Perspectives
Provider Perspective: Obiageli Duru-Anoumatacky
Obiageli “Oby” Duru-Anoumatacky came to the United States from Nigeria 20 years ago, and since then, she has been dedicated to bettering the lives of others through public health work […]
Provider Perspective: Rhonda Carr
Stigma, the shame that comes as a result of stigma, and fear often discourage people from revealing the extent of their health conditions and seeking help. For those living with […]
Provider Perspective: Dedra Spears-Johnson
Dedra Spears-Johnson, who currently serves as the organization’s Executive Director, hopes to help transform the HIV landscape in Prince George’s County and in the state of Maryland as a whole.
Provider Perspective: David Perez
With interests in primary care, internal medicine, and LGBTQ+ inclusive care, David Perez is passionate about bettering the state of healthcare in Maryland.
Provider Perspective: Walter Saba
The Latino population in the state of Maryland has doubled in the last decade, which calls for new developments in Maryland’s healthcare system to meet the population’s diverse needs.
Meet the Faces Behind the Maryland AIDS Drug Assistance Program
The Alive! Maryland team spoke with a few of the faces behind MADAP operations to gain perspective on their motivations for engaging in this work and their hopes for the future of the program.
Provider Perspective: Earl Jack Matthews
Earl “Jack” Matthews, a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and Peer Supervisor at the Howard County Health Department, uses his experiences to reduce harm, support his clients and advocate on their behalf.
Provider Perspective: Kyle Bukowski
Kyle Bukowski, MD, FACOG currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer for Planned Parenthood of Maryland. He has dedicated his entire career to delivering sexual and reproductive healthcare.
Provider Perspective: Anika Alvanzo
An internal medicine-trained addiction medicine physician, Anika Alvanzo aims to improve the quality of treatment for individuals with substance use disorder and decrease the stigma associated with the condition. Working to improve the overall health and quality of life for these individuals, Alvanzo’s work is an invaluable contribution towards efforts to build a healthier Maryland.
Provider Perspective: Nelly Velazquez
Nelly Velazquez spent the last nine years of her career in Public Health as a Health Educator, working most prominently to teach about disease prevention in Baltimore City. Velazquez is motivated most by her commitment to improving health outcomes in underserved communities, and her work has been vital to keeping the state of Maryland alive.
Provider Perspective: Camesha Thompson
For healthcare providers, the passion for enacting meaningful change can come from a number of factors, but for many, this drive originates directly from their own environment.
Provider Perspective: Charles McCleary
Healthcare providers who care deeply for their clients have the ability to create a welcoming and affirming environment. For people with substance use disorders, these providers serve as inspiration, support, and determination.