About HS Coalition
Why we Exist
To transform the HS landscape by promoting policies that can improve the lives of individuals living with HS.
To do that, we seek to bring together the best minds, research, and policies to drive awareness, address disparities, and improve outcomes for all impacted by HS. Through our efforts, we want to increase understanding, improve care, and enhance research funding to counter the physical and mental impacts of the disease.
Co-chairs
Dr Steve Daveluy
Dr Daveluy is an associate professor and program director at Wayne State University, with special interests in teledermatology, integrative dermatology, and complex medical dermatology, including hidradenitis suppurativa. He also serves on the board of the HS Foundation.
Jasmine Espy
Jasmine is a multimedia journalist, documentary filmmaker, and the Founder/ CEO of The Association of Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Inflammatory Diseases (AHSID), advocating for those who suffer from HS like her. She believes that owning your story is your power.
Our Members
Brindley Brooks
Brindley has been living with HS for 34 years. She cofounded HS Connect to eradicate misconceptions and stigmas while providing resources for those impacted by the disease. With a daughter and stepdaughter with HS, she understands the physical, emotional, and financial impact HS has on families.
Dr Laura Bush
Laura Bush is a licensed physician assistant certified by the NCCPA who has been practicing dermatology for over 20 years. Her experience includes skin cancers, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, HS, keloids, hair loss and superficial radiation treatment for cancer. She serves as president of the Society of Dermatology Physician Associates.
Allison DeBattista
Allison is a senior director at Woodberry Associates and serves as executive director of the Derma Care Access Network. With nearly 15 years of public affairs, coalition building, and nonprofit management experience in healthcare, she has led state and federal initiatives to benefit patients.
Dr Stephanie Goldberg
Dr Goldberg is a general surgeon who has been treating HS patients for many years. She began caring for HS patients after seeing the impact the disease has on patients’ lives and seeking to improve their surgical options. She enjoys developing multi-disciplinary teams to provide patient-centered care.
Dr Iltefat Hamzavi
Dr Hamzavi has served as president of the HS Foundation and has been recognized for his service to HS and vitiligo patients. He has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and edited two books on vitiligo and HS. His practice focuses on photodermatology and HS.
Brent Hazelett
Brent has extensive experience providing technical and strategic management in the nonprofit setting. Currently, he serves as the HS Foundation CEO, working to improve the lives of people affected by HS through advocacy, education, and research.
Dr Ginette A. Okoye
Dr. Ginette Okoye is Professor and Chair of Dermatology at Howard University College of Medicine who specializes in health disparities in dermatology and HS. She has been recognized by the American Academy of Dermatology with a Presidential Citation, a Volunteerism Award, a Patient Care Hero Award, and the 2023 William James, M.D. Mentor of the Year Award. She is the author of over 90 publications, including a textbook, “The Fundamentals of Ethnic Hair”.
Dr Gene Reeder
Dr Reeder’s focus includes the economic evaluation of pharmaceuticals, drug benefit design, and healthcare public policy. Currently a distinguished professor emeritus at the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, Dr Reeder has served on a variety of national advisory councils.
Our Supporters
