The ADAP Advocacy Association (aaa+) is governed by a dedicated, diverse volunteer board of directors. The organization now benefits from the combined experience of six HIV-positive members, two ADAP recipients (plus two former ADAP recipients), one physician, one attorney, one religious leader, eight influential AIDS community activists and leaders, and two lifelong disability rights champions. The board of directors includes:

 

Michelle Anderson, (Dallas, TX 75203)

William E. Arnold, (Washington, DC 20009)

Robert Breining, (Philadelphia, PA 19019)

Janine Brignola, (Omaha, NE 68111)

Elmer L. Cerano, (Lansing, MI 48911)

Crosby Cromwell, (Bentonville, AR 72716)

Darryl Fore, (Cleveland, OH 44102)

Philip A. Haddad, MD, (Shreveport, LA 71104)

Joyce Turner Keller, (Baton Rouge, LA 70814)

Glen Pietrandoni, (Chicago, Il 60601)

Elizabeth M. Shepherd, (Summerton, SC 29148)

Joey Wynn, (Miami, FL 33122)

 

Michelle Anderson

Michelle Anderson is an African-American woman who has been living for HIV since 1999. She currently resides in Dallas, Texas and is a resident of AIDS Services of Dallas, where she is sits as the Activities Chairperson, as well as on their board of trustees. She is also an active member of Campaign to End Aids Dallas, The Afiya Center Peer Educator and volunteer her time as a public speaker in the Dallas Area.  Michelle has dedicated much of her personal life to educating others on HIV/AIDS throughout the greater Dallas area. Michelle considers herself very religious and speaks passionately about her relationship with God.  She self-proclaims "to have a love affair with God that consumes me."  She plans to finish her degree in Social Work where she will be able to continue to spread the message, and educate people regarding HIV/AIDS.

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William "Bill" Arnold

William "Bill" Arnold is a longtime HIV/AIDS activist and consumer organizer and has been active in developing HIV/AIDS Organizations and HIV/AIDS policy at the local, state and national level since the mid 1980’s.  Arnold is a founding director (1996) of The Title II Community AIDS National Network (TIICANN) and is currently its CEO.  He is also a founder (1995) of The National ADAP Working Group, a Washington, DC based advocacy coalition of HIV/AIDS organizations.  His involvement with grassroots AIDS work has included roles from Board Chair and Board Member, to “Buddy” to AIDS Educator, Community Outreach Director, & pre & post test HIV Counselor.  Arnold has testified on HIV/AIDS issues before several county legislatures, the New York State Assembly and the United States Congress on numerous occasions.  In addition, Arnold has been active in global AIDS activities as Secretary/Treasurer of AIDSETI (AIDS Empowerment and Treatment International).

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Robert Breining

Robert Breining was born and reared in Philadelphia, PA. At a young age, Breining discovered the importance of working as a team to accomplish a goal. He has been playing soccer for over 20 years, and he currently plays for the Philadelphia Falcons; he has traveled as far as Copenhagen, Denmark to compete in an IGLFA (International Gay and Lesbian Futbol Association) Tournaments. In 2007, five years after the passing of his father and his HIV diagnosis, Breining had what he calls his 'Ah Ha' moment. He now looks at every life experience and asks, "What am I supposed to learn from this?" In 2007, he became a Campaign Ambassador for Hope's Voice and participated in their Does HIV Look Like Me? campaign. That October he launched the POZIAM Community, a social networking website for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. He wanted to give others living with HIV hope and a place "to just be themselves." In July of 2008, Breining launched the POZIAM Radio a bi-weekly internet radio show, with his Co-host Jeromy Dunn of POZitively Speaking on Sundays, and the following year Jack Mackenroth joined as his co-host. Last year, Breining was a featured speaker at the ADAP Advocacy Association's 2009 Annual Conference in Washington, DC. Breing is described as a "Positive Person with a Purpose." His goal is to help people living with HIV/AIDS discover similarities in each other...and form friendships. He has been living with HIV for 10 years and recently started receiving his medications through Pennsylvania's AIDS Drug Assistance Program.

