College of Health Sciences Leadership Board

Travis J. Aultman obtained his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgia College in December 2020. He received Georgia College’s Young Alumnus of the Year Award in 2021. Upon graduation, Travis moved to Birmingham, Alabama, and worked as a Registered Nurse at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital on a cardio-hospitalist floor prior to transferring to adolescent psychiatry. Travis moved back to middle Georgia in August 2022 and joined Piedmont Macon Medical Hospital where he quickly transitioned to a clinical nursing education role and now develops and implements education for Piedmont’s inpatient behavioral health nursing units. In addition to working at Piedmont, Travis also serves as an adjunct clinical faculty member for the School of Nursing at Georgia College. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Alabama-Birmingham with an advanced practice concentration in psychiatric mental health nursing. His research and quality improvement interests include psychiatric patient safety, integrated behavioral health, violence prevention and management, community psychiatry, forensics nursing, and disaster/terrorism nursing.

Travis has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2023.

Sarah Kay Brooks is currently the Chief Nurse Executive at Central State Hospital (CSH) in Milledgeville, GA. Kay has worked at CSH for over 29 years and thoroughly enjoys her work. She is also a Part-Time Clinical Instructor/Adjunct Professor of Nursing at Georgia College. Kay received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctorate of Nursing Practice degrees from Georgia College. Additionally, Kay is a certified and licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in Psychiatric Mental Health and holds a current Nursing Home Administrator license. 

Kay has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2015.

Alden Brown is currently an executive sales specialist at Teva Pharmaceuticals. Prior to his role at Teva Pharmaceuticals, Alden was the senior executive sales specialist for Johnson & Johnson in the Atlanta West Territory from 1998-2022. Alden obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration at Georgia College State & University and his Associate Degree in General Studies from Georgia Military College. He also holds a Certificate in Mid-Management from Georgia Tech and a Certificate in Transformational Leadership from New York Theological Seminary. 

Alden is a member of the National Sales Network Atlanta Chapter, the Kauffman Foundation for Entrepreneurs Kansas City, the National Association of Teachers of Entrepreneurs New York, and an active Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. member.

He lives in Lithonia, Georgia with his wife Lowanna and their six adult children. In his spare time, Alden enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, and serving in his church ministry as an ordained Elder at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

Alden has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2024.

Dr. Keisha Reneé Callins is a physician and public health professional.  She is an Obstetrician/Gynecologist with Community Health Care Systems, Inc. (CHCS) and is committed to providing healthcare services, especially in central Georgia. Dr. Callins also serves as a Professor in the Department of Community Medicine at Mercer University School of Medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of Virginia; Master in Public Health degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health; Doctor of Medicine degree from Morehouse School of Medicine and graduate medical training at Morehouse School of Medicine OB/GYN Residency Program, where she served as chief resident.  She is actively involved in pipeline mentorship, translational research, legislative advocacy, and community engagement. Her mission statement is, “You may not be able to change the world, but you can change the world of everyone with whom you interact”.

Keisha has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2024.

Tammy Carroll joined Benchmark Human Services in 2011. Her passion and drive in serving children and adults with special needs is evident in her daily living as well as practice. Tammy has over 30 years of experience in serving others across several different states. Prior to joining Benchmark, Tammy served as the Director of Clinical Services for Partlow Developmental Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Additionally, she served as adjunct faculty, training students in the applied behavior analytic field at Georgia State University, the University of Alabama and Armstrong Atlantic State University which is now Georgia Southern University. Tammy has a niche for envisioning potential markets and growing them. She also enjoys mentoring others towards higher professional growth.

Tammy graduated from Auburn University at Montgomery with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Then she went on to pursue a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Development from Troy State University. After taking two years break from school, Tammy returned to the University of Kansas where she pursued another Master of Science and a Doctorate in Human Development and Child Psychology. Tammy is a board-certified behavior analyst at the doctorate level.

Tammy believes work hard and play harder. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family on the lake, vacations and visiting other family members. Tammy also enjoys gardening, practicing Pilates and yoga and just sitting still.

Tammy has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2022.

