RURAL STUDY - Key Persons
Beryl Gomez retired from BellSouth management in 2003 after 35 years. She has served as a local community advocate for 10 years while also a member of Pierre Part Belle River Business Group, Museum board member, Recreation District Secretary/Treasurer and lead of the Pierre Part Belle River Community Advocates.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Community Engagement Team for the Mississippi Core
Job Titles:
- Director of Clinical Operations for the RURAL Mobile Evaluation Unit
Dr. David Buys graduated from Mississippi College's Department of Sociology and Social Work in 2004. After that he earned a Master's degree in sociology from Auburn University and the PhD in Medical Sociology, a graduate certificate in gerontology, a postdoctoral fellowship in Health Services and Outcomes Research, and the Master of Science in Public Health all from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Buys served on faculty in the UAB School of Medicine and is now a member of the faculty at Mississippi State University where he is State Health Specialist for the MSU Extension Service.
Dr. Emily Brandon Landrum is a native of Starkville, MS. She graduated from Starkville High School in 2007. She went on to Millsaps College where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology. During her junior year of college she applied for and was awarded the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship, a scholarship to promote return to practice in rural Mississippi. She is board certified in Family Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine and is an active member of the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians and Mississippi State Medical Association.
In September 2022, Dr. Ervin Fox presented and handed out information about the RURAL Study to the Panola County Board of Supervisors and community members attending the meeting. This meeting was also attended by members of the Community Advisory Board (CAB), Darrell Dixon, Jeremy Weldon, and Pat Neal. Dr. Ervin Fox and Darrell Dixon also toured the North Panola Planning and Development District facilities and made several contacts.
In September 2022, Dr. Ervin Fox was invited by Pastor Fred Butts to speak about the RURAL Study at the Sunday morning worship service at Nelson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Pope, Mississippi, located in Panola County. Several Panola County residents attended the worship service and were given information about the study.
Dr. Ervin Fox was invited to speak about the RURAL Study at the Panola County Rotary Club meeting on July 6 th, 2021, by host Jeremy Mason, editor of the Panolian news outlet. Other attendees included Pastor Darrell Dixon, Pat Neal from the MSU Extension Office, Dr. Tammy Taylor-Buford and Dr. Eugenia Fox.
Dr. Johnnie Cummings attended and graduated from Meharry Medical College School Of Medicine in 1986. He has over 34 years of diverse experience in Internal Medicine. He is the Medical Director of the Aaron E. Henry Community Health Service, Inc. in Batesville, MS. The mission of the agency is to improve the health of people in the Mississippi Delta and delta hills communities by increasing access to integrated, comprehensive primary and preventive health care. Dr. Cummings is also affiliated with Panola Medical Center and Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center.
Job Titles:
- Physician at Panola Family & Specialty Clinic
Dr. Kristie Alvarez is a Family Medicine Physician at Panola Family & Specialty Clinic at Panola Medical Center. She is from Tate/Panola County. She graduated from Independence High School and completed her undergraduate education at Delta State University. Dr. Alvarez completed medical school and residency training in family medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and the University of Mississippi Medical Center, respectively. Dr. Alvarez likes to say she is "home-grown". She loves caring for her community.
Job Titles:
- Professor and Vice Chair of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University
Dr. Placid Eze is an experienced and accomplished family physician and primary care doctor practicing in the community of Starkville, MS. Dr. Eze attended the Morehouse School of Medicine, where he received his medical degree. He also holds his doctorate in pharmacy from Mercer University. He believes in listening to each patient and creating a partnership to maintain and improve lifelong health.
Dr. Shauntice Allen, the Principal Investigator (PI) of the Alabama State Core, recorded radio advertisements at a local radio station in Valley Grand to promote the Study. The radio advertisements have been airing in Dallas County since November 2020 and were refreshed in September 2021.
Job Titles:
- Investigator of the Louisiana
Dr. Stephanie Broyles, primary investigator of the Louisiana portion of the study and director of Pennington Biomedical's Contextual Risk Factors Laboratory stated, "What is really novel here is that we are trying to figure out why some people living in rural areas are more resilient to heart disease while others living in what look to be similar areas, based on demographics and poverty, are less healthy." She feels the study has immense potential for improving the health of rural communities.
