HPG GOVERNMENTAL REPS
Dr. Patrick Padgen
Governmental Co-Chair of the New York City HIV Planning Group
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Patrick Padgen, Director HIV Prevention Partnerships, works with the NYC Health Department in engaging and mobilizing community in order to help end the epidemic.
Benjamin Tsoi
Director, HIV Prevention Programs
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Public health advocate and administrator committed to equity and inclusion. Gay. Husband. Food enthusiast.
Adrian Guzman
Policy and External Relations
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Adrian Guzman, Director of Policy and External Affairs for the Health Department’s Bureau of HIV, is proud to work with the PER workgroup to establish policy advocacy as vital to the HPG’s work to end the epidemic.
Amanda Phi
Government Co-Chair, NYC HIV Planning Group
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Amanda Phi, Deputy Director of HIV Prevention Partnerships at the NYC Health Department, is excited to continue to work with community to achieve health equity for all. Also loves dogs.
Alexander Drab
Government Co-Chair, NYC HIV Planning Group
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Alexander Drab, HIV Planning Group Coordinator, provides key logistical and administrative support. Acting as a liaison with the NYC DOH, they assist workgroups in achieving their goals, support recruitment and planning for the Annual Strategic Planning Meeting, and help maintain member engagement.
Dena Cox (she/her)
Brooklyn-born and -raised Health Education Program Manager at the NYC Department of Education whose mission is to support schools create environments that help students thrive. In an alternate universe, you can find her hosting bar trivia, running a cat cafe, or being a food/travel social media influencer.
Michael Navejas
Governmental Co-Chair of the HIV Health and Human Services Planning Council of New York
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Deputy Director of the Planning Council at the NYC Health Department. First generation Mexican American with an interest in social justice, politics, and religion.
Lela Sabashvili
NYC Health and Hospital
An immigrant from Eastern Europe passionate about optimizing healthcare delivery to marginalized communities in the Big Apple.
Adam Viera (he/him)
Adam is a queer Latino who was raised in the Bronx and currently lives in Queens. He was appointed as the Associate Commissioner of Harm Reduction and Recovery Support Services at the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) on November 6, 2025. In this role, he works collaboratively to oversee and support harm reduction and recovery support services and programs within OASAS and throughout the state.
Angelica Foronda (She/Her)
Assistant Director of Health Policy and Planning at NYC Administration for Children’s Services. First-time HPG governmental representative interested in advancing sexual health policy and patient self-advocacy.
