MHD-CE Core| CHARM | University of Miami

Mental Health Disparities and Community Engagement Core

The Mental Health Disparities and Community Engagement (MHD-CE) Core promotes research on HIV-related mental health disparities by providing expert consultation on intervention development with diverse populations, culturally competent assessment measures and equitable human participant’s research with disenfranchised populations. This core oversees two “consent-to-contact” databases for participant recruitment: one for community members at risk for HIV and the other for the people living with HIV and in care at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System Adult HIV clinic. This core also leads the CHARM Community Advisory Board and all community engagement activities, which are central to the Center’s work.

This core is led by Sannisha Dale, PhD (Core Director), Allan Rodriguez, MD, and Hansel E. Tookes, III, MD, MPH (Core Co-Directors). 

 Admin Core Flyer

Core Leadership

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Core-Related Activities, Resources and Links

  • Community Advisory Board (CAB) - A board composed of community members of diverse backgrounds that advises CHARM.
  • Community Pilot Awards – Internal pilot awards granted to community agencies to conduct community-led and based research on topics involving HIV and Mental Health.
  • CHARMing Conversations - CAB-led panel discussions with guest speakers discussing topics related to HIV and Mental Health, moderated by MHD-CE Core Leadership. 
  • MHD-CE Speaker Series - Seminars given by academic experts on topics related to HIV and Mental Health.
  • Consent to Contact Databases - The MHD-CE Core manages two of CHARM's Consent to Contact databases (CHARM Community Survey and Clinic Archive Project)
  • Community Agency Survey - The first step towards becoming a CHARM Community Partner. To complete the Community Agency Survey, please contact Meadgine Ilmet (mfi13@miami.edu) and Ame Leon (axl425@miami.edu)
  • Infographic depicting mental health challenges for people living with HIV 

Recently Completed Activities

In 2024, the MHD-CE Core funded its first cohort of Community Pilot Awards and Community Microgrants. In May 2024, CHARM hosted a Launch Event with awardees which included consultations with each Core. 

The CHARM Community Advisory Board is currently recruiting for 2 additional CAB members. Please reach out to Ame Leon (axl425@miami.edu) if you are interested in joining our CAB. 

Click here to see all CHARM’s recent events, including several MHD-CE Core events. 

Additional Core Significant Contributors

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  • Simon Howard, Ph.D.

    Simon Howard, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
    Email: sxh2911@miami.edu 

    Expertise: Psychology of Racism, Identity, Diversity, and Equity 

  • Gail Ironson, M.D., Ph.D.

    Gail Ironson, M.D., Ph.D. - Professor, Department of Psychology
    Email: g.ironson@miami.edu

    Expertise: Psychological factors in long survival with HIV, stress management, positive psychological factors and coping, spirituality, and treatments for traumatized individuals

  • Steven A. Safren, Ph.D.

    Steven A. Safren, Ph.D. - Professor, Department of Psychology
    Email: sas436@miami.edu 

    Expertise: Psychology-health behavior change, with a particular emphasis on mental health and substance use components of HIV prevention and treatment domestically and internationally

  • Deborah Jones Weiss, Ph.D.

    Deborah Jones Weiss, Ph.D. - Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
    Email: d.jones3@miami.edu 

    Expertise: Depression and substance use, International Positive Prevention, Comprehensive HIV intervention, Reducing HIV transmission between sero-discordant and concordant positive couples 

  • Stephen Weiss, M.D.

    Stephen Weiss, M.D. - Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
    Email: sweiss2@med.miami.edu 

    Expertise: Behavioral medicine, intervention development, implementation and dissemination strategies, and grantsmanship

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