Contact the Office on AIDS

The Office on AIDS staff is part of the APA Public Interest Directorate, and responds to questions about HIV/AIDS received from APA members, other mental health researchers and practitioners, and the media. Staff routinely provide information, training, and technical assistance in the areas of:

• Behavioral research

• Mental health services

• Ethics

• Networking

• Resources pertaining to HIV/AIDS

The staff networks with experts in the field through APA divisions and governance committees, state and territorial psychological associations, federal agencies, and other national organizations responding to HIV/AIDS.

• John R. Anderson, PhD
  Director, Office on AIDS
  John R. Anderson, PhD is a clinical psychologist who has conducted a private psychotherapy and case management practice in Washington, DC since 1986. He specializes in individual, couple, family, and hypnosis therapies for people living with, and affected by, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other chronic and life-threatening illnesses. The APA Office on AIDS provides information, training, and technical assistance on a wide range of HIV/AIDS-related topics associated with coping, mental health services, prevention, technology transfer, community collaboration, public policy, and ethics. Dr. Anderson's primary area of research has focused on the relationships between hope, coping, adjustment, and health.

• Cherie D. Mitchell, MHS
  Manager, Office on AIDS 
  Cherie Mitchell, Manager,  APA's Office on AIDS, has over 20 years of experience in management, evaluation, research, training, and technical assistance with an emphasis on policy, health disparities, diversity, substance abuse, and service delivery.   Her expertise includes strategic planning, operations, program design, capacity building, and meeting management.  Ms. Mitchell has served in a senior management capacity at consulting firms, such as The Lewin Group, managing and directing multi-year contracts with the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, The California Endowment, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAT), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which included programs such as the National Medicare Education Program and the National Evaluation Data and Technical Assistance Center. During her tenure at the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), she worked in the Office of Planning and Evaluation on substance abuse policy and legislation.  Ms. Mitchell received her Masters of Health Science in health policy from The Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health and her Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Yale.
• Esraa Bani, MPH
  Program Coordinator, Cyber Mentors Program
  As the Program Coordinator, Esraa assumes the primary responsibility for all logistics in regards to implementing and facilitating activities associated the goals of the Cyber Mentors Program. She also currently works part-time as the Director of Strategic Planning and Initiatives with the Diaspora African Women's Network (DAWN). Prior to APA, Esraa was an Advocacy Coordinator and Co-Chair of the Young People's Working Group at Population Action International (PAI). Prior to PAI, Esraa had experience working at the Lorna Sundberg International Center, the United Nations, the Sudanese AIDS Prevention Program (SNAP), Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and Habitat for Humanity. Esraa earned her MPH from the University of Virginia with a concentration in Epidemiology and Research. Her interests lie in Gender-Based Violence, Global Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and HIV/AIDS prevention in Africa. She was a 2007 Center for Global Health Scholar. Esraa was born in Sudan and raised in Saudi Arabia and immigrated to the United States in 1998. 

• Edna Davis-Brown, MPH
  Director, Behavioral and Social Science Volunteer (BSSV) Program
  Edna comes to APA with more than 15 years experience in project management, development/implementation and evaluation with particular focus on research, publications and communications, logistical and administrative support, cultural diversity, and training and technical assistance. Her most recent background includes work with Maryland-based consulting firms focusing on projects funded by federal agencies such the Center Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Administration on Aging (AoA) to name a few. Most recently she provided consultation and support to the University of Maryland-School of Medicine's Statewide Health Network addressing tobacco-related cancer education and prevention initiatives in Southern Maryland. She also proudly serves as President of Gregory B. Davis Foundation (GBDF), a small family foundation formed in honor of her youngest sibling who died of AIDS in 2000.

• David P. DeVito, MPA
  Training Director, HIV Office for Psychology Education (HOPE) Program
  As the Director of the HOPE Program, David is responsible for the recruitment, retention, training, and coordination of mental health professionals who provide HIV/AIDS education and care training events to improve mental health outcomes for people living with HIV. David has more than 20 years nonprofit management and administration experience from myriad staff positions at national membership organizations, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Genealogical Society, National Council of Nonprofits, and American Psychological Association. Mr. DeVito served as the HOPE Program Administrative Coordinator from 2002-2006. He received his Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and his Master of Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management from The George Washington University.