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Janine Brignola

Janine Brignola is a twenty nine year old woman, mother, college student, HIV activist and advocate, and she is herself positive. Janine has spent the last four plus years since she was diagnosed learning what she could about HIV disease, the stigma attached to HIV, and how HIV affects the lives of those living with HIV in America as well as abroad. After attending her first conference she decided to dedicate as much of her time and energy as possible to being a part of the solution. She has done advocacy campaigning both on the local, state level as well as the national level. Janine is an activist who speaks to educate, as well as by blogging both with written word and with video blogging, utilizing YouTube, she participated in anti-stigma campaign, by being in commercials and on billboards. She is currently majoring in biotechnology with the plan to obtain her PhD and do HIV/AIDS research; she currently is employed at Hope's Voice as both an agent for the company and a speaker. Janine enjoys spending as much time possible just being “mommy” to her four-year old son and she believes that it is her privilege and honor to be his mother and to be the activist she has became.

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Elmer L. Cerano

Elmer L. Cerano is a nationally recognized advocate for people with disabilities. His impact as an uncompromising advocate has been recognized in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and throughout the nation.  Mr. Cerano has served as the Executive Director of the Arc Maryland (formerly The Association for Retarded Citizens of Maryland) as well as the President and Chief Executive Officer of United Cerebral Palsy Association of Metropolitan Detroit. In addition, Cerano served as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Protection and Advocacy Service and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc.   Cerano earned a bachelor degree from Western Michigan University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Sociology from Wayne State University, in Detroit, Michigan. In addition, Cerano earned a Certificate from the University of Grenoble and successfully completed course work in Governing for Nonprofit Excellence through the Harvard Business School.

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Crosby Cromwell

Crosby Cromwell serves as the Diversity Relations, Senior Manager for Corporate Affairs, Walmart Stores, Inc. Cromwell joined the company in 2007 and is responsible for programming and outreach within diverse communities for Walmart Stores. Previously as Director of Marketing and Development, Crosby spent close to seven years working in the non-profit sector focused on improving employment and equal opportunities for adults with disabilities. Crosby has produced successful outreach focused on small business development, financial literacy and workforce development. The desired outcome specifically within the Disability, LGBT, and Asian and Pacific Islander communities with which she partners is to create relationships that provide greater opportunities for Walmart’s customers and associates. Crosby received a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Arkansas. She has been involved in numerous task forces and community outreach organizations for a myriad of issues facing underserved populations. She has received multiple awards for her efforts and is a recent recipient of a Community Distinction Award for her work within the disability community.

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Darryl Fore

Darryl Fore is a native Clevelander, who resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Fore has been employed in the fields of Banking, Theatrical production, Sales, Information Technology, Education and Property Management. He has been actively involved in the HIV/AIDS arena for more than 20 years. After being diagnosed with HIV+ in 1991, his volunteer commitment to HIV/AIDS issues increased. He felt compelled to do more to help others affected by the disease because of the intensive HIV education he had acquire at the time of his diagnosis. His volunteer efforts have included: volunteering at his local AIDS taskforce, working as a HIV Pre-test Counselor, serving on the Ohio Department of Health’s HIV/AIDS advisory board, participating on HIV Clinical Trials Unit advisory board, implementing various HIV/AIDS community outreach projects and serving as a member of Ryan White Part A Planning Council. Fore has a strong interest in all forms of the Arts, from visual arts to performance arts. He is a frequent volunteer in the Cleveland Theater and Film communities. He was once an avid reader of mystery novels until an opportunistic infection robbed him of that ability. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of The National Association of Black and White Men Together. He has a degree in Psychology from Cleveland State University.

