Affissath Anjorin joined AFAHO in 2017, bringing over 10 years of experience in health to the organization. Originally from Benin Republic, Ms. Affissath earned her M.D. degree in Benin Republic in 2004 and practiced as a Primary Care Physician in Benin and Djibouti Republic. After a few years, Ms. Affissath went to Tunisia where she earned a Certificate of Specialized Training in Pathology from the School of Medicine - Ibn El Jazzar of Sousse in 2013. Returning to Djibouti, she has overseen operations in the Department of Pathology at the General Hospital of Balbala. In the U.S., Ms. Affissath worked as a Clinical Expertise Researcher at the Family Medicine Department of Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania in 2017. She developed and implemented training for medical assistants, front desk staff and clinical providers, and provided clinical expertise in research studies. Ms. Affissath’s significant experience coordinating health programs has brought a new dimension to AFAHO’s Health Programs. She has effectively contributed to improving community health screenings as well as managing staff and volunteers. Ms. Affissath is multilingual and speaks French, English, and Yoruba (African dialect spoken in Nigeria and a part of Benin Republic). 

Fiona Borondy-Jenkins works on research projects regarding patient engagement in drug development and increasing clinical trial diversity. Fiona holds a master's degree from Temple University in public health, with a concentration in social and behavioral sciences. 

Jeffrey B. Caballero, MPH, has been with AAPCHO since 1993. AAPCHO is a national membership association with 33 community health organizations serving over 750,000 patients, predominantly medically undeserved Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Mr. Caballero advocates for programs and policies that increase access to high-quality, comprehensive health care services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate and reduce health inequities. Mr. Caballero is currently founding co-chair of HEP B United, Advocacy Committee member of the American Diabetes Association, founding member of the Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition, and founding member of the Tuberculosis Elimination Alliance. Mr. Caballero received a BA in Biochemistry at UCSD and a Master's in Public Health at UCLA. 

Sonje is the youngest woman to serve as President of the Nigerian Diaspora Organization Americas (NIDOA) Ohio Chapter. Passionate about unity and cultural connection, she has led impactful initiatives that bridge Nigerian Americans, Africans, and global communities.

During her tenure, Sonje partnered with organizations regarding public health education with HepB United, Asian American Community Services, and Columbus Public Health to raise awareness about Hepatitis B. She also hosted NIDOA Ohio’s Annual Nigerian Arts and Cultural Celebration, showcasing the achievements and heritage of Nigerians worldwide.

Adam Carbullido develops and implements AAPCHO’s legislative and regulatory strategies and leads the association’s engagement with Congress, the White House, federal agencies, and national partners to advance policies that uplift Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and the community health providers that serve them.

Prior to joining AAPCHO, Adam worked for nearly a decade on Capitol Hill, most recently as chief of staff to Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam). In addition to his work with AAPCHO, Adam is the health committee co-chair of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans’ (NCAPA), a coalition of more than 40 AA  and NHPI civil rights organizations. He is also a member of the Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) coalition’s steering committee, advising on political strategy to protect and expand public services and economic supports for immigrants and their families.

William Chan supports community outreaches and hepatitis B screening as part of HepB United’s Mini-Grant project. Prior to joining APHF, William was an undergraduate student at UC San Diego, where he first gained experience in community health settings. He served as Head of Mobile Clinics & Health Vendors for the annual American Medical Student Association Health Fair and coordinated with partner organizations to expand access to free screenings and health education for underserved communities in San Diego.

Chari Cohen, DrPH, MPH has planned, implemented and evaluated community programs and research projects focusing on reducing health disparities and improving health outcomes associated with hepatitis B and liver cancer. Dr. Cohen is co-chair of the national Hep B United coalition, co-founder and chair of Hep B United Philadelphia, co-founder and chair of CHIPO: Coalition Against Hepatitis for People of African Origin; co-chair of the Hep Free PA coalition; and chair of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center Community Advisory Board. She is a member of the ICE-HBV steering committee, the HepVu advisory committee, and is a member of the HBV Forum for Collaborative Research and the Patient Advocacy Group of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). Dr. Cohen is Professor at the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, and adjunct faculty for Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. 

