Chase Brexton official elected cochair of National Coalition for LGBT Health (12801)

David Haltiwanger, Ph.D., director of clinical programs and public policy at Chase Brexton Health Services in Baltimore, has been elected cochair of the executive committee of the National Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Health. Haltiwanger will serve a two-year term beginning this month. The coalition works to improve the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered individuals through federal advocacy that is focused on research, policy, education, and training. Chase Brexton, a community-based health care organization with a large gay and lesbian client base, has been a member of the coalition since it was formed in October 2000. Haltiwanger replaces outgoing cochair Martin Ornelas-Quintero, executive director of the National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Organization. The coalition's other cochair is Eugenia Handler, director of government relations at Boston's Fenway Community Health Center. "On the national level, LGBT communities face particular health challenges such as access to quality health care, inclusion in federal research, and flat-funding or elimination of our community-based programs," Haltiwanger said, "and I am happy to dedicate my time with the coalition to continue to address those challenges at the federal level." For more information about the National Coalition for LGBT Health, visit the organization's Web site at www.lgbthealth.net.