“As a health center and champion of LGBTQIA+ equity, the Health Collective promotes healthy living, provides high-quality and compassionate care, and advocates for systemic solutions to the health care access barriers and health disparities experienced by sexual and gender minority groups..”
Values, Mission
& Vision
Values
The Health Collective embraces and applies the following values as it carries out its mission:
- We are committed to providing client centered quality services and programs consistent with professionally accepted standards of care.
- We celebrate and embrace the commonalities and differences of all persons touched by our organization.
- We treat all persons with dignity and respect.
- We encourage and support professional growth and development.
- We strive to create and maintain a physically and emotionally safe and inclusive environment that runs seamlessly through all aspects of our programs and services.
- We aspire to be a positive and influential leader in all aspects of our service to the community.
- We are advocates for mental and physical health in our community and encourage and support all in making healthy choices for their lives.
Mission
As a health center and champion of LGBTQIA+ equity, the Health Collective promotes healthy living, provides high-quality and compassionate care, and advocates for systemic solutions to the health care access barriers and health disparities experienced by sexual and gender minority groups.
Vision
The Health Collective will provide hope and healing as the premier health and wellness center for the LGBTQIA+ community in Connecticut.
History
Founded in 1983 by volunteer health professionals and supporters and incorporated in 1986, The Health Collective, Inc., has become an organization with full and part-time staff and over 100 volunteers contributing thousands of hours annually.
Since its inception, the hallmark of the Health Collective has been the provision of quality services by professional and highly skilled staff and volunteers in a safe and welcoming environment, free of judgmental attitudes or prejudice.
The Health Collective currently provides medical services, dental services, support groups, and health education tailored to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities, but serves clients of all genders and gender identities, sexual orientations, ages and ethnicities. The Health Collective is especially proud of its services to people living with HIV/AIDS. We touch the lives of thousands of people every year.
The Health Collective is and will continue to be an advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues and is proud to maintain a prominent presence at community meetings, events and other venues where issues of relevance to the Health Collective’s constituency are discussed, decided or celebrated.
Staff
David Grant
Executive Director
davidg@hglhc.org
Anthony DiLizia
Chief Deputy Director
Eric Ouellette
Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Kevin Hall, DMD
Dental Director
Dana Bishop, DNP
Medical Director
Maria Grove
Director of Development
Kay Munoz
Director of Community Engagement
Miguel Gonzalez
Clinic Manager
Ruth Murray
Client Services Manager
Chris Duni
Grants Manager
Kason Dacres
Program Manager
Ashley LaRue
Program Manager
Tonya Verdejo, RN
Medical Service Coordinator
Marvis Anthony
Dental Hygienist
Justin Bertram
Certified Dental Assistant
Board
President: E John McGarvey – Lifelong Hartford resident, Owner of Les Cheveux Salon in West Hartford and One Big Event Board Chair. We all hear the national rhetoric and attacks on the LGBTQIA+ communities, agencies like the Health Collective stand as a beacon of hope and support and a barrier against the constant and harmful negativity. The Health Collective is at a pivotal moment with a new and exciting ED, it’s an all-hands-on deck moment to steward The Health Collective in meeting the present and future needs of the community.
Vice President: Kristin Campanelli – Associate General Counsel, ConnectiCare Inc. I’m drawn to serve on the board because I am passionate about healthcare, wellness, and inclusion. I’m proud to work with the Board to ensure members of our community receive equitable access to the best healthcare possible.
Secretary: Dale R. Hoyt, Ed.D. – Vice President for Education at Ädelbrook. I believe that human life is sacred, and the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. I am drawn to the Board because the Health Collective’s mission aligns with my personal beliefs and my call to give back in my community, seeking together the common good and well-being of all.
Treasurer: Joseph DeMaio – Senior Project Manager, Van Horst General Contracting LLC. I was brought up to give back help those in need; pay it forward. It’s an honor to help so many people in need no matter who, what or how you identify with yourself.
Members At Large
Danielle Brochu – Assistant Professor of Nursing at Univeristy of Saint Joseph, Nurse at Hartford HealthCare. I’m part of this board to help advance equitable LGBTQIA+ healthcare and population health in Hartford and beyond.
Rosa Klaneski - Law Clerk at BBB Attorneys. As a very visible member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I support and believe in not only the mission of the the Health Collective but in protecting access to health care for those in society with demonstrated need. The Health Collective makes up the difference when lawmakers fall short of caring for the needs of our clients and I believe this empowers our clients to be healthy and affirmed.
Curtis Rodriguez-Porter, MPA – Capital Region Education Council (CREC), Program Manager- Division of School Choice. Proud to serve on a board for a LGBTQ+ organization that is rooted in Hartford and being able to offer my local and intersectional lens.
Nicholas Sheridan, CFP®, CRPC® – Financial Planner at Sheridan Wealth Management. I’m drawn to the board because everyone is unique in their own way and it’s essential to celebrate, embrace, and empower all persons to lead healthy lives.
Elise Schreier – Assistant Vice President at Travelers. As a gay woman, the LGBTQ+ community has given so much to me and I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on the board of the Health Collective to advance equitable and affirming care.
Jason Zaino – Sales Associate. I joined the board so I can be involved in helping the LGBTQ+ community at a hyper-local level.
The Health Collective Board of Directors is seeking nominations of individuals who are willing to give of their time, talent, and treasures to serve on a two-year term, with a possible additional term. Please contact Nicholas Sheridan, Chair of the Board Development Committee, at nicks@healthcollective.org if you are interested in more information about the Board.