Mukta Deia is principally responsible for managing programs and activities for the Tuberculosis Elimination Alliance (TEA) and strengthening current TB and hepatitis B priorities. She also represents TEA and AAPCHO on several workgroups, including the Stop TB USA Media Workgroup, TB Roundtable and TB Free USA Working Group. Deia is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health degree in Health Promotion and Policy at the University of Missouri. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Health from The Ohio State University.  

Ishraga holds a bachelor's degree in medicine and surgery and worked as family physician in Sudan. Also, she has research experience at the Penn Center for Global Genomics and Health Equity and Drexel University, she brings both clinical and research expertise to her work. 

At AFAHO, she regularly leads community health screening events that serve nearly 200 people at a time and is especially passionate about addressing hepatitis B, given the high number of positive cases identified among underserved populations who are often unaware of their status and lack access to testing or care.

Zinnia Dong joined NEMS in 2017 and has since led multiple organizational improvement projects related to population health management and is currently involved in implementing and evaluating hepatitis B elimination and tuberculosis prevention efforts at NEMS. 

Catherine Freeland received her Ph.D. at Thomas Jefferson University, College of Population Health with a concentration in Health Behavior Science and a dissertation on addressing low hepatitis B birth dose uptake in Nigeria. She led the effort to incorporate values and preferences for people with lived experience within the updated 2024 World Health Organization Guidelines and continues to focus on addressing barriers to hepatitis B elimination globally. Dr. Freeland in 2024 worked with the Society on Liver Disease in Africa (SOLDA) to launch a community-based hepatitis B coalition in Africa to build capacity and provide technical assistance to reach elimination goals across the continent. The coalition currently, Africa Hepatitis B Advocacy Coalition (ABAC) has grown to over 200 partner members across more than 25 countries. She also works in Philadelphia, PA on the local Hep B United Philadelphia coalition. 

Patrick Glew has been a Program Manager at the Indiana Immunization Coalition since 2014. In this capacity, he talks to state legislators and advocates for vaccines. Patrick has a Master's of Public Health degree and has worked in the public health field and in research.

Eunice Han is part of KCS’s Liver Health Team, focusing on hepatitis B. They support program coordination, reporting, and data tracking for KCS’s hepatitis B screening and education initiatives. They have also helped organize community health events to increase testing and awareness among underserved AAPI populations. 

Frank Hood works to connect the voices of advocates and those living with hep B to policymakers at the federal level to improve access to screening, treatment, and vaccination for the disease. Prior this role, he worked in viral hepatitis advocacy at the federal level for six years, and spent the six years before that organizing for community, union, and political causes at the grassroots level. He graduated with his BS from Ball State University having majored in both Entrepreneurship and Political Science, and acquired his MPS from George Washington University in Political Management. 

Hsichi Huang leads a range of programs supporting health, education, and advocacy for underserved communities. With a deep commitment to equity and inclusion, she works to build partnerships that strengthen community wellbeing. Her leadership continues to guide AACS in advancing its mission of creating a more just and connected society. 

Kayla Inthabandith, MPH has supported language access and hepatitis B initiatives, combining technical expertise with community-centered outreach. She currently leads hepatitis B initiatives such as general hepatitis B and vaccine education in the Chicagoland and Northern Illinois area. With a background in lab science and an MPH in Epidemiology from Benedictine University, she brings hands-on experience working with refugee and immigrant populations. Her passion for public health is rooted in her family's journey as refugees from Laos, inspiring her commitment to health equity and culturally responsive care.

Michaela Jackson is the Program Director of Prevention Policy at the Hepatitis B Foundation. In this role, she leads national policy and advocacy initiatives to strengthen hepatitis B prevention, expand vaccination and screening programs, and promote equitable access to care. Ms. Jackson has extensive experience collaborating with federal agencies, public health leaders, and community-based organizations to inform evidence-based public health policy. 

Karen Jiobu, DLM (ASCP), served as an Interim Executive Director (2018-2021) of Asian American Community Services ( founded in 1976) and continues to serve the Asian American community.  www.aacsohio.org. Her community service started as a volunteer with the Asian Festival (29 years) serving as the Vice chair of the first board, treasurer, and performance chair.  She started screening for hepatitis B in 2006 at the Asian Festival and after 2008 at AACS, working with OSU medical students and the Asian and African ethnic communities has facilitated over 2000 screenings.  She was awarded the Hepatitis B United Champion Award in 2013 in Washington, D.C. for her work in education, awareness, screening, and linkage to care for hepatitis B. and currently serves as an adviser at the National Hepatitis B Task Force. 

