Brandi Pernell is a wife, mother of two beautiful girls (Braelyn and Gianna), a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Alabama (UAB), Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. She has over 17 years of healthcare experience; ranging from emergency nursing care, staff development and education, critical care stabilization and escalation of care among pediatric inpatients, medical simulation, outpatient management of children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) with and without asthma, clinical research, quality improvement and program development. Dr. Pernell currently runs the Pediatric SCD and Asthma Program at UAB, and is Principal Investigator for a grant-funded research program focused on the early detection and mitigation of early life stress exposures. Dr. Pernell is also the presiding Vice President of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Central Alabama Chapter, Board of Directors. In addition to healthcare and clinical research, Dr. Pernell is the co-owner, Executive Administrator and Chief Financial Officer for two real estate investment companies, Kingdom Realty, LLC. and Quality Investment Group, LLC., both of which are focused on the acquisition, restoration and production of safe, quality, affordable housing in Birmingham, AL.

Dr. Pernell has previous experience serving as a mentor for adolescents, young adults and peers pursing careers in healthcare and/or real investment opportunities. She has a genuine passion for mentoring and is honored to contribute to the mission of Diane’s Heart.