Daizia Lee was born and raised in Magnolia, Arkansas. Daizia graduated from Southern Arkansas University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health in Fall 2022. Daizia plans to receive her CHES certification to become a Certified Health Education Specialist and to pursue her master’s degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Public Health.
Brittany Savage, MS, CHES, RHIA, CSTR
Ms. Savage was born and raised in Valley Springs, AR. She has been a Health Educator for the Stroke Program since May 2022. In this role, she provides support for community stroke education to partnering hospitals throughout the state of Arkansas, specifically focusing on community outreach efforts in the northern portion of the state. In her previous role as a trauma registrar, she became involved in stroke education and outreach and developed a passion for it. Ms. Savage obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences as well as her Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Arkansas Tech University and her Master of Science in Health Promotion from the University of Central Arkansas. She also is a Certified Specialist in Trauma Registry (CSTR) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).
Brandi Alred, RN, SCRN
Cynthia West, BSN, RN, SCRN
Cynthia West started her career as a tech in the Emergency Department in 2004 and stayed on as an ER nurse at the same hospital after graduating with her Associate degree in 2011. She has worked in many different types of ER’s from trauma centers to critical access hospitals, and everything in between. Although she has worked in and enjoyed other areas of nursing, her passion is neuro, and this passion has guided her towards a focus on stroke care. In 2018, she accepted the position of Stroke Program Director and was instrumental in assisting the hospital she was working for to obtain Stroke Ready Designation as well as Primary Stroke Designation from Joint Commission for two of the system’s hospitals, all within a year. During that time, she was also a nurse facilitator with the UAMS IDHI stroke program, and one day hoped she might have the opportunity to work as an outreach nurse. That dream became a reality when she joined the team in February of 2022. Cynthia has multiple stroke sites throughout the state and enjoys working with the Emergency Department staff as well as our state EMS partners to strive for excellence in stroke care. Another highlight of her role is teaching in the community to promote awareness and educate on stroke prevention. In May of 2022, Cynthia obtained National Stroke Certification, and later that same year, graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
Gayla Caldwell, BS
Gayla Caldwell is a proud native of Little Rock, Arkansas but also lived in Pensacola, Florida with family when she worked for Lockheed Martin Aerospace company. Gayla started her UAMS career working in the College of Health Professions Dental Program, in-patient med-surg, out-patient Cancer Institute, and the DDEI. She is overly excited to have the opportunity to join UAMS IDHI Stroke, TeleSANE, and Brain & Injury Programs as an Administrative Coordinator. Gayla graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. She plans to pursue her master’s degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Public Health.
Calvin Duncan, BS, RN, NRP
Calvin received his EMT and Paramedic license at ASU Searcy. He later went on to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in EMS from UAMS and received an RN degree through ASU-Three Rivers in 2021. He joined the Stroke Program in 2012.
Erin Wells, MS, CHES
Born and raised in Searcy, AR, Erin graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Promotion and a minor in Nutrition. She then became a Certified Health Education Specialist and a member of the National and Arkansas Chapters of SOPHE and APHA. Erin joined the IDHI Stroke Program in August of 2017.
Olivia Wilson, MS, CHES
Born and raised in Malvern, AR, Olivia graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Education and Promotion and Master of Science Decree in Health Sciences from the University of Central Arkansas in Fall 2012. Olivia went on to become a Certified Health Education Specialist and member of the National and Arkansas Chapters of SOPHE and APHA. Olivia joined the Stroke Program in June 2015.
Julia Weatherford, BSN, RN
Julia Weatherford is a 2013 graduate of UAMS earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Science. She comes to our team with 7 years of experience as an RN. She worked in the emergency department at UAMS, which is a Nationally Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center. She currently serves as a Clinical Nurse Educator for the IDHI Stroke Program and serves a number of hospitals in and around the Central Arkansas area.