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Philip A Haddad

Philip A Haddad, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAHA is currently an Assistant Professor at the Louisiana State University Department of Medicine.  Dr. Haddad specializes in Hematology/Medical Oncology and is licensed to practice medicine in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee.  He received his Doctorate of Medicine from the American University of Beirut-School of Medicine.  In 1997, Dr. Haddad completed his Internship in Internal Medicine at the University of South Dakota and his Residency in Internal Medicine two years later from the University of South Dakota-School of Medicine.  In 2002, Dr. Haddad received his Fellowship in Hematology, Oncology & Transplantation, from the University of Minnesota-School of Medicine.  He is an active member of 24 professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, HIV Medicine Association and Infectious Diseases Society of America.  He has been published on numerous occasions.

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Joyce Turner Keller

Bishop Joyce Turner Keller has lofted the term “southern hospitality” to an entirely new level. She is not only the founder and CEO of Aspirations, a non-profit faith-based community service organization, but someone who is living with HIV/AIDS herself, and has dedicated herself to educating, supporting and inspiring others living with HIV/AIDS throughout the nation.  In May 2006 she received proclamation from Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco of Louisiana for hosting the first Hepatitis Awareness Day, shortly after hosting the first National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in March of that year. Over the years, Bishop Joyce has incurred an extensive list of certifications, recognitions, and awards for her extensive work in community awareness and development in the HIV/AIDS arena.  She is a certified HIV/AIDS – Hepatitis C Community Educator by the Louisiana State Office of Public Health and the Shreveport Office of Public Health through the Atlanta Center for Disease Control.  She has been an ordained minister for thirty five years, is matriculating in the field of Psychology at Southern University Baton Rouge, and is the proud grandmother of thirteen grandchildren!

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Glen Pietrandoni

Glen Pietrandoni, R.Ph, is a 1979 graduate of the St Louis College of Pharmacy. After a decade as an owner of a small chain of independent pharmacies in Chicago, he joined Walgreens as a store manager and pharmacist at various locations throughout the Chicago area. With the advent of early HIV therapy in the late 1980s, Glen addressed the needs of this community by establishing a relationship with a nearby physician's practice devoted to treating HIV patients and by understanding the unique needs of this population. In 1996, Walgreens opened its first HIV-focused pharmacy inside the Howard Brown Health Center, the Midwest's largest gay and lesbian healthcare center, which provides primary patient care, case management, social services, and research under one roof. Glen served as Pharmacy Manager for the Walgreens site at Howard Brown Health Center until 2003. As Walgreens expanded its HIV services and locations, Glen moved into the corporate office to manage nationwide HIV and hepatitis patient programs and services throughout the company's enterprise of retail, specialty, and other business units. Glen has received numerous awards and recognition for his work in HIV and community pharmacy, including Pharmacist of the Year from Drug Topics Magazine in 1998 and 1999, and Volunteer of the Year for Test Positive Aware in 2002. Glen is a member of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, the American Academy of HIV Medicine, the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, and supports numerous AIDS service organizations across the country.

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Elizabeth M. Shepherd

Elizabeth M. Shepherd is a graduate of East Carolina University with a concentration in Community Health Education and Promotion. Since being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1998, Elizabeth found her love and support at Lowcountry AIDS-Services who also realized she would be a great speaker, advocate, and counselor. In 2004 Elizabeth became a Peer Counselor for the Rural Women with AIDS Program a grant from the NIH and centered at the University of South Carolina. Elizabeth spent four years traveling the roads of rural SC counseling and advocating for women and their rights. In 2005, Elizabeth was one of the founding members of the South Carolina Campaign to End AIDS and since then has literally made a remarkable journey back to health after experiencing two cerebral aneurysms. Elizabeth graduated in the top 7% of her class at East Carolina University, overcoming her traumatic life experiences and providing a excellent example of what one can do when pursuing their passion. Now she is a graduate student at East Carolina University in the Health Education Program and currently serves on the steering committee of the Positive Women's Network, AIDS-Alliance for Children, Youth and Families Consumer Leadership Program. Elizabeth works as a Regional Representative for Physicians Pharmacy Alliance and travels South Carolina in an effort to help ensure all eligible individuals can receive all the necessary medications for their chronic illness and live a higher quality of health, wellness, and life. One outstanding achievement, which brings her on board of the ADAP Advocacy Association, is in 2008 on August 24, Elizabeth coordinated a Care and Treatment Town Hall meeting covering eleven counties in rural Eastern North Carolina in which Jeffrey Crowley, Larry Bryant, and Christine Campbell helped to facilitate. Mr. Crowley made the appearance on his way to Atlanta for the first of the ten scheduled meetings. Many of the national trips to advocate have slowed down due to the new job and graduate school but she is proud and happy to serve on the board. Elizabeth believes in total access to medications, ETHA, and the right to live for all individuals diagnosed with HIV regardless of economic status, color, disability or lack of.

