About Us
November 3, 2020 2022-05-16 11:10About Us
About Us
MISSION
To end the HIV/STI epidemic in Florida through comprehensive health education, prevention, testing, and treatment.
VISION
To see all generations empowered with the knowledge, resources, and opportunities necessary to live healthy and stay well.
Our Team
Hope & Help At-A-Glance
With Florida consistently ranking higher nationally than most other states for new HIV and STI transmissions, Hope & Help is driven by its mission to end the HIV and STI epidemic in Florida through comprehensive health education, prevention, testing, and treatment. Ultimately, Hope & Help’s vision is to see all generations empowered with the knowledge, resources, and opportunities necessary to live healthy and stay well. For all people impacted by HIV and STIs, Hope & Help is the warm hug of health care you need to get tested and treated in a safe, friendly environment.
Our History
Hope & Help began in 1988 as a small support group of a few friends who cared for a close friend who was dying of AIDS-related complications. Since then, Hope & Help has grown into one of the most comprehensive HIV/STI service organizations in Florida, with a full medical clinic, in addition to testing, education, prevention, case management, and support group services.
Today, the organization offers HIV/STI preventive and treatment services in English and Spanish to thousands of patients across Florida, including Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Seminole, and Miami.
Leadership
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JIM PALMISANO
President
He/Him/His
iServ
jim.palmisano@hopeandhelp.org
TRACY RICHARDSON
Vice President
He/Him/His
Liberty National/Globe Life
tracy.richardson@hopeandhelp.org
BLAKE POWELL
Treasurer
He/Him/His
RSM US LLP
blake.powell@hopeandhelp.org
BOB ADAMS
Secretary
He/Him/His
AIMM Consulting
bob.adams@hopeandhelp.org
SUE IDTENSOHN
Director
She/Her/Hers
Planned Parenthood (Formerly, Retired)
sue.idetensohn@hopeandhelp.org
SUZANNE MEEHLE, ESQ
Director
She/Her/Hers
Meehle & Jay Law Firm
suzanne.meehle@hopeandhelp.org
BELINDA GAMMAGE
Advisory Director
She/Her/Hers
Victory Academy School / Purity Nation
belinda.gammage@hopeandhelp.org
DEBI JONES
Director
She/Her/Hers
SeaWorld Orlando
debi.jones@hopeandhelp.org
KURTIS MOHR, MD
Director
He/Him/His
Premise Health
kurtis.mohr@hopeandhelp.org
*Board meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
LISA BARR, MBA
Executive Director
She/Her/Hers
lisa.barr@hopeandhelp.org
Dr. JT VANDERBURG, MD, MBA, MHA
Medical Director
He/Him/His
trey.vanderburg@hopeandhelp.org
AMIE K. YOUNG, CPA
Finance Director
She/Her/Hers
amie.young@hopeandhelp.org
AMANDA CRUZ, MS, M.Ed, LPC
Prevention Director
She/Her/Hers
amanda.cruz@hopeandhelp.org
RAQUEL LUCIANO, MSW
Client Services Director
She/Her/Hers
raquel.luciano@hopeandhelp.org
WES GOLON
HR Manager
He/Him/His
wes.golon@hopeandhelp.org
