Adan Cajina
SPNS Coordinator DPD/HAB
HRSA
Adan Cajina has almost 30 years of experience in the area of evaluation, research and systems analysis in both the private and public sector. In the past 21 years, he has utilized his skills to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Cajina served as a statistician to the CDC-funded HIV Surveillance program for the Washington, DC EMA, within the District of Columbia’s Department of Health. Since 1999, he has been working for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), first as a Health Statistician for the Office of Science and Epidemiology of the HIV/AIDS Bureau, and as Director of Evaluation for the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. Since 2006, he has been serving as Chief of the Demonstration and Evaluation Branch, the unit that administers the Part F – Special Projects of National Significance Ryan White program.
His early career in the private sector included work for major consulting companies in the area of management consulting, marketing and pharmaceutical research, and public opinion surveys. Mr. Cajina holds a Master of Science degree in Operations Research and Management Sciences, and a Bachelor of Science in Systems Analysis and Engineering from The George Washington University.
SPNS Coordinator DPD/HAB
HRSA
Adan Cajina has almost 30 years of experience in the area of evaluation, research and systems analysis in both the private and public sector. In the past 21 years, he has utilized his skills to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Cajina served as a statistician to the CDC-funded HIV Surveillance program for the Washington, DC EMA, within the District of Columbia’s Department of Health. Since 1999, he has been working for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), first as a Health Statistician for the Office of Science and Epidemiology of the HIV/AIDS Bureau, and as Director of Evaluation for the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. Since 2006, he has been serving as Chief of the Demonstration and Evaluation Branch, the unit that administers the Part F – Special Projects of National Significance Ryan White program.
His early career in the private sector included work for major consulting companies in the area of management consulting, marketing and pharmaceutical research, and public opinion surveys. Mr. Cajina holds a Master of Science degree in Operations Research and Management Sciences, and a Bachelor of Science in Systems Analysis and Engineering from The George Washington University.
Clara Chen
Assistant Director
Boston University School of Public Health, BEDAC
Clara Chen is the Assistant Director of Operations at the Boston University School of Public Health's Data Coordinating Center. She has over 15 years of research experience, including project management, data management, and statistical analyses.
Assistant Director
Boston University School of Public Health, BEDAC
Clara Chen is the Assistant Director of Operations at the Boston University School of Public Health's Data Coordinating Center. She has over 15 years of research experience, including project management, data management, and statistical analyses.
Sarah Cook-Raymond
President & CEO
Impact Marketing + Communications
Sarah Cook-Raymond is a seasoned communications professional with extensive editorial, production management, accounts management, and marketing campaign development expertise. Her report for the White House received the “Best Custom Publication” award by The Association for Women in Communications, and her research has been featured at conferences across the country, including the National Communications Association Conference.
Sarah came to Impact in 2005 after working as a Technical Writing Specialist for the Research Foundation of New York State and as an adjunct professor of English and the humanities for
for the State University of New York. At Impact, Sarah’s primary roles are the oversight of day-to-day operations including contracting, clearances, finance, project management, and human resources, and as editor-in-chief.
Sarah’s involved with Impact's project teams, always ensuring they meet the highest quality standards while maintaining adherence to project goals and timeframes. Sarah also assists clients with concept and brand development, writing, research, targeted messaging, and public relations. She serves as a senior account executive on multiple projects, including the communications deliverables related to the $2.35 billion federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
Sarah has a B.A. in English writing from St. Lawrence University, where she graduated magna cum laude with Phi Beta Kappa honors, and an M.A. in English and communications from the State University of New York, Potsdam where she graduated with distinction.
President & CEO
Impact Marketing + Communications
Sarah Cook-Raymond is a seasoned communications professional with extensive editorial, production management, accounts management, and marketing campaign development expertise. Her report for the White House received the “Best Custom Publication” award by The Association for Women in Communications, and her research has been featured at conferences across the country, including the National Communications Association Conference.
