Dr. Tom Becker, Whitney Essex, Dr. Harry Brown, Dr. Jorge Mera

Thomas Becker, MD, PhD, is a medical epidemiologist, and trained in internal medicine, anthropology, and public health; he began his career at the University of New Mexico before moving to the Northwest about 20 years ago. Since his arrival in Portland, Becker has worked with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board and Oregon Health & Science University. He has published on a diverse range of American Indian health issues, including both infectious and chronic diseases. And with the Indian Health Board, he has been involved in etiologic studies, community prevention programs and education programs to improve career opportunities for people in tribes nationwide.

Whitney Essex, MSN, FNP-BC, is a Family Nurse Practitioner for Cherokee Nation Health Services. Mrs. Essex works in the Infectious Diseases Department, where she is the coordinator for the Cherokee Nation Hepatitis C Elimination program. She assists in the maintenance of general infectious diseases clinical services, as well as the provision of medical care for patients accessing HIV, PrEP, Hepatitis C, and other infectious diseases-related services.

Harry J Brown, MD, is a Medical Epidemiology Consultant for the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc.

Jorge Mera, MD, FACP, is the Director of Infectious Diseases for Cherokee Nation Health Service, the largest tribally operated health care system in the United States. He oversees surveillance, policies, and programs to treat and prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and HCV.