Kevin Carter is the Director of Wellness Services at Navicent Health in Macon, GA.  He received his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science as well as his Master in Education in Health Education from Georgia College.  He also played collegiate baseball while attending Georgia College and later served as adjunct professor in the Exercise Science Department.  Kevin has been employed at Navicent Health for 23 years in various positions.  His current oversight duties include cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, 2 medical based fitness centers, employee wellness programming, and employee clinic operations.  Kevin has served for over 20 years to support the American Heart Association.  He also serves on the Central Georgia Regional Credit Union board.  

Kevin has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2018.

Belinda Christensen received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgia College in 1996. She has worked in the Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Behavior Health field for over 30 years with experience in both public and private systems. She has served in leadership positions in both inpatient and outpatient systems, including being a licensed healthcare administrator of a large IDD skilled nursing facility and director of a community residential program with homes serving IDD and behavior health individuals with significant behavior management and medically fragile supports. Belinda has been with Benchmark Human Services for 11 years and has worked on numerous expansion and start-up projects as well as assisting with medical training and policy development for the company. Her current position is RN Quality Management Director in Georgia. She is a member of the Developmental Disabilities Nursing Association (DDNA). During her time away from work, Belinda enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Belinda has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2023.

Anresa Davis is a retired Registered Nurse and retired Senior Residency Counselor.  She received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Georgia College in 1975 and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia in 1976. While at Georgia College she was a Resident Advisor, basketball cheerleader for the Colonials, and a work/study student at the Ina Dillard Russell Library for 3 years. For over 20 years, Anresa served in the surgical intensive care unit and in the emergency department. In August 2019, she retired after 19+ years from Park Springs, a lifecare community in Stone Mountain, GA.  Anresa is active in the Rotary Club of Stone Mountain and is the lay leader at Mountain Park United Methodist Church. 

Anresa has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2020.

Deborah Eason, OTR/L is a practicing Occupational Therapist who received her Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Wisconsin. She has enjoyed her chosen career for 30+ years and has treated clients in multiple settings including skilled nursing, mental health, public school, corrections/forensics, and orthopedic and brain injury rehabilitation. Currently employed as a PRN Therapist at Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville, GA, and as a Contract Therapist with Benchmark Human Services. She is an active member of the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine; the Assistive Technology Industry Association; and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).  She is an AOTA Proposal Reviewer for Annual Conference submissions in the areas of Developmental Disabilities and Productive Aging.

Deborah has an interest in history and is presently pursuing a Master’s in World War II Studies at Arizona State University. She has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2019.

Richard Garrett is Chief Research Officer at Eduventures. He has nearly 25 years of experience in higher education research, consulting and policy. From 2015-2019, Richard was also Director of the Observatory on Borderless Higher Education, a think tank, part of Tribal Group, focused on global developments in online learning, internationalization and commercial activity and partnerships. Prior to Eduventures, Richard was North America Director for i-graduate, working with clients of the International Student Barometer, the world’s largest survey of the international student experience. From 2005-2013, Richard led Eduventures online higher education practice. In addition, Richard has worked as a researcher in the School of Education & Continuing Studies at the University of Surrey in the UK and as a policy analyst at the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from King’s College London and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Cambridge.

Richard has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2021.

Dr. Jonathan Howard is the Central Georgia Assistant District Manager, Manager of Field Operations, Instructor/Healthcare Representative, and Client Support Specialist at Change Healthcare. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Business Leadership and Management from Northcentral University (Dissertation: Lean Management and Healthcare Employees' Work Performance). He has a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Health Care Management from the American Intercontinental University of Dunwoody. He also has a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Health Sciences Education and Community Health and a minor in Biology from Georgia College & State University.

Dr. Howard has over 21 years of experience in claim administration, operation management, health administration, government relations, public health, and examining healthcare claims at the state and federal levels. He also has over 23 years of financial planning, budgeting, and educational training at the executive level. He supervises the day-to-day operations at Change Healthcare and Metro Atlanta hospitals' eligibility units, including worker's compensation. 

Jonathan has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2024.

Joy is currently a Family Nurse Practitioner at CVS Minute Clinic in Macon, Georgia. She serves as the Lead Provider for Region 42, which encompasses the Middle and Coastal Georgia Areas. She is also a Part-Time Adjunct Professor of Nursing at Georgia College. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a Minor in Community Health in 2009, Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner in 2015, and Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2017 at Georgia College. Additionally, Joy obtained her Master in Business Administration Healthcare Management in 2019 at Western Governors University. Joy serves on the Georgia Nurses Association Board of Directors as the Director of Nursing Practice and Advocacy.  

