Dr. Bryan Choi, Ph.D.

Director of Behavioral Health Services

Dr. Bryan Choi, Ph.D. graduated from the Fuller School of Psychology with a doctorate in clinical psychology, and completed an APA accredited internship in behavioral health at the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System with emphasis in neuropsychology and PTSD. He is currently the acting Director of Behavioral Health Services and a staff registered clinical psychologist at the APAIT Health Center, a division of Special Service for Groups, where Dr. Choi both oversees the operation of various clinical/case management programs (i.e., Team 360, Alpha Project, CARE) and provides mental health services to individuals who are diagnosed with chronic health conditions or struggle with substance addictions. He is also involved in the agency’s program development and evaluation as well as training of clinical interns.

Carla Brizuela, MSW

Program Specialist | (714) 467-0010 | carlab@apaitonline.org

Carla Brizuela is the Program Specialist for APAIT’s Mind, Body, Spirit & Wellness Program and LETS Talk support group. Her role is to provide individual and group counseling to those living with HIV/AIDS. She received her undergraduate degree in Women’s Studies from CSULB and her Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Community Organizing, Planning and Administration from USC. She has worked in the field of domestic violence, mental health and human trafficking. She enjoys spending time with loved ones, playing with pets, listening/dancing to great music, watching movies and volunteering her time to worthy causes. She is very excited to be a part of the APAIT family.

Cristian Arias

Clinical Assistant | (213) 553-1839 | cristiana@apaitonline.org

Cristian Arias is a certified Medical Assistant and Phlebotomist. He has Volunteered and worked in urgent care in the San Fernando Valley in the past and also served four (4) years active duty in the Army as a Financial Management Technician and is now a member of the Army Reserve. Cristian attended Santa Monica College for a degree in Business but opted to pursue the life-long dream of working in the medical field. Cristian will be attending a BSN program with the ultimate goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

Dan Field, LCSW

SAMHSA Program Manager | (213) 572-1172 | danf@apaitonline.org

Dan Field, LCSW, is the Clinical Manager for TEAM 360, APAIT’s outpatient drug treatment program for Asians and Pacific Islanders. Working with a team of dedicated staff, TEAM 360 has already assisted over fifty clients in their recovery with weekly support and relapse prevention groups, individual counseling and recreational outings. A graduate of UCLA, with over five years of residential and outpatient experience in substance abuse, Dan is very happy to be part of the APAIT Family.

Diane Burbie

ASPIRE Group | Capacity Building and Technical Assistance | AspireGrp@aol.com

Elizabeth Quintas

Clinical Assistant | (213)553-1830

Elizabeth Quintas is currently APAIT Health Center’s clinical assistant. She has been working in the health care field for the past four years and finds it very rewarding. She has been working with mostly non-profit organizations, which she has always been a part of because these sectors help some of the most under served and low-income populations obtaining some of the most basic resources. She feels very fortunate to have joined the APAIT Health Center family. She hopes to continue her passion by becoming a LVN in the near future.

Elizabeth Wu, MPH

Clinical Case Manager | (213) 572-0478 | elizabethw@apaitonline.org

Elizabeth Wu has been a Clinical Case Manager with APAIT since November 2010. She graduated from UCLA in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature, and then graduated from UCLA in June 2010 with a Masters of Public Health. She has previously worked in neurocognitive, memory, and creativity research at UCLA Semel Institute and maternal child care quality improvement research at LA Best Babies Network. She is also a published illustrator and photographer, and regularly contributes to charity art auctions benefiting adult literacy.

Helen Ma, MA

Program Specialist | (213) 553-1849 | helenm@apaitonline.org

Helen Ma is APAIT Health Center’s program specialist. She graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and then graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has previously worked in community center and school-based setting as a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee. Helen is bilingual in English and Chinese. She likes to volunteer in outreach program to help those in need. Helen also has adventurous spirit, enjoys travelling and exploring many aspects of Los Angeles.