Sarah came to Impact in 2005 after working as a Technical Writing Specialist for the Research Foundation of New York State and as an adjunct professor of English and the humanities for
for the State University of New York. At Impact, Sarah’s primary roles are the oversight of day-to-day operations including contracting, clearances, finance, project management, and human resources, and as editor-in-chief.
Sarah’s involved with Impact's project teams, always ensuring they meet the highest quality standards while maintaining adherence to project goals and timeframes. Sarah also assists clients with concept and brand development, writing, research, targeted messaging, and public relations. She serves as a senior account executive on multiple projects, including the communications deliverables related to the $2.35 billion federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
Sarah has a B.A. in English writing from St. Lawrence University, where she graduated magna cum laude with Phi Beta Kappa honors, and an M.A. in English and communications from the State University of New York, Potsdam where she graduated with distinction.
Tori Cooper
Director of Community Engagement
HRC
Tori Cooper is the Director of Community Engagement TG Justice Initiative at the Human Rights Campaign. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services and is matriculating towards her Master of Arts in Public Health. She has over 25 years of experience in the HIV field, first serving as a volunteer near the beginning of the epidemic.
Tori is a national trainer for the CDC’s new TWIST intervention, the first of its kind, specifically for transgender women living with HIV. She is a national, regional and local trainer for NMAC’s BLOC program. She is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and the first transgender woman certified by the CDC as Lead Facilitator of the WILLOW intervention. She adapted the curriculum for this intervention in 2015 making it trans specific and culturally appropriate. She serves on a number of boards and community groups, including Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottom’s LGBTQ Advisory Board, the boards of SisterLove, Inc., Project Affirm, THAP (Trans Housing Atlanta Project), AAOI, the Clayton County HIV Consortium and a host of others. She travels extensively, educating on the transgender community, HIV, and cultural diversity.
Ms. Cooper has received numerous awards for her work and is a published author, most recently appearing in print and video for NBC News, Huffington Post, The New York Times, Washington Post, The Advocate, and other periodicals. Her work is featured in a new documentary titled “Silent Epidemic,” talking about the trans community and HIV in the South. She is a staunch believer in health and financial equity for trans people and people living with HIV.
Tori believes that empowerment, education, and opportunity are three important factors in success. She is driven to empower the transgender and the PWHA communities by being a role model and an advocate.
Director of Community Engagement
HRC
Tori Cooper is the Director of Community Engagement TG Justice Initiative at the Human Rights Campaign. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services and is matriculating towards her Master of Arts in Public Health. She has over 25 years of experience in the HIV field, first serving as a volunteer near the beginning of the epidemic.
Tori is a national trainer for the CDC’s new TWIST intervention, the first of its kind, specifically for transgender women living with HIV. She is a national, regional and local trainer for NMAC’s BLOC program. She is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and the first transgender woman certified by the CDC as Lead Facilitator of the WILLOW intervention. She adapted the curriculum for this intervention in 2015 making it trans specific and culturally appropriate. She serves on a number of boards and community groups, including Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottom’s LGBTQ Advisory Board, the boards of SisterLove, Inc., Project Affirm, THAP (Trans Housing Atlanta Project), AAOI, the Clayton County HIV Consortium and a host of others. She travels extensively, educating on the transgender community, HIV, and cultural diversity.
Ms. Cooper has received numerous awards for her work and is a published author, most recently appearing in print and video for NBC News, Huffington Post, The New York Times, Washington Post, The Advocate, and other periodicals. Her work is featured in a new documentary titled “Silent Epidemic,” talking about the trans community and HIV in the South. She is a staunch believer in health and financial equity for trans people and people living with HIV.
Tori believes that empowerment, education, and opportunity are three important factors in success. She is driven to empower the transgender and the PWHA communities by being a role model and an advocate.
