Nike Roach, MS, CPT, LMBT grew to understand the benefits of MASSAGE THERAPY while stationed in Europe in 1991. As a medic in the army he was often faced with situations where stress was a key obstacle in accomplishing the objective. Many times he was asked to conduct massage therapy on soldiers to relieve tension, pain, and trauma associated with stress. Since his military experience, Nike has been an avid supporter and promoter of integrative health in and around the North Carolina community and opened 6th Sense Wellness Center in 1997. Nike specializes in sports massage, prenatal, acupressure, Thai massage and is a personal trainer. Nike has trained for wholistic health in Europe, Asia, and the United States in a variety therapeutic modalities. He also holds a B.S. in Exercise Science from Winston-Salem State University and a M.S. in Sports Studies focusing on sport performance from High Point University. Nike has been a personal trainer in Winston-Salem since 1999 and has experience working for the YWCA, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Department of Family and Community Medicine (Weight Management Program) and has also trained individuals privately. Nike is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association, past member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Director of the 6th Sense Foundation, Board member for the Winston-Salem Chamber Of Commerce, Business Advisory Council for Health Fields at Good Will Industries of North West North Carolina and Eagle Resourcing Network Charity Links.
Author: MindBodyInstituteBeyond
Maria M. Aristizabal
Maria grew up in Cali, Colombia, S.A., a city of millions of people. She moved to the USA in 1980 and knew very little about the culture in the USA and didn’t speak English. She always has been thankful that she had her sister as a mentor and role model. She often wonders how different her life would have been without her sister. Maria’s passion to help youth grew from her own experience and the help her sister gave her in her early days in the USA. Maria moved to NC in 1998. Her first job in Forsyth County was with the WS/FC schools where she was able to witness the great influx of Hispanic people to this area. At the same time she also noticed how little Winston Salem citizens knew of the Hispanic Culture in general and, for that reason became very involved with the Hispanic League. In 1999 Maria was fortunate enough to meet a great lady, Dr. Joy McLaughlin, who brought to the attention of the Hispanic League the great need of college scholarships for Hispanic Students. The Hispanic League Scholarship program was officially launched in 1999. Maria chaired this Committee from 2001 to 2005 and is still an active member of the committee. This program has awarded over 150 scholarships and over $260,000 to students for the continuation of their education.
Justin Maurice Redd
Justin Maurice Redd, born November 14, 1988, is originally from St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He is the son of Melvin Redd, licensed notary and retired banker of over 20 years, and Margaret Redd, Regional Vice President of MetLife insurance. Both of his parents were first in their families to graduate college. They recognized the importance of education and they wanted to teach him from a young age. His parents also have demanded excellence strived to nurture a relationship between him and community advocacy.
Tenesha Monice Moore
Tenesha Monice Moore, a native of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was born to two U.S. Army parents, Staff Sergeant Thomas Moore and Sp4 Theresa Moore, at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital. She and her family relocated to Plymouth, North Carolina, a small town on North Carolina’s coast, when she was just three years old. Tenesha attended Pines Elementary School where she was privileged to be in the Academically Gifted (AG) Program. She won first place in many spelling bees, made the POP’s List for good behavior, and made the Honor Roll every term. From a young age, she was destined for success. She loved to read books, which her parents always made sure she had plenty of, and her love of music was enhanced by her father who taught her how to play the keyboard at age four. A devastating tragedy struck the family when her father was killed in a tragic automobile accident in September 1994, just a few days before her ninth birthday.
Michelle Wright: Student Intern Spring 2011
Michelle Wright is currently a sophomore at Winston-Salem State University majoring in psychology with the neuroscience as her intended minor. She was raised in Clarkton, NC and graduated from West Bladen High School. Michelle is a member of the Honors Program and is a Chancellor’s Scholar. She is also a member of the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) program as well as the Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE), and the WSSU Psychology Club. Michelle serves her class as a student senator for the Sophomore Class Council and student representative for the Honors Program. Upon her graduation from WSSU, Michelle plans to attend graduate school to obtain her Masters in Clinical Psychology and then continue with her education to receive a PhD in Neuropsychology. As of now Michelle is returning to the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity for her second semester as an intern with Dr. Mount. She hopes to learn more about health disparities, the role of neuropsychology in the community, and the correct pathway to achieve her goals.