Hiromi Yamamura, MSW

Mental Health Coordinator | (213) 553-1842 | hiromiy@apaitonline.org

Hiromi Yamamura is the Mental Health Coordinator for APAIT’s Mind, Body, Spirit, & Wellness Program, which serves to improve the quality of life for persons impacted by HIV/AIDS through counseling and psychotherapy, alleviating psychological symptoms or problems associated with the disease. She is also a certified Matrix group facilitator and counselor for the outpatient substance abuse program, TEAM 360. She earned her master’s degree in social work with a health concentration at UCLA in 2008, serving as a mental health intern for APAIT in 2007. Additional social work experience includes interning at the UCLA Medical Center in the neurosurgery/neurology unit and working at the West Los Angeles Veteran’s Administration hospital. She continues to be a member of the L.A. HIV Mental Health Task Force.

Jason Tran

Program Specialist | (213) 553-1847 | jasont@apaitonline.org

Jason Tran started volunteering with APAIT during his high school years. Jason was hired at the APAIT Orange County office as the second Prevention Case Manager (would later be known as Comprehensive Risk Counseling and Services). Jason is also the founder of OC’s “Turntable” program, a social support group for API youth and allies in Orange County. He is also key to the development of the first ever HIV-positive support group for APIs in Orange County called “LETS Talk,” which stands for Learn, Educate, Teach, and Support. Throughout his years with APAIT, Jason has worked on a variety of programs aimed at preventing HIV infection in the API community. These programs included the Men of Asia Testing for HIV (MATH) Study, Peers Empowering Peers (Popular Opinion Leader DEBI), and most recently the Los Angeles HIV/Hepatitis Co-Infections Study. Jason now works under the ACT NOW” program funded by the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) at the Los Angeles office as a Program Specialist. In the summer of 2008, Jason Tran was also certified as a phlebotomist.

Jennifer Lee

Case Manager | (213) 553-1838 | jenniferl@apaitonline.org

Jennifer Lee, MSW, is a case manager with APAIT’s CARE Program. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Southern California, Irvine and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. She has previously worked with the Asian Pacific Women’s Center in the field of domestic violence support services and advocacy.

Jerry Fang

Health Educator | (213) 553-1843 | jerryf@apaitonline.org

Jerry is the current Youth Health Educator for APAIT. His journey here has been meandering and circuitous, but has included many stops including a stint at AACI, an Asian-American interest non-profit organization and a producership position for LCC Asian American Theatre Company. He heard about APAIT through a former internship at the office of Senator Dianne Feinstein. As a recent graduate of UCLA, Jerry is hoping to some day make his way to law school and continuing advocacy. For now, he’s very excited to be part of the APAIT family.

Jonathan Ilano

Health Educator | (213) 553-1848 | jonathani@apaitonline.org

Jonathan Ilano is the Health Educator for the “VIBE” program, a monthly social support group for Gay, Bisexual, Questioning Asian & Pacific Islander men in Los Angeles. “VIBE” is an open group that provides a safe space for API men to talk about gay related topics and issues, expand their social network within the Gay API community in Los Angeles, and increase their knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS. Prior to joining the APAIT family in April of 2008, Jonathan volunteered and got involved with the agency through their Orange County support group “Turntable” and “Peers Empowering Peers” program, and also contributed to APAIT’s Transgender advocacy pageant “QUEST” in 2006 and the agency’s 20th Anniversary Gala.

Jury Candelario

Chief Executive Officer | (213) 553-1832 | jcandelario@apaitonline.org | jesse837@aol.com

Jury has been an AIDS advocate since 1995. He began as a volunteer with AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) providing psychosocial support for terminally-ill AIDS patients under the “Buddy Program.” He joined APAIT in May 1998 as the Substance Use Coordinator. He also served as Mental Health Coordinator (1999-2001) and Associate Director (2001-2002) before taking the leadership role of Division Director in 2002.

He has advocated for better HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment & research funding and policy reform over the years. He has testified for the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA), the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the Office of National AIDS Policy, the State of California Legislature Health Committee, and at the local HIV prevention and treatment policy recommending groups. He is a member of the National Minority AIDS Council and the American Public Health Association, and served as Chair of the API HIV Caucus of Los Angeles County from 2000-2004.

