Acerca de
CONOCER AL EQUIPO
Scott Batey
Doctorado, MSW, LiCSW, PIP
Consultor de investigación de la Universidad de Alabama en Birmingham
El Dr. D. Scott Batey (él / él) es profesor asociado en el Departamento de Trabajo Social, Facultad de Artes y Ciencias de la Universidad de Alabama en Birmingham (UAB), con nombramientos secundarios en la División de Enfermedades Infecciosas (Escuela de Medicina) y el Departamento de Salud y Comportamiento (Escuela de Salud Pública de Ryals). Es científico del Centro de Investigación del SIDA de la UAB (CFAR), donde lidera los esfuerzos de participación comunitaria del Centro como Especialista en Compromiso y Continuidad de la Atención. La investigación del Dr. Batey se enfoca en eliminar las disparidades en la salud, especialmente aquellas prominentes a lo largo del Continua of Care del VIH. Dentro de este marco, lleva a cabo investigaciones de métodos mixtos para responder preguntas de investigación importantes. Basado en 23 años de experiencia como clínico de trabajo social con licencia, su investigación de implementación aprovecha especialmente las habilidades inherentes de los trabajadores sociales para brindar intervenciones basadas en evidencia de manera única; habitualmente se coloca en la comunidad y es impulsado por la comunidad. El Dr. Batey es PI, PI del sitio (Investigador de registro) o Co-I en varios estudios en curso de los NIH, incluido MPI en el reciente premio NINR, CHAMPS: un ensayo aleatorizado de una intervención de un trabajador de salud comunitario para personas que viven con el VIH en dos ajustes de alta prioridad (R01NR019758-01, MPI: DS Batey & R. Schnall). Sus principales contribuciones científicas se centran en la implementación de intervenciones prometedoras y estrategias de entrega que abordan de manera efectiva y eficiente las brechas en el continuo de la atención del VIH, utilizan la práctica del trabajo social basada en la evidencia, reducen los estigmas relacionados con la salud y optimizan la interfaz primaria clínica médica-comunidad. El Dr. Batey vive con su esposo durante 26 años, Bryan, y sus tres bulldogs franceses, Nola, Napoleon y Ollie Merle.
Joseph Abua
LMSW, M.A.
Assistant Director, Magic City Research Institute
Joseph@mcri-bao.org
Joseph Abua (he, him) is the Asst. Director of the Magic City Research Institute. He graduated with a master’s degree in clinical and medical Social Work from the prestigious University of Alabama at Birmingham, UAB, in May of 2020 having previously acquired an initial master’s degree in Peace and Development Studies, and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from reputable universities in Nigeria. He joined the BAO team as a social worker in 2020, from which he quickly rose to the position of a Program Coordinator, and then to the position of the Director of Research Programs to subsequently his current position as the Assistant Director of the Magic City Research Institute. During his time as a student at UAB, he was awarded the Joseph F. Volker International Scholarship 2019 and was selected as a member of Phi Alpha (the National Honor’s Society of Social Work), and after graduating, he received multiple awards of excellence including UAB MSW Outstanding Student of the Year 2020 and the Joe F. Acker Award for Innovation Excellence in Emergency Medical Services from the city of Birmingham
in 2020. Joseph Abua has had the opportunity to lead, coordinate, manage and supervise several research studies (quan, qual & mixed methods) in collaboration with NIH, CDC, UAB, UAB Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), University of Pittsburgh, Columbia University, University of Chicago, Chicago Center for HIV Elimination (CCHE), Tulane University, amongst others. He has also co-authored and publish a few journals and articles. His ultimately goal is to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations by developing accessible effective treatment interventions and evidence-based practices that addresses their needs and positively improve their quality of life, lifestyle choices, and general health outcomes. He is excited to continue his work within the focus of enhancing HIV prevention, treatment, and care, and also study the reasons for certain challenges of some existing community-based initiatives and programs from a methodological and systematic perspective.
Josh Bruce
MPH
Director of New Initiatives, Birmingham AIDS Outreach
Josh@birminghamaidsoutreach.org
Josh Bruce, MPH (he/him) is the Director of New Initiatives at BAO. Mr. Bruce has thirteen years of experience working with infectious diseases and his research efforts focus on LGBTQ+ health and communicable diseases, with the definitive goal of improving health outcomes for marginalized communities. Alongside his involvement at BAO, Mr. Bruce is a PhD student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and an adjunct professor teaching an LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness Service Learning class. Mr. Bruce has worked on several projects in collaboration with Columbia University, UAB, Florida State University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Washington, University of Chicago, CDC, and the NIH.
The Rev. Dr. Christopher M. Hamlin
The Rev. Dr. Christopher M. Hamlin serves as Pastor of the 138th year old Tabernacle Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama. In 2023, he retired as Chaplain/Education Specialist from the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s 1917 Clinic, the HIV outpatient clinic treating more than 3,400 patients. For six years, he served as Facilitator for Project Corporate Leadership, a leadership program designed for middle managers of businesses and corporations sponsored by the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce. From 1990 to September 2000, Dr. Hamlin served as Senior Pastor of the historic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church of Birmingham.
A native of Macon, Georgia, Dr. Hamlin received a B.A. degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia; Master of Divinity from Colgate Crozer Theological Seminary, Rochester, New York; and Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary (Proctor-Moss Fellow), Dayton, Ohio. His doctoral dissertation focused on the unique role of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church as a memorial and opened-door church.