Dr. Johnson is an experienced medical practitioner and public health professional with over 15 years of work in clinical medicine, refugee and immigrant health, and mental health. She has served both internationally in Africa and locally in Philadelphia, with a strong commitment to advancing health equity and disease prevention. At ACANA, she oversees initiatives funded by federal, foundation, and local partners to improve healthcare access for mainly African and Caribbean immigrant communities.

Dr. Johnson holds an MD from the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine, University of Liberia, and an MPH from Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health. She is certified in Public Health (CPH), Grant Writing, and Mental Health Dual Diagnosis (NADD-CC). Dr. Johnson has co-authored several scientific papers and public health research studies.

Outside of work, she enjoys museums, reading, musicals, volunteering, and tennis. 

Dr. Nina Kim is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases and Adjunct Professor of Health Systems & Population Health at the University of Washington. She works at the Liver Clinic at Harborview Medical Center, Seattle’s largest safety-net hospital, and conducts and mentors trainees on health services research using the electronic health record. She also serves as the Associate Editor for Hepatitis B (and Hepatitis C) Online, a web-based curriculum. [She received her medical degree at University of California San Francisco,  completed postgraduate training in internal medicine and infectious disease at the UW and later received a master’s of science in epidemiology at the UW School of Public Health.

Shreya Koirala leads initiatives focused on hepatitis B awareness, education, and community engagement. Her work also includes research on viral hepatitis and public health strategies to address health disparities. 

Melisa Laelan is a native of the Marshall Islands, born and raised in the capital city of Majuro. Her daily work involves social services and policy advocacy, particularly concerning issues that are important to the livelihood of the community. Her leadership has led to significant changes in federal and state laws. In 2018, Governor Asa Hutchinson signed a resolution allowing Marshallese children access to the State Medicaid program. Her recent policy work resulted in the passing of bills HB 1488 and HB 1789, which provide protection against human trafficking and adoption schemes for Marshallese mothers and children. Laelan's relentless advocacy in 2020 at the height of the COVID Pandemic with Arkansas and Hawaii congressional delegations led to the restoration of COFA Medicaid, extending the Medicaid program to over 90,000 COFA migrants living in the United States. 

As the founder and Executive Director of the Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese, Laelan has been at the forefront of numerous initiatives that address critical health and policy issues. Her leadership has not only brought about legislative change but also provided much-needed support and resources to the Marshallese community in Arkansas and beyond. Her work in securing Medicaid access for Marshallese children through partnerships and her role in the passage of vital protective bills highlight her unwavering resolve to protect and empower the people. 

Dr. Rita Isabel Lechuga is responsible for implementing work stipulated in two cooperative agreements with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Viral Hepatitis related to strengthening prevention and surveillance activities at the healthy department level. Previously, she was part of NASTAD's Global team, overseeing HIV surveillance system strengthening interventions in five Central American countries. Prior to NASTAD, Isabel worked as a consultant for the World Health Organization (PAHO), leading policy and public health research on HIV, viral hepatitis, and child health, and as a physician for the Mexican Ministry of Health. Isabel holds a medical degree from Westhill University and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from George Washington University. 

Michelle Liu leads the Foundation’s global storytelling initiatives, including the #justB and B the Voice programs. Through these initiatives, Michelle helps individuals affected by hepatitis B and liver cancer share their personal stories to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and inspire advocacy across communities worldwide.

With a background in public health, Michelle’s work focuses on empowering patient voices and integrating storytelling into education, research, and advocacy. She is passionate about using storytelling as a tool to influence policy and improve health equity for people living with hepatitis B.

Thanh Ma oversees the coordination of free health clinics that provide culturally and linguistically appropriate care to Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities in Central Ohio. He works closely with volunteer physicians, medical students, and community partners to ensure accessible and high-quality health services for those in need. Thanh is passionate about promoting health equity and improving access to preventive care and education. His dedication helps AACS fulfill its mission of supporting the wellbeing and empowerment of diverse communities.

Afsana Monir is a Bangladeshi Muslim immigrant lawyer and the Founder and Executive Director of Project New Yorker, the first and only nonprofit learning center in New York City dedicated to serving Bangladeshi immigrants, especially women and youth. Combining her legal background with a deep commitment to social justice, Afsana takes a forward-thinking approach to community empowerment—integrating technology into outreach, education, and service delivery to bridge the digital divide and advance equitable access to health, learning, and civic participation.