Outside of the HIV/AIDS arena, Jury is passionate about advocacy efforts on behalf of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) communities. He currently serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the California-statewide Asian Pacific Islanders Community Action Network / APIs CAN. He has served as a Task Force member of the California state and LA County Viral Hepatitis Advisory Boards, President of the local Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council / A3PCON, Co-Founder of the local Act Now Against Meth Coalition, Founding Member of Q*POC-LA, a queer people of color coalition, and Founding Member of API Equality-LA where he is currently the Fundraising Co-Chair.

Kwok Wai “Jacky” Li

Data Analyst | (213) 553-1831 | jackyl@apaitonline.org

Lois Takahashi, PhD

Evaluator and Researcher Consultant | (213) 553-1894

Maria Roman

CRCS Counselor | (213) 553-1844 | mariar@apaitonline.org

Maria Roman has been a leader in social services for over 15 years. Maria is an activist and role model to the transgender community. She helped organized the now annual Day of Remembrance in West Hollywood. She, herself, was a victim of a hate crime in 2006 and partner with amnesty international to release a report highlighting abuse and police misconduct against LGBT community in the United States. Maria has been a presenter at the US Conference on AIDS and the LLEGO National Latino Conference. Maria has been involved with many organizations including serving as a board member of the Liberty Hill Foundation, The Los Angeles Transgender Task Force, The Trans Unity Planning Committee, Alianza and The Los Angeles and West Hollywood Police Department Sensitivity Training Program. In 2007 Maria was awarded the stonewall Trans Hero award and the CSW Harvey Milk award. In 2011 Maria was given The Women in Leadership Award by the West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board and the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. In addition to her life as an activist, Maria is an accomplished actor and performer. She has appeared in several independent films and numerous TV shows including the Tyra banks show, entertainment tonight and the insider. She was featured in the hit ShowTime documentary Trantasia which also aired on LOGO. She was the star in her own reality show in ShowTime called Wild things. She also was The Quest : Woman of The Year winner in 2006.

Mayon Yen

T.R.E.N.D. Intern | 213 553 3838 . | mayony@apaitonline.org

Mayon is an intern with APAIT Health Center. She graduated from the University of Chicago with a B.A. in Biological Sciences and is working on her Master of Public Health at UCLA. Mayon has previously worked in genetics research on neurological disorders, and she is currently aiding with research on breast cancer disparities at UCLA. In her spare time, Mayon holds leadership positions in student organizations, which includes work planning and facilitating comprehensive sex education workshops for high school students.

Minh Tran

Health Educator | (714) 636-1349 | minht@apaitonline.org

Minh Tran is the current Health Educator for Orange County, providing community education and outreach, individual level HIV risk-reduction counseling (ASPIRE program), substance abuse prevention counseling (SHAPES program), and facilitation of the social groups Truthful Living/Sống Thật (in Vietnamese) and iMPACT (in English for a mixed group of Asians/Pacific Islanders) for gay/bi/curious men at risk for HIV/AIDS. He graduated from the California State University of Fullerton with a B.A. in English and has been involved with gay advocacy and HIV prevention at APAIT and The Center O.C. since Spring 2009. As of March 2011, Minh is now a member of the Orange County HIV Prevention Planning Committee. His future career goals include going back to school for an MSW.

Nadiya Juma, MPH

Clinical Case Management | (213) 572-0477 | nadiyaj@apaitonline.org

Nadiya Juma, MPH is a Clinical Case Manager in APAIT’s CARE service unit and works to empower those living with HIV/AIDS so that they can improve their quality of life in terms of mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health . Clinical case management involves using a holistic approach where people learn skills that will empower them on how to seek out necessary resources, how to navigate and better advocate for their healthcare, understand their treatment regimen, learn techniques to positively cope with everyday stressors, communicate effectively, build and maintain sustaining relationships as well as identify interests/hobbies that they can participate in so as to improve their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Ms. Juma began her career in public health, in 2007, as an intern for the Director of Client Services at AIDS Project Los Angeles. After the year-long internship, Nadiya worked as an HIV/AIDS health educator and prevention specialist, community level outreach coordinator for HIV/AIDS testing, treatment educator, tobacco cessation counselor for people living with HIV/AIDS, case manager, and policy advocate. She received her MPH from CSUN in 2008.

