Appointments aim to improve the quality and supervision of correctional services
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (SBCPHD) has appointed two experienced specialists to strengthen care oversight and quality within the county’s correctional facilities. Dr. Carrick Adam has been named Chief Correctional Health Medical Advisor, and Aaron Stilwell, DNP, MBA, RN, will serve as Correctional Health Quality Care Improvement (QCI) Manager. These appointments reinforce the county’s commitment to providing effective, compassionate care for incarcerated individuals.
The new roles are in line with the board’s direction to expand oversight of the contract with private healthcare contractors and a broader effort to improve health care in the county’s correctional facilities. Both Dr. Adam and Stilwell have extensive corrections experience and will work together to improve both the physical and mental well-being of those incarcerated in county facilities.
Dr. Carrick Adam, a board-certified pediatrician and addiction medicine specialist, will oversee the work of third-party healthcare contractors, ensuring compliance with National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) standards and advanced medical protocols.
Aaron Stilwell, DNP, MBA, RN, a US Marine Corps veteran with over 17 years of healthcare experience, will focus on quality improvement and compliance monitoring. He has a strong background in risk management and healthcare operations, having held leadership roles in several local facilities.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Adam and Mr. Stilwell to our team,” said Mouhanad Hammami, Director of Public Health. “Their leadership and expertise are invaluable assets to our correctional team, and we are confident they will help us achieve our goal of providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare to individuals in the correctional system.”
The appointments come at a critical time as Santa Barbara County continues to invest in improving its correctional infrastructure and services. In addition to expanding medical and mental health services, the county remains committed to exploring innovative ways to improve rehabilitation programs, reduce recidivism and ensure the well-being of all individuals in the correctional system.
Assistant County Director Tanja Heitman added, “These appointments reflect our ongoing commitment to improving the healthcare system in our county’s correctional facilities. We are confident that Dr. Adam and Mr. Stilwell will make significant contributions to the health and well-being of our correctional system.”
ABOUT DR. CARRICK ADAM:
Dr. Adam is board certified in pediatrics; Preventive medicine-addiction medicine; and addiction medicine. Dr. Adam has a long history of providing health care locally to incarcerated youth serving as the Medical Director of the Santa Barbara County Juvenile Justice Centers since 2005. She was instrumental in developing COVID-19 protocols for the Juvenile Justice Center and worked in partnership with local legislative application. Dr. Adam also serves as Medical Director of the Santa Barbara County Sexual Assault Response Team and is a Pediatric Sexual Assault Forensic Investigator. She earned her medical degree and Master of Public Health from Tulane University and completed her residency and internship at the University of California, San Diego.
As the new Chief Correctional Health Medical Advisor, Dr. Adam to ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare services to incarcerated individuals through a third-party contractor while maintaining compliance with relevant regulations and standards. She will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating all clinical and related activities of the clinical staff of the Jail and Juvenile Justice Center Health Contractor in their implementation of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) and evidence-based health care standards (e. .eg medical, dental). , mental health, ancillary services etc.) for the imprisoned.
Dr. Adam will report directly to Dr. Phyllis Preciado, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Department of Public Health. Regular reports, reviews and findings by Dr. Adam will be shared with the county board through regular briefings by SBPCHD. Dr. Adam is committed to developing medical protocols and services for a diverse population of inmates, ensuring county facilities provide prompt and efficient care.
ABOUT AARON STILLWELL:
Aaron Stilwell, DNP, MBA, RN, has 17 years of experience in healthcare, with over 10 years in quality measurement and improvement, risk management, compliance and operations. His previous roles include work with Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital, Lompoc Valley Medical Center, Lompoc Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and CenCal Health. Dr. Stilwell is a registered nurse and holds a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Quinnipiac University. He is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
As Director of Correctional Care Quality Improvement for Santa Barbara County Correctional Services, Stilwell will oversee and guide the quality assurance process to ensure that providers follow clinical protocols and meet regulatory standards for incarcerated individuals.