In 1998, he published a history on Sixteenth Street Baptist Church titled, Behind the Stained Glass: A History of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Crane Hill Publishers, Birmingham, Alabama. He and the Rev. Sarah Jackson Shelton (Baptist Church of the Covenant, Birmingham) published the Teaching Church: Congregation as Mentor in 2013 (Smyth-Helwys, Publishers) that examines what pastors learn from congregations. He is currently working on three manuscripts for publication — one of spiritual reflections, another chronicling his journey with three bouts of cancer, and a research project examining the connectional links of Drs. Mordecai Wyatt Johnson, Benjamin E. Mays and Howard Thurman, all connected through Howard University and Morehouse College. He has contributed to three publications through his work with UAB’s Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) and the School of Public Health.
He is married to Sara B. Hamlin, Vice President of Tourism for the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, and they are parents to Jermaine Fuller and Kyle P. Hamlin and grandparents of Karter, Peyton, and Kali.
Mickey Murdock
Program Interventionist
Mickey@mcri-bao.org
Mickey Murdock (he/him) is a Program Interventionist with the Magic City Research Institute (MCRI) on multiple research studies. He graduated from University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB) with a bachelor's in Public Health in the spring of 2022. During his studies at UAB, he consistently demonstrated academic excellence, earning a place on the Dean's List in 2021. Beyond academics, Mickey was deeply involved in the campus life, and actively contributed to various student organization programs and activities. He was a dedicated member of the Black Student Awareness Association Council, UAB NAACP Chapter, and also a valuable member of Alpha Phi Alpha. He played a pivotal role in promoting diversity and advocating for social justice on campus. Outside of campus, he dedicated his time to serving the community through Project EMS, a noble endeavor that provided essential school supplies to disenfranchised communities. Moreover, he gained valuable experience working in a metabolic kitchen at Samford University, where he contributed to various research studies, showcasing his versatility and expertise in diverse fields. He currently serves as the Program Interventionist for Project nGage and CHAMPS research studies at Birmingham AIDS Outreach (BAO), demonstrating an unwavering commitment to public health and community well-being. Through his tireless efforts, he continues to make a positive impact, uplifting communities and championing causes that matter. Mickey has and continues to assist the agency in meeting its goals and objectives, and he remains a big part of the MCRI/BAO team.
Karen Musgrove
Doctorado, MEd, LPC
Director ejecutivo de Birmingham AIDS Outreach (BAO)
La Dra. Karen Musgrove (ella / ella) actualmente se desempeña como directora ejecutiva de BAO, Magic City Acceptance Center, Magic City Wellness Center y Magic City Acceptance Academy. BAO es la primera agencia sin fines de lucro en Alabama con la misión de servir a las personas VIH positivas. El Magic City Wellness Center es el primer centro de bienestar médico LGBTQ en el estado de Alabama, el Magic City Acceptance Center es un centro juvenil LGBTQ, y Magic City Acceptance Academy, que se inaugurará en 2021, será la primera escuela autónoma que afirme LGBTQ. El Dr. Musgrove tiene experiencia en gestión de casos, redacción de subvenciones, administración de subvenciones, administración de nuevos programas, gestión de financiación, desarrollo de programas, charlas sobre una variedad de temas, respuesta a emergencias por desastres naturales y colaboración comunitaria. El Dr. Musgrove se graduó en 2020 de la Facultad de Salud Pública de la UAB y con un tema de investigación de tesis, "Explorando las disparidades de salud física y mental en la comunidad masculina transgénero en una organización médica LGBTQ basada en la comunidad del sur" para llamar la atención sobre el tema médico transgénero. y necesidades de salud mental. El Dr. Musgrove es el Estudiante del Año 2020 de la Facultad de Salud Pública de la UAB. Dr. Musgrove y ha trabajado para varias organizaciones sin fines de lucro en la comunidad de Birmingham, incluidas Gateway, JBS Mental Health Authority y American Red Cross. Los honores incluyen: Leadership Alabama, 2019; Liderazgo Birmingham, 2015; La Red de Mujeres; Voluntario de Salud Mental de la Cruz Roja Americana, World Trade Center 9/11, 2001; Top 40 under 40, Birmingham Business Journal, 2001; Smart Woman 2012, The Women's Fund. Karen se ha desempeñado en las siguientes juntas sin fines de lucro: Festival de Cine de Acera; The Magic City Choral Society - miembro fundador de la junta, ex presidente; Vecindario Crestwood North - miembro de la junta; Central Alabama Theatre - miembro fundador de la junta, vicepresidente; Birmingham AIDS Outreach: miembro de la junta y comité ejecutivo.
Christian Strong
MPH
Data Manager
Christian@mcri-bao.org
Christian Strong (they,them,theirs) is the Data Manager of the Magic City Research Institute (MCRI). They graduated from the University of Alabama in May 2023 with a master’s degree in Public Health with a
concentration in Health Education and Promotion. Prior to their master’s degree, Christian earned a bachelor's degree in public health with a concentration in health education at the University of Southern
Mississippi. During Christian’s time at the University of Southern Mississippi, they had the honor of partaking in the McNair Scholars Program. They were given the opportunity to conduct their first ever
research study titled: “Barriers to STI Screening Among College Students at the University of Southern Mississippi." At the conclusion of their bachelor’s degree program, they were able to obtain a research publication, “Exploring COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Stakeholders in African American and Latinx Communities in the Deep South Through the Lens of the Health Belief Model." Christian is a strong advocate for health equity and strives to address health disparities through education and advocacy. Their goal is to inspire individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being, ultimately leading to healthier communities. They play a crucial role in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to inform public health initiatives and interventions. Their advocacy for health equity aligns perfectly with the mission of the center, which may focus on improving health outcomes for underserved populations in the
Magic City community.