NJ health department names members to new advisory council on HIV, STIs, viral hepatitis

TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Health announced Monday the appointment of 32 public members to the newly formed Advisory Council on HIV, STIs, and Viral Hepatitis.

The council is tasked with coordinating efforts to address the ongoing HIV epidemic, rising cases of sexually transmitted infections and viral hepatitis, and the risks associated with injection drug use.

“New Jersey remains steadfast in our commitment to ending the HIV epidemic and reducing the impact of co-occurring conditions,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. “This Advisory Council represents our unwavering dedication to culturally responsive and evidence-based public health strategies.”

The council replaces and broadens the mission of the Governor’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and Related Blood Borne Pathogens. It places a particular focus on reducing the disproportionate burden of disease on Black, Hispanic, Latino, and LGBTQIA+ communities.

The Advisory Council aims to:

• Coordinate public awareness, education, and service access through state and community partnerships;
• Identify strategies to help implement the state’s HIV and viral hepatitis strategic plans;
• Recommend policies and initiatives to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities.

Chaired by the Health Commissioner or their designee, the council includes senior representatives from several state departments, including Corrections, Human Services, Banking and Insurance, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives.

Public members are appointed by the Commissioner and include health care professionals, advocates, and individuals with lived experience. Members from the Legislature, recommended by the Senate President and Assembly Speaker, include Sens. Renee C. Burgess and Joseph F. Vitale, and Assemblywomen Nancy F. Muñoz and Lisa Swain.

The full list of appointed public members includes Kathy Ahearn-O’Brien, Ketlen Alsbrook, Nawal Ammar, Ann Bagchi, Chad Balodis, Jackie Baras, Cathleen Bennett, Martha Chavis, Clement Chen, Mark Condoluci, Dottie Dowdell, Lawrence Downs, Ingrid Floyd, Christian Furscarino, Pamela Gorman, Perry Halkitis, Robert Johnson, Erika Kerber, Brian McGovern, Jenna Mellor, Dwight Peavy, Shannon Preston, Elizabeth Schedl, Georgett Shelton, Jihad Slim, Axel Torres Marrero, Steven Toth, and Gary Paul Wright.