Billy Kirkpatrick’s career has been shaped by a simple conviction: everyone deserves access to compassionate, high‑quality healthcare—no matter where they live, who they are, or what they face.

With degrees in psychology, counseling, and a Ph.D. in management and public administration, Billy built his academic foundation around understanding people, systems, and the forces that shape community well‑being. His doctoral research on HIV stigma and civic engagement reflected his passion for improving the lives of people living with HIV, especially in rural communities where resources are often scarce.

Billy’s work with West Alabama AIDS Outreach (WAAO) began in 2004, not behind a desk, but in support groups—listening to people living with HIV, learning from their stories, and witnessing firsthand the barriers they faced. Those experiences guided every step that followed. In 2007, he became Executive Director of WAAO, and ten years later, its Chief Executive Officer. Under Billy’s leadership, a small six‑person office serving ten counties evolved into Five Horizons Health Services—an organization of more than 200 professionals providing care across 68 counties in Alabama and Mississippi.

Billy has long championed innovation in HIV prevention and care. He led the rebranding of WAAO to Five Horizons and launched the first PrEP clinic in West Alabama. His commitment to expanding access continued with the opening of Ryan White and PrEP clinics in Starkville, Oxford, and Meridian, Mississippi. In 2022, he guided the transition of services from Medical Advocacy and Outreach, helping ensure continuity of care for thousands of patients who depend on HIV services throughout Alabama.

Beyond organizational leadership, Billy has remained deeply connected to the broader mission of advancing HIV care in rural America. He co‑founded the Rural HIV Research Collaborative at The University of Alabama and has contributed more than 20 publications and presentations on stigma, housing, peer leadership, and the unique challenges faced by rural communities. His time as an Adjunct Professor at The University of Alabama allowed him to mentor the next generation of nonprofit leaders committed to equitable access and social impact.

For Billy, this work has never been just a career - it’s a calling rooted in the belief that everyone deserves compassionate, equitable, and high-quality healthcare. His leadership continues to be guided by a commitment to building healthier communities for all and expanding the reach of lifesaving services across the Southeast.