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.

Crystal Dodd is a second-career professional with 12 years of experience in public education and administration, having served as a principal, assistant principal, and high school teacher before transitioning to healthcare. A graduate of University of North Alabama's accelerated nursing program, Crystal now works as a nurse in Huntsville Hospital's Surgical Trauma ICU and as a volunteer Duty Officer for the American Red Cross. Her primary interests are nursing education and community involvement. Outside of her career, Crystal resides in Muscle Shoals with her husband and three dachshunds and fills her time quilting, baking, and caring for her houseplants.

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.