Job Titles:
- Multiple Principal Investigator
Dr. Tammy T. Taylor, a native of Sardis, MS and a graduate of North Panola High School. She completed undergraduate studies at the University of MS. She begins her healthcare career at Northwest Community College. She received both her Masters of Science as a Nurse Educator and Post Master's as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Alcorn State University. She received her Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Alabama. She is an advocate for change and serves as the Lead Volunteer for the state of MS for the National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF). She currently practices at Delta Cardiovascular diagnosing and treating heart conditions that abruptly ended her own father's life at the age of forty-six.
Job Titles:
- Community Advisory Board Member
Jeanne Solis is an advocate for health, education, and cultural arts in her professional and civic roles. As an Assumption Parish citizen, she represents the Region 3 Office of Public Health on the RURAL Community Advisory Board. Jeanne received the 2020 Health Professional of the Year award from the Louisiana HOSA Future Health Professionals, and currently serves as a Board member for HOSA and Louisiana Emergency Medical Units. She attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for graduate studies in Communications, undergraduate studies in Traditional Music Performance, and certification in Business Management. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recording Industry Management from Middle Tennessee State University. Her personal interests include cultural activities, travel adventures, playing accordion, biking, vegetable gardening, time with her grandchildren, and boating in the lakes and bayous around Assumption Parish.
Anthanette Thomas is a native of Assumption Parish currently residing in the Belle Rose area. She is an educator in the Assumption Parish School system. She remains active in the community in several roles including being a member of the Library Board of Control.
Mayor Jerry Autrey is a native of Batesville, MS. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi. As Mayor, he along with the Board of Alderman, works to maintain harmony between agriculture, industry and urban economic growth. He also works with the Board of Alderman to oversee city services, parks and the academic system. Mayor Autrey has shared his strong interest in improving health conditions in the city of Batesville and other communities throughout Panola County.
Mayor Larry Pruitt is the Mayor of Maben, Mississippi
Mayor Lula L. Palmer was born in Noxapater, MS. She is currently residing in Sardis, MS. She attended Alcorn State University then transferred to Mississippi Valley State University where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Education. In May 2017, she was elected Mayor of Sardis, becoming both the first female and the first African American to hold the position. She was also the first African American female to be elected (2011) to serve on the Sardis Board of Alderman-serving as Alderwoman of Ward Three.
Mercedes Bernard is a native of Assumption Parish, currently residing in the Paincourtville area. She currently serves as the Special Programs Director of Assumption Parish, while serving on the Parish Emergency Food & Shelter Board and as the lead of the local Community Action Agency among other parish program leadership roles.
Mr. Thomas G. "Trey" Hamby III, grew up in Batesville, MS, graduating from South Panola High School in 1989. After high school, Mr. Hamby accepted a scholarship to be an athletic trainer at Mississippi State University and received his Bachelor's Degree in Fitness Management. After graduating, he coached high school football, basketball and track. He won 2 North MS Championships and his teams played for 6 State Championships in only 3 years. After a few years in private business, in 1998, Mr. Hamby returned to Panola County and accepted a job as the Nutrition Coordinator for North Delta Planning and Development district. He has worked for North Delta PDD for the last 22 years, the last 10 as the Assistant Executive Director.
Job Titles:
- Oktibbeha County Community Consultant
Ms. Eileen Carr-Tabb received her Masters of Arts degree in Communications and her Master of Science degree in Health Promotion from Mississippi State University. After receiving her education, Ms Carr-Tabb worked as a Disease Intervention Specialist, Senior to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Later, Ms. Carr-Tabb returned to Starkville, MS to a career as a Community Health Educator for the Mississippi State Department of Health. Eileen currently serves as health committee chair of the Oktibbeha County branch of the NAACP, executive board member of the Starkville Lion's Club and Vice-Chair of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership Minority Task Force and Ms. Carr-Tabb is on the Community Advisory Board of the OCH Regional Medical Center. Ms. Carr-Tabb is a member of the Mississippi State University Black Alumni Council and works as an advocate and leader with early childhood education.
Job Titles:
- Consultant for the Mississippi Core
Ms. Jacqueline Ellis grew up west of Oktoc Rd in Bethel, Pine Grove, Bethel, and Mt. Olivet Church Communities. Educated in Starkville Public School and Oktibbeha County Schools District, Mississippi State University, and Troy State University. Ms Ellis currently presides over a 501C 3 Community Education group (EAEOCS), and strives to enhance the educational perspectives on community history and culture, health, fitness, and community education.
