At its recent annual meeting, the Allies for Health + Wellbeing Board of Directors welcomed six new members. Dr. Ken Ho, who served on the Allies’ board for nine years, including as vice president, completed his term on the board. Brian Balonick, Leah Klocke, and Diane Dahm also have left the board.
Miracle Jones, director of advocacy and policy for 1Hood Media and Allies board member since 2021, will be the new vice president.
“I joined the Allies board because as a person living with a chronic illness, I know how important it is to have medical providers treat you with respect, have community trust, and provide treatment without causing additional trauma,” Jones said. “As vice president, I hope to help Allies become more centered in the community and build upon the amazing work the board has done in the past to make sure any person impacted by HIV/AIDS knows they have competent care options.”
Also joining the Allies board are:
- Allie Dakroub, MD, MS, FAAP, FACP, (he/him/his), assistant professor of medicine and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh and doctor of internal medicine and pediatrics. He is affiliated with UPMC Shadyside, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and UPMC Presbyterian.
- Susan Hunt, MD, FACP, (she/her/hers), clinical associate professor, palliative care and medical ethics, UPMC, and physician consultant for the Minnesota Center for Healthcare Ethics
- Clarisse Jordan, (she/her/hers), longtime activist for people living with HIV
- Angela Lucente-Prokop, PhD, MPM, PMP, (she/her/hers), vice president, operations and government liaison for PA Health and Wellness, Centene Health Plan
- Mariah Passarelli, Esq., (she/her/hers), member, labor and employment section and higher education committee co-chair at Cozen O’Connor
Clarisse Jordan, who was the recipient of Allies’ annual Kerry Stoner Award in 2021 for her decades of work on behalf of people living with HIV, said that she hopes to be a voice for Allies’ patients and clients during her board tenure. The Kerry Stoner Award is presented annually to honor a person who has shown commitment to Stoner’s legacy and vision. Stoner, a tireless HIV/AIDS activist who died of complications from AIDS in 1993, was a founder and the first executive director of Allies, then known as the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force.
“I agreed to be on the board because I believe in the mission of Allies, and I wholeheartedly support the work that Allies does for the community,” Jordan said. “I am looking forward to being a voice, giving the aspect of the client when in board meetings. My goal is to be a voice for the client.”
Dr. Angela Lucente-Prokop’s motivation for joining the Allies board is mission-driven. “My personal and professional mission is to improve access and quality of healthcare and whole health and making a meaningful contribution as an advocate, ally, and leader in my local community,” she said. “I look forward to supporting the mission and impact of Allies for Health + Wellbeing in the community through my time, talent, and resources.”
Quality and comprehensive healthcare is at the center of Dr. Allie Dakroub’s interest in joining the Allies board.
“I am very interested in helping support our LGBTQ+ community to pursue and achieve the highest standard of comprehensive healthcare possible,” he said. “I am most looking forward to meeting and networking with people who share my interests and who can work together for the collective health and wellbeing of our community. I hope to improve access to care, awareness of important health issues, and to support the clinic in any way possible.”
“I am thrilled to welcome the new members to the Allies Board of Directors and look forward to serving with them,” said Allies board president, Adam Falcone, JD, MPH.