for AAHP's clients. As a veterinarian, she worked as a Contractor for Vetco Clinics and as an Associate Veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital. With extensive experience in vaccine administration, blood collection, and wellness exams, she has provided mobile veterinary services across multiple states since 2014. Previously, Dr. McFarland worked at Dominion Animal Hospital, where she excelled in soft tissue surgeries and dental extractions. Her commitment extends beyond clinical duties, having served as a Community Outreach Coordinator with McFarland & Associates Inc. Dr. McFarland earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal and Poultry Science from Virginia Polytechnical Institute and State University, obtained in 2001.

Dylan Owens, BS, MPH

Research Associate and Community Health Worker
dowens@mcfarlandassociate.com
As a Community Health Worker, Dylan Owens brings her passion for public service and health education. She has led and managed several projects for AAHP's breast cancer program, developing multi-media educational materials and collaborating with different organizations to coordinate community events, successfully raising awareness and providing Montgomery County women access to mammograms. She assists with literature reviews, grant proposals, and identifying students for internships with AAHP. Additionally, she has experience working with high-risk patient populations and developing customized care plans to address their medical, functional, and psychosocial needs. She received her Bachelor's of Science at James Madison University as NCAA Division I tennis player and member of the Honors College. She then spent two years working as a registered behavioral therapist for children with autism spectrum disorder, and has interned at the National Cancer Institute, before receiving her Masters in Public Health from George Washington.

Deborah Rodriguez-Gummo

Nurse Supervisor
drodriguez-gummo@mcfarlandassociate.com
Deborah Rodriguez-Gummo, AAHP's nurse supervisor, is a registered nurse with expertise in health screenings and caring for patients with Diabetes or Cardiovascular diseases. Since 2017, she has worked as an independent contractor with various wellness programs in Maryland, DC, Virginia and Pennsylvania. In addition to her nursing experience, she has also worked in hospital and pharmaceutical sales for Johnson & Johnson. Deborah received her BSN degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center - San Antonio.

Mahalet Samson

Community Health Worker
msamson@mcfarlandassociate.com
Mahalet Samson is currently an accomplished senior at the University of Maryland, where she is majoring in biochemistry and minoring in mathematics. Through the University of Maryland’s Gemstone Honors Program, Ms. Samson has conducted extensive research on biomarkers and Alzheimer’s Disease throughout her undergraduate career. Since 2019, she has worked as a medical scribe at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD, where she documents patient information, procedures, radiographic findings, medication lists, and more. Ms. Samson also gained professional care experience through her internships for the Pregnancy Aid Center and at Holy Cross Hospital. Active in her school and her community, Ms. Samson holds leadership roles for the Student Success Leadership Council and the Ethiopian and Eritrean Students Association, and is a team leader with the Maryland Mentor Corps and the vice-president of the Hopeful Project, a food and resource pantry for homeless Prince George’s County residents.

Kumba Sankoh, BSN, RN

SMILE Nurse Case Manager
ksankoh@mcfarlandassociate.com
Kumba Sankoh is a registered nurse and lifestyle coach who previously worked as the COVID Vaccine Registration Lead for Montgomery County DHHS. Ms. Sankoh also has experience as a travel nurse at Rockville Ambulatory Surgery Center where she assisted doctors with endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures and as a pre- and post- operating room nurse at Washington Hospital Center where she planned, coordinated and implemented nursing care services for surgical patients. Ms. Sankoh has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bowie State University and is an active member of the National Council for Negro Women.

Darlene Saunders, PhD, MPH, MCHES®

Diabetes Specialist
dsaunders@mcfarlandassociate.com
Darlene Saunders is a highly accomplished professional with more than 25 years of experience in public health and public health education. She has worked in various administrative and leadership positions within the private sector and government organizations, most recently serving as Administrative Program Manager for the Prince George’s County Health Department. In this role, she was responsible for developing, implementing, and managing programs that improve the health of her community. She has also served on the faculties of and provided expertise for various academic institutions including Johns Hopkins University, Towson University, University of Vermont, University of Maryland, and Duquesne University. Dr. Saunders holds certifications as a master trainer with the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program and Diabetes Self-Management Program from the Self-Management Resource Center and as a lifestyle coach from the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program. Dr. Saunders holds membership in several professional organizations, including the Society of Public Health Education and the American Association of Public Health. Dr. Sanders has a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland School of Public Health, and holds an MPH from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Darlene also has dual degrees in School Health Education & Community Health from Old Dominion University.

Wanda J. Smith, MSW

Social Worker
wsmith@mcfarlandassociate.com
With a professional emphasis on therapy, crisis intervention, case management, education and community outreach, Wanda Smith’s career in social work spans over twenty years. Ms. Smith recently worked as an adult protective services supervisor for the Fairfax County Government, where she oversaw case outcomes and ensured compliance with federal and state laws and procedures. She also has experience serving the aging and disabled population. Ms. Smith received her bachelors in social work from California State Polytechnic University and her masters in social work from University of Maryland at Baltimore.