Nakatomi and Associates

Public Relations | (310) 914-5000 | www.nakatomipr.com

Nancy Sekizawa

Program Coordinator | (213) 553-1847 | nancys@apaitonline.org

Nancy Sekizawa is the Certified Addiction Specialist for TEAM 360, an outpatient substance abuse treatment program funded by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration. Nancy has over 20 years of experience in the substance abuse field both in outpatient, residential treatment and correctional facilities. She is recognized in the recovery community, advocating abstinence from harmful drugs and alcohol, especially for the underserved population of Asian American families. Nancy has developed programs for the Asian community to help lower crime and drug trafficking. She was a counselor for the Asian American Drug Abuse Program and worked at National Asian Pacific Families Against Substance Abuse.

Natasha Aceves

Programs Assistant | (213) 375-3830 | natashaa@apaitonline.org

Natasha Aceves is the new Program Assistant for the APAIT Health Center Clinic. Natasha provides programmatic and technical assistance to the APAIT staff. She is currently a student at California State University of Los Angeles where she is working to obtain her Bachelors Degree. For four years she was previously employed as a Family Planning Counselor at a community clinic. She then went on to work for the Department of Mental Health with the County of Los Angeles, where she was for last three years.

Nick Truong

Program Manager | CARE Services Unit | (213) 553-1841 | nickt@apaitonline.org

Nick Truong oversees the HIV Case Management and Mental Health programs in which they offer HIV related services to people living with HIV/AIDS. These programs are to ensure that clients receive and maintain access to appropriate services to promote maximum quality of life, independence, and self-sufficiency He has been working in the field of HIV/AIDS since 1999. He is an active member of the Los Angeles County HIV Metropolitan Service Planning Area 4 and a community member of the County of Los Angeles, HIV Commission. He is a certified reviewer for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program and a member of the Coalition of the Housing Services Providers. He is also a certified Matrix Specialist to provide outpatient substance abuse treatment.

Noel Alumit

Program Manager | (213) 572-1174 | noela@apaitonline.org

Noel Alumit has worked in the AIDS field for 20 years, sixteen of them with APAIT. He is a founding member of the HIV Prevention Planning Committee, a body that prioritizes HIV prevention dollars in Los Angeles. Other organizations that Noel has done AIDS work for include the Chris Brownlee Hospice, the LA Free Clinic and the UCLA Art | Global Health Center. He has written extensively about AIDS as a columnist for A&U, America’s AIDS Magazine; the Global Voice, the official newspaper for the XVII International AIDS Conference; and Frontiers in LA. Other writing has appeared in USA Today, The Huffington Post, Asian Week, The Advocate and others. He is widely anthologized for his work in the gay and Asian American communities. Noel wrote the novels Letters to Montgomery Clift and the LA Times Bestselling Talking to the Moon.

Peter Cruz

Senior Program Manager | Los Angeles Office: (213) 553-1871 | Orange County Office: (714) 636-9115 | peterc@apaitonline.org

Peter oversees APAIT’s Prevention Services unit consisting of 10 programs which targets men, women, youth, and transgenders who are at-risk for HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Peter has worked in the HIV/AIDS field since 2003. He was a voting member of the Orange County Prevention Planning Committee from 2005-2007 and was actively involved in development of the 2007-2010 Orange County HIV Prevention Plan. He was also President of the Asian and Pacific Islander Pride Council from 2009-2010. His passion is to mentor and develop future leaders in the HIV/AIDS field in memory of his dear friend Patrick Sullivan.

Porfirio R. Jimeno Jr “Herbie”

Program Analyst | (213) 375-3827 | herbiej@apaitonline.org

Porfirio currently works as a Program Analyst for the Admin Team in APAIT Health Center’s Los Angeles office. Porfirio has five years of experience in tax preparation and book keeping, with annual certification for CTEC to do tax preparation part time. He started as an HR Assistant for our core office Special Service for Groups and transferred APAIT Health Center in August 2011. Porfirio is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and hopes to one day own his own business. Apart from school, Porfirio loves to be with his family, go bowling every week and enjoy life outdoors. No matter what difficulties work, school or family throws at him, he always has a smile on his face.