Antigone Dempsey MEd
Special Advisor
HRSA
Antigone Dempsey is the Division Director for Policy and Data at the Health Resources and Services Administration’s HIV/AIDS Bureau, in Rockville, MD. She has dedicated her 29 year career to moving HIV prevention, care, support, and treatment services forward for all vulnerable populations. She began her work soon after her HIV diagnosis at age 22. She is committed to creating systems that help people live healthy, productive, and meaningful lives.
Currently, Ms. Dempsey serves as the Director for the Division of Policy and Data for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Health Resources and Services Administration’s HIV/AIDS Bureau. Prior to this position, Ms. Dempsey worked closely with many federal partners including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide organizational leadership, expert facilitation, training, technical assistance, strategic planning, policy development and systems change to address HIV, viral hepatitis, and substance abuse issues.
Ms. Dempsey earned her Master’s in Education from The George Washington University in Washington DC. Her focus areas were in organizational and human development.
Special Advisor
HRSA
Antigone Dempsey is the Division Director for Policy and Data at the Health Resources and Services Administration’s HIV/AIDS Bureau, in Rockville, MD. She has dedicated her 29 year career to moving HIV prevention, care, support, and treatment services forward for all vulnerable populations. She began her work soon after her HIV diagnosis at age 22. She is committed to creating systems that help people live healthy, productive, and meaningful lives.
Currently, Ms. Dempsey serves as the Director for the Division of Policy and Data for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Health Resources and Services Administration’s HIV/AIDS Bureau. Prior to this position, Ms. Dempsey worked closely with many federal partners including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide organizational leadership, expert facilitation, training, technical assistance, strategic planning, policy development and systems change to address HIV, viral hepatitis, and substance abuse issues.
Ms. Dempsey earned her Master’s in Education from The George Washington University in Washington DC. Her focus areas were in organizational and human development.
Alicia Downes
Director of Federal Programs
AIDS United
Alicia Downes serves as the Director of Federal Programs at AIDS United. Alicia got hooked on sociology during her first semester of college despite her family hope for a Computer Science degree. She received her Master of Social Work from University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) and has almost 10 years of experience in mental health. Alicia began work in the HIV field almost 20 years ago, when she was hired as a Ryan White Case Manager. Three months later, she was helping her uncle find HIV services, along with educating her family about HIV. Alicia has experience managing federal grant from SAMHSA, CDC, HRSA, and private foundations. Prior to joining the staff of AIDS United, Alicia worked as a consultant on this project the AIDS United HRSA SPNS project. She also recently served as the Midwest AIDS Education and Training Center of Missouri Site and Peer Program Manager and an instructor, teaching Community Health Worker classes.
Director of Federal Programs
AIDS United
Alicia Downes serves as the Director of Federal Programs at AIDS United. Alicia got hooked on sociology during her first semester of college despite her family hope for a Computer Science degree. She received her Master of Social Work from University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) and has almost 10 years of experience in mental health. Alicia began work in the HIV field almost 20 years ago, when she was hired as a Ryan White Case Manager. Three months later, she was helping her uncle find HIV services, along with educating her family about HIV. Alicia has experience managing federal grant from SAMHSA, CDC, HRSA, and private foundations. Prior to joining the staff of AIDS United, Alicia worked as a consultant on this project the AIDS United HRSA SPNS project. She also recently served as the Midwest AIDS Education and Training Center of Missouri Site and Peer Program Manager and an instructor, teaching Community Health Worker classes.
Corliss Heath
Health Scientist
HRSA
Dr. Corliss D. Heath has nearly 25 years of professional experience in public health and HIV research. She is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and a graduate of Emory University with a Master of Public Health degree in Biostatistics and a Master of Divinity degree, respectively. She also holds PhD in Applied Anthropology specializing in Medical Anthropology from the University of South Florida (USF) (Tampa, FL). She previously worked as a Research Analyst at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention in Atlanta, GA. Currently, Dr. Heath is a Health Scientist in the Division of Policy and Data (DPD) at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)/HIV/AIDS Bureau in Rockville, MD. There she leads and coordinates various projects, while providing guidance, evaluation, implementation, and training to assure the provision of high quality HIV intervention, care and treatment services.
