MEET OUR TEAM
Meet our team – dedicated to providing expert and compassionate medical care.
CLINICAL STAFF
Beth Shields
MHSA, BSN, RN
Quality Improvement Clinical Manager
Beth Shields, MHSA, BSN, RN | Quality Improvement Clinical Manager
Beth joined Washington Health Institute in 2022 as the Quality Improvement Clinical Manager. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Medicine, Health, and Society with a double major in English from Vanderbilt University, her Master of Healthcare Administration from Georgetown University, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from George Washington University. She enjoys data analysis and working on quality improvement efforts throughout the clinic, and always has the patients’ best interest at heart. She chose nursing because she wanted to make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients, and makes it her goal to enhance the quality of care provided throughout the organization. Outside of the office, you can find her reading, cooking, and spending time with her partner, dog, friends and family.
Ronnie Castellanos
RMA
Lead Medical Assistant
Ronnie Castellanos, RMA | Lead Medical Assistant
Ronnie Castellanos joined WHI in March of 2022, to serve as the group’s Lead Medical Assistant.
Born and raised in El Salvador and relocated to the USA in 1999, Ronnie has worked in the medical field for over 14 years. He graduated as a Registered Medical Assistant from Medtech College in 2008 and is also certified as a Medical Interpreter from Spanish to English.
Ronnie’s passions are his family, his dogs, owl-watching, and his career. He particularly enjoys working for the LGBTQ community, and loves what he does on a daily basis with the great team at WHI, where every morning is a new beginning.
Jennifer Zelaya
Medical Assistant
Jennifer Zelaya | Medical Assistant
Jennifer Zelaya has enthusiastically served the WHI patients as a medical assistant since June of 2020. Born and raised in Washington, DC, she proudly claims herself as an “Uptown DC” Washingtonian with Salvadorean roots. She graduated from Medtech College in 2011 where she earned her Medical Assistant Certification. Her dream is to further assist the community as a future Registered Nurse. Her passions are family, dancing, and experiencing a variety of cultures by traveling and meeting new people. Working at Washington Health Institute has allowed her to learn different cultures and beliefs, all while serving the community in the most positive and healthiest way.
Giselle Fernandez
CMA
Medical Assistant
Giselle Fernandez, CMA | Medical Assistant
Bio coming soon.
FRONT DESK/RECEPTION
Erica M. Muniz
MHA
Practice Manager
Erica | Practice Manager
Erica M. Muniz is a healthcare administrator with 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry, she serves as Washington Health Institute’s Practice Manager. Erica was raised in Bronx, NY, earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management from the University of Maryland and later her Master’s in Health Administration from the Catholic University of America.
Driven by her passion to serve her community, Erica takes pride in the world-class healthcare care rendered at WHI from check-in to check out. In addition to managing a thriving practice, Erica also serves in the US Army Reserves and volunteers in her community. Selfless service, teamwork, and transparency are leadership values that guide her each day.
In her free time, Erica enjoys travel, stand-up comedy, and sky diving.
Sheryl-Lyn Reveley
BAPS
Medical Receptionist
Sheryl-Lyn | Medical Receptionist
Sheryl-Lyn Reveley joined WHI in 2021 and serves as a Medical Receptionist. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of the East in Manila, Philippines. Sheryl-Lyn was born and raised in the Philippines and relocated to Washington, DC in 2008. Sheryl-Lyn possess over 13 years of experience the Medical Field. She served in Providence Hospital for 6 years in Registration, Patient Admissions, the Emergency Department, and the Outpatient Radiology Department. Sheryl-Lyn is a lover of food and travel.
Tiffany Fielder
Front Desk Specialist
Tiffany Fielder | Front Desk Specialist
Tiffany joined WHI in August of 2021. She has 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry and has taken on various roles such as assistant third-party insurance administrator, patient care coordinator, medical biller, charge entry specialist and medical receptionist. Tiffany received her medical billing training at Med Tech and has also attended St. Augustine’s College (University) in Raleigh, NC with a concentration in Communications. She is currently continuing her education at American Public University with a concentration in English along with a focus on creative writing, and is a member of the Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society.
