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)
Elmer L. Cerano (Lansing, MI 48911)
Glen Pietrandoni. (Chicago, Il 60601)
Philip A. Haddad, MD (Shreveport, LA 71104)
Joyce Turner Keller (Baton Rouge, LA 70814)
Robert Breining (Philadelphia, PA 19019)
Anthony Jackson (New York, NY 10178)
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Although Anthony Jackson was born in Jacksonville, FL, he has lived all over the country and in Europe as a member of the United States Air Force. His passion for helping the fight against HIV/AIDS started well-before his own diagnosis with HIV in 2008; since, his goal is to become an active advocate within the community. While employed at Starbucks, Jackson started a "Choose To Give" Starbucks V2V Group to raise awareness and money for the ADAP Advocacy Association among his fellow Starbucks employees. He has dedicated his time, knowledge and heart to giving back to his community by volunteering at local homeless shelters, gay community centers and with at-risk youth. Jackson is currently living in New York City as a student awaiting admission to Tisch School of the Arts. He desires using his talents to express his passion, knowledge and perspective via media outlets around the world. From political issues to fashion, his talents and interest are vast. Since January 2010, Jackson has been enrolled in New York's AIDS Drug Assistance Program. As a Veteran, Jackson served honorably in the United States Air Force for 4 years.
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.
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.
ADAP Saves Lives: "End The Wait"
Support Our Campaign: Click Graphic Above
Make a Donation
Support Us: Click Graphic Above
Capitol One®'s Card Lab Connect Program
Get the Visa Card: Click Graphic Above
Downloads
Learn about HIV/AIDS Upcoming Events
NASTAD: The ADAP Watch
July 23, 2010
AIDS Budget & Appropriation Coalition:
FY2011 Portfolio
February 2010
AIDS Budget & Appropriation Coalition:
FY2010 Portfolio
August 2009
Medicaid Watch
July 1, 2010
Honoring 25 of today's leaders ensuring the HIV fight rages on.
HIV Plus Magazine; Nov/Dec 2009
The Politics of ADAP
November 2008