OUR BOARD
A message from our board
As we look to the future, our mission is to elevate knowledge and awareness regarding HIV/AIDS and the impact on marginalized communities. People living with HIV have a desire, and the resilience to match, to live healthy and productive lives; due to advances in care and research, that outcome is possible. AARTH was founded initially to meet the needs of affected communities with humility and compassion often met with rejection. As HIV/AIDS care and research has transformed, the landscape for AARTH has and will continue to evolve. For the next fiscal year, the goals of the board are to become more involved in philanthropy for the organization including organizing a fundraiser, increasing our knowledge related to non profit board leadership and responsibilities, and to recruit new board members with diverse talents. By engaging in these activities, the impact and capacity of AARTH will continue to grow during this fiscal year and beyond.
MEET THE BOARD
Joycelyn Thomas, DNP
Joycelyn Thomas holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from the University of Washington. Currently, she works as a Family Nurse Practitioner at a Family Practice Clinic for Catholic Health Initiatives. She is a nurse practitioner specializing in the care of persons of all ages, and her interests include HIV care and prevention to HIV/AIDS infected individuals specifically individuals of African descent, pregnant women and children exposed and or infected with HIV/AIDS, and patient provider communication with African Americans. Joycelyn has been on the board since 2014.
Board President
Board Member
Wessen Kifetew, MPH
Wessen is a global/public health professional with experience in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, and most recently in maternal and child health. She holds a graduate degree in Global Health from Emory University, Atlanta, GA. Wessen has been with AARTH since 2015. She serves the organization in various advisory roles and capacities, including in grant proposal and development; technical and management support and other support, as needed.
Pam Saari, MSN, MPH, MSW, ARNP, FNP-C
Pam is a primary care provider to panel of approximately 300 minimum, medium and maximum security inmates. Duties include assessment and management of urgent and emergent health care situations, Management of health maintenance needs of women 18-83 years old, psychosocial nurse management. She holds graduate degrees from Walden University, Seattle University, University of Washington and The Evergreen State College.
Board Member
Sharon Reed, RN, MN, BSN, AAACN
Sharon has been in the medical field for thirty-eight years, primarily as a dialysis nurse/nurse manager. She's currently a registered nurse at Harborview Medical Center working in Primary Care/Triage, with focus on addressing hypertension within our African American communities. In her advanced studies, she has researched how implicit bias within healthcare professionals affect the care/treatment of African Americans which and now works to bring awareness and educate other providers how to treat from a holistic approach. She's a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and they work to enhance education, leadership and assist youth with higher educational opportunities. She's a graduate of University of Washington, and has a Master of Nursing Education. Her goal is to educate the African American communities on chronic diseases and advocate for equity in healthcare disparities.
Board Member