An Accessible and Inclusive Artificial Intelligence Assisted Chronic Condition Self-Management Telehealth Platform
Join the first-ever, online chronic condition management program inclusive of people with disabilities!
The University of Alabama at Birmingham, in partnership with the Lakeshore Foundation and key stakeholders have developed, tested and optimized an accessible and inclusive artificial intelligence (AI) assisted chronic condition self-management platform for people with disabilities. The goal of this project is to create an online chronic condition self-management program for people with disabilities that is accessible, inclusive, scalable, and sustainable.
Why join the study?
If you have a disability and a chronic condition, you’ve got to stay on top of your health. The My Health, My Life, My Way program was designed just for you! The program touches every part of your life – physical activity, healthy eating, sleep, financial wellness, resiliency, community, healthy living at work.
When you join My Health, My Life, My Way you’ll set goals, work with technology, and have access to a health coach to help you reach success!
Most self-care programs take place in primary care settings or community-based settings, but with My Health, My Life, My Way you get access to the knowledge and tools you will need from your home or wherever you are.
This project is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research’s Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects Program.
Project Team
Mohanraj Thirumalai, PhD
Project Director
Dr. Thirumalai is a faculty member of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His research focuses on developing telehealth interventions for underserved populations.
Eric Evans, PhD
Study Coordinator
Dr. Evans is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and is the primary
study coordinator for the My Health, My Life, My Way program. His research interests include virtual
reality applications for health promotion for individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions.
Ayse Zengul
Research Assistant, Nutrition/Health Coaching
Ayse is a PhD student in the Nutrition Sciences program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
(UAB). Her dissertation focuses on developing a personalized meal planner system for people with
physical disabilities. She also works as a research assistant and helps conduct research related to
improving the health and function of people with disabilities. Ayse has a Masters degree in Nutrition
Sciences and is also a Certified Health Coach.
Amy Knight, Ph.D., ABPP
Study Psychologist
Dr. Knight is a faculty member of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her research areas include
neuropsychology, stroke, and acquired brain injury. Her role in My Health, My Life, My Way is the
development of the mental health curriculum used within the program.
Andrea Cherrington
Study Physician
Dr. Cherrington is a faculty member of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is the study
physician for the My Health, My Life, My Way program.
Allison Tubbs
Director of Community Health
Allison is a certified exercise physiologist and health educator. She is Director of Community Health at Lakeshore Foundation, a disability non-profit organization. Lakeshore is known for its work in promoting health, independence, and inclusion with people with disabilities and chronic health conditions through advocacy, sports, fitness, recreation, and health promotion programs. Her work is focused on advancing disability inclusive community health services where all people have equal access and opportunities for healthy living.
Anita Aboagye, MSW
Research Assistant, Community Health Promotion
Anita Aboagye is a PhD student in the Community Health Promotion program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She also works as a research assistant at UAB. Her research interests include investigating the relationship between social determinants of health and the management of chronic diseases among vulnerable populations.
Lacey Gammon, MPH, RD, LD
Registered Dietitian and Health Coach
Lacey is the Nutrition Coordinator at Lakeshore Foundation. She offers inclusive nutrition education and counseling, content development, recipe creation, and teaches adapted culinary skills and nutrition lessons to youth and adults with disabilities.
Daniel Dent
Health Coach
Daniel Dent is a Troy University graduate, where he got his bachelor’s degree in health and human service with an emphasis in Recreation and Sports Program. He is a Certified personal trainer and nutrition coach through NFPT and NASM. He is also certified as an Integrative Health Practitioner. He has a passion for helping others build a foundation in strength training and takes a wholistic approach for overall wellness. Daniel also has experience as a Health Coach working with those living with Type 2 Diabetes and weight management. He is currently pursuing the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC).
Sharon Opkins
Health Coach
Sharon is an ACE certified health coach. She is an Aquatics Specialist at Lakeshore Foundation and has experience working with people with disability and chronic health conditions.
Kaitlyn Eaton
Health Coach
Kaitlyn Eaton has a master’s in social work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is a current member of the Women’s Wheelchair Basketball National Team. Kaitlyn is passionate about empowering people to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Joon Reid
Health Coach
Joon is a Recreation and Athletic Specialist at Lakeshore. He has been a health coach working with people with disability and chronic conditions for many projects. Joon is a coach for adapted sport teams.
Stakeholders
Katherine Froehlich-Grobe, PhD
Research Scientist III at Craig Hospital
Meg Ann Traci, PhD
Research Associate Professor at University of Montana
Karl Cooper, Esq.
Executive Director, American Association on Health and Disability
Karen Luken
Disability and Health Consultant
Mari Brick
Consultant with National Association of Chronic Disease Directors
Paige Denison
Director – Health, Wellness and Project Enhance, Sound Generations
Darcy Dixon
Athlete and Advocate, Lakeshore Foundation
Dori Tempio
Director of Community Outreach & Consumer Rights with Able South Carolina
June Kailes
Disability Policy Consultant
Dr. Graham L. Sisson, Jr.
Lakeshore Foundation Board Member
WD Foster
Lakeshore Foundation Board Member
Bob Mckenna
Lakeshore Foundation Board Member
Owen Brown
Lakeshore Foundation Board Member
Allison Stephens
Lakeshore Foundation Board Member
Mark McColl
Lakeshore Foundation Board Member
Focus Groups
Input was received for this program from 10 different focus groups consisting of people with disability and chronic conditions and health experts.