Tiffany has a musical background and has sung in various choirs and groups, and has been lucky enough to sing with a famous gospel artist. She has two sons, and in her spare time, she enjoys friends and family, hanging out with her youngest son, writing poems and short stories, and online shopping.
Andrea Balbuena
Administrative Assistant
Andrea Balbuena | Administrative Assistant
Bio coming soon!
RYAN WHITE SERVICES
Carlton Mays
BHE
EIS Patient Navigator- PrEP Care
Carlton | EIS Patient Navigator
Carlton joined Washington Health Institute in 2022 and serves as the EIS Patient Navigator- PrEP Care. He received his Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology with a minor in Business Administration from University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Carlton has a special interest in HIV prevention and education particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. As a native Washingtonian, he takes pride in being a personable advocate for those in the community who feel as though they don’t have representation. In his spare time, Carlton finds inspiration from traveling, attending concerts, car karaoke, dancing, modeling, binge watching Law & Order SVU…oh! And his spirit animal is Mary J Blige.
Juanita L. Graham
MSW, LGSW
Director of Ryan White Programs
Juanita | Director of Ryan White Programs
Juanita L. Roberts is a licensed graduate social worker who is the Director of Ryan White Programs at Washington Health Institute (WHI). She possesses over 15 years of experience providing clinical and administrative social work experience. Ms. Roberts began her career as a United States Army Practical nurse where later went on to provide psychiatric nursing at Three Rivers Midlands, a psychiatric residential treatment facility. It was during this time; she developed an appreciation for mental health treatment and mental health recovery. She went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina at Columbia.
Ms. Roberts is a certified trauma professional who has provided holistic care medical case management with individuals living with HIV at Washington Health Institute where she advanced to Program Director of Ryan White Holistic Care Program. Prior to employment at WHI, she has implemented individual and family psychotherapy using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused therapy, person-centered approaches, psychoeducation, crisis prevention and crisis intervention with individuals who met diagnostic criteria for mental health diagnoses in various practice settings.
Ms. Roberts has many achievements throughout her career which includes, but not limited to meritorious achievement and recipient of the U.S. Army Achievement Medal (1999), recipient of Certified Grants Specialist from The National Grant Writers Association in (2006), serving as Regional Director at Family Based Strategies and Family Preservation Services in Greensboro, NC where she provided administrative oversight of community based mental health services. She continues to participate in on-going trainings to strengthen professional development.
Evar Sandoval
Non Medical Case Manager
Evar Sandoval | Non Medical Case Manager
Mr. Sandoval has served the Washington, DC LGBTQ+ community for more than 20 years. His diversified, comprehensive experience includes HIV/AIDS community outreach and work as a Latino activist.
He holds many certifications, including: English/Spanish Certified Medical Assistant, Certified HIV/AIDS Counselor/Tester, and Certified National HIV/AIDS Peer Educator for Children, Youth, and Families by Ryan White HRSA.
He was the founder, developer, and instructor at the first bilingual health educator and medical assistant program funded by the DC government. In addition, Evar has worked as a case manager, in home health care, and as an educational programs coordinator.
Phil Sain
MBA, MSW, LGSW
Medical Case Manager
Phil Sain, MBA, MSW, LGSW | Medical Case Manager
Phil earned a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from The Catholic University of America; a Master of Business Administration from Webster University; and he holds a Bachelor of Science in sport management from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. Phil is a member of Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Sciences, Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In the community, Phil serves as the vice president of the HIV/AIDS Ministry at his church, and as a commissioner on the Washington, DC Regional Planning Commission on Health and HIV. He is also an HIV advocate for Gilead Sciences, where he participates in speaking engagements and campaign projects.
Phil is a certified sexual health in recovery facilitator who has provided holistic care medical case management and co-facilitated peer support groups for individuals with HIV at WHI, where he advanced to Wellness Coordinator of the Ron Simmons Wellness Program. As someone living with HIV himself, Phil takes on a more unconventional therapeutic approach with patients than most social workers. Phil is a huge advocate for the patients that he works with who are experiencing health disparities, including access to care, poor quality of care, inadequate access to healthy foods, violence, and environmental conditions. He also loves helping patients acknowledge the connection between sexual and mental health. Within the field of social work, Phil is particularly interested in motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral theory, solution-focused brief therapy, and cognitive processing therapy.
