Elisa Diaz, PsyD

Dr. Elisa Diaz is a Licensed Psychologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Miami’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Her clinical interests are in health and chronic illnesses, but she is also vastly experienced in addiction and recovery, mood disorders, stress and trauma. She supervises psychology fellows and students, and provides clinical didactics to psychiatry residents, individual psychotherapy to the general population, and consultation to Special Immunology Medical Clinics. Dr. Diaz has presented at multiple conferences for the South Florida Southeast AIDS Education and Training Center, lecturing about mental health illness and its impact on medical adherence for Individuals living with HIV. She has served as an editorial contributor for the Miami Herald, highlighting the potential consequences of chronic stress and anxiety, and has contributed to BrainStorms, a publication for UM’s Department of Psychiatry, to address suicide awareness in police officers.

Hansel Tookes, MD, MPH

Dr. Hansel Tookes is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. His research focuses on innovative interventions to improve health outcomes in people who inject drugs (PWID). His harm reduction research seeks to innovate and enhance the reach of syringe services programs through the testing of innovative delivery models of low-barrier care. He has leveraged his own research in launching a campaign to bring syringe services programs to Miami and ultimately the entire state of Florida. Dr. Tookes received his medical and public health degrees from the University of Miami and his bachelor’s degree from Yale University. He completed his training as an internist at Jackson Health System, Miami’s public hospital, with a focus on HIV primary care and hospital medicine for the HIV and substance use disorder syndemics.

Nadine Singh, MSN, FNP-BC

Nadine Singh, APRN is a Board certified Nurse Practitioner who takes pride in primary care clinical expertise. She has over eighteen years of nursing experience. She is skilled in health promotion, disease prevention and managing acute and chronic disorders and diseases. She is motivated to encourage and challenge patients into wellness through healthy eating choices and fitness. Nadine has provided invaluable services to the medical community. These services include managing a patient’s overall care; prescribing medications and treatments; ordering, conducting, and interpreting diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, EKGs, and lab work; diagnosing and treating chronic and acute conditions, including injuries, infections, diabetes, and high blood pressure. She has also contributed to the healthcare industry in other ways, as a consultant, researcher and patients’ advocate for families, individuals, groups, and communities.

Emmanuella Fluerimont, CEO

Ms. Emmanuella Fluerimont also known as Manoue was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti and raised in Dominican Republic where she completed her education. Emmanuella is proficient in four different languages: English, Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole. Those who love helping the community would be great admirers of the work of Emmanuella. After all, she’s the president and founder of MJD Wellness and Community Center and MJD Nutrition Club. Emmanuella opened MJD Wellness and Community Center, Inc in 2015. Her job is to educate and help individuals with health care and social service needs. Emmanuella is more than just a Health care advocate she also appears on different TV and Radio stations to increase wellness and awareness in her community.

Jose F. Fons, Esq

Mr. Jose Fons graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration in 1991 and obtained his Juris doctorate degree from St. Thomas University School of Law in 1994. Jose began working as a staff attorney with Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., in 1994. He is currently the Advocacy Director for Monroe County and Director of the firm’s Disability Law Project.

Cassandra Esperant, PharmD, AAHIVP

Dr. Cassandra Esperant, PharmD currently serves as a pharmacist at the AIDS Health Foundation prescribing HIV prevention. She is passionate about tackling the public health issue of racism in the communities facing disparities by empowering them with the tools needed to change the narrative in healthcare. She is passionate about advocacy, and her interest peaked for HIV because she remembers watching the Haitian community protest the CDC’s nonscientific claim that Haitians were part of the notorious 4 Club. Her self-proclaimed purpose is to add value to all those she comes into contact with on a daily basis. Cassandra is a founding member of SPARK, which is a women’s empowerment affinity group at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. She is also a member of the Haitian American Pharmacist Organization and serves as the public relations representative on the board. Fun Fact: Cassandra Esperant once told her high school chemistry teacher that she didn’t need his class because she was going to law school.