Richie Nguyen

Program Manager | (714) 636-9115 | richien@apaitonline.org

Richie Nguyen oversees the Orange County Services Unit, which consists of six programs that include HIV prevention, substance abuse prevention, and mental health services for individuals at-risk of or living with HIV/AIDS. Richie graduated with a B.A. in Public Health and a minor in Global Poverty & Practice from UC Berkeley in May 2010. He is a founding father and former President of Sigma Epsilon Omega, Berkeley’s only gay fraternity, and has four years of community organizing, leadership and programming experience in various LGBTQQIA student organizations. Richie also volunteered as a medic for the Gay Men’s Health Collective of the Berkeley Free Clinic from 2007 to 2010. Richie currently serves as Co-Chair of the Orange County HIV Prevention Planning Committee.

Samuel Ou

Research Analyst | (213) 572-0479 | samuelo@apaitonline.org

Samuel Ou is the Research Analyst for APAIT for the HIV/Hepatitis co-infection study, focusing on highlighting the barriers to services and treatment for Asians living with both viral Hepatitis and HIV. Samuel works to maintain the integrity of the study’s data. Samuel graduated with a B.A. from UC Berkeley, and worked for a year in China before joining the team at APAIT.

Savann Duong

Clinical Coordinator | (213) 553-1835 | savannd@apaitonline.org

Savann Duong is the Clinical Coordinator in APAIT’s CARE services. She divides her time between case management and mental health services. She is also the facilitator for the Cambodian (Khmer) monthly support group. She has been working in the field of HIV/AIDS since 2005. Her first introduction to HIV work was as an HIV counselor /tester in the eastern portion of Los Angeles County. She became a staff member of APAIT in 2007 as an HIV Case manager. She is an active member of the Los Angeles County HIV Case manager Task Force and member of the Coalition of the Housing Service providers. She received her MSW from CSULA in 2010.

Shiloh Bentacourt

Health Educator | (213) 553-1845 | shilohb@apaitonline.org

Shiloh Angel Bentacourt is the Transgender Health Educator for HEART (HIV Education for At-Risk Transgender) Program at APAIT. Shiloh’s role is essential in educating the Transgender community about HIV, informing them of ways to prevent exposure to the virus, and makes them aware of effective safer-sex negotiation techniques. Shiloh utilizes her diverse background in entertainment, job development and HIV resources in the attempt to positively impact the lives of the transgender community and empowering them to evolve into self-worth and independent people. Shiloh has strong ties with the Gay and Lesbian Center in Los Angeles is thrilled to be part of the APAIT family.

Silvia Verduzco

Programs Assistant | (213) 553-1830

Silvia Verduzco is the new Program Assistant for the APAIT Health Center Clinic. Silvia provides programmatic and technical assistance to the APAIT staff. Silvia received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science with a concentration in Community Health Education from California State University, Long Beach and hope to further her education so she can make a positive impact in the community. She has interned at the Center O.C. and has done volunteer work at St. Joseph Hospital in OC, and the OC and L.A. Food Banks.

Stacy To

Senior Program Manager | (213) 553-1899 | stacyt@apaitonline.org

Stacy To oversees activities related to capacity building, research, programmatic evaluation, development/grant writing, and quality management. She also assists with project liaison and operation. Stacy graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Health. She has worked in the HIV/AIDS field since 2007, which includes previously working with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health- Office of AIDS Programs and Policy.

Steve Cha

Health Educator | (213) 895-7725

Steve Cha is the Health Educator working with community members ages 25 and over. Steve’s work in advocacy and education dates back to his college days, where he interned at the LGBT Resource Center at UC Davis. His passions have since lead him to volunteer with organizations such as Koreans United for Equality (KUE), the California Democratic Party and API Equality LA. In addition to his advocacy work, Steve also dabbles in writing; he has contributed to publications such as Hyphen Magazine and the Examiner.

Susan Forman

Forman Consulting | Capacity Building and Technical Assistance | spforman@charter.net

Tara Sellars

Program Manager | (213) 553-1834 | taras@apaitonline.org

Tara Sellars is the Program Manager for APAIT Health Center Administration Unit. She provides programmatic support and administration coordination, including human resources and fiscal monitoring. Tara has over seven years of experience in the field of Human Resources. Her educational background includes the attainment of a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership; as well as, a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Studies with a minor in Ethnic and Women Studies.