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, and 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
Edna Davis-Brown, MPH
David P. DeVito, MPA
Umra Omar, MA
Danielle Pope
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.
 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.
Umra Omar, MA
Program Coordinator, Cyber Mentors Program
Umra Omar, a native of Kenya currently studying in the United States, returned to the American Psychological Association after a brief departure to obtain a master degree on Social Justice in Intercultural Relations. Before that, she started working for the Office on AIDS as an intern in her freshman year while pursuing a BA in Neuroscience and a minor in Psychology from Oberlin College, Ohio. As the Cyber Mentors Program Coordinator, Ms. Omar assumes primary responsibility for implementing and facilitating activities associated with goals of the Program in advancing the role of psychology in HIV/AIDS research in communities of color.
Danielle Pope
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.
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