Marsha P. Wilson, LMHC

Ms. Marsha P. Wilson is the Behavioral Health Clinical Director at Smith Community Mental Health, a local community mental health agency that serves children, youth, and adults with various behavioral and mental health needs. Marsha has a background in child and adolescent treatment and is the former program manager for a comprehensive child and adolescent day program that provides trauma- informed care for clients with significant emotional and behavioral challenges. Marsha is the administrative adjunct instructor for the Mental Health Counseling program at Trinity International University, Florida Regional Campus, and has a passion for training and equipping future counselors to provide quality care and effect sustainable positive changes for their clients. Marsha is a Florida licensed mental health counselor, state qualified supervisor, and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision.

Trillion Ingram

Mr. Trillion is a program coordinator at Empower U Community Health Center. In this role, he harmonizes Empower U’s various services to create a process of care that is in tune with the concerns of his client. In 2018, Trillion began his journey in Public Health as a Ryan White Positive Peer. As a Peer, he submerged himself in the world of HIV treatment where he absorbed knowledge imbibed by the myriad of trainings facilitated through his affiliation with Empower U Community Health Center.

Anthony Sanders

Pastor Anthony A. Sanders is the Founder and CEO of Higher Vision Ministries in the City of Hallandale Beach, FL. Pastor Sanders is a visionary, energetic, motivational speaker, and gifted expositor of the Scriptures, making practical application appealing and necessary for the believer. His mandate is to minister to the un-churched and those who are seeking a non-traditional style of worship. He is faithful to the call of ministry in the church and the community. Pastor Sanders has been recognized by several local and national organizations for his work in the community. Most recently, he was instrumental in bringing resources to his former church Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church through partnerships with community businesses to renovate the church for approximately $60,000 at no cost to the church to include a stem lab for youth to study math and science. He was recognized as one of the top fifty African American leaders in Broward County 2014, outstanding leadership in Pastoral Ministry honored by the United States Department of Commerce 2014, he was honored with an honorary doctorate degree in Divinity from St Thomas University, Jacksonville Florida. to name a few.

Shanika Ampah, LPN

More than a motivational speaker, mother, advocate, and nurse, Shanika Ampah, LPN thinks beyond the term “survivor.” Empowering and giving a voice to those who are at-risk, or have experienced childhood sexual abuse, trauma, and human trafficking like herself, Shanika founded and acts as director of Guiding Light Outreach Inc. In addition to Shanika’s nonprofit created to serve the community as a beacon of light, addressing social issues, and traumatic events, Shanika also lends a great amount of her time to the University of Miami’s T.H.R.I.V.E Clinic, as well as Project Gold at Kristi House. Through a culmination of her life experience, formal training, and desire to reshape the narrative of unaddressed social issues in vulnerable populations, Shanika serves the community as a lighthouse of hope.

Michelle Krichbaum, PharmD, BCPP

Dr. Michelle Krichbaum graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and her PharmD from Belmont University. She completed her PGY1 at the Tuscaloosa VAMC and her PGY2 in Pain Management and Palliative Care at the West Palm Beach VAMC. She is currently a Clinical Manager for Pain Management and Palliative Care at Baptist Health South Florida. Dr. Krichbaum previous role was as Program Manager for the outpatient substance use disorder clinic at Broward Health and as consultant and lecturer for a 2-year SAMHSA grant for interprofessional Substance Use Disorder education for Nova Southeastern University and Broward Health. She also serves as the advocacy chair for the Society of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacists.

Neil Miransky

Dr. Neil Miransky graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and received his doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) from Nova Southeastern University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a Family Medicine Residency, a Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and is Board Certified in Family Practice and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He currently works for Baptist Health South Florida as the Chief Medical Officer of Pharmacy Services. Dr. Miransky previously served as the Medical Director for the outpatient substance use disorder clinic at Broward Health. Dr. Miransky is an active member of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, the American Osteopathic Association, and the Society of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacists.

