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DC Department of Health
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2005 |
CONTACT: Leila Abrar (202) 442-9194 Phillippa Mezile (202) 442-5931 |
(Washington, DC) - Gregg A. Pane, MD, director, DC Department of Health, today announced the appointment of Marsha Martin as the new Senior Deputy Director of the HIV/AIDS Administration. The announcement was made during Mayor Anthony A. Williams’ weekly press conference.
“Ms. Martin brings with her a wealth of knowledge and considerable expertise in the field of HIV/AIDS,” said Mayor Williams. “She has the skills that are needed to move the agency forward.”
Martin is a former executive director of AIDS Action, a Washington, DC-based advocacy group that promotes HIV/AIDS programs and policy, and she also served for three years as special assistant on HIV/AIDS policy to Secretary Donna Shalala at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Before joining HHS, she was the coordinator for homeless veterans’ initiatives at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as well as the executive director of the Federal Interagency Council on the Homeless at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. She had previously served as director of the Mayor's Office on Homelessness and SRO Housing in New York City under Mayor David Dinkins.
DOH Director Dr. Pane said Martin’s professional and academic background were key factors in her selection. “Ms. Martin’s diverse experiences make her a formidable ally in the fight against HIV in the District of Columbia.”
Martin was Associate Professor at the Hunter College School of Social Work from 1985 to 1993. She has been a consultant to the National Resource Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness, a center established by National Institute for Mental Health. In addition, she is the author of Heading Home: Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness Among America's Veterans, the first comprehensive report and resource directory detailing the history of the VA's efforts to address homelessness among America's veterans, its current programs and new community partnership initiatives in housing and employment.
Martin said she welcomes the challenges ahead.
“I’m looking forward to working with Mayor Williams and Dr. Pane, along with the citizens of Washington, DC to make our response to HIV a model for the nation,” said Martin, who begins work on September 7, 2005.
A native of Iowa City, Iowa, Martin received an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work from Columbia University [sic, actually the University of Iowa; see the resume below]. She earned her DSW from Columbia University's School of social work in 1982.
Marsha Martin, DSW, brings more than 20 years of public health and social service experience to the District of Columbia Government, most recently as the executive director of AIDS Action, a national AIDS advocacy organization. Since 2002, Dr. Martin has led AIDS Action in its efforts to promote a national policy to strengthen HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment, and social services.
From 1997 to 2001, Martin served as the special assistant on HIV/AIDS policy to Secretary Donna Shalala at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). At HHS, Dr. Martin developed and implemented the Leadership Dialogue on HIV/AIDS, created and co-chaired the Secretary’s Working Group for Women and HIV/AIDS, and served as a liaison to the Department’s broad constituencies.
Before joining HHS, Martin was the coordinator for homeless veterans’ initiatives at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as the executive director of the Federal Interagency Council on the Homeless at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. While at Veterans Affairs, she authored Heading Home: Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness in America's Veterans, the first comprehensive report and resource directory detailing the history of the VA's efforts to address homelessness among America's veterans, its current programs and new community partnership initiatives in housing and employment.
She previously served as director of the Mayor's Office on Homelessness & SRO Housing in New York City, under Mayor David Dinkins. Martin also served as an Associate Professor at the Hunter College School of Social Work from 1985 to 1995. She has been a consultant to the National Resource Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness, a center established by National Institute for Mental Health.
Martin has also co-owned two local businesses: Ellington’s on Eighth - Champagne Lounge and Garden, and Eighth Street Market - Groceries, Greens and Other Things. Ellington’s on Eighth is a neighborhood restaurant that provides training opportunities for formerly homeless people who are transitioning back to the community. The now-closed Eighth Street Market was designed to assist those moving from welfare back to work. Since 1998, these two enterprises have provided employment and training opportunities for more than 70 people.
Martin earned her B.A. in psychology and Masters of Social Work from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, and her Doctorate in Social Work from Columbia University in New York, New York. She resides in Ward 6.
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