Joy has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2020.

Rodriques (Rod) A. Lambert is currently starting a new role as a Health Equity Officer in the Division of State and Local Readiness at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Prior to joining the CDC, Rod was the Core HIV/AIDS Surveillance Coordinator in the Department of Epidemiology at the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) for 11 years. Prior to his role with the GDPH, he was a CDC Public Health Associate Program (PHAP) Fellow in the Coastal Health District of Savannah. During his time as a PHAP Fellow, he obtained experience working in infectious diseases, STD prevention, and emergency preparedness. In total, Rod has over 20 years of public health experience working in health promotion, infectious diseases, epidemiology, emergency preparedness, and program management. He has completed these duties in various public health settings including faith-based, non-profit, clinical, academic, and local and state health departments. Rod received his Bachelor of Science in Community Health (now Public Health) at Georgia College and Master of Public Health and Doctorate in Epidemiology from Walden University.

Rod has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2023.

Elizabeth Larkins is the Chief Nursing Officer at Piedmont Medical Center and Piedmont Macon North Hospital. Elizabeth received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the Medical College of Georgia and her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix. In 2021, she earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Augusta University. She is a member of several professional nursing organizations, including the American Organization of Nurse Leaders, the Society for Critical Care Medicine, and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Elizabeth comes to Piedmont Macon with more than 27 years in the healthcare industry. She most recently was the executive director of medical and surgical nursing at Northeast Georgia Health System’s Gainesville campus. In addition to her work in Gainesville, Elizabeth has worked at several healthcare systems including Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, Cascade Healthcare in Oregon, Athens Regional Health Services, and SunHealth/Banner Health in Arizona. In 2016, she was an adjunct faculty member at Grand Canyon University teaching undergraduate nursing students.

Elizabeth has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2024.

Antonio B. Lawrence is the current Program Manager for the Georgia Department of Public Health-West Central District in Prevention Services. He graduated from Georgia College in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Community Health (now Public Health) and a minor in Psychology. Antonio has received numerous certifications from the CDC including ISTDI certification, STD Intervention for Supervisors, and Effective Principle of Supervision and Leadership. He has been employed with the Georgia Department of Public Health for 31 years. During his tenure, Antonio has received numerous awards including the Janet Stancliff Epidemiology Award, the Sellers-McCroan Award, the 2015 District STD Manager of the Year, and the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Office of HIV/AIDS Prevention. Additionally, Antonio is a former Board member of the Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA), former Epidemiology Chairperson of GPHA, member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, founding member of the African American Alumni Council, and co-founder of the Dr. Helen Hill Scholarship at Georgia College.

Antonio has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2022.

Sharon Brantley Little, RN, MSN has over 25 years of experience as a registered nurse. She is a native of Milledgeville, and graduated from Georgia College in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. After several years of teaching middle grades science, she returned to college and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Columbus State University in 1993. Additionally, she obtained her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Mercer University. She is also a member of the American Nurses Association, Georgia Nurses Association, Georgia Association for Nursing Education, and the Henry County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.  Sharon and her husband, William, reside in Stockbridge, Georgia, and she is currently the Lead Medical Record Abstractor with Chickasaw Nation Industries (CNI), which is a federal contractor with the Center for Disease Control. In her role with CNI, she reviews and abstracts relevant health data from medical records of participants in the CDC's V-Safe Pregnancy Registry which seeks to understand the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women and their infants. Sharon has a passion for mentoring and volunteering, and she spends time each summer working with youth who have experienced personal loss through her work as a camp nurse with Experience Camps and as a volunteer with C.H.O.I.C.E.S. for Kids, which is a nonprofit organization whose aim is to end childhood obesity. Sharing her love for nursing education, Sharon dedicated 3 years of her career as a clinical instructor at Augusta University in Augusta, GA from 2010-2012 and as an instructor in the skills lab and simulation at Georgia State University-Perimeter College from 2019-2020.

Sharon has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2021.