Regina Gerbier

Ms. Regina Gerbier is a transgender activist that uses several different platforms to bring trans topics to the forefront. She began bringing visibility to the trans community through her work in HIV. First, as an HIV tester for Latinos Salud, where she developed a passion for learning the disparities the trans community faces, and later at the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, where she developed one of Florida’s first PrEP clinics in partnership with AIDS Healthcare Foundation. As the Transgender Program Coordinator, she also developed the department’s first Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity training. Regina has fostered community partnerships with trans-lead organizations, increasing community engagement, and educating various higher learning establishments, hospitals, and medical practices on proper trans-health equity. Regina dedicates her time now to her passion for the arts and bringing visibility to her community across various different platforms.

Dawn Breedon, MHS

Dawn Breedon is a motivational speaker, certified Life Coach, activist, and author of REMEMBER TO BREATHE. Ms. Breedon continues to educate herself to help others pull through adverse situations. She graduated with honors from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania with a Masters of Human Services Degree, where she was inducted into the Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society for Social Sciences. Ms. Breedon holds a certificate in Evidenced Based Coaching from Fielding Graduate University. Ms. Breedon speaks at corporate events, churches, for women’s groups and for high school students. She offers up empowering useable techniques to manage change and to help push through gut wrenching emotional pain. She coaches individuals to help increase their confidence so they can see a larger version of their lives. Participants use Ms. Breedon’s pragmatic strategies in their daily lives to transform their negative mindsets into healthy new ways of thinking and living.

Carol Charles

Ms. Carol Charles currently serves as the Neighborhood Worker and Patient Care Associate at Jackson Health System, South Florida AIDS Network. Carol was the recipient of the South FL SE AETC 2022 Peer Navigator of the Year. Carol Charles has shown commitment to the South Florida AIDS Network (SFAN) and the community by volunteering and participating in community outreach events to engage the community in testing and services. Carol Charles has continued to be committed to the clients by going above and beyond in assisting with a positive and resilient attitude. Carol Charles is integral to the South Florida AIDS Network (SFAN) and her efforts have not gone unnoticed in keeping clients from being lost to care. Carol Charles is seen as an individual who has done an astonishing amount of work in the community bringing awareness to end the epidemic.

Wallace Cure

Mr. Wallace M. Cure is a Health Promotion Peer Navigator at Care Resource with a background in science, education, and community outreach. He was born and raised in South Florida where he studied mathematics at FIU. Before working at Care Resource, he interned at FIU’s Pride Center where he grew to understand and appreciate the value of outreach and peer education. A great communicator and natural problem solver, he’s passionate about public health intervention and excited to share his insight.

David Contos, LCSW

Mr. David Contos is a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker at the AIDS Health Foundation (AHF) Fort Myers, FL clinic. He works with a wide range of mental health challenges and specializes in the treatment of trauma, complex trauma and grief/loss. He has received training and supervision from the EMDR Institute and is working towards certification. David brings extensive professional experience working with underserved populations as an Assistant Public Defender and in public education. He demonstrates a compassionate and curious engagement style to help facilitate deep levels of client empowerment and change.

Joy M. Radford-Cole

Ms. Joy M. Radford-Cole is the Forensic Nurse Program Manager for Palm Beach County Victim Services and Certified Rape Crisis Center. Joy joined Palm Beach County Victim Services in October 2021, and today she supervises a team of highly trained Forensic Nurses. She began her nursing career in 2008 in the Emergency Department; in 2009, she began her career as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner; in 2012, she obtained her Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner certification; in 2021, she received her Master’s degree in Forensic Nursing and in 2022, she obtained her Advanced Forensic Nurse Certification.

Laura Cusack

Ms. Laura Cusack is President of the Human Trafficking Coalition of the Palm Beaches, a local nonprofit specializing in education on human trafficking to community members, professionals, and youth. Laura is also the Senior Crime Victim Advocate at the Coalition for Independent Living Options, Inc., an agency that provides direct services to victims of crime who have disabilities.