About YTH
YTH is an initiative of ETR and is the partner of choice for those in search of new ways to advance the health of youth and young adults through technology.
We believe that young people deserve honest information, deserve for their voice to be heard, and deserve to live healthy lives without shame or fear. YTH is committed to pursuing emerging, startling, and sometimes, simple technologies that can reach young people where they are. Through our partnerships and projects, we discover what works, pilot innovative solutions, and disseminate what's truly effective.
YTH doesn't just build things—though we do that exceptionally well, and have since 2001—we drive change by creating, evaluating, and refining technology solutions and providing partners with proven