OUR STAFF
Justin R. Johnston
Executive Director
justin@communityofhopeclinic.com
Justin began working for Community of Hope in May 2015. Previously he worked for Viva Health, Sirote and Permutt, P.C., Jefferson Clinic P.C., and the Black Warrior Council, Boy Scouts of America. He enjoys spending time with his family (especially his wife and daughter), giving back to the community, and officiating sports.
Maria Fernanda Vidal
Clinic Coordinator-Evening Clinic
maria@communityofhopeclinic.com
Maria began working at Community of Hope Clinic in January 2019 after serving as a volunteer interpreter. Previously she worked as a Laboratory Scientist at UAB Hospital. She earned a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland - College Park and a masters degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences from UAB. Maria was born in Caracas, Venezuela and moved to the U.S. when she was 10 yrs old. She lives in Helena with her husband and 2 kids.
Jocelyn Walker
Clinic Coordinator-Day Clinic
jocelyn@communityofhopeclinic.com
Jocelyn began working at the Community of Hope Health Clinic in 2017. She graduated from the University of Montevallo with a Bachelors Degree in Spanish. She previously worked for the Shelby County Department of Health as a medical interpreter. Her family is from El Salvador and she enjoys spending time with her family, photography, painting, and hiking.
Karen Stough
Office Manager
karen@communityofhopeclinic.com
Karen started working at Community of Hope Clinic in January 2016 after serving as a volunteer and board member for 3 years. Previously she worked as a Med Tech at Pathology Services, Southern Research Institute and UAB. Karen enjoys hiking, arts and crafts and traveling to Minnesota to visit family.
Dr. John McGuinness, MD
Medical Director (Volunteer)
John McGuinness is a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Dr. McGuinness specializes in anesthesiology and family practice.
Alli Messick
BSC Intern
Alli a senior at Birmingham-Southern College majoring in Spanish for the Workplace and has taken health science courses. She hopes to improve her Spanish skills while at the same time being able to learn the structure of a clinic like Community of Hope.
Savannah Smith
Health Care Management Intern
Savannah is a senior in the health care management program at UAB and a Pelham native. Savannah is focused on working with the clinic to learn a variety of skills that come from part of healthcare that is primarily focused on the people.
Latia Wallace
Health Care Management Intern
Latia is a senior at UAB studying Healthcare Management. She is focused on this opportunity to gain more knowledge about the healthcare field. She hopes this opportunity will allow her to help the surrounding community and is excited to take on this journey.
Gopiann Shah
Public Health Intern
Gopiann is a Senior at University of Alabama at Birmingham studying Neuroscience and Public Health. Always having an interest in community health, Gopiann finds searching for an effective and holistic approach to helping a community very appealing. She is very excited for this opportunity!
Board of Directors
2020 Executive Committee
Chair of the Board of Directors: Dr. Douglas O. Clark, OD
Vice Chair: Fanicy H. Sears, LPC, LMFT, NCC, BC-TMH
Treasurer: Mike Northrup
Secretary: Rebekah Parr
Medical Director: Dr. John P. McGuinness, MD
Kim Mashego
Wanda McCrimon
Roger Foster, Esq.
Dulce Rivera
Angelica Melendez
Claude Peacock
Gail Acton
William K. Dunham, MD- Medical Director Emeritus