Meet Our Team
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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.
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Program Coordinator
Email: 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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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.
AHEC Interns
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Aatiqah Hussain
INTERN
Aatiqah Hussain is a rising senior at Baylor University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. She currently serves as the Program Planning Intern, where she contributes to outreach efforts that support community education and wellness. Aatiqah plans to continue her education by attending medical school, with aspirations to work in pediatrics and OB-GYN.
Her research interests center around the caregiver-youth relationship and the long-term impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Aatiqah is actively involved in research on ACEs and advocates for health education initiatives. She is particularly passionate about addressing the enablers and barriers to healthcare accessibility. Clinically, she is drawn to maternal and infant health.
Aatiqah is engaged with the local Waco community and heavily involved on campus. She is a Master Tutor for Baylor's Tutoring Center, represents the Public Health degree on councils and at new student events, and stays involved in Pre-Health leadership. As the Community Health and DEI chairs for the Multicultural Association for Pre-Health Students (MAPS), Aatiqah enjoyed intertwining her concentration in Public Health and focus on medicine. During her final academic year in Waco, she will serve as the President of MAPS and is ecstatic to expand its reach.
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Anirudh Nair
INTERN
Anirudh Nair is a current senior at Baylor University studying Public Health. He intends to further his education post graduation through an MBA with a focus in Healthcare Administration.
Anirudh’s interests comprise of project management, healthcare administration, and process improvement within the hospital. His passion for healthcare is focused primarily on women and children’s health along with neonatal care. Anirudh hopes to be the director of a women/children’s hospital or the director of a PEDS program in the future.
Anirudh will be a physician liaison during his internship, focusing on the physician network ranging from Waco, Waxahachie, and Austin. He will also be working with 3rd and 4th year students at Sam Houston State Medical College. -
Sindhuja Dasari
INTERN
Sindhuja Dasari is a senior Public Health major at Baylor University on the pre-med track. In her final year of undergraduate study, she is committed to addressing health disparities and promoting community wellness. Sindhuja plans to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) following graduation and looks forward to continuing her education in medical school.
Her research interests include the impact of socioeconomic status on healthcare access and patient outcomes, with a particular focus on cancer care and body image. She is also passionate about the role of public health education and community-based interventions in improving health equity.
As an intern, Sindhuja supports outreach efforts through branding, marketing, and health communication, helping to enhance program visibility and engagement within the community.