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Joey Wynn

Joey Wynn is a person living with HIV for over 22 years. In 1994, he was involved in the start up of the first Ryan White (Title 1 / Part A) Outpatient HIV Special Immunology Services (SIS) Department at Mercy Hospital in Miami, Florida. In 1996 he joined Florida AIDS Action, a statewide advocacy agency involved throughout Florida to provide medical treatment information & education for both consumers and physicians. Increasing the awareness of State politicians for the need to increase state funding for HIV related services, especially AICP, was another main goal accomplished while at FLAA. He then served for 5 years as the Ryan White Patient Care Administrator for the Broward County Health Department’s AIDS Program office, overseeing provision of $20 million of HIV services for two clinics four pharmacies and seven subcontractor agencies throughout Broward County. Since then he worked for over 5 years in the Statewide Medicaid HIV Disease management program, Positive Healthcare, as the statewide Community Relations Director. He now works at Broward House, Broward’s Oldest & Largest AIDS Service organization, providing medical care, substance abuse rehabilitation, mental health, and social services for people living with HIV and addressing their long term housing needs. He is a 14 year member of the Florida AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) workgroup. He also was a member of the Florida Statewide Medicaid Advisory group and also a past President of the People With AIDS Coalition (PWAC) in Miami Dade County in 1994. He has worked on various Pharmacy formulary panels and workgroups over the past 15 years, and developed a Ryan White funded analysis of Pharmacy efficiency / effectiveness evaluations for the Broward EMA, comparing Florida EMAs cost & utilization models with Florida ADAP.

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DIRECTOR EMERITUS:

Gary R. Rose

Gary R. Rose is currently President of an independent Health Systems Consulting company.  Formerly, Rose was a Senior Vice President with Hyde Park Communications.  His work included health systems consulting for clients including  Hoffmann-La Roche Public Policy and Government Affairs; Bristol Myers Squibb Public Policy, Community Affairs and Reimbursement Divisions; Pfizer; The Title II Community AIDS National Network; Cooley’s Anemia Foundation; ADAP Working Group; and TAEP Project.  Previously, Mr. Rose was a Vice President at Nelson Public Relations in New York.  Earlier, he served as the Research and Treatment Coordinator for the AIDS Action Council in Washington, DC.  While at AIDS Action, Mr. Rose helped to form the ADAP Working Group and the Patients’ Coalition for Responsible FDA Reform.  He also served as a co-chair of the National Associations Responding to AIDS (NORA) and on the International Issues and Research Working Groups and as an official advisor to the committee that developed the Guidelines for the Use of Antiviral Therapies in HIV-infected Adults and Adolescents.

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Rani G. Whitfield

Rani G. Whitfield, M.D., a board certified family physician with a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in sports medicine, has become known as "The Hip Hop Doc" or "H2D" to many of the young adults in his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he practices medicine. Dr. Whitfield is an impassioned advocate for increasing the awareness of health related issues, such as HIV/AIDS, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and substance abuse affecting African American youth.  Dr. Whitfield received his medical degree with honors from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. Thereafter, he completed his internship and residency in family medicine at St Elizabeth's Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio in 1999 and a sports medicine fellowship at Ohio State University in 2000.  In the most important book ever written about HIV/ AIDS in the African American community, "Not In My Family," by Gil Robertson, IV, Dr. Whitfield was featured in chapter 50 for his views on this important topic along with Jesse Jackson, Jr., Al Sharpton, and Patti Labelle, just to name a few.

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