Christin Statkiewicz, RN

S.M.I.L.E. Nurse Case Manager
cstatkiewicz@mcfarlandassociate.com
Christin Statkiewicz, MSN, RN, currently excels in her role as a Nurse Case Manager for AAHP's SMILE program, where she has showcased her proficiency in patient care, staff training, and administrative leadership.
Her most recent work was as an Agency Nurse with Aya Healthcare since March 2021. Most recently, she worked as an agency nurse with Aya Healthcare. Additional previous experience spans various roles at the University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus, including senior clinical nurse/charge nurse, interim nurse manager, patient care coordinator, and staff nurse. Christin is known for her dedication to patient safety, advocacy, and her ability to lead and coordinate complex healthcare teams. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hampton University and a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from Notre Dame of Maryland University, where she was a Cohen Scholar Recipient.

Malika Strong, RN

S.M.I.L.E. Nurse Case Manager
mstrong@montgomerycountymd.gov
Malika Strong, in her capacity as a SMILE Nurse Case Manager, brings a rich background in mental health and teen health, equipping her to provide exemplary service to SMILE clients. In her previous position as a High School Clinic Nurse, she provided essential healthcare services to students, including undocumented individuals and teenage mothers. Her role encompassed first aid care, health assessments, developing care plans, and coordinating care for students with chronic or acute health conditions. Prior to this, Malika demonstrated her expertise in pediatric mental health, focusing on nursing diagnosis, treatment options, and patient education. She also served as a Staff Nurse in Med-Surg at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital, showcasing her proficiency in holistic patient care and family education. Malika holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bowie State University, where she achieved a GPA of 3.5/4.0 and made the Dean's List for four semesters.

Autumn Williams, MPH

Community Health Worker
awilliams@montgomerycountymd.gov
Autumn Williams works as AAHP’s community health worker while also pursuing her Master of Public Health at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Ms. Williams brings to AAHP a wealth of key skills such as presentation design, grant writing, research, and client-customer relations. Prior to joining AAHP, she worked as director of legal and compliance/HR manager at a political field firm in Washington, D.C. She served as a Maternal and Infant health intern at the Department of Health and Human Services where she reviewed needs assessments, conducted literature reviews, and assisted the Thrive by Five Coordinating Council. Ms. Williams holds several certifications, including FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Assistance) certification. She received her bachelor’s in chemistry from Albany State University in Albany, GA.

Juliette Williams

Community Health Worker
jwilliams@montgomerycountymd.gov
Ms. Williams brings to her position as a community health worker a strong background in recruitment, community outreach, coordinating and training volunteers, and fundraising. She spent more than a decade as an account executive with the National Marrow Donor program’s Be the Match Registry, where she helped increase the number of African Americans in the National Bone Marrow registry by 200% and was recognized as one of the top five account executives nationally. Ms. Williams received her bachelors from Virginia State University and completed graduate coursework at Howard University and the University of Iowa.
AAHP CONSULTANTS

Robina Barlow

Plant-Based Nutritionist and Food for Life Instructor
Robina Barlow is a Certified Food for Life Instructor focused on improving health outcomes for individuals through food and nutrition. Her classes provide nutrition information and food preparation demonstrations. Class topics include healthy basic, kickstarting your health, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and weight control. She has enjoyed watching her class participants improve their biometrics and health through healthy eating and other lifestyle changes.

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Ms. Barlow's Food for Life Instructor certification was granted by the Physicians Committee of Responsible Medicine, which researches and promotes the benefits of a plant-based diet. She is also certified in plant-based nutrition from the Center for Nutrition Studies at Cornell University. 

Her training includes the Rouxbe Cooking School’s Forks Over Knives Cooking Course, general nutrition training from Wageningen University, the Lifestyle Training Seminar at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute, and the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine. Ms. Barlow is a graduate of Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts. Ms. Barlow’s work as a nutrition instructor follows many years of work as a project manager in the area of information technology.

Joseph Latta, DDS

Dr. Joseph Bruce Latta has provided outstanding service to patients in Montgomery County for more than 40 years. His pediatric dental practice, Latta and Associates, is widely recognized for implementing groundbreaking strategies to motivate children and youth to practice good oral hygiene. Active in the community, Dr. Latta is s a resource for dental health programs and is a member of several professional organizations including the American Dental Association, the American Society of Dentistry for Children, and the Maryland State Dental Association. Dr. Latta received his bachelor's from Florida A & M University and his doctorate in dental surgery and his certificate in pedodontics from Howard University.

William B. Lawson, M.D., Ph.D., D.L F.A.P.A.

Consultant
Dr. Lawson is Founder and Director of the Institute to Reduce Disparities. LLC, and Director of Psychiatric Research for the Emerson Clinical Research Institute, and an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Emeritus professor and former chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Howard University School of Medicine, Dr. Lawson is a leader and pioneer in the field of mental health, particularly as it pertains to minority populations. He has held numerous senior positions including former positions as the president of the DC chapter of Mental Health America, president of the Washington Psychiatric Society, past Chair of the Section of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences of the National Medical Association, and president of the Black Psychiatrists of America. Dr. Lawson received his PhD in psychology from the University of New Hampshire, his MD from the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago, and completed his residency at Stanford University and completed a fellowship at the National Institute of Mental Health.
The African American Health Program is funded and administered by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and implemented by McFarland & Associates, Inc.
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