Public Speakers

Living with genital herpes since 1999, this 30-something woman inspires others with her life stories of triumph over adversity. Gayla has spent 5 years as an active advocate and support figure. Gayla's experience includes working with antiviral manufactures on various videos, patient advocacy and physician awareness.

Gayla has also participated in various TV, magazine and newspaper interviews including a book by Dr. Ruth to be released in April 2004. Gayla is also an active volunteer for non-profits including HELP groups, social support groups and is the creator of herpesonline.org

With the lack of public figures who are open about living with genital herpes, the emotional issues that are associated with a herpes diagnosis and in an effort to minimize the social stigma, Gayla has decided share her own inspirational stories to high schools, colleges, groups and organizations that are interested in assisting this effort of raising STD awareness.

E-mail: Gayla

Curtis S. Phinney, SC.M.P.H. -- Maryland -- Contact for fee information

Curtis Phinney has been active in understanding recovery from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) since his diagnosis with herpes in 1993. Devastated at first diagnosis, he found that attending herpes support groups helped his recovery, both physically and emotionally. Eventually he found the ability to take control of his life, and his sexuality, back from the disease. He has since been inspired to help dispel the secrecy and stigma surrounding STIs by writing and speaking out in public.

Now a longtime liaison and advocate for STI consumer support, Curtis has been featured in the media and medical training videos in the USA and Europe. He has been a guest on the Phil Donahue Show, appeared in Glamour magazine, and been interviewed for articles in the New York Times, U.S. News & World Report, and the London Independent on Sunday. Recent interviews and articles include FDA Consumer magazine (March/April 2002), the Helper (Winter 2002), and at herpes.org Curtis frequently speaks at national and regional patient meetings and media events, including Las Vegas ('99), New York City ('99, '01), Cincinnati ('02), and Indianapolis ('02, '03). He also lectures for healthcare professionals and consumer groups.

Curtis is currently lecturing on "The Patient Experience" with the Genital Herpes Preceptorship Program at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, MD. Curtis always emphasizes five important points when he speaks about herpes infections. They are that herpes is chronic, contagious, preventable, treatable, and is a serious condition. He believes that education is an essential component of every patient's recovery. Being an "educated" patient is much more effective than just being a "medicated" patient.

Curtis is an active member of several health advocacy organizations, including the American Public Health Association, and the Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association. Curtis specializes in writing and speaking about technically complex or emotionally difficult topics in a manner that is easy for audiences to understand and relate to.

Mr. Phinney is a Research Chemist with professional experience in clinical, environmental, and nutritional chemistry. He is a Registered Food Safety Trainer, under the auspices of the National Environmental Health Association, www.neha.org

Email: Curtis

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