Outside of the office, you can find Phil traveling, hiking, attending concerts, binge watching Law & Order: SVU, bar hopping, or cheering for his Dallas Cowboys.
Jenay Johnson
MSW
Medical Case Manager
Jenay Johnson, MSW | Medical Case Manager
Jenay joins WHI from the John Jay SEEK program in New York, where she previously interned for her MSW at Columbia University. Her professional interests include physical health, mental health and disabilities. In her free time, she likes art and painting spontaneous landscapes. She also watches anime and reads manga.
LaQuita Felder
Non Medical Case Manager
LaQuita Felder | Non Medical Case Manager
LaQuita was born in South Carolina and raised in Washington, DC, where she has been in the administrator/coordinator field for over 10 years. When she started her career in case management, her path was very clear. Case management is not an easy professional specialty, but it is a tremendously rewarding one. Everything LaQuita has done throughout her career has consisted of helping people in every way she can. It has always been her number one goal to assist as many individuals as possible, using all of her expertise. As a non-medical case manager, she utilizes her amazing combination of perception, planning, listening, empathy, and caring to support all of our customers. In her free time, she enjoys family outings and swimming.
Kamilah Marie Woodson
PhD
Integrated Behavioral Health Psychologist
Kamilah Marie Woodson | Integrated Behavioral Health Psychologist
Dr. Kamilah Marie Woodson is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist Full Professor and the Department Chair “woman” in the Howard University School of Education, Department of Human Development and Psycho-educational Studies. Dr. Woodson has also been a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Howard University College of Medicine/Howard University Hospital, in the Howard University Division of Nursing and was the Director of the AGEP Program in the Howard University Graduate School. Additionally, Dr. Woodson served on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Negro Education as the Book Review Editor for 7 years, has been the program evaluator on several NSF-Sponsored research projects, including the HU-ADVANCE IT grant. Dr. Woodson is a graduate of the California School of Professional Psychology, LA, where she received the Ph.D. & MA., degrees in Clinical Psychology and earned her Baccalaureate degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She is currently working to earn a Doctorate Degree in Ministry from the Howard University School of Divinity. Dr. Woodson began her career conducting research on the impact of global colorism and furthered this agenda through the recent edited volume, “Colorism: Investigating a Global Phenomenon, with Implications for Research, Policy and Practice,” (2020) and through research as result of being a Fulbright-Hayes Fellow (Brazil, South America).
Dr. Woodson has had a wide variety of clinical experiences. She rained at the South Central Training Consortium, Los Angeles, CA, Shields for Families Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, Compton, CA, The Federal Bureau of Prisons (FCI-Terminal Island, San Pedro, CA), completed her Predoctoral training at the Howard University Counseling Service’s APA Accredited Predoctoral Internship training program, Washington, DC, and completed her Post-doctoral Training at the Progressive Life Center, Baltimore, MD. Dr. Woodson’s primary theoretical orientation is Psychodynamic, and she has over 25 years of experience working with individuals, couples and groups. She specializes in Sex Therapy, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders and treatment of LGBTQIA+ clients. Dr. Woodson has worked in the Howard University Hospital Faculty Practice Plan, Department of Psychiatry, and maintains a small private therapy and consulting practice, Metropolitan Comprehensive Health Services, PLLC, in Maryland/Washington DC.
Corey Howell
CHES
EIS Patient Navigator/Outreach Team Lead
Corey Howell, CHES | EIS Patient Navigator/Outreach Team Lead
Corey Howell is a public health practitioner with over 10 years of experience in community mobilization, capacity building, and coalition building. Corey is a Certified Health Education Specialist and Certified Community Health Worker in Maryland with expertise in HIV/STI testing and conducting psychosocial support groups for Black men with HIV. In 2009, he was appointed by Governor Tim Kaine to the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, the statewide agency charged with reducing youth tobacco use and childhood obesity. Corey earned his Bachelor of Arts in Public Health from American University, where his research examined the intersection of health policy and health disparities. Corey is driven by his passion to disseminate evidence-based solutions into marginalized communities to foster positive outcomes and, ultimately, achieve health equity for all. A native of suburban Richmond, Corey is a long-time resident of Washington, D.C. Outside of the office, you can find him exploring different D.C. neighborhoods or doing genealogical research on his family tree.
