Meredith Ferraro, MS
Executive Director
mferraro@swctahec.org
Meredith Ferraro was hired as the Executive Director of the Southwestern Area Health Education Center (AHEC) since its inception in the spring of 1998. In the oversight of Southwestern AHEC, Inc., her work focuses on program development, systems development and policy change in various areas of Public Health, Health Education, recruitment of a diverse health professions workforce, access to health care, with a special emphasis on Oral Health.
Her prior experience as a Physical Therapist, and Certified Hand Therapist includes clinical practice, research and publications. Her work experience includes various clinical settings, including acute care, rehabilitation, homecare and, private practice. In academia, she worked as the Assistant Professor and ACCE of Physical Therapy at Housatonic Community College, and at Touro College. Meredith received her BS in Physical Therapy from New York University, and her MS in Health Sciences Education from Stony Brook University.
Joan Lane, MPH
Director of Programs
jlane@swctahec.org
Joan Lane joined the Southwestern AHEC staff as Director of Programs in 2006, and plays a role in the agency’s health careers, immunization and oral health programs. Before AHEC, Joan worked in CT in Marketing and Product Development for Anthem BCBS/CT; and at Community Health Care Plan HMO, as Corporate Planning Associate, Risk Manager, and HMO Sales & Marketing Manager.
In Chicago, Joan was Associate Marketing Manager for PruCare HMO; and in Boston, she worked for Beth Israel Hospital, Fenway Community Health Center, and Harvard Community Health Plan. Joan has done volunteer health counseling for Planned Parenthood and the Fenway Women’s Health Collective, and has presented guest lectures at the Harvard School of Public Health, the University of Connecticut/Storrs, and Southern CT State University. The common theme through Joan’s professional career has been a commitment to making high quality health care more accessible and affordable. She holds a B.A. from Oberlin College in Ohio, and a Master’s in Public Health from Boston University.
Millie Seguinot, AS
Community Health Worker Project Coordinator
mseguinot@swctahec.org
Millie joined the staff of Southwestern AHEC in the capacity of Community Outreach Worker in September of 2006.She is involved in the implementation of the Immunization Action Plan Program for the agency, providing data support for the Connecticut Immunization Registry and Tracking System (CIRTS), as well as promoting all the other programs at SW AHEC.Her growth in the agency has provided for two promotions:first as the Senior Community Outreach Worker and second as a Community Health Worker Project Coordinator. In her new role she will be responsible for assisting Community Outreach Workers to effectively utilize outreach skills they have learned to make sure that all children in Connecticut eligible for the HUSKY Program, get enrolled, and stay enrolled.
Millie has extensive experience working with multicultural and diverse populations in the Greater Bridgeport Community in the areas of mutual housing, education, parenting and parent leadership, and as a Notary Public and a Justice of the Peace.She is trained in Medical Interpretation, as a FAST Team Member and Facilitator, a Facilitator of the Strengthening Families Program, and is an Alumni of PLTI (Parent Leadership Training Institute) class of 2006. She graduated the University of Puerto Rico with a Cum Laude, an A.S. degree in Secretarial Science, and attended Goodwin College for business applications.Millie is a proud mother of a daughter, a son, and a granddaughter (Sofia).
Marcella Lawson
AmeriCorps Youth Health Service Corps Coordinator
mlawson@swctahec.org
Marcella Lawson has recently joined AHEC as an AmeriCorps Youth Health Service Corps Coordinator. She will implement leadership training and service learning projects for area high school students, so they can increase their understanding various health disparities and become part of the solutions. As one of four AmeriCorps YHSC Coordinators placed in the Greater Bridgeport Area, she will train and support students in the development and implementation of a sustainable service project to enhance the lives of those in the community. She will mentor and guide students as they become active members of the community and engage in active service learning focused on community health issues.
Marcella is dedicated to educating a diverse population of students about leadership and social responsibility, while encouraging a lifestyle of purposeful service in healthcare in the surrounding communities. She is fluent in Spanish and Sign Language and is proud to be a part of a team that provides students with career opportunities while supporting their academic and social growth.