Charlotte Moser graduated from Wilkes University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. She also received a master’s degree in communication from Drexel University. Charlotte was the consumer representative on the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) until the entire committee was dismissed on June 9, 2025. As Co-Director of the Vaccine Education Center, Charlotte created the Parents PACK program for parents and the public and co-created the Vaccine Update program for healthcare providers. She has also helped to integrate the Vaccine Makers Project, an outreach project for classrooms, into a Vaccine Education Center-based program. Through writing and development of resources and novel programming, Ms. Moser has spent considerable time thinking about how to address vaccine concerns in different settings and for different audiences.

Anousha Qureshi manages the Liver Cancer Connect program. She began at HBF as an intern in 2022, creating educational and communications resources, and now contributes to the Foundation’s public health initiatives. Anousha also manages the Foundation’s Hep B Blog and co-hosts the B Heppy Podcast Series. She is passionate about raising awareness of hepatitis B and liver cancer through storytelling and global engagement with advocates and experts.

Chibo is the Associate Director of Infectious Diseases at AAPCHO and Project Director of the Tuberculosis Elimination Alliance (TEA). She oversees the development, planning, operations, and evaluation of programs aimed at addressing TB, hepatitis B, and other infectious disease priorities in at-risk communities. Chibo is actively involved with TB Centers of Excellence and collaborates with state and national TB coalitions, working at the intersection of public health departments, community health centers, and community-based organizations. In addition, she manages AAPCHO’s cooperative agreement with the CDC’s Division of Tuberculosis Elimination within the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention. Chibo also represents TEA and AAPCHO on several advisory boards, including the Stop TB USA Coordinating Board and the California TB Elimination Advisory Committee. 

Richard So is dedicated to eliminating hepatitis B and liver cancer, with a vision of making the San Francisco Bay Area the first hepatitis B free region in the U.S and improving advocacy everywhere. He has over a decade of experience in healthcare, including five years as Executive Director of Hep B Free. His background spans healthcare consulting, Peace Corps service in rural Paraguay, and leadership across major coalitions like Hep B United, End the Epidemics, and the California Hepatitis Alliance.

Richard holds dual master’s degrees in public health and public administration from Columbia University.  

Melissa Sullivan is a registered nurse and the viral hepatitis coordinator with Drexel HOPE. She completed her bachelor of science in nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Drexel HOPE, Melissa worked in the inpatient hospital setting and community health centers with underserved individuals including people who use drugs. Melissa is committed to decreasing the stigma and barriers faced in the health care system by people who use drugs, to ensure equitable, empathetic, high-quality care. As a member of the HOPE team, Melissa tests community members for hepatitis A, B and C, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections. She enables our patients to get treated and cured of hepatitis C and empowers our patients to get vaccinated against infectious diseases like hepatitis A and B. Melissa is passionate about improving access to health education, treatment and resources for underserved communities. Melissa tailors her health education and care coordination to our patients’ priorities and needs, empowering them to make decisions aligned with their goals and wellbeing. 

Ben is a powerful community advocate and leader. Having overcome injustice and hardship, Ben uses his lived experience to drive real change. He stands as a voice for those impacted by substance use and systemic inequality. Through his work he , challenge barriers, inspires, and empowers others to create lasting change.  

David Urick is a Hepatitis B patient and advocate who currently lives in Ypsilanti, Michigan.  He has lived with HBV since 6 months old and was formally diagnosed at age 13. Since diagnosis, he has struggled with a suicide attempt at age 14, mental health challenges, substance abuse, and finding purpose in life.  He found advocacy through storytelling with help from the HBF in 2019.  Since then, he has been an active participant in the Hep B community and has found much of the purpose he was seeking through advocacy and connecting with others. 

Syreeta is a senior technical consultant with the Migration Health Initiative (MHI) at the Task Force for Global Health, previously known as the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants. At MHI, Syreeta directs the health promotion efforts, serves as the technical lead for human-centered design initiatives, and leads the dissemination strategy for MHI resources. She has led strategic communications in public and nonprofit settings since 2010, and has expertise in language justice, health promotion, and engaging with diverse and multilingual communities.