President-- Dr. Nicole Betschman, DHEd, MA, CHES

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Dr. Nicole Betschman has always had a strong passion for health and wellness. Dr. Betschman is currently the Director of Public Health and Health Services and Assistant Professor at Trinity Washington University. Trinity Washington University is a Predominantly Black Institution and a Hispanic-Serving Institution- one of only a handful in the United States.  Dr. Betschman also serves as the Healthy Athletes Clinical Director for Special Olympics DC.

Dr. Betschman’s enthusiasm for health has infiltrated Trinity’s campus community in a variety of ways including creating a student-run health fair every semester and implementing several Narcan training sessions on-campus.  She just recently received a Truth Initiative grant as she is working to make Trinity Washington University’s campus 100% tobacco and vape-free.  Dr. Betschman also served on Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Healthcare Taskforce to examine the retention of health care workers in the District.

Dr. Betschman obtained a B.S. in Biology from Bowling Green State University and went on to receive both a B.S. and a M.A. degree in Health Education from East Carolina University. Dr. Betschman also holds a Doctorate degree in Health Education from A.T. Still University with a research focus on drug and alcohol addiction. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and is a Health and Wellness Coach. 

Vice President -- Valerie Addams, MPH CHES

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Valerie (she/her) is a maternal health educator and researcher working to foster intersectionality across multi-sector stakeholders, whether pushing collaborations with patients & various providers at Primary Care Clinics/Community Health Centers or partnering with community leaders, she welcomes all. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) licensed by National Commision for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC, Inc.). Her passion in improving reproductive and sexual health outcomes through research, leading advocacy activities for Women’s Issues, and innovating collaboration between health care and social service systems triggered her to expand her expertise into Gender Based Violence and Health Equity. She could be found working together with non-profits, such as DCCADV, A/PI DVRP, and Women in Global Health DC Chapter.

She is an active APHA member and before joining the DCPHA, Valerie was a research team member at the Children’s National Health System for two Pediatric Health Centers in Southeast Washington DC. She has done contract work (administrative, programming, and research) with a movement based organization like NACHC, Inc., an embassy, and academicians in and out of the US.

As an immigrant who graduated from The Milken Institute School of Public Health at The George Washington University with an MPH degree concentrating in Maternal & Child Health, she realized the connection between Gender Equity and Maternal Health, as well as the importance of minorities like her to bring her expertise to various tables and open opportunities for others. She obtained her Bachelor of Medical Science from her country of origin. She was an activist and student leader right when she started her medical school and led a regional of the biggest medical student organization in her country of origin.

Secretary -- Stephanie Swanson, MPH  

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Stephanie Swanson is a public health professional with expertise in substance use and overdose prevention, harm reduction, and youth mental well-being. She has directed national initiatives aimed at building the capacity of addiction treatment professionals, state and territorial health officials, primary care providers, and community-based organizations to prevent and treat substance use disorders. She currently serves as Director of the Providers Clinical Support System for Medications Alcohol Use Disorder at the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Stephanie holds a Master of Public Health from the University of New England and a Bachelor of Arts in political science and communication studies from Gustavus Adolphus College. 

Treasurer-- Haja Timbo, MPH, B.S. 

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Haja Timbo is currently a Nursing Simulation Laboratory Technician at Trinity Washington University.  She recently just graduated with her Masters in Public Health in Spring 2024 with a focus in Community Health and a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2020.  She has previously worked as a Senior Researcher for the National Library of Patient Rights and Advocacy to research public health issues happening all over the country.  Haja hopes to use her knowledge in Public Health to further her interests and experiences in health equity and health policy to further reduce health disparities among marginalized communities.

Affiliate Representative to the Governing Council (ARGC) -- Ayanna Woodberry  

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Ayanna N. Woodberry is a doctoral student in the Department of Biology at Howard University. Her research interests include various aspects of cancer biology, in which she hopes to use her findings to address cancer disparities using public health interventions. Ayanna holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Virginia Union University, a Master of Public Health from the University of South Carolina, and a Master of Science in Biology (with a concentration in Cancer Biology Prevention and Control) from the University of the District of Columbia-Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Partnership Program. She is recognized as a 2020-2021 Cancer Research Education Program Scholar through the Howard-Georgetown Collaborative Partnership in Cancer Research. She is a Certified Global Breast Health Educator through the Know Your Lemons Foundation, and she serves on the Board of Directors for several non-profit organizations. Furthermore, in 2021, Ayanna launched a new public health initiative called, “Moving from Surviving to Thriving”, which has served over 300 individuals in 12 states, Grenada, and Tanzania, though monthly educational sessions focused on a variety of health disparities, as well as through the distribution of medical equipment and supplies.

Immediate Past President -- Tom Kane, JD MS MPH CPH

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Tom is a former Federal civil servant and a former member of the Federal Senior Executive Service.  In addition to holding several law degrees, Tom has an epidemiology track MPH degree from the George Washington University and an MS degree in exercise science and health promotion from Pennsylvania Western University.  Tom is an active member of the American Public Health Association and holds elected positions with the APHA Physical Activity and Mental Health Sections, and is an active member of the American College of Sports Medicine and a member of the ACSM Strategic Health Initiative on Youth Sports & Health.