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Adrian Shanker is among the new slate of appointees by the Biden-Harris Administration.
ALLENTOWN, PA – Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center applauds the appointment by the Biden-Harris Administration of Adrian Shanker to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA). Shanker was sworn in today by Dr. Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health at the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Adrian Shanker, founder and executive director of Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, is a leader in LGBTQ+ health policy, especially in addressing disparities and barriers to care. He created and has broadly implemented the biannual Pennsylvania LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment, which measures HIV testing, risk and protective factors, and diagnosis rates across Pennsylvania. He serves as Commissioner and Health Committee co-chair on the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Adrian led a broad coalition of HIV advocates in Pennsylvania to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Health on Phase 1A COVID-19 vaccine prioritization for people living with HIV. Shanker is also editor of the critically-acclaimed anthology Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health.
“I am deeply honored to be appointed by the Biden-Harris Administration to serve as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS,” Shanker said. “Health equity is an unmet dream at the center of the challenges faced by HIV/AIDS around our country and across the globe. I am grateful that President Biden, Secretary Becerra, and Assistant Secretary Levine have prioritized health equity, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside the other PACHA members as we all work toward the end of the HIV epidemic.”
“This appointment by HHS recognizes the important work for health equity that Adrian Shanker has led at Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center and across Pennsylvania,” added Patrick Fligge, chair of the board of directors at Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center.
“Throughout my time in Congress, I have worked with Adrian and have come to truly value his expertise on health policy issues related to LGBTQ people and people living with HIV/AIDS,” said Congresswoman Susan Wild. “Adrian’s expertise, passion, and motivation to improve health outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS will greatly benefit the Biden-Harris Administration, and I applaud his appointment to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.”
About Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center (www.bradburysullivancenter.org)
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center provides arts, health, youth, and Pride programs to strengthen and support the LGBTQ community across Pennsylvania’s Greater Lehigh Valley.
Information provided to TVL by:
Stephen Jiwanmall
Communications Manager
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
