Compliance & Internal Audit Staff
Robert Royston, JD, CHC
Corporate Compliance Officer
robert.royston@childrensal.org
205-638-7134
Robert began his career at Children’s in 2011 in the Risk Management Department. In 2017, he began giving dedicated time to the Compliance function and became the Corporate Compliance Officer in June 2022. He attained his Certified in Healthcare Compliance designation in October 2022. Robert received his undergraduate degree from Auburn University and his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. He has worked with several healthcare entities in Alabama, as well as one in West Virginia.
LeQuisha Mitchell, MSHA, RHIA
Compliance Audit Supervisor
lequisha.mitchell@childrensal.org
205-638-2225
LeQuisha began her career at Children’s in June 2024. She previously worked at Medical West as a Compliance Audit Coordinator and most recently at UAB Hospital as a Compliance Specialist. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and her graduate degree from the University of St. Francis, Joliet. She is also a Certified Registered Health Information Administrator.
Salima Ali, MSHI, RHIA
Compliance Auditor
salima.ali@childrensal.org
205-638-5642
Salima began her career at Children’s in June 2024. She received her Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management and a Master of Science in Health Informatics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Formerly, she worked as a Director of Health Information Management and a HIPAA Compliance Officer in the healthcare field. Salima also possesses an RHIA certification.
Emily Forsman-Blackwell, CPA
Manager Internal Audit
emily.forsman-blackwell@childrensal.org
205-638-9761
Emily began her career at Children’s in July of 2023. Previously, she worked in public accounting firms performing accounting functions, preparing tax returns, and executing external audits for various entities and industries. Emily earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Accounting from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is a Certified Public Accountant.
Gaylan Johnson
Internal Auditor
gaylan.johnson@childrensal.org
205-638-2280
Gaylan began her career at Children’s in July 2025. Previously, she worked in the Professional Services Department at a public accounting firm, handling tasks such as tax preparation and financial reporting. Gaylan earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi.
