Speaker Information

Dr. Phillips- PhD, MSW, MPH, is a behavioral scientist specializing in social work and public health research, with a focus on health equity and oral health disparities. Her research centers on intersectional discrimination and community health interventions, particularly addressing the oral health needs of Black American populations. Dr. Phillips is dedicated to developing culturally responsive interventions that promote oral health equity and improve access to care for underserved communities.

In our presentation, “Improving Oral Health Outcomes for Black Patients through Interdisciplinary Collaboration,” we focus on the racial disparities in oral health utilization and psychosocial outcomes among 21-64-year-old Black adults in Baltimore City. We explore the impact of racial discrimination on oral health and explore how interprofessional collaboration among various health professions, such as nurses, social workers, and public health professionals, alongside dentists, can decrease these disparities faced by Black adults. Our goal is to provide culturally responsive care interventions that address the systemic barriers faced by Black patients and promote equitable oral health outcomes.

Speaker Information

Dr. Kristcha DeGuerre, Ph.D., is a scholar and mental health professional, presently serving as the MSW program coordinator, assistant professor, and mental health counselor at Galen University. Having earned her doctoral degree from the prestigious University at Albany’s School of Social Welfare, Dr. DeGuerre’s academic journey centers on the crucial research areas of gang-involved women and girls, mental health, and trauma. Her research methodology, grounded in qualitative approaches and a feminist lens, strives to shed light on pressing societal concerns. As a clinician, she specializes in guiding individuals through mental health challenges and trauma, notably focusing on gendered issues surrounding violence and discrimination.

Speaker Information

Mrs. Pennill is currently a lecturer at the University of Belize in the Social Work Department, Faculty of Health Sciences.

Mrs. Pennill brings over thirty years of experience in social service administration and delivery, as well as participation in social policy development in Belize. She has served as the Director of the Women’s Department, Human Services Department and the Youth Department. In addition, she has served as a member on major policy making bodies including the National Committee for Families and Children, the National AIDS Commission, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Council, the National Council on Aging and as a member of the Social Security Board Non-Contributory Pension Program. Ms. Pennill continues to be active in the social arena as she volunteers with many agencies and programs including Belizean Association for Persons with Disabilities, and Care for Child Development. Her career has focused on working with and for extremely vulnerable populations.

Mrs. Pennill’s service with the University of Belize focuses on strengthening the link between the community and the Social Work Department, allowing for a seamless transition for students from the classroom to the field. This relationship has led to many collaborative opportunities and has offered social work students relevant social work internship experience, meaningful volunteer experience, and sensitization on emergent issues.

Mrs. Pennill has a Masters Degree in International Child Welfare from the University of East Anglia.

Speaker Information

Juliet Simmons is a psychotherapist and has a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. She currently works for the Ministry of Health and Wellness at the Port Loyola Health Centre as the counselling psychologist. She uses a variety of methods including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative therapy, stress management, assertiveness training, mood management and anxiety reduction in her practice.

She was actively involved with PAHO Belize in the development of the Mental Health Literacy program for teachers and school counsellors and in the development of the National Suicide Prevention Plan. She was the Ministry of Health and Wellness Focal Point for the Measurement of Mental Health Among Adolescents at the Population Level (MMAP) and Helping Adolescents Thrive (HAT), a partnership between Ministry of Health and Wellness and UNICEF.

She has served as an adjunct faculty member of at the University of Belize and is a board member of The Belize Mental Health Association. Juliet has also co-authored a presentation on Mental Health in Belize that was presented at the American Psychological Association (APA) in Denver Colorado in August 2016.

Speaker Information

Dr. Carol Babb holds a master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of North Florida and a Doctorate in Education from Oklahoma State. She has held one of the highest offices in the education sector as the Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education. Dr. Babb started working at the Ministry of Education in 2008, as Deputy Chief Education Officer, where she helped to ensure that children were given the tools needed to reach their developmental potential. As Deputy Chief, she began her longstanding work with Peacework International. A crowning achievement of this collaboration was a program called ‘Project Belize,’ which provided financial literacy training to teachers, parents, and students. It is because of the investment in the project that financial literacy is now a part of the primary school curriculum and taught as a core subject in Belize secondary schools. In 2015, Dr. Babb became the Chief Education Officer at the ministry and served in this position until November 2020. Dr. Babb says that she believes not, just as much as she did then, that literacy is the basis for all forms of learning. It was under her leadership that a Literacy Unit was formed at the ministry and that a partnership was created with the Peace Corps to recruit response volunteers to support the expansion of literacy in schools. Dr. Babb also advocated for the development of school gardens so that every Belizean child can eat at least one healthy meal a day at school. Dr. Babb continues her work with Peacework Belize as Director, in the community where she grew up. Her goal is to work with young people in underserved neighborhoods and she believes that her team can serve as a turning point in their lives. In her own words, “Education is the greatest investment that can help to create many opportunities and transform at-risk youths.”

Speaker Information

Ms. Washington, is the Chief Clinical Officer of a private practice in New York, U.S.A., and brings a wealth of experience treating several diverse populations. She is distinguished for her comprehensive expertise in mental health, with a specialized forensic focus. Ms. Washington’s interest in the intersection of mental health and the legal system, has explored the complexities of human behavior within judicial contexts. Her keen insights and compassionate approach have earned her acclaim in this demanding field.

Ms. Washington also co-founded Pathema Area Collaborative, a non-profit organization established in the heart of New York State’s most challenging environments. Dedicated to combining vital mental health services and tutoring in the midst of adversity, this initiative reflects her unwavering commitment to serve marginalized communities and foster positive change. An integral aspect of Ms. Washington’s career continues, with implementing advanced knowledge and innovative approaches addressing the evolving needs of her clients and communities.