Health Scientist
HRSA
Dr. Corliss D. Heath has nearly 25 years of professional experience in public health and HIV research. She is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and a graduate of Emory University with a Master of Public Health degree in Biostatistics and a Master of Divinity degree, respectively. She also holds PhD in Applied Anthropology specializing in Medical Anthropology from the University of South Florida (USF) (Tampa, FL). She previously worked as a Research Analyst at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention in Atlanta, GA. Currently, Dr. Heath is a Health Scientist in the Division of Policy and Data (DPD) at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)/HIV/AIDS Bureau in Rockville, MD. There she leads and coordinates various projects, while providing guidance, evaluation, implementation, and training to assure the provision of high quality HIV intervention, care and treatment services.
Thelma Iheanyichukwu, MHA, HIMS
Public Health Analyst/Project Officer
Health Resources and Services Administration HIV/AIDS Bureau
Thelma Iheanyichukwu, MHA, HIMS, is a Public Health Analyst/Project Officer in the HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau’s Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) Program. She began her federal career through HRSA Pathways Recent Graduates Program with the SPNS Program in 2016 and have supported several initiatives. Thelma is a Project Officer for grant recipients funded under the SPNS Black Men who have Sex with Men (BMSM), Housing and Employment, Rapid ART Start, and Black Women Initiatives. Thelma enjoys wine tasting.
Public Health Analyst/Project Officer
Health Resources and Services Administration HIV/AIDS Bureau
Thelma Iheanyichukwu, MHA, HIMS, is a Public Health Analyst/Project Officer in the HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau’s Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) Program. She began her federal career through HRSA Pathways Recent Graduates Program with the SPNS Program in 2016 and have supported several initiatives. Thelma is a Project Officer for grant recipients funded under the SPNS Black Men who have Sex with Men (BMSM), Housing and Employment, Rapid ART Start, and Black Women Initiatives. Thelma enjoys wine tasting.
Tracy Matthews
Deputy Director
Health Resources and Services Administration HIV/AIDS Bureau
CAPT Tracy Matthews is the Acting Director for the Division of Policy and Data in the HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau. For the last 8 years, she has served as the Deputy Director, responsible for leading the HIV/AIDS Bureau and Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) data collection and analysis, policy guidance, implementation science, data dissemination, clinical performance activities, and technical assistance and training. She joined HRSA in 2002 as a RWHAP Parts C and D project officer. She has her BSN from the University of Mississippi and a Master’s in Health Administration.
Deputy Director
Health Resources and Services Administration HIV/AIDS Bureau
CAPT Tracy Matthews is the Acting Director for the Division of Policy and Data in the HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau. For the last 8 years, she has served as the Deputy Director, responsible for leading the HIV/AIDS Bureau and Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) data collection and analysis, policy guidance, implementation science, data dissemination, clinical performance activities, and technical assistance and training. She joined HRSA in 2002 as a RWHAP Parts C and D project officer. She has her BSN from the University of Mississippi and a Master’s in Health Administration.
Masill Miranda
PROGRAM MANAGER
AIDS UNITED
Masill Miranda is a Massachusetts native, raised in Worcester but has lived in Boston for over a decade. She is a first-generation graduate, and a daughter of immigrants. Masill acquired a master’s in social work from Boston University. She joined AIDS United in 2021 as the program manager for special projects of national significance. She brings a wealth of knowledge in public health and capacity building. Before her role at AIDS United, she worked at the Boston Public Health Commission as the planning council program coordinator, under the Ryan White Part A grant. Her passion for addressing health inequities and uplifting the voices of people living with HIV began there. Outside of work, she loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. Furthermore, she’s enjoying life as a new plant mom.
