Speakers: Dr. Carmen Capo-Lugo & Fabio Melo 

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS//

Dr. Capo-Lugo’s research focuses on identifying and optimizing processes of care associated with rehabilitation to promote long-term patient recovery. Specifically, Dr. Capo-Lugo is interested in developing patient-centered approaches to rehabilitation that provide continuity of care between acute rehabilitation and long-term community recovery. Currently, she is an Assistant Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins University working in the Activity and Mobility Promotion (AMP) program. AMP is an inter-professional effort aimed at supporting hospitals and healthcare providers who want to change the culture of patient mobility. At AMP, we develop tools as well as design and implement structured quality improvement processes to successfully increase patient activity and mobility. Also, Dr. Capo-Lugo is interested in language justice in healthcare and access to healthcare services for uninsured populations. Finally, Dr. Capo-Lugo works on the use of an African-rooted art form as a tool to enhance wellness within communities of color with chronic health conditions living in Alabama.

Fábio Melo was born and raised in Itapeva, SP, Brazil, and came to the US at age 18 in 1998. He lived most of his life in Washington, D.C. In 2019, he moved to Alabama for an opportunity to support the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s research project on capoeira angola. Through that research, he familiarized himself with the social justice community in Alabama by getting involved with the Shut Down Etowah campaign and becoming a founding member of the Etowah Freedom Fund. As the Immigrant Justice Organizer for Adelante, he looks forward to continuing to serve our community and strengthening the relationships of immigrants from all different nationalities.

Please contact Lauren Edwards with any questions (laurenme@uab.edu).