About Us
The mission of the Community Access National Network (CANN) is to define, promote, and improve access to healthcare services and supports for people living with HIV/AIDS and/or viral hepatitis through advocacy, education, and networking. These services must be affordable to the people who need them regardless of insurance status, income, or geographic location.
Read our 2024 Annual Report to learn more about some key accomplishments and information about the organization, or check out our silver transparency profile on Guidestar.
CANN invites you to make a tax-deductible donation, which will allow the organization to continue its national advocacy work to improve comprehensive medical services for people living with HIV/AIDS and/or viral hepatitis.
Our Staff
Michelle Anderson
Michelle Rigdon-Anderson is the Policy Associate for The Afiya Center, an organization run and lead by Black women whose mission is to serve Black women and girls by transforming their relationship with their sexual and reproductive health through addressing the consequences of reproduction oppression. Before joining The Afiya Center, Michelle graduated with an A.A.S in Substance Abuse Counseling and served as Counselor 1, HIV Educator for clients and staff and First AID Instructor at a judicial drug treatment facility women's program in Wilmer, Texas. Her goal is to further her education and attain her BA in Political Science. In her spare time, Michelle formerly 2011 Ms. Plus America, is a National Ambassador for Greater Than AIDS Empowerment Campaign and the Black AIDS Institute where she uses life experiences to eradicate HIV stigma and challenge oppressive laws that creates barriers for Black Women and Girls from achieving access to resources that will allow them to reach full bodily autonomy.
Honorable Donna Christensen, M.D.
The Honorable. Donna M. Christensen retired from the U S House of Representatives in 2015 where she served nine terms. She is the first female physician to serve as a Member in the history of the U.S Congress. In the 111th, 112th and 113th Congress, Delegate Christensen served on the Committee on Energy and Commerce and on its Subcommittee on Health during healthcare reform. She also served on Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Small Business. Congresswoman Christensen chaired the Congressional Black Caucus’ Health Braintrust for 16 years. he practiced family medicine and served in several public health administrative positions prior to her election to Congress in 1996 and recently established the Christensen Institute for Community Health and Empowerment. Dr. Christensen is the recipient of several awards and honorary degrees. She is on the Medical Advisory Board for Choose Healthy Life, is a board member of the Community Access National Network, Frederiksted Health Care Inc, Consumers4QualityCare, American Kidney Fund, and serves on several other boards and Institutes. She also chairs an advisory council for the Institute for Gene Therapies.
Dusty Garner
Michelle Rigdon-Anderson is the Policy Associate for The Afiya Center, an organization run and lead by Black women whose mission is to serve Black women and girls by transforming their relationship with their sexual and reproductive health through addressing the consequences of reproduction oppression. Before joining The Afiya Center, Michelle graduated with an A.A.S in Substance Abuse Counseling and served as Counselor 1, HIV Educator for clients and staff and First AID Instructor at a judicial drug treatment facility women's program in Wilmer, Texas. Her goal is to further her education and attain her BA in Political Science. In her spare time, Michelle formerly 2011 Ms. Plus America, is a National Ambassador for Greater Than AIDS Empowerment Campaign and the Black AIDS Institute where she uses life experiences to eradicate HIV stigma and challenge oppressive laws that creates barriers for Black Women and Girls from achieving access to resources that will allow them to reach full bodily autonomy.
Kathie M. Hiers
The Honorable. Donna M. Christensen retired from the U S House of Representatives in 2015 where she served nine terms. She is the first female physician to serve as a Member in the history of the U.S Congress. In the 111th, 112th and 113th Congress, Delegate Christensen served on the Committee on Energy and Commerce and on its Subcommittee on Health during healthcare reform. She also served on Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Small Business. Congresswoman Christensen chaired the Congressional Black Caucus’ Health Braintrust for 16 years. he practiced family medicine and served in several public health administrative positions prior to her election to Congress in 1996 and recently established the Christensen Institute for Community Health and Empowerment. Dr. Christensen is the recipient of several awards and honorary degrees. She is on the Medical Advisory Board for Choose Healthy Life, is a board member of the Community Access National Network, Frederiksted Health Care Inc, Consumers4QualityCare, American Kidney Fund, and serves on several other boards and Institutes. She also chairs an advisory council for the Institute for Gene Therapies.