Lonnisha Lewis
MSW
Psychosocial Support Specialist
Lonnisha Lewis, MSW | Psychosocial Support Specialist
Lonnisha Lewis is originally from Shreveport, Louisiana. She relocated to D.C. to serve in the Armed Forces. She received her MSW from Tulane University in August 2022 and her BS in Psychology from University of Maryland University College. Prior to WHI, she worked in Community Support assisting clients diagnosed with serious mental illness, compounded health conditions and substance abuse. Lonnisha’s passion is to encourage and empower others. Outside of work, you can catch her hanging out with her dog, enjoying outdoor sports, and watching international shows.
RESEARCH
Benita Viswasam
BSN
RN Data Analyst
Benita Viswasam | RN Data Analyst
Benita joined Washington Health Institute in 2022 as the RN Data Analyst. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing, completed her Student Nurse Internship at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital on the Surgical Transplant Unit, and is a licensed RN in the District of Columbia. She enjoys learning about the different factors of human health, how they affect each other, and how to improve the life of both a single person and a whole population. Her favorite part about her job is putting together bits of information, like pieces of a puzzle, when working in data and research. When she is not in the office, you can find her sewing and upcycling old clothes, weightlifting, taking naps in the sun, and petting the dogs and cats that come her way. She also loves cooking and trying food from as many places as possible, and she aspires to open her own ice cream shop 30 years from now.
Jasmine Sibert
Clinical Research Coordinator
Jasmine Sibert | Clinical Research Coordinator
Jasmine Sibert was born on September 7th, in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Raised by her loving parents, Tracy and Teviar Sibert, Jasmine has one sister, one brother, and two beautiful children, Zyon and J’von. She graduated from Eleanor Roosevelt High School in 2012 and attended MedTech Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland to become a Certified Medical Assistant. She has been working in the medical field since 2017. Jasmine appreciates having the opportunity to work with different doctors to gain experience with each doctor’s style of practice. It has been an amazing journey. Starting at Washington Health Institute in December 2019 as a Medical Assistant, Jasmine became interested in clinical research and worked to be promoted to a Clinical Research Coordinator. She is focused on learning, building her knowledge, increasing her professional intelligence and upholding the best work ethic.
Darmani Paramore
BSHA
Clinical Research Coordinator
Darmani|Clinical Research Coordinator
Darmani Paramore is a Clinical Research Coordinator at Washington Health Institute. He received his Bachelor of Science in Health Administration from Norfolk State University and is currently working on a Master of Public Health from Capella University. Darmani has a specific interest in sexual health and educating people on sexually transmitted infections.
Darmani was led to the field of public health and infectious disease after applying for a temp job that he didn’t think he would actually get but did. He went to work as a disease intervention specialist for the Virginia Department of Health and ended up loving the job. After a year at the job, he decided to pursue his master’s degree in public health and never looked back.
Darmani’s favorite part of the job is talking to patients and sharing his experiences to let them know they are not alone. He wants his patients to never think of themselves as less than or nasty because of their diagnosis. Mistakes happen, and accidents happen. We can’t control everything. Darmani wants everyone, especially his patients, to know that he just wants them to have the best healthy sex life, and he wants them to do it without shame. He will never judge his patients, no matter what they disclose! Darmani also wants them to know that he isn’t perfect. He’s a mess just trying to keep it together.
Born and raised in the small town of Stafford, VA, Darmani is half Jamaican and doesn’t have an accent, but he does understand the dialect pretty well. He has three siblings, one sister and two brothers, and everyone in his family works in the medical field. Darmani’s favorite thing about living in the Washington, DC area is how fast-paced and diverse the city is. He loves, loves, loves the bars in the area. He only had like 3 in Stafford. Outside of work, you can find him all over the place. You might see him at a bar for happy hour one day and then catch him at home reading a good book or binge-watching tv the next. It really just depends on his mood.
Ana Maria Estrada
MHIM
Clinical Research Coordinator
Ana Maria|Clinical Research Coordinator
Ana Maria is a Clinical Research Coordinator for Washington Health Institute (WHI). She has 15 years of experience in the medical field, heath administration, and health audit combined.
