Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) named Briana Hunter program manager. In her position, Hunter oversees the association’s Newborn Screening Follow-up Program and other grant-funded programs to follow compliance measures and meet goals.

“I’m looking forward to working alongside and continuing SCDAA’s collaboration with community-based organizations on the great programs and services they have successfully accomplished and provided to clients,” Hunter said. “I am eager to learn more from SCDAA as we advocate for, educate and serve patients with sickle cell disease and their communities.”

Hunter brings more than five years of experience in public health. Prior to joining the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, she served as an HIV care engagement coordinator with the Maryland Department of Health, where she worked with local health departments and people newly diagnosed.

Previously, she was a case investigator with the Virginia Department of Health and lead case investigator with the Indiana Department of Health. She was a senior health educator in the Richmond City Health District and an administrative research assistant in the Crater Health District for the Virginia Department of Health. Hunter also was a health educator with the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood.

She holds a Master of Public Health from the University of New England and a Bachelor of Science from Virginia State University, where she teaches health-related topics as an adjunct professor. Hunter lives in Parkville, Maryland.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disease causing red blood cells to take a sickle shape, which leads to blockages that prevent blood from reaching parts of the body. As a result, people with sickle cell complications can experience anemia, jaundice, gallstones, stroke, chronic pain, organ damage and premature death. No universal cure exists. (sicklecelldisease.net)

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America advocates for people affected by sickle cell conditions and empowers community-based organizations to maximize quality of life and raise public consciousness while advancing the search for a universal cure. The association and more than 50 member organizations support sickle cell research, public and professional health education and patient and community services. (www.sicklecelldisease.org)