David Garcia, MPh
President

David is a bilingual Chicano transplant to Seattle from Texas, via the Midwest, where he completed a fellowship with the University of Wisconsin. As a population health fellow, he conducted research projects in infant mortality, teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. He is a graduate of the School of Public Health at the University of Texas Health Science Center and well experienced in HIV/AIDS prevention education through his work with AIDS Foundation Houston. His passion within public health is informed through his vested interest in finding solutions to reduce racial/ethnic health disparities that directly affect the Latino community.

 

Benjamín Sheppard, MI
Vice-President

Ben is a seasoned activist with a long history with national organizations. He most recently served in public relations for the HIV Vaccine Trails Network and Marketing Manager for the Latino Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Organization (LLEGÓ). His expertise is in bilingual medical writing, social marketing, public affairs and graphic design.

Originally from the Canal Zone in Panama, he graduated from the University of Washington, and holds Washington state certification as a medical/social services translator/interpreter. He’s a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalist, National Association of Lesbian and Gay Journalists, the American Translators Association, and serves on the steering committee for the Seattle Metropolitan Elections Committee (SEAMEC).

Edgar Hernandez, MSW
Secretary

Edgar Hernandez, a social worker, obtained his graduate degree from the University of Washington School of Social Work in 2004. He has worked providing services to patients in a medical and jail setting. He is devoted to aiding marginalized communities in accessing medical care, basic needs, and counseling services.

 

Javier Ortiz
Treasurer

Javier Ortíz was born in the Federal District of Mexico, raised in Oaxaca. He has lived in the U.S. for 18 years, moving to Seattle seven years ago. He considers himself a widower, with the passing of his partner. He is active in the transgender community in Seattle. Javier works in a residential restoration company. He serves with Entre Hermanos because he feels the duty to help future generations of LGBT Latinos that live in Washington.

 

Kyle Davidson
Member-at-large

Kyle is a Health Educator at Madison Clinic in Seattle, where he provides patient-centered health education at a public, outpatient HIV care clinic with a focus on prevention, the newly diagnosed and those new to medication therapy. Previously he has served as a Bilingual Education Specialist in the HIV/AIDS Program, for Seattle/King County Public Health; and he worked as a Bilingual Case Manager at the Lifelong AIDS Alliance.

 

Hector Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Member-at-large

Hector Rodriguez is Assistant Professor of Health Services at the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine.
His work has been published in Medical Care, the Journal of General Internal Medicine, the International Journal for Quality in Health Care, Medical Care Research and Review, and other peer reviewed journals. He received his Ph.D. in Health Policy from Harvard University.