PROGRAM MANAGER
AIDS UNITED
Masill Miranda is a Massachusetts native, raised in Worcester but has lived in Boston for over a decade. She is a first-generation graduate, and a daughter of immigrants. Masill acquired a master’s in social work from Boston University. She joined AIDS United in 2021 as the program manager for special projects of national significance. She brings a wealth of knowledge in public health and capacity building. Before her role at AIDS United, she worked at the Boston Public Health Commission as the planning council program coordinator, under the Ryan White Part A grant. Her passion for addressing health inequities and uplifting the voices of people living with HIV began there. Outside of work, she loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. Furthermore, she’s enjoying life as a new plant mom.
Bria Mirante
Senior Health Communication and Digital Marketing Specialist
Impact Marketing + Communications
Bria Mirante is a public health professional with over six years of experience managing, developing, and implementing communications, digital marketing, and public health education activities to advance agency mission goals, increase awareness of their programs and priorities, and increase visibility across key stakeholder audiences. As Senior Health Communication and Digital Marketing Specialist at Impact Marketing + Communications, Mirante develops strategy and dissemination work for a range of health communication projects.
Senior Health Communication and Digital Marketing Specialist
Impact Marketing + Communications
Bria Mirante is a public health professional with over six years of experience managing, developing, and implementing communications, digital marketing, and public health education activities to advance agency mission goals, increase awareness of their programs and priorities, and increase visibility across key stakeholder audiences. As Senior Health Communication and Digital Marketing Specialist at Impact Marketing + Communications, Mirante develops strategy and dissemination work for a range of health communication projects.
Erik Moore
Program Manager
Positive Impact Health Centers
Erik is a native of Buffalo, NY and a former Elementary School Teacher with experience in the Sports and Entertainment industry. As a current MSW Social Worker in the City of Atlanta, he has worked with homeless populations and systems for the past 10 years, mainly focused on veteran populations and People Living With HIV (PLWH). He enjoys travelling, collecting old blues records, rooting for losing sports teams and spending time with his girlfriend and dog
Program Manager
Positive Impact Health Centers
Erik is a native of Buffalo, NY and a former Elementary School Teacher with experience in the Sports and Entertainment industry. As a current MSW Social Worker in the City of Atlanta, he has worked with homeless populations and systems for the past 10 years, mainly focused on veteran populations and People Living With HIV (PLWH). He enjoys travelling, collecting old blues records, rooting for losing sports teams and spending time with his girlfriend and dog
Simone Phillips
Training
Stokely Phillips Griffin Group, LLC
Simone Phillips is founder of the SPG Group, LLC Consultancy Firm, a company that provides professional and personal development training to non-profit, for profit, faith based organizations and individuals in the areas of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care, HIV+ Peer Development, Facilitation Skills, Stigma and Diversity. For the past 10 years Phillips has contributed to the production and execution of federally funded projects including the Peer Education and Training Sites Project (PETS) and the Peer Re-engagement Project (PREP) where she worked to build organizational capacity for peer utilization, provided training to equip peers and their organizations to improve HIV positive retention in care and facilitate HIV suppression through medical adherence. Additionally, Phillips has worked with the Illinois Department of Public Health Association and Washington University’s Project ARK on their Care and Prevention in the United States (CAPUS) Demonstration Project to accomplish the goal of optimizing linkage to, retention in, and re-engagement with care and prevention services for newly diagnosed and previously diagnosed racial and ethnic minorities with HIV. Currently, Simone Phillips serves as a Practice Transformation Coach for the Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center (MATEC) working with a local federally qualified health center to identify and treat HIV infection within their patient population.