Vivian Momah comes with 20 years of public health experience and is the coordinator of Statewide HIV Integrated Prevention & Care Planning in the Office of HIV/AIDS with the Georgia Department of Public Health. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration and Master in Public Health from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. While pursuing a career in Public Health, she worked in North Florida concentrating in health services, health policy, and strategic planning in healthcare settings. Vivian is currently a doctoral candidate in the University of Georgia’s Public Health Program.  

Vivian is involved in strengthening the mobilization of HIV/AIDS activities in marginalized communities and coordinating the development of Georgia’s first HIV Integrated Plan. She is also working for the Department of Veterans Affairs where she contributed to developing a system that eliminated the increased waitlist for veterans in need of a medical appointment; investigating and reducing Medicaid fraud in North Florida while employed with the Agency for Health Care Administration. As the Ryan White HIV Part C Manager, she championed re-engaging out of care HIV-positive clients back into care to receive medical services, including HAART therapy and providing increased medical case management for all Ryan White HIV clients. Vivian is devoted to volunteerism and dedicates her time serving in the capacity as Vice President of the board for MPOWERR Health & Wellness of Atlanta, HIV/STD Health Educator with Southside Medical, registering donors with Be The Match, and providing home-delivered meals through Meals on Wheels of Atlanta. 

Vivian has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2023.

Nicole Paulk (Nikki) is the Chief Operating Officer at Allegiant Anesthesia, LLC in Macon, GA. She overseas the administrative operations at Allegiant Anesthesia, LLC. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of  Science in Nursing Administration, and Master of Business Administration degrees from Georgia College. Nikki brings 25 years of experience in clinical healthcare delivery and strategic business planning. For more than 15 years, she has held senior level executive leadership positions ranging from large tertiary to rural hospital settings. Nikki has professional affiliations with Sigma Theta Tau International - Theta Tau Chapter, Phi Kappa Phi, as well as a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Nikki has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2020.

Dr. Michael Polascik is an associate professor at the University of North Georgia (UNG). His current teaching responsibilities include musculoskeletal extremities, spine, and therapeutic exercise. Before joining UNG, he was Head Athletic Trainer at Bethany College and Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at Virginia Tech. He also taught athletic training and advanced athletic training courses at those institutions as well. In addition, Dr. Polascik has worked as a clinic manager, physical therapist, and athletic trainer in the Atlanta area.

Dr. Polascik’s certifications and fellowships include:

• Certified Athletic Trainer through the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
• Certified Level I Sports Performance Coach through the US Weightlifting Federation
• Certified Functional Movement System Professional
• Certified in Dry Needling and Myofascial Manipulation
• Certified in Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
• Certified through the McKenzie Institute in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy 
• Certified Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapist through the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT)
• Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT)
• Credentialed Clinical Instructor through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
• Certified in Outdoor Emergency Care and a National Ski Patrol member and has been volunteering as a National Alpine Ski Patroller at the Cataloochee Ski Resort in Maggie Valley, North Carolina since 2011.

Dr. Polascik’s education includes: 

• D.Sc., Physical Therapy, Andrews University, 2017
• Clinical Fellowship Program of the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT), and Clinical Fellowship Program of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy, Andrews University, May 2015
• B.S., Physical Therapy, Medical College of Georgia, 1992
• M.S., Exercise Physiology, Virginia Tech, 1985
• B.S., Secondary Education/Athletic Training, West Virginia University, 1983

Michael joined the COHS Leadership Board in 2024.

Scott Van Sant, MD, PC obtained his medical degree from the University of South Florida and completed his psychiatry residency training at Emory University in Atlanta. He is board-certified in general adult and forensic psychiatry.  He has spent his entire career in the public sector behavioral health field, including formerly serving as medical director of DeKalb Crisis Center in Atlanta Georgia; chief medical officer of Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, Georgia; medical director of Augusta University's adult and geriatric inpatient psychiatric units; and associate training director of Medical College of Georgia's general psychiatry residency training program. Presently, he is Clinical Director of Benchmark Human Services Georgia Crisis Programs, which provides emergency mobile crisis interventions for individuals with mental health and developmental disability diagnoses across the state of Georgia.  Also, he provides telepsychiatry services to community mental health centers in Michigan. His particular professional interests include psychopharmacology, treatment of persons with chronic severe mental illness, management of co-occurring psychiatric and intellectual disabilities, and improvement of mental health delivery systems.  

Scott has been on the COHS Leadership Board since 2019.