Job Titles:
- Supervisor Orlando Trainer
Interesting Fact: Dr. Fox's mother, Eva Mae Fox (maiden name Rice), was a native of Oktibbeha County He has an aunt Martha (at age 95 years) living in the county. Several of his cousins continue to live in that area as well. He and his siblings attended Mississippi State University and go back to Starkville often for family reunions. Also interestingly, Dr. Fox and his family grew up in the Mississippi Delta region (Clarksdale, MS/ Coahoma County). Clarksdale lies very near to Batesville, MS/Panola County. He traveled through Batesville as he and his family went to Oxford (Ole Miss Campus) throughout the 80's. Dr. Fox often visits Batesville on his visit to his childhood home in Clarksdale and to visit family in Memphis, TN. Dr. Fox's sister (Dr. Eugenia Fox), brother (Dr. Edwin Fox) and niece (Dr. Eva Ingram) have assisted on community activities in Panola County.
Ms. Pat Neal is a native of Batesville, MS. She attended South Panola High School and completed undergraduate work at Delta State University where she received her bachelor's degree. She completed her Master's Degree at Mississippi State University. She has been working at the Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension Services for 22 years. The MSU Extension Service provides research-based information, educational programs, and technology transfer focused on issues and needs of the people of Mississippi, enabling them to make informed decisions about their economic, social, and cultural well-being. She also works with the 4-H program and the Junior Natural Wellness Volunteers Program.
Ms. Yulanda Haddix is a native of Starkville Mississippi. A graduate of Rutgers University Camden, New Jersey. Along with educating incarcerated and disadvantaged youth, she also served on numerous committees in her free time. As Vice-President of the Philadelphia Eagles Wives Association, New Jersey Mayor Youth Council, New Jersey Child Assault Prevention Coordinator, New Jersey Judicial Board for Rutgers University in Camden and The National Coalition for 100 Black Women, she continues to serve on Starkville Mayor Youth Council, Board Member of the Golden Triangle Boys and Girls Club, currently works at EMCC as a WIOA Youth Career Navigator and a State of Mississippi Certified Workforce Trainer.
Reverend Darrell Dixon Jr. is a native of Clarksdale, MS and serves as Pastor of St. Matthew Church in Lambert, MS. Darrell earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Delta State University in Cleveland, MS and a Master's Degree in Economic and Workforce Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. After working in banking, he served as legislative staff in the United States Senate in Washington, DC before leaving that career for other pursuits. He now uses his talents and skills to develop individuals and organizations as a Program Specialist with North Delta Planning & Development District, Inc.
Job Titles:
- Reverend
- Community Advisory Board Member
Community Advisory Board member, Reverend Louis Wilson, invited Dr. Ervin Fox to speak about the RURAL Study during the community update session of the Sardis District Baptist Association Meeting on July 6 th, 2021. The meeting was held in Sardis, MS located in Panola County. Community Advisory Board members, Dr. Tammy Taylor-Bufford and Pat Neal, who is also with the Panola County Extension Service, assisted Dr. Fox with the talk along with his sister, Dr. Eugenia Fox, who lives in nearby Coahoma County.
Job Titles:
- Reverend
- Pastor of Blackjack Missionary Baptist
Reverend Maurico Clark, Sr. is the Pastor of Blackjack Missionary Baptist Church where he has served for 4 years. Reverend Clark is also employed with the Institute of Community Service as the Technology Manager for the 4 County areas which houses Head Start Centers in the Golden Triangle. Reverend Clark is a native of Starkville where he was born, raised, and educated and now serves with the intent of helping to make his community better.
Job Titles:
- Community Advisory Board 's Co - Chair
Robin Landry serves as the Community Advisory Board's Co-Chair. Robin is a resident of Assumption Parish, former teacher and Retired LSU AgCenter Area Nutrition Agent. In her careers, she has worked as an advocate for better education and health of Assumption Parish.
Ron Alcorn is a native of Assumption Parish and resides in Belle Rose. He is active in his community as well as throughout the parish in multiple civic and church organizations. He currently serves as the Ward 1 Police Juror in Assumption Parish, representing the community in which he resides.