Minority Leadership Program

Alexis Charpentier has worked in HIV prevention for seven years and for two years as a HIV and Hepatitis counselor and tester at the Waikiki Health Center, a Ryan White Funded HIV clinic.  Currently, she is the HIV Public Health Coordinator for the Harm Reduction Services Branch (HRSB) of the Hawaii Department of Health.   At the HRSB, she worked as a HIV Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) for two years before becoming the HIV Coordinator.  Alexis oversees HIV Prevention activities such as HIV Partner Services for newly diagnosed persons living with HIV (PLWH), HIV Data to Care for PLWH who have fallen out of HIV care, and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for persons who are at risk of becoming HIV-positive.  Her ultimate career goal is to eliminate health disparities and promote health equity, especially for those from minority groups, by becoming a physician who provides a safe space and quality health care for all persons regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Astra Collins is the Lead Eligibility Specialist for the Washington State ADAP. Astra has worked within HIV Client Services in Washington since 2015 but began working with the Office of Infectious Disease in 2014. She has experience with ADAP eligibility, insurance benefits, and pharmacy systems and has also participated in the data system migration from HADS to Provide for ADAP. She provides technical assistance both internally at DOH as well as for peer state programs. Astra’s primary focus in her work is to ensure equitable access to all forms of HIV care for people living with HIV in Washington State.

Kevin Holmes currently serves as the LGBT Communications Coordinator for the Arkansas Department of Health. He has been in the field of HIV prevention and LGBT wellness for 10 years. In 2007 he became a board member of Little Rock Black Pride, where he helped bring communities of color together across the state and South. He helped to cultivate relationships with businesses across the state, while working to bridge the gap between churches and the LGBT community. During this time, he was also hired as the program coordinator for the state’s largest LGBT nonprofit agency. He is a certified HIV tester and counselor, peer educator, and has completed a number of CDC programs including 3MV, RESPECT, and D-UP! 

Michael Thomas Blissett has served 17 years in the social service sector. Currently Michael is with the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Bureau of Behavioral Health Wellness and Prevention, Office of HIV/AIDS as the ADAP Program Coordinator. Prior to that he worked for the State of Nevada Health and Human Services Division of Welfare and Supportive Services as a case worker, trainer, and supervisor determining eligibility for the SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, MAABD and Child Support programs. 

Rosy Galván is the Director, Health Equity for NASTAD. She manages the Health Equity team and oversees a HRSA Special Project of National Significance (SPNS) tasked with identifying, cataloging, disseminating, and supporting the replication of evidence informed approaches to improve health outcomes for people living with HIV. Rosy also now coordinates the Minority Leadership Program (MLP) for persons of color working at various levels in state and local health department HIV and hepatitis programs. When she first started MLP, she was in her former role at the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute where she managed HIV/STD prevention funds, provided capacity building assistance to funded providers, and spearheaded various progressive health equity initiatives. Rosy completed her undergraduate degree at Columbia University, double majoring in Sociology and Human Rights with a minor in Environmental Science. Rosy also has a Master’s in Social Welfare from the University at Albany, and over 14 years of experience working in community organizations with a special focus on LGBTQ health, systemic change, and community engagement.