Maria Isabel Rego
Maria Isabel Rego, a native from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, graduated from Salem College in North Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a minor in Psychology in 2010. During her undergraduate and current training with Dr. David Mount, Maria Isabel gained insightful knowledge and experience in the research field of minority health and health disparities. This experience greatly increased her awareness on minority health issues and the importance of diversity in any setting. After graduation she was hired into Dr. Mount’s team as a data coordinator II/research assistant, a position which she continues to exert today. In 2011, she presented at Winston Salem State University’s 1st Health Disparities Conference and co-authored with Dr. Mount and other colleagues a journal article called “Preliminary Findings Exploring the Social Determinants of Black Males Lay-Health Perspectives” and a book chapter called “Addressing Risk Factors for Neurocognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s disease Among African Americans in the Era of Health Disparities.” In the near future Maria Isabel plans on attending graduate school and helping to reduce the gaps in health disparities while also empowering and educating her patients to take on preventive measures for their health. Her interests range from chronic diseases, health equity, oral health, mental health, psychology, human behavior, leadership, health care management, health education, health promotion, mind-body relationships, quality and equal access to healthcare, among many others.
Using IRT-DIF Methodology in Detecting and Evaluating Brief Symptom Inventory Item Response Differences among Afro-Caribbean and European Adults
Mount, David Lee; Lambert, Michael Canute; Essau, Cecilia A.; Samms-Vaughan, Maureen E. & Bokszczanin, Anna (). “Using IRT-DIF Methodology in Detecting and Evaluating Brief Symptom Inventory Item Response Differences among Afro-Caribbean and European Adults.” Caribbean Journal of Psychology, 4(1).
Matthew Mayers
Matthew Mayers is the co-founder and manager of the Krankies Farmer’s Market in downtown Winston Salem, North Carolina. The market brings fresh local food to a part of the city where such resources are scarce, and offers a place for farmers, using sustainable practices, to sell directly to the people who eat their food. Many chefs, downtown workers, area residents, and others from throughout the city don’t consider their week complete without a trip to the Krankies Farmer’s Market.
Alethea Amponsah
Originally hailing from Ghana West Africa, Alethea Amponsah was raised in Providence, RI and graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development. After a brief internship with Dr. David L. Mount in the fall of 2010, she relocated from RI and turned her attention to developing the appropriate research skills necessary to aid in closing the many gaps evident in minority healthcare. Alethea now serves as a Health Equity Ambassador, Data Coordinator and trainee within Dr. Mount’s lab, investigating the many aspects of health care suffering from persistent inconsistencies in quality, accessibility and beyond. As an avid advocate for the promotion of overall mind and body wellness, she has dedicated her endeavors under Dr. Mount’s guidance to spreading this message to all communities. Alethea’s academic interests include abnormal psychology, neuropathology and phrenology and will begin pursuing her PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology while continuing to lend to the mission of eliminating health disparities and promoting awareness around the importance of mind-body wellness.
Erica Sickelbaugh
Erica Sickelbaugh, a native of North Carolina, is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Health at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro with an anticipated graduation in May 2012. She is a 2010 graduate from North Carolina State University with a dual degree in microbiology and biology with a minor in Spanish. During her time at NC State she had opportunities to serve in public health facets in El Salvador and the Dominican Republic. It was these trips abroad that helped to spark her interest in health disparities and healthcare education outreach. During her graduate studies, Erica has served as a graduate research assistant with a statewide initiative to reduce teen pregnancies and provide support for pregnant and parenting teens and young women. She has also spent time in Zambia working on a public health initiative involving home health care and HIV/AIDS. Erica is also a Certified Nursing Assistant I working at the Emergency Room of Wake Forest Baptist Health – Lexington Medical Center. Her career aspirations include going to physician assistant school in order to better serve those domestically and globally that face health care disparities.