Health Equity Alliance

ABOUT HEAL

The Health Equity Alliance (HEAL) is a non-profit agency providing direct service and advocating on behalf of Maine's LGBTQ+ community, people living with HIV/AIDS, and people who use drugs.

OUR MISSION

The Health Equity Alliance envisions a world in which all people are valued and celebrated, and health disparities such as HIV, Hepatitis C and AIDS-related deaths are nonexistent.

By facilitating collaboration, education, advocacy, and action, HEAL empowers marginalized communities to improve their health and well-being and affect social and cultural change.

OUR HISTORY

The Down East AIDS Network was founded in 1987 in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in rural Down East Maine. It grew out of the sadness and anger of Down East Maine’s LGBTQ+ community who were overwrought with watching their loved ones waste away and die while the Government would not even acknowledge the virus’ existence. A couple of filing cabinets in a living room and a handful of immensely passionate and committed provided what comfort they could, helping clients navigate the complicated system of health care and social assistance in an era before the advent of effective HIV medications.

With the passage of the Ryan White Cares Act in 1990, the grown agency finally received the support it needed to more effectively address the growing epidemic. Incorporating and hiring their first paid Director, the organization became a vital support for the rural region’s HIV positive population, providing critical case management and social support. They further grew to provide invaluable prevention services, including education and HIV testing, followed later by syringe exchange services.

In 2011, the Board of the Down East AIDS Network began a prolonged strategic planning process that would lead to a dramatic overhaul of the agency’s mission and vision. This process was informed and inspired by the recognition that the commonality between the diverse communities that they served was their history of social marginalization -that they all experienced a multitude of other health disparities beyond incidence of HIV, and that these two facts were inextricably interconnected. The real issue, the Board recognized, was not just HIV/AIDS or other health disparities, but marginalization itself.

In 2013, the Down East AIDS Network adopted the Eastern Maine AIDS Network -a sister program based in Bangor- leading to the formation of the Health Equity Alliance. Driven by a mission to “empower marginalized communities to improve their health and well-being and affect social and cultural change,” the Health Equity Alliance has developed into a regional Health Justice organization, with offices throughout Northern and Central Maine. Our work has also expanded to explore the intersection between the disciplines of public health and social justice, in their efforts to end health disparities by changing the social systems that perpetuate marginalization.

Today the Health Equity Alliance works closely with marginalized communities throughout Maine through programs advancing the health and well-being of people living with HIV, the LGBTQ+ community, people who use drugs, and others. Our work includes individual-direct service programs, capacity building and technical assistance initiatives intended to foster more affirming services and practices, efforts to build community and relational power and the advancement of policy priorities that will have a real and lasting impact upon constituent’s lives.

OUR BOARD

Jim LaPierre (President)

Executive Director, Higher Ground Counseling

Nicole Golden-Bouchard (Vice President)

Staff Attorney, Pine Tree Legal Assistance

Terry Greenier (Treasurer)

President/Owner, I Care Pharmacy

Liz Sullivan (Secretary)

Human Services Instructor,

Washington County Community College

Lois-Ann Kuntz

Associate Professor, University of Maine;

Adviser, 100% Society

Kimberly Hammill

Advocate, Bangor Racial and Economic Justice Coalition

Alysia Melnick

Attorney, Bernstein Shur Law Firm;

Legislative and Political Law Practice Group

Cindy Leiffer, RN, NP

Retired

Jesse Harvey

Founder/Director of Mission, Journey House Sober Living

Royce Hardin

Community Member and Volunteer

Bella O'Hammon

Maine Transgender Network

Tahmoor Khan

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England

ADMINISTRATION

Kenney Miller

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Pronouns: He/Him/His

(207) 990-3626 x213

Anthony Fischetti, SHRM-CP

Dana Carver-Bialer, MPP, MA, PhD Candidate

DIRECTOR, FINANCE & OPERATIONS

Pronouns: He/Him/His

(207) 990-3626 x208

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

(207) 990-3626 x210

Mimi Nangle

BOOKKEEPER

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

(207) 667-3506

Christine Gilbert

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

MEDICAL CASE MANAGER

Pronouns: He/Him/His

(207) 255-5849

HARM REDUCTION AND LGBTQ+ SERVICES

Maddy Magnuson

DIRECTOR OF LGBTQ+ SERVICES

AND HARM REDUCTION

Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs

(207) 990-3626 x214

Arielle Metcalf

MACHIAS HARM REDUCTION COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

(207) 255-5849

Papa, PhD, Carpet Crumbs

OFFICE DOG

Sarah Haas

LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

Pronouns: She/Her/They/Them

(207) 990-3626 x215

June Evergreen

HARM REDUCTION COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

(207) 990-3626

Duncan Dwyer

BELFAST/WALDO HARM REDUCTION COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

Pronouns: He/Him/His

(207) 249-8916

Georgia, PhD, Rolling Over

OFFICE DOG