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 people 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 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 diverse communities they served had a commonality of a history of social marginalization -and 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 an effort 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
ADMINISTRATION
Kenney Miller
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Pronouns: He/Him/His
(207) 990-3626 x213
Anthony Fischetti, SHRM-CP
Dana Carver-Bialer, MPP, MA, PhD
DIRECTOR, FINANCE & OPERATIONS
Pronouns: He/Him/His
(207) 990-3626 x208
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 990-3626 x210
Whitney A. Parrish
Mimi Nangle
BOOKKEEPER
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 667-3506
Christine Gilbert
MEDICAL BILLING SPECIALIST
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 990-3626 x209
Clare Cartheuser
Jill Henderson
COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 990-3626 x222
CASE MANAGEMENT & MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Willow Yerxa, LSW
REGIONAL MANAGER, HANCOCK AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 667-3506
Jim Alciere, LSW
MEDICAL CASE MANAGER
Pronouns: He/Him/His
(207) 255-5849
Mike Bibro, LADC, CCS
SUBSTANCE USE CASE MANAGER
Pronouns: He/Him/His
(207) 249-8916
Brad Smith
MEDICAL CASE MANAGER
Pronouns: He/Him/His
(207) 990-3626 x207
Cody Harriman, LSW-c
CARE PROGRAM MANAGER
Pronouns: He/Him/His
(207) 990-3626 x204
Ashley Brown
HARM REDUCTION PROGRAM MANAGER
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 990-3626 x203
Toby Betancourt
SUBSTANCE USE CASE MANAGER
Pronouns: He/Him/His
(207) 990-3626 x218
Megan Harrigan, MHRT/C
MEDICAL CASE MANAGER
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 990-3626 X219
LGBTQ+ SERVICES
Sarah Haas
LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
Pronouns: She/Her/They/Them
(207) 990-3626 x215
Orion Tucker
LGBTQ+ PROGRAM MANAGER
Pronouns: He/Him/His
(207) 990-3626 x220
Shane Boyes, M.Ed.
LGBTQ+ TOBACCO & CANCER EQUITY COORDINATOR
Pronouns: He/Him/His
(207) 990-3626 x214
HARM REDUCTION SERVICES
Arielle Metcalf
MACHIAS/CALAIS HARM REDUCTION COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 255-5849
Duncan Dwyer
HARM REDUCTION EDUCATION & TRAINING SPECIALIST
Pronouns: He/Him/His
(207) 565-7038
June Evergreen
HARM REDUCTION COORDINATOR
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
(207) 990-3626