Closing the Gap in Healthcare, Inc.
2010 Advisory Board

Tonisha Bell Alston, Banker, Charlotte, North Carolina
Tonisha Bell Alston has been working with Closing the Gap in Health Care, Inc since 2005. She is currently living in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she works in corporate real estate at the Bank of America. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Howard University and an International Master’s of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. After receiving her undergraduate degree, Tonisha lived in Japan for two years as an English teacher. She loves traveling, spending time with family, and being outdoors.

George Bush, DHEC, Charleston, South Carolina   
Graduated from South Carolina State College in 1969 with degree in Sociology; graduated Atlanta University in 1974 with a Master's degree in Social Work Administration; currently working on PhD at Duke University; Public Health & Corporate Management; employed by SCDHEC as Community Health Services Program Coordinator; married with three adult children; perform consultant services to churches and small community nonprofit organizations in the areas of:  social and community health programs development, proposal and grant writing to assist with funding and maintaining said programs.

David Edwards, Retired Federal Agent, Fayetteville, North Carolina
David Edwards is retired computer specialist from the Naval Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS) and has taught at several colleges and universities as an Adjunct Professor of Computer Science with emphasis on system design and analysis. He is an avid traveler and reader of mathematical text books. He stays fit and loves to garden and hike. He speaks French, English, Spanish and Creole fluently.

Dean Allen Floyd, Family Physician, Columbia, South Carolina
Dean Allen Floyd is a Family Physician practicing in Columbia, South Carolina. His interests are eclectic in and outside of medicine. His goal is to one day achieve the perfect balance between the art of healing and the science of medicine. He has special interest in diabetes, hypertension, sports medicine, obesity, health disparities and the comprehensive health of Black males. He is a graduate of Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina.

Janelle Fordham, CMA, Thaddeus J. Bell, Family Practice, LLC
Janelle has been employed with Thaddeus J. Bell Family Practice for 8 years where she manages back office procedures. Janelle is presently working on her B.S. degree in Liberal Studies. She enjoys traveling and music.
 
Melinda Hudson, RN, Greenville Hospital System, Greenville, South Carolina
Melinda Hudson is a Registered Nurse and Community Outreach Coordinator for Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center. She has coordinated the efforts of the Minority Health Summit -a health education initiative to reduce health disparities among minorities in the Upstate.
 
Sheila Middleton, Office Manager Thaddeus J. Bell Family Practice, LLC
Sheila has been employed by Thaddeus J. Bell Family Practice for 24 years where she manages the day to day operation of the practice. She is also a licensed realtor with the  State of South Carolina. She enjoys music, reading, and spending time with family.
 
Dr. Eugene Edward Wright, Jr. - Medical Physician
Dr. Eugene Wright is the Vice President, Medical Director Primary Care and Specialty Practices at Cape Fear Valley Health System, Fayetteville, North Carolina. He received his medical degree from Duke Univesity School of Medicine in June, 1978 and also received his BSE in Electrical Engineering in June, 1973 from Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey.
 
Carol Adrian Younkin, BSN, MEd, CHES, CDE
Carol has more than 30 years of nursing and health education experience and is passionate about making health information understandable and usable by all audiences. As a health education specialist she has worked cross-culturally with patients and healthcare professionals internationally. Carol has developed award winning education materials and programs in the area of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, women’s health, hypertension, nutrition, exercise, motivation and behavior change. She is experienced in the use of a variety of media including   print, drama, internet, video, audio, and lecture.