Picking Out PACHA
Gayle and a strong PACHA could influence AIDS policy
AIDS advocates are cautiously optimistic that the appointment of veteran AIDS expert Helene Gayle to chair the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) will bring greater community input—and more HIV-positive people—to the Council (see below how to nominate people)…
“I think her appointment’s a great idea, because of her international experience, renown, and work with philanthropy,” said SisterLove Executive Director Dazon Dixon Diallo. “I’m curious if Dr. Gayle is on board about being more engaging at a community level. She probably will be because of the amazing programmatic work she’s done. But she worked at the CDC at a time when community involvement wasn’t as prized.”
Gayle has long been involved with federal and global AIDS policy. She was the first director of the National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention and also served as AIDS Coordinator and Chief of the HIV/AIDS Division for the US Agency for International Development (USAID). She most recently served as executive director of CARE USA. Her name has been on countless shortlists as a potential Obama appointee since before the election.
“Many in this interlacing world think Gayle will be shortlisted for something big—Secretary of Health and Human Services or Surgeon General—if Barack Obama is elected president,” the Washington Post reported in August 2008, during the International AIDS Conference.
Because of her stature, advocates believe Gayle will have the ear of HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who announced Gayle’s nomination on Monday, as well as Obama. PACHA has no formal power but serves as an advisory body to HHS. During the Clinton years, PACHA had considerable influence, which diminished under the Bush administration.
But advocates say is that who else is chosen for the council is just as important as Gayle herself.
“People should start the nomination process, because PACHA will have to be a good team,” said Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project Executive Director Julie Davids.
HHS is seeking nominations of Council membership by September 11.
All nominations should be mailed or delivered to: Christopher Bates, Director, OHAP, Office of Public Health and Science, Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 443-H, Hubert H. Humphrey Building; Washington, DC 20201.
For further information, contact: Mr. Melvin Joppy, Program Specialist, Office of HIV/AIDS Policy, Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 443-H, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Washington, DC 20201; (202) 690-5560; melvin.joppy@hhs.gov
Posted on August 28, 2009 at 12:32 am
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