Meet Our Team
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Executive Director
Email: ashley.bearden@txaheceast.org
Phone: (254)313-5108
Ashley Bearden is a two-time graduate from Baylor University. She holds her Bachelor of Science in Health Science Studies with a minor in Business Administration and a Masters of Public Health in Community Health with a global health emphasis. Her areas of interest include health disparities, global health/global surgery, and epidemiology. She is passionate about empowering communities to improve their health and wellness, as well as getting involved with the local community to create a healthier and more equitable Waco.
Ms. Bearden manages the AHEC team and coordinates the AHEC Scholars Program. She also manages our community health education and the CHAMPs Program.
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Program CoordinatorEmail: meagan.melocik@txaheceast.org
Phone: (254)313-5112
Meagan GarMelo is a two-time graduate from Baylor University. She holds her Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Masters of Public Health in Community Health Science. Her areas of interest include health equity, mental health, maternal health and policy advocacy. She is an outdoor enthusiast passionate about community engagement and sustainability for a more equitable and livable Waco.
Meagan coordinates our partnership with the All of Us Research Program, plans AHEC events, and develops programs to support our community.
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Program Specialist
Email: caelie.morris@txaheceast.org
Phone: (254)313-5109
Morris is a graduate from Austin College (in Sherman, Texas). They hold a Bachelor of the Arts in International Relations and Gender Studies, with a concentration in Public Policy. He is passionate about creating a more equitable world through the promotion of holistic, communal health. Her work reflects a life-long pursuit of queer liberation, disability justice, and cultural safety.
“Well-being for all is not a dream” - Peter Kropotkin, The Conquest of Bread
Mx. Morris coordinates the AHEC Scholars and clinical placement program.
AHEC Interns
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Brittany Needham
ALL OF US STUDENT AMBASSADOR
Brittany Needham is a graduate of Western Washington University with her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, and a graduate of Baylor University with her Master of Science in Education in Sports Management. She is currently a second-year Master of Public Health Student at Baylor University with an emphasis in Community Health Sciences. She intends to continue her education, with a future goal of receiving a PhD.
Her research interests include community health education, campus sexual assault response, physical activity's role in trauma response, physical activity in rural areas, adolescent physical activity, gender-based violence prevention among youth, and athlete-focused violence prevention and intervention programming.
Brittany focuses on promoting participation in the All of Us research program on campus at Baylor University.
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Regina Mitchell
ALL OF US STUDENT AMBASSADOR
Regina Mitchell is a graduate of Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. She is a first-year Master of Public Health Student with a concentration in Community Health Sciences. She intends to expand her education to receive a Ph.D.
Regina’s research interests encompass community health education, including public health, health education, and general human anatomy. Her passion for health research is focused on human sexuality and reproductive health for women and adolescent females.
Regina focuses on promoting the All of Us research program on campus at Baylor University.