Healthcare school foundation deepens medical focus with latest board appointment

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January 13, 2025

The Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences Foundation board has added Dr. Khalilah Brown, Chief Medical Officer for Southern Research, to its slate of directors.

Southern Research is an 80-year-old research institution that has contributed to global knowledge of cancer treatment and to COVID research while pouring an estimated $150 million into Alabama’s economy each year. In her role, Dr. Brown leads the Catalyst Program to expand access to precision medicine and clinical trials for Alabamians.

She is a board-certified pediatrician and published researcher and has worked in public health in Alabama for the past 14 years, serving on a number of community boards related to maternal and child health services, and in the 2019 class of Leadership Birmingham. Dr. Brown also continues to participate in clinical practice as a Clinical Professor in Academic General Pediatrics at UAB Primary Care Clinic.

“The crisis in rural healthcare in Alabama can’t be turned around with a quick fix,” said Dr. Brown, “and I look forward to helping develop this long-term solution that offers the bonus of changing the lives and fortunes of young people in our state.”

Kirk Stephens, Foundation board president, said Dr. Brown is a “perfect fit” with ASHS.

“She’s passionate about her career field and has shown great leadership, while at the same time understanding and working for healthcare equity and access for all Alabamians.”

A native of Huntsville, Dr. Brown received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in biology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and her M.D. from the UA School of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency training with the University of Florida at Sacred Heart Hospital then joined The National Health Service Corps at Quality of Life Health Services in Gadsden, Ala.

From 2009-23 she was with the Jefferson County (Ala.) Department of Health, first as a public health medical officer for eight years, then as child health medical and laboratory director for six years.

In addition to expanding its board, the ASHS Foundation is in the final stages of identifying a permanent president/chief executive officer, working with a professional search firm. That individual will answer to the board and will direct fundraising, advocacy and promotion of the school in conjunction with the school president, a position that is also in the process of being filled through the 20-member statewide ASHS school board.