Our Team

AAHP LEADERSHIP TEAM

George McFarland, MSW

AAHP Program Manager and CEO and President of McFarland and Associates, Inc.

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.

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​

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.

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
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.

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
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.

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
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.

Simone Alfred, MPH​​

Community Health Worker
Simone Alfred brings a wealth of experience and a strong passion for program development and health education outreach. As an intern at AAHP, Ms. Alfred played a crucial part in creating a project framework for a youth health initiative, conducting research for the Diabetes Prevention Program and the SMILE program, and creating social media content to enhance health education outreach. In addition to her impactful work with AAHP, Ms. Alfred has volunteered in South Africa twice. In 2019, she served as a Peace Corps education volunteer, and in 2023, she volunteered with a maternal health organization in Cape Town. She also gained valuable experience at The Zoe Project in Cape Town, where she educated and screened pregnant mothers in antenatal care and created advocacy and education materials. Ms. Alfred has also worked as a Program Coordinator/Lead Teacher at Georgetown Hill Early School, where she developed a P.E. curriculum and a health and wellness program. Her specialized skills and training include certifications as a personal trainer and holistic mutrition coach. Ms. Alfred holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Global Health from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Science in Child Development & Family Relations from East Carolina University.

Nelson Bolima

Community Health Worker
Nelson Bolima brings a unique blend of skills and hands-on experience in various healthcare and logistics settings to his role as a Community Health Worker. His most recent role as a Data Entry Specialist at the American Diversity Group involved managing patient information and enhancing operational efficiency. Mr. Bolima has substantial experience as a medical intern at Adventist Health Care White Oak Medical Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. As a first-generation immigrant, he aspires to become a doctor. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the Universities at Shady Grove and a Master's degree in Public Health from Liberty University, along with certifications in Epidemiology and Biostatistics in Public Health.

Joyceta Cole, M.Ed.​

Data Coordinator/Administrative Assistant
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​

S.M.I.L.E. Nurse Case Manager
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
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
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.

Saron Kebekabe

Community Health Worker
Saron Kebekabe is a passionate advocate for community health, specifically dedicated to engaging with the Ethiopian community in Montgomery County, MD. Through her role at McFarland Associates/African American Health Program, she actively researches critical health issues, including remote patient monitoring and mental health disparities. Saron's passion lies in Health Informatics and Health IT, where she aims to leverage technology to improve healthcare outcomes. Currently, she is pursuing a major in Information Systems at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Dr. Erica C. McFarland​

Senior Health Advisor/Researcher
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.

Gabriellia E. McNeil, MPH, MA​

Community Health Worker
Gabriellia E. McNeil is a distinguished healthcare professional and educator with a diverse background in public health, biological sciences, and music performance. In her role as a Community Health Worker and HIV Navigator, Ms. McNeil promotes preventive healthcare, connects clients to vital resources, and collaborates with other AAHP staff to address comprehensive health needs. Prior to joining AAHP, Ms. McNeil worked as a Unit Secretary at Medstar Southern Maryland Hospital and held several teaching and mentoring positions in anatomy, physiology, and biology. Her academic credentials include a Graduate Certificate in Cellular and Molecular Biology from George Mason University, a M.P.H. from American Public University, an M.A. in Piano Performance from Morgan State University, and dual B.S. in Biological Sciences and B.A. in Music Performance: Piano from Oakwood University, both cum laude.

Dylan Owens, BS, MPH​

Research Associate and Community Health Worker
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.

Mahalet Samson​

Community Health Worker
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.

Darlene Saunders, PhD, MPH, MCHES®​

Diabetes Specialist
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.

Kumba Sankoh, BSN, RN​

S.M.I.L.E. Nurse Case Manager
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.

Jodesia "Mya" Smalls​

Community Health Worker
Jodesia Smalls brings her passion for community health and public service to her role as a Community Health Worker. As a Community Health Intern for AAHP, she focused on maternal health and diabetes prevention, helping to develop treatment plans, assisting in community health screenings, and contributing to the Black Family’s Defying Diabetes Prevention Program. Ms. Smalls is certified in Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED by the American Red Cross, demonstrating her readiness to respond to emergencies. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from the University of Maryland College Park.

Wanda J. Smith, MSW​

Social Worker
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​
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​
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​
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​
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.

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.   

D. “Amaadi” Coleman

Chronic Disease Prevention Program Evaluator

D. "Amaadi" Coleman is a multifaceted professional with a rich background in fitness, wellness, and data analysis. As the Belly Therapist® and founder of Fit Tribe Wellness LLC, she focuses on empowering women through fitness, wellness, and the natural healing of diastasis recti, leveraging her decade of experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Ms. Coleman's commitment extends beyond her business, collaborating with nonprofits like MomCares and the Bloom Collective to support postpartum mothers, and serving on boards dedicated to empowering women of color.

Her journey into wellness was preceded by a career in research and data management in the criminal justice and public health sectors, marked by significant contributions to program evaluation and data analysis. Holding a M.A. in Public Policy from George Washington University and a B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland at College Park, Ms. Coleman has a passion for maternal and infant health that drives her continuous efforts to support mothers in their health and healing journeys.

Vicki Russell Walton

Cancer Specialist
Vicki Russell Walton, a two-time breast cancer and COVID-19 survivor, embodies resilience and advocacy. As the CEO of It’s In The Genes, LLC and It’s In The Genes II, Inc., motivational speaker, radio host, chronic disease educator and breast cancer advocate, Ms. Walton leverages her experiences to educate and inspire. Certified in various health disciplines, she has served on several cancer boards and works to educate and support people with cancer and cancer survivors on their health journeys. Her motto, “Stay In Your Happy Place,” underscores her belief in the power of spiritual resilience. She shares her empowering message globally, making a significant impact on health and wellness communities.

Brenda Woods-Francis, MPH, RDN, LDN, PMP

Dietitian/Nutritionist

Brenda Woods-Francis, MPH, RDN, CKM, brings extensive expertise to her role as a Dietitian/Nutritionist Consultant for the African American Health Program. With a robust background in public health, nutrition, and project management, Ms. Woods-Francis has held several leadership positions in notable health organizations, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and DC WIC Program. Her significant contributions to HIV/AIDS programs, maternal and child health initiatives, and workforce development training underscore her ability to improve health outcomes through education, capacity building, and the application of best practices in public health nutrition.

Ms. Woods-Francis has over 10 years of experience in providing direct nutritional services.  She processes Certificates of Training in Adult Obesity Interventions and a Certificate of Training in Health and Wellness Coaching.  

Ms. Woods-Francis's educational credentials include a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Tulane University and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Secondary Education from Winthrop College. She has also completed postgraduate coursework in education and leadership, including a certificate in Leadership & Management from Johns Hopkins University. Her professional certifications include being a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RDN), Certified Knowledge Manager (CKM), and Change Management Registered Practitioner (CMP). Ms. Woods-Francis is an active member of the American Dietetic Association and the American Public Health Association, where she has served in leadership roles, including as a founding member of the HIV/AIDS Section. Her dedication to public health is evident in her numerous professional accomplishments and her continuous efforts to address health disparities within the African American community.

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.
1401 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
(240) 777-1833
info@aahpmontgomerycounty.org
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