Training
Stokely Phillips Griffin Group, LLC
Simone Phillips is founder of the SPG Group, LLC Consultancy Firm, a company that provides professional and personal development training to non-profit, for profit, faith based organizations and individuals in the areas of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care, HIV+ Peer Development, Facilitation Skills, Stigma and Diversity. For the past 10 years Phillips has contributed to the production and execution of federally funded projects including the Peer Education and Training Sites Project (PETS) and the Peer Re-engagement Project (PREP) where she worked to build organizational capacity for peer utilization, provided training to equip peers and their organizations to improve HIV positive retention in care and facilitate HIV suppression through medical adherence. Additionally, Phillips has worked with the Illinois Department of Public Health Association and Washington University’s Project ARK on their Care and Prevention in the United States (CAPUS) Demonstration Project to accomplish the goal of optimizing linkage to, retention in, and re-engagement with care and prevention services for newly diagnosed and previously diagnosed racial and ethnic minorities with HIV. Currently, Simone Phillips serves as a Practice Transformation Coach for the Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center (MATEC) working with a local federally qualified health center to identify and treat HIV infection within their patient population.
Nakesha Powell
Program Manager
Black Women’s Health Imperative
Nakesha Powell is a Health Communications Specialist. She holds dual degrees in Public Administration with an emphasis in public health management and Business Administration. Powell spends both her days and nights ensuring the manifestation of her personal belief that “everyone deserves access to quality healthcare without regard to income or race.” She is a 2021 Community Health Leadership fellow with The Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI) at Morehouse School of Medicine. Powell currently serves as co-chair for the Women’s Caucus Program Planning Committee for the American Public Health Association. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with family. On any given day, Nakesha is sure to be somewhere impacting lives through mentoring and other civic engagement. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Program Manager
Black Women’s Health Imperative
Nakesha Powell is a Health Communications Specialist. She holds dual degrees in Public Administration with an emphasis in public health management and Business Administration. Powell spends both her days and nights ensuring the manifestation of her personal belief that “everyone deserves access to quality healthcare without regard to income or race.” She is a 2021 Community Health Leadership fellow with The Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI) at Morehouse School of Medicine. Powell currently serves as co-chair for the Women’s Caucus Program Planning Committee for the American Public Health Association. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with family. On any given day, Nakesha is sure to be somewhere impacting lives through mentoring and other civic engagement. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Kim Prewitt
Research Manager
Washington University in St. Louis
IV. Kim Prewitt manages the Sustainability projects for the Center for Public Health Systems Science at Washington University in St. Louis. She facilitates workshops and webinars for public health, clinical care, and social service programs throughout the United States on how to assess and plan for sustainability. She also works with groups to administer the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT) and the Clinical Sustainability Assessment Tool (CSAT), collects and analyzes data related to sustainability planning and assessment, and provides technical assistance and training for sustaintool.org.
Research Manager
Washington University in St. Louis
IV. Kim Prewitt manages the Sustainability projects for the Center for Public Health Systems Science at Washington University in St. Louis. She facilitates workshops and webinars for public health, clinical care, and social service programs throughout the United States on how to assess and plan for sustainability. She also works with groups to administer the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT) and the Clinical Sustainability Assessment Tool (CSAT), collects and analyzes data related to sustainability planning and assessment, and provides technical assistance and training for sustaintool.org.
Serena Rajabiun
Assistant Professor
UML
Serena Rajabiun is the Principal Investigator for the Black Women’s First Evaluation and Technical Center Provider HRSA SPNS project. She has over twenty years of international and domestic public health experience. She has over a decade of leadership experience on multisite projects funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau. She is currently the Co-Principal Investigator for the HRSA/SPNS Improving Health Outcomes through Coordinated Housing & Employment Services and the Dissemination of Evidence-Informed Intervention Dissemination and Evaluation Center, and a Co-Principal Investigator on Improving Access to Care: Using CHWs to Improve Linkage and Retention in HIV Care, She has over 15 years experience designing and leading qualitative and quantitative
studies as part of seven multi-site evaluations and providing evaluation and programmatic technical assistance to HRSA Ryan White demonstration grantees, She has organized several multisite meetings with grantees, and coordinated and collaborated with over 20 grantees on publishing and disseminating the results form multisite initiatives in peer-reviewed journals and at national conferences. Ms. Rajabiun has authored several peer reviewed articles and developed field manuals on engaging and retaining PLWH in care and treatment.
