Members – SF Hepatitis C Task Force

Robin Roth Co-Chair	Robin Roth is a founder and current co-chair of the San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force, and steering committee member of the California Hepatitis Alliance. Cured of hepatitis C in 2002, Robin has gratefully given back with the guided meditations Self-Care for Hepatitis C available free at hepCmeditations.org. Robin has a Masters in Health Education and is a long-time faculty member of City College of San Francisco where she currently teaches a short-term course “Hepatitis ABCs”.
Dan Berrner Co-Chair	Dan Berrner is a Clinical Research Coordinator at University of California, San Francisco for the Hepatitis & HIV Research Center. Cured of hepatitis C in 2009, he has been personally and professionally dedicated to raising awareness and assisting people impacted by HIV and hepatitis C. As a Fellow with Advocates Unite!, a program of Caring Ambassadors, he is committed to improving prevention, testing, education and treatment at the local, state and national level. He also facilitates two hepatitis C support groups in San Francisco.
Mercedes Azcarate	Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here
Jim Banta	Jim Banta is an Ambassador for Donor Network West and has spoken at high schools and health fairs to raise awareness of the need for organ donation. Jim is also a member of the Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) for Intensive Care Units 9/13 at University of California San Francisco. He is a liver transplant patient and was cured of hep C by undergoing 60 weeks of interferon and ribavirin treatment.
Shirley Barger	Shirley Barger was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 2003. She underwent two treatments with interferon and ribavirin in the next five years, but relapsed. In 2013, she participated in a clinical trial for a new treatment that worked. Shirley serves on the Advisory Board for the Hepatitis C Support Project and facilitates a support group.
Orlando Chavez	Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here
Misha Cohen	Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here
Peter Dale & Chica	Peter and Chica proudly joined the SF Hep C Task Force in 2012. After being diagnosed with hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis B and HIV all with in one year, Peter and Chica, (his beloved and devout service dog) have embarked on a path of inspiration dedicated to making sure that everyone in San Francisco who wants it, can get attainable and affordable access to hepatitis C prevention, education, testing and treatment. In 2006, Peter was successfully cured of hepatitis C with 48 weeks of interferon and ribavirin therapy. Peter and Chica, with the assistance of the SF Hep C Task Force, strive to help bust the very unfortunate and often extremely harmful and/or shameful stigmas that are so frequently and so unjustly associated with hepatitis C. Today, with the advent of truly game changing and remarkable advances in hepatitis C treatments, Peter and Chica want to share and spread the following message of hope, inspiration and encouragement, “Now is the time for everyone and anyone affected with hepatitis C to courageously seek out the support(s) necessary to get themselves tested, treated and cured!”
Jay Fournier	Jay Fournier is a seasoned professional with a 30-year dedicated career working in the HIV, HCV and virology fields. He has worked as a Medical Social Worker, Case Manager, Program Director, HIV Program and Training Consultant, and National Pharmaceutical Advocacy Relations Manager for the Western United States. Currently Jay is working with Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy as the Community Liaison for the greater Northern California area, providing community education, testing, disease awareness and community development around hepatitis C for the healthcare community.
Ray Goldstein	Ray Goldstein is a Baby Boomer who was freed from the hep C virus in 2005 using the old regime, interferon and ribavirin. He advocates for patient follow-ups after achieving SVR. The risk of liver cancer, especially among those with cirrhosis, remains elevated even after the hep C virus is cleared. Like most cancers, early detection is often the key to arresting the tumor.
Pauli Gray	Pauli Gray has been a Harm Reduction Warrior for 18 years. He does lectures and trainings, hep C counseling and treatment access, needle exchange, runs harm reduction and hep C groups, is a long-time OD prevention/Narcan trainer and does individual counseling as well. Pauli was cured of HCV after 30+ years in 2015 and continues to fight for drug users, the disadvantaged and their communities.
Liseli Mulala	Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here – Brief Bio Text can go here
Janice Strassheim	Janice Strassheim has worked as a Special Education Teacher for approximately 20 years. She was diagnozed with hepatitis C in 2001. Once appropriate treatment became available, her insurance provider denied treatment. This led Janice to become an activist, and she successfully advocated for getting on treatment. She was recently declared cured.