• Kristina Rerucha, MPH 
  BSSV and HOPE Research Assistant
  Kristina Rerucha is the research assistant for the BSSV and HOPE Programs. Originally from Nebraska, Kristina received dual degrees in Biology and Chemistry before finding her true passion for prevention and public health. While serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer, Kristina focused on a myriad of health topics including HIV prevention, reproductive health, and women and youth empowerment. Her nutrition project to decrease malnutrition in pregnant women, and children five years and under was adopted by the Children's Christian Fund and has been implemented into other communities with success. Kristina also has experience with HIV testing and counseling both abroad and in her home state. It was while testing individuals on college campuses she decided to return to school to learn about effective ways to help improve people's lives. Since arriving in DC, Kristina has completed her MPH at George Washington University and volunteered with several non-profit organizations to supplement her classroom experience. Her passion to improve knowledge and self-efficacy of individuals, resulting in decreased risky behaviors, continues.

• Sharon Asonganyi, MPH
  BSSV Capacity Building Assistance Coordinator
  Sharon Asonganyi is the new CBA Coordinator for the BSSV Program. Her interest in the HIV/AIDS field was kindled during her travels and involvement in HIV response efforts at rural clinics in her native country of Cameroon. Sharon obtained dual concentration BA degrees in Biology and Psychology at Boston University. She subsequently pursued an MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences, focusing on HIV/AIDS in adolescents. During her graduate studies, Sharon co-developed a pilot intervention study at Boston Children's Hospital on utilizing technology to promote treatment adherence in adolescent clients. She has experience conducting HIV Counseling and Testing through outreach at youth homeless centers and college campuses. Sharon joins the BSSV Program from Boston, MA where she worked in the Boston Public Health Commission's Ryan White Part A HIV Health Services Planning Council and Quality Management units. Motivated by a drive to serve communities develop quality and effective service delivery infrastructures, she is excited to be a part of the American Psychological Association and the BSSV team.

• Danielle Pope, BS
  Administrative Coordinator, BSSV Program
  Danielle Pope, a native of West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for 25 years, moved to Washington, DC in 1989 as a result of a job offer to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the Identification Division. After her 7 year tenure with the FBI, Danielle began working as a temporary employee for the Office on AIDS in 1998. She has since then become a permanent employee of APA and works as the Administrative Coordinator for the Behavioral and Social Science Volunteer (BSSV) Program where she keeps track of more than 200 volunteers to ensure that they remain connected with the Program.

• Latonia Coryatt, BA
  BSSV Research Assistant
  Latonia Coryatt is a first year graduate student at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. She is a candidate for her MPH in Health Promotion. She earned her undergraduate degree from Cornell University in Human Development, with a concentration in Social Inequality and Social and Personality Development. Latonia's previous work experience includes working for a non-profit organization in Brooklyn, New York under the HIV/AIDS Program and the Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative Program. She conducted HIV risk reduction through outreach, educational sessions, and support groups. Latonia has been trained and has implemented several of the DEBI group interventions and is a certified HIV Counselor and Tester. Latonia was also very involved in the community. She was a member of the HIV/AIDS Advisory Committee, and served on several other task forces and coalitions focused on improving the health of the community. Latonia plans to continue to work fervently to help underserved and underprivileged areas to progressively make strides towards becoming healthier individuals, families and communities. Latonia is very excited to contribute to, and learn from, the Behavioral and Social Sciences Volunteer Program.
• Makina Table, BA
  BSSV Research Assistant
  Makina L. Table, BA, is a second year graduate student at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services earning her MPH in Maternal and Child Health. Originally from Atlanta, Makina completed her undergraduate coursework at Howard University in African American Studies and Chemistry. She has used her unique background to explore social and biological factors to health at local and international levels. Previously, Makina worked for a global non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. where she focused on maternal and infant mortality. She also has experience in youth education as a middle school teaching assistant. Makina stays involved in her community by volunteering with local organizations dedicated to HIV prevention; youth risk reduction, and mental health. Makina is dedicated to improving the quality of life for minority and at-risk populations. She is excited to be a part of APA and the BSSV team, and looks forward to this great experience.