Assistant Professor
UML
Serena Rajabiun is the Principal Investigator for the Black Women’s First Evaluation and Technical Center Provider HRSA SPNS project. She has over twenty years of international and domestic public health experience. She has over a decade of leadership experience on multisite projects funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau. She is currently the Co-Principal Investigator for the HRSA/SPNS Improving Health Outcomes through Coordinated Housing & Employment Services and the Dissemination of Evidence-Informed Intervention Dissemination and Evaluation Center, and a Co-Principal Investigator on Improving Access to Care: Using CHWs to Improve Linkage and Retention in HIV Care, She has over 15 years experience designing and leading qualitative and quantitative
studies as part of seven multi-site evaluations and providing evaluation and programmatic technical assistance to HRSA Ryan White demonstration grantees, She has organized several multisite meetings with grantees, and coordinated and collaborated with over 20 grantees on publishing and disseminating the results form multisite initiatives in peer-reviewed journals and at national conferences. Ms. Rajabiun has authored several peer reviewed articles and developed field manuals on engaging and retaining PLWH in care and treatment.
Venita Ray
Co-ED
Positive Women's Network - USA
Venita Ray is the deputy director of the Positive Women’s Network-USA, a national membership organization for women living with HIV. Venita served as the public policy manager for Legacy Community Health, a federally qualified health center in Houston, TX, where she monitored HIV related health policy and managed an advocacy training program for people living with HIV. In 2016, Venita led a citywide effort to end the HIV epidemic in Houston and drafted the Roadmap to Ending the HIV Epidemic in Houston. Venita has led anti criminalization efforts in Texas defeating an effort to allow HIV test results to be subpoenaed in criminal prosecutions and defeated attempts to introduce new HIV criminalization legislation. Venita was diagnosed with HIV in 2003 and is deeply committed to equity, racial justice and developing the leadership and meaningful involvement of people living with HIV in all decisions that impact the HIV community.
Co-ED
Positive Women's Network - USA
Venita Ray is the deputy director of the Positive Women’s Network-USA, a national membership organization for women living with HIV. Venita served as the public policy manager for Legacy Community Health, a federally qualified health center in Houston, TX, where she monitored HIV related health policy and managed an advocacy training program for people living with HIV. In 2016, Venita led a citywide effort to end the HIV epidemic in Houston and drafted the Roadmap to Ending the HIV Epidemic in Houston. Venita has led anti criminalization efforts in Texas defeating an effort to allow HIV test results to be subpoenaed in criminal prosecutions and defeated attempts to introduce new HIV criminalization legislation. Venita was diagnosed with HIV in 2003 and is deeply committed to equity, racial justice and developing the leadership and meaningful involvement of people living with HIV in all decisions that impact the HIV community.
Judith Scott
Assistant Professor
Boston University
Judith Scott, PhD is an Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Social Work and a co-investigator for the Black Women First Initiative. Her current research agenda focuses on how trauma—especially physical child maltreatment and racism—affects parenting and mental health among families across cultures. She is especially interested in understanding how protective processes such as ethnic-racial socialization and coping can buffer families against deleterious effects on mental health. Her secondary research interests are evaluating small and medium non-profit community organizations serving families.
Assistant Professor
Boston University
Judith Scott, PhD is an Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Social Work and a co-investigator for the Black Women First Initiative. Her current research agenda focuses on how trauma—especially physical child maltreatment and racism—affects parenting and mental health among families across cultures. She is especially interested in understanding how protective processes such as ethnic-racial socialization and coping can buffer families against deleterious effects on mental health. Her secondary research interests are evaluating small and medium non-profit community organizations serving families.