Board of Directors

Libby Diaz earned her BSN from Auburn University in 2008. She has worked in critical care areas for her entire 17 year nursing career, beginning in the Cardiovascular ICU at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, AL. Most of her career was spent in CVICU at Huntsville Hospital, as well as some time spent in the Critical Care Float Pool and serving on the IT Clinical Workflow Committee. She now works PRN at Madison Hospital in the ICU as a staff nurse and relief charge nurse, and is active in the ICU/PCU Unit Council, the Shared Governance Committee, and the IT Clinical Workflow Committee. 

Outside of hospital roles, Libby was a part-time flight nurse with Air Evac for four years, and has been a part-time clinical instructor for Calhoun Community College for the past three years. She is one of only a handful of nurses credentialed to manage ExtraCorporeal Life Support in North Alabama, with privileges at Huntsville Hospital and North Alabama Medical Center.

Libby is passionate about improving patient care and work environments for nurses in critical care units. She is an active member of the Alabama State Nurses Association, serves on the Equity, Ethics, and Engagement Committee, and has volunteered with many ASNA events. Libby served as the secretary of the North Alabama Chapter of AACN for the 2024-2025 term and is honored to serve as president in 2025-2026. Libby lives in Madison with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs. She enjoys traveling (Italy and Puerto Rico are favorites), reading, and painting.

Hailey Palacios is a dedicated critical care nurse based in Huntsville, Alabama, currently practicing in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Huntsville Hospital. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2023, where she completed the Honors Nursing Curriculum and authored a capstone thesis titled “The Effect of Nurse Practitioners on Nursing Burnout in the ICU Setting: A Pilot Study.”

Hailey is passionate about both learning and teaching. She serves as a preceptor for new ICU nurses and nursing students, sharing her knowledge and supporting their growth in high-acuity care. Her commitment to clinical excellence is reflected in her continued professional development, including certifications in the NIH Stroke Scale and the Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) credential, which she earned in 2025.

Beyond the bedside, Hailey is actively involved in nursing leadership and currently serves as president-elect for the North Alabama chapter of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). She is excited to help shape the future of critical care nursing in her region through collaboration, advocacy, and education.

Outside of work, Hailey enjoys life in Hazel Green with her family and cat, Conner. She loves reading, staying active, listening to music, visiting coffee shops, and exploring new hobbies in her free time.

Garret is a dedicated critical care nurse with three years of experience, currently serving in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Huntsville Hospital. After earning his associate degree from Calhoun Community College, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Athens State University. Garret is committed to continuous learning and staying current with evidence-based practices to ensure optimal patient outcomes and provide the highest standard of care.

Kyla is a dedicated critical care nurse in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Huntsville Hospital. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama in 2024. While in school, she served as a mentor and worked alongside the Capstone College of Nursing SERVE Team, deepening her passion for leadership and community involvement. She also spent a year as a nurse extern in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at DCH Regional Medical Center, where she gained valuable hands-on experience in high-acuity cardiac care. Passionate about nursing education, she is committed to mentoring and supporting the next generation of nurses.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her golden doodle, Wrigley, spending time at the lake, and traveling across the country to visit friends.

Born in Puebla, Mexico, Diego moved to Hartselle, Alabama at the age of sixteen and has since made Huntsville his home. He was drawn to nursing at an early age, inspired by his great-grandmother who served as a nurse and a grandmother who aspired to enter the profession. That generational influence became deeply personal following a life-altering diagnosis during his youth that left him vulnerable and dependent on the skill and compassion of nurses. Experiencing care from the patient’s perspective strengthened his calling to serve others with empathy and clinical excellence. He earned his Associate Degree in Nursing from Calhoun Community College before completing both his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of North Alabama. His academic progression reflects a strong commitment to professional growth and lifelong learning.

Since 2017, Diego has served at Huntsville Hospital, advancing from Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse, charge nurse, and critical care nurse. His bedside experience spans medical-surgical and multiple intensive care units, including neuro, medical, cardiac, surgical, and trauma settings. He currently practices full-time in the Neurosurgical ICU at Huntsville Hospital and PRN in the Trauma Burn ICU at UAB Hospital.

In addition to his bedside practice, Diego has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in gastroenterology, urgent care, and aesthetics, broadening his clinical expertise while maintaining a strong foundation in high-acuity nursing.

As Interim Secretary of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses North Alabama Chapter, he is committed to fostering collaboration, advocacy, and professional development initiatives that strengthen and elevate critical care nursing across the state. His journey reflects resilience, service, and a steadfast dedication to advancing the nursing profession.