Having earned her Bachelor’s degree from Medgar Evers College, CUNY, Ms. Washington developed a strong foundation in public advocacy, which she further enhanced with a Master’s degree from Hunter College, CUNY- School of Social Work. Currently pursuing her Doctorate of Social Work at Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts, she continues to expand her proficiency, and contribute to advancements in her field.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Ms. Washington finds fulfillment in her role as a devoted wife, and mother of three beautiful children. Her personal experiences inform her work, driving her to advocate tirelessly for mental health awareness and social justice. Ms. Washington is a beacon of inspiration, empowering others to embrace resilience, navigate truths, and foster holistic well-being, for a more inclusive, and equitable society.

Speaker Information

Dretona Maddox, DSW, BSN, RN-PHN, LCSW, serves as an assistant professor of Social Work at California Baptist University’s College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. A survivor of suicide loss who also navigated teenage pregnancy and homelessness, Dr. Maddox embodies resilience. Her educational journey includes a BSN from the University of Phoenix, an MSW from the University of Southern California, and a DSW from California Baptist University. There, she conducted groundbreaking research on health equity barriers affecting pregnant Black teens.

Dr. Maddox’s current scholarly focus lies in Black Adolescent Maternal Health, a subject close to her heart and indicative of her commitment to vulnerable communities. In addition to her academic roles, she is the founding executive director of Purposely Chosen, Inc., a non-profit devoted to supporting pregnant and parenting teens in foster care. Under her guidance, the organization runs two maternity homes in Southern California’s Inland Empire, offering crucial resources to young mothers in need.

Speaker Information

Frederico Gianelli, S.J., M.Div.; M.T.S.; BCC-PCHAC, serves as the Executive Director of the Belize Palliative Care Hospice Association, where he has distinguished himself as a Palliative Care and Hospice Specialist. A Brazilian–Uruguayan Jesuit of Italian descent, Rev. Gianelli brings a unique combination of professional expertise and spiritual commitment to his role.

Before joining the West Jesuits Province, he gained recognition as a Board-Certified Chaplain with a specialization in Palliative Care Hospice Advance Certification. His academic journey includes the study of philosophy and theology, earning a U.S. equivalent Master of Divinity degree from the University of “Monsignor Mariano Soler” and a Master’s in Theological Studies from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA.

Chaplain Gianelli’s diverse clinical experience spans roles at the Los Angeles County & South of California University Medical Center and Stanford University Medical Center, where he served as the Cancer Care Chaplain. Notably, he played a key role in designing a one-year fellowship in Palliative Care for professional chaplains at Stanford.

Engaging in national and international projects, Chaplain Fred is recognized for providing bedside care and offering training to medical and non-medical personnel. Answering the Jesuit call in 2018, he collaborated in Belize City, providing care for the impoverished. In 2023, he was assigned to establish a hospice facility for those dying alone, with a focus on the poorest among the poor. Chaplain Gianelli’s commitment to palliative care, ethical considerations, and spiritual support has earned him respect in academic and healthcare communities, reflecting his dedication to enhancing the lives of individuals facing serious illnesses.

Speaker Information

Dr. Liza Arellano, DSW, LCSW is an Assistant Professor and the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program Director at California Baptist University (CBU). She has over 15 years of experience in child welfare, including in residential placements, conducting child abuse and neglect investigations, training and development of staff, supervision of blended and specialized units, and managing multiple child welfare placement programs. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and previously managed the provision of mental health services for foster youth in San Bernardino County through Assembly Bill 1299. Dr. Arellano’s research includes improving outcomes for youth in congregate care, preventative child welfare services, and the effectiveness of on-the-job training for child welfare social workers.

Speaker Information

Dr. Brittany C. Lytle-Rodriguez, DrPH, MSW, is the Director of Field Education, BSW Program and an Assistant Professor within the Division of Social Work at California Baptist University. Additionally, she’s a Social Work Supervisor for a population health project called Prevention and Remediation of Aces and Toxic Stress (PRATS) with the Community Translational Research Institute (CTRI). Lastly, she is the founder and co-chair of The Transdisciplinary Symposium Series.

Dr. Lytle-Rodriguez got her doctorate in Public Health from the School of Community and Global Health at Claremont Graduate University (CGU). Her dissertation evaluated a training guidebook she developed for Nurses and MSW Navigators for a diabetes prevention program using system engineering and transdisciplinary approaches. She has since published three guidebooks for multiple population health projects. Dr. Lytle-Rodriguez got her Master’s in Social Work from the School of Social Work at Columbia University in the City of New York (CSSW), with a concentration in Advanced General Practice and Programming. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside and her Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies from Mount San Antonio College. She’s a member of APHA, NADrPH, NASW and CSWE. She has received a Public Health Fellowship and is an alum member of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health.

Previously, she was an adjunct professor at local universities within their social work program. She was a Social Work Supervisor for two population health projects (Stopping Diabetes in its Tracks (SDIT) and Preventing Social Emotional Distress and Suicide programs (PEDS)) and a Counseling Task Force chair (PEDS) within CTRI. She was the Navigation Task Force Senior Systems Engineer Manager for the SDIT program. She worked at multiple agencies as a Social Worker working with survivors of rape, sexual assault, DV and the like in California and New York City. She was also a credentialed Behavioral Therapist (BCAT, RBT) providing ABA Therapy and administering assessments that look at language development and adaptation for individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related disorders. She was the co-founder and co-chair of the DrPH Peer Support Group, which supports the mental health of DrPH students at CGU; she was President of the CGU Advocates, which helps survivors of sexual violence on campus confidentially as well as Students Against Sexual Violence (SAS-V) at CSSW.