Ana Maria is an internationally trained physician, heath administrator, and health audit professional with a Master of Health information Management from American Public University. She was on the Dean’s list repeatedly due to her academic achievements. Her work experience includes insurance companies, providers, and medical networks. She has been developing clinical and administrative strategies to impact the quality of health and life of populations living which chronic and high-cost illnesses such as hemophilia, kidney failure, transplantation, arthritis, psoriasis, HIV/AIDS, among other projects in Pharmacoeconomics, quality processes, and health risk management.
Ana Maria believes that communication, teamwork, and commitment add value to an organization. She thrives in work that involves strategies to change healthcare outcomes and provide a positive impact on the patient, caregivers, and the general community. WHI is a multidisciplinary organization that counts its combined expertise in different areas of healthcare, and Ana Maria’s primary goal is to contribute her experience, grow her knowledge and expertise, and commit to the organization’s success.
Ana loves spending time with her child, enjoys reading books, visiting museums, and cultural events. She also enjoys oil and watercolor painting as art is her passion.
Nino Guillen
Research Analyst
Nino Guillen | Research Analyst
Nino Guillen was born and raised in La Paz, Bolivia. After he graduated from high school, he attended medical school for three years and then in 1994, he decided to move to the US. He started his career in the hospitality industry as he pursued higher education in customer service, a field in which he worked for 20 years.
Healthcare, science, and helping the community have always been Nino’s passions. so he learned more and earned experience in the pre-clinical research area by working for 12 years as a volunteer for different clinical trials. For the last two years, he has worked professionally, full-time in research, coordinating and managing clinical trials, particularly in mental health, women’s health, orthopedics, pediatrics, vaccines, and chronic health conditions.
By joining the WHI team, Nino is excited to continue working in healthcare and most importantly, to help the community with the different clinical trials and services that we offer.
Max Menna
Clinical Research Manager
Max Menna | Clinical Research Manager
Maximiliano Menna has been working in the field of clinical research in Washington, DC for more than 13 years. He has focused most of his experience in advancing the treatment options for infectious diseases, particularly HIV. He has served as a study coordinator on more than 50 clinical trials studying HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and detection, Hepatitis C therapeutics, and the long-term effects of HIV infection on clinical outcomes and quality of life.
ADMINISTRATION
Biniam Haileab
Director of Operations, 340B Program Manager, HR, IT, Compliance
Biniam | Director Of Operations
Biniam brings to WHI a background steeped in disciplined financial management, expense control, revenue generation, contract negotiations, and innovative problem-solving. With over 20 years of progressive healthcare management experience in a broad array of healthcare sectors, he has held leadership roles in both the for-profit and nonprofit health sectors. He has experience leading multi-site clinical services and operations of palliative and internal medicine practices, free-standing and acute renal facilities, and a successful start-up Interventional Pain Center. Biniam drives effective quality standards and Continuous Quality Improvement methodologies. His additional experience includes expanding regional market shares, coordinating and leading Strategic Market Development Plans, and executing new business initiatives, program development, mergers, and acquisitions.
Ellie Nicoll
JD
Executive Assistant and Public Affairs
Meet Ellie | Executive Assistant and Public Affairs
Eleanor (Ellie) Nicoll is a native of the Baltimore area and a graduate of Towson University and the University of Baltimore School of Law. Earlier in her career, she worked in public affairs- government and media relations- for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and even earlier managed an andrology laboratory. Ellie believes passionately in promoting health equity and expanding access to health care for all people in our community. Evenings and weekends, she enjoys reading, swimming, dancing, and exploring the DMV’s historical, cultural, and natural attractions.
WASHINGTON HEALTH INSTITUTE IS THE PROUD RECIPIENT OF
The Equity of Care Award
Washington Health Institute received the Equity of Care Award from Renaye James Healthcare Advisors. The Equity of Care Award is presented to the organizations that are noteworthy leaders and examples of equitable care. Honorees demonstrate a high level of success in reducing health care disparities and promoting diversity in leadership and staff within their organizations. Washington Health Institute was recognized for their impact on community health, their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare, their dedication to corporate social responsibility, their success with healthcare quality initiatives, their success with regional public health collaborations, and their leadership within federally qualified health centers.