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Our Board Members
Michelle Anderson
Michelle Rigdon-Anderson is the Policy Associate for The Afiya Center, an organization run and lead by Black women whose mission is to serve Black women and girls by transforming their relationship with their sexual and reproductive health through addressing the consequences of reproduction oppression. Before joining The Afiya Center, Michelle graduated with an A.A.S in Substance Abuse Counseling and served as Counselor 1, HIV Educator for clients and staff and First AID Instructor at a judicial drug treatment facility women's program in Wilmer, Texas. Her goal is to further her education and attain her BA in Political Science. In her spare time, Michelle formerly 2011 Ms. Plus America, is a National Ambassador for Greater Than AIDS Empowerment Campaign and the Black AIDS Institute where she uses life experiences to eradicate HIV stigma and challenge oppressive laws that creates barriers for Black Women and Girls from achieving access to resources that will allow them to reach full bodily autonomy.
Honorable Donna Christensen, M.D.
The Honorable. Donna M. Christensen retired from the U S House of Representatives in 2015 where she served nine terms. She is the first female physician to serve as a Member in the history of the U.S Congress. In the 111th, 112th and 113th Congress, Delegate Christensen served on the Committee on Energy and Commerce and on its Subcommittee on Health during healthcare reform. She also served on Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Small Business. Congresswoman Christensen chaired the Congressional Black Caucus’ Health Braintrust for 16 years. he practiced family medicine and served in several public health administrative positions prior to her election to Congress in 1996 and recently established the Christensen Institute for Community Health and Empowerment. Dr. Christensen is the recipient of several awards and honorary degrees. She is on the Medical Advisory Board for Choose Healthy Life, is a board member of the Community Access National Network, Frederiksted Health Care Inc, Consumers4QualityCare, American Kidney Fund, and serves on several other boards and Institutes. She also chairs an advisory council for the Institute for Gene Therapies.
Dusty Garner
Michelle Rigdon-Anderson is the Policy Associate for The Afiya Center, an organization run and lead by Black women whose mission is to serve Black women and girls by transforming their relationship with their sexual and reproductive health through addressing the consequences of reproduction oppression. Before joining The Afiya Center, Michelle graduated with an A.A.S in Substance Abuse Counseling and served as Counselor 1, HIV Educator for clients and staff and First AID Instructor at a judicial drug treatment facility women's program in Wilmer, Texas. Her goal is to further her education and attain her BA in Political Science. In her spare time, Michelle formerly 2011 Ms. Plus America, is a National Ambassador for Greater Than AIDS Empowerment Campaign and the Black AIDS Institute where she uses life experiences to eradicate HIV stigma and challenge oppressive laws that creates barriers for Black Women and Girls from achieving access to resources that will allow them to reach full bodily autonomy.
Kathie M. Hiers
The Honorable. Donna M. Christensen retired from the U S House of Representatives in 2015 where she served nine terms. She is the first female physician to serve as a Member in the history of the U.S Congress. In the 111th, 112th and 113th Congress, Delegate Christensen served on the Committee on Energy and Commerce and on its Subcommittee on Health during healthcare reform. She also served on Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Small Business. Congresswoman Christensen chaired the Congressional Black Caucus’ Health Braintrust for 16 years. he practiced family medicine and served in several public health administrative positions prior to her election to Congress in 1996 and recently established the Christensen Institute for Community Health and Empowerment. Dr. Christensen is the recipient of several awards and honorary degrees. She is on the Medical Advisory Board for Choose Healthy Life, is a board member of the Community Access National Network, Frederiksted Health Care Inc, Consumers4QualityCare, American Kidney Fund, and serves on several other boards and Institutes. She also chairs an advisory council for the Institute for Gene Therapies.
Patrick Ingram
Michelle Rigdon-Anderson is the Policy Associate for The Afiya Center, an organization run and lead by Black women whose mission is to serve Black women and girls by transforming their relationship with their sexual and reproductive health through addressing the consequences of reproduction oppression. Before joining The Afiya Center, Michelle graduated with an A.A.S in Substance Abuse Counseling and served as Counselor 1, HIV Educator for clients and staff and First AID Instructor at a judicial drug treatment facility women's program in Wilmer, Texas. Her goal is to further her education and attain her BA in Political Science. In her spare time, Michelle formerly 2011 Ms. Plus America, is a National Ambassador for Greater Than AIDS Empowerment Campaign and the Black AIDS Institute where she uses life experiences to eradicate HIV stigma and challenge oppressive laws that creates barriers for Black Women and Girls from achieving access to resources that will allow them to reach full bodily autonomy.
Riley Johnson
The Honorable. Donna M. Christensen retired from the U S House of Representatives in 2015 where she served nine terms. She is the first female physician to serve as a Member in the history of the U.S Congress. In the 111th, 112th and 113th Congress, Delegate Christensen served on the Committee on Energy and Commerce and on its Subcommittee on Health during healthcare reform. She also served on Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Small Business. Congresswoman Christensen chaired the Congressional Black Caucus’ Health Braintrust for 16 years. he practiced family medicine and served in several public health administrative positions prior to her election to Congress in 1996 and recently established the Christensen Institute for Community Health and Empowerment. Dr. Christensen is the recipient of several awards and honorary degrees. She is on the Medical Advisory Board for Choose Healthy Life, is a board member of the Community Access National Network, Frederiksted Health Care Inc, Consumers4QualityCare, American Kidney Fund, and serves on several other boards and Institutes. She also chairs an advisory council for the Institute for Gene Therapies.
Jen Laws
Michelle Rigdon-Anderson is the Policy Associate for The Afiya Center, an organization run and lead by Black women whose mission is to serve Black women and girls by transforming their relationship with their sexual and reproductive health through addressing the consequences of reproduction oppression. Before joining The Afiya Center, Michelle graduated with an A.A.S in Substance Abuse Counseling and served as Counselor 1, HIV Educator for clients and staff and First AID Instructor at a judicial drug treatment facility women's program in Wilmer, Texas. Her goal is to further her education and attain her BA in Political Science. In her spare time, Michelle formerly 2011 Ms. Plus America, is a National Ambassador for Greater Than AIDS Empowerment Campaign and the Black AIDS Institute where she uses life experiences to eradicate HIV stigma and challenge oppressive laws that creates barriers for Black Women and Girls from achieving access to resources that will allow them to reach full bodily autonomy.
Darnell Lewis
The Honorable. Donna M. Christensen retired from the U S House of Representatives in 2015 where she served nine terms. She is the first female physician to serve as a Member in the history of the U.S Congress. In the 111th, 112th and 113th Congress, Delegate Christensen served on the Committee on Energy and Commerce and on its Subcommittee on Health during healthcare reform. She also served on Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Small Business. Congresswoman Christensen chaired the Congressional Black Caucus’ Health Braintrust for 16 years. he practiced family medicine and served in several public health administrative positions prior to her election to Congress in 1996 and recently established the Christensen Institute for Community Health and Empowerment. Dr. Christensen is the recipient of several awards and honorary degrees. She is on the Medical Advisory Board for Choose Healthy Life, is a board member of the Community Access National Network, Frederiksted Health Care Inc, Consumers4QualityCare, American Kidney Fund, and serves on several other boards and Institutes. She also chairs an advisory council for the Institute for Gene Therapies.
Kim Molnar
Michelle Rigdon-Anderson is the Policy Associate for The Afiya Center, an organization run and lead by Black women whose mission is to serve Black women and girls by transforming their relationship with their sexual and reproductive health through addressing the consequences of reproduction oppression. Before joining The Afiya Center, Michelle graduated with an A.A.S in Substance Abuse Counseling and served as Counselor 1, HIV Educator for clients and staff and First AID Instructor at a judicial drug treatment facility women's program in Wilmer, Texas. Her goal is to further her education and attain her BA in Political Science. In her spare time, Michelle formerly 2011 Ms. Plus America, is a National Ambassador for Greater Than AIDS Empowerment Campaign and the Black AIDS Institute where she uses life experiences to eradicate HIV stigma and challenge oppressive laws that creates barriers for Black Women and Girls from achieving access to resources that will allow them to reach full bodily autonomy.
Judith Montenegro
The Honorable. Donna M. Christensen retired from the U S House of Representatives in 2015 where she served nine terms. She is the first female physician to serve as a Member in the history of the U.S Congress. In the 111th, 112th and 113th Congress, Delegate Christensen served on the Committee on Energy and Commerce and on its Subcommittee on Health during healthcare reform. She also served on Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Small Business. Congresswoman Christensen chaired the Congressional Black Caucus’ Health Braintrust for 16 years. he practiced family medicine and served in several public health administrative positions prior to her election to Congress in 1996 and recently established the Christensen Institute for Community Health and Empowerment. Dr. Christensen is the recipient of several awards and honorary degrees. She is on the Medical Advisory Board for Choose Healthy Life, is a board member of the Community Access National Network, Frederiksted Health Care Inc, Consumers4QualityCare, American Kidney Fund, and serves on several other boards and Institutes. She also chairs an advisory council for the Institute for Gene Therapies.
Amanda Pratter
Michelle Rigdon-Anderson is the Policy Associate for The Afiya Center, an organization run and lead by Black women whose mission is to serve Black women and girls by transforming their relationship with their sexual and reproductive health through addressing the consequences of reproduction oppression. Before joining The Afiya Center, Michelle graduated with an A.A.S in Substance Abuse Counseling and served as Counselor 1, HIV Educator for clients and staff and First AID Instructor at a judicial drug treatment facility women's program in Wilmer, Texas. Her goal is to further her education and attain her BA in Political Science. In her spare time, Michelle formerly 2011 Ms. Plus America, is a National Ambassador for Greater Than AIDS Empowerment Campaign and the Black AIDS Institute where she uses life experiences to eradicate HIV stigma and challenge oppressive laws that creates barriers for Black Women and Girls from achieving access to resources that will allow them to reach full bodily autonomy.
Trelvis D. Randolph, Esq.
The Honorable. Donna M. Christensen retired from the U S House of Representatives in 2015 where she served nine terms. She is the first female physician to serve as a Member in the history of the U.S Congress. In the 111th, 112th and 113th Congress, Delegate Christensen served on the Committee on Energy and Commerce and on its Subcommittee on Health during healthcare reform. She also served on Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Small Business. Congresswoman Christensen chaired the Congressional Black Caucus’ Health Braintrust for 16 years. he practiced family medicine and served in several public health administrative positions prior to her election to Congress in 1996 and recently established the Christensen Institute for Community Health and Empowerment. Dr. Christensen is the recipient of several awards and honorary degrees. She is on the Medical Advisory Board for Choose Healthy Life, is a board member of the Community Access National Network, Frederiksted Health Care Inc, Consumers4QualityCare, American Kidney Fund, and serves on several other boards and Institutes. She also chairs an advisory council for the Institute for Gene Therapies.
Cindy Snyder
Michelle Rigdon-Anderson is the Policy Associate for The Afiya Center, an organization run and lead by Black women whose mission is to serve Black women and girls by transforming their relationship with their sexual and reproductive health through addressing the consequences of reproduction oppression. Before joining The Afiya Center, Michelle graduated with an A.A.S in Substance Abuse Counseling and served as Counselor 1, HIV Educator for clients and staff and First AID Instructor at a judicial drug treatment facility women's program in Wilmer, Texas. Her goal is to further her education and attain her BA in Political Science. In her spare time, Michelle formerly 2011 Ms. Plus America, is a National Ambassador for Greater Than AIDS Empowerment Campaign and the Black AIDS Institute where she uses life experiences to eradicate HIV stigma and challenge oppressive laws that creates barriers for Black Women and Girls from achieving access to resources that will allow them to reach full bodily autonomy.
Directors Emeritus
William "Bill" Arnold, in memoriam - served 1996 - 2021
Jeff Coudriet, in memoriam - served 1995 - 2011
The Honorable Maurice Hinchey, M.C. - (D - NY 22nd), in memoriam - served 1996 - 2015
Gary R. Rose, J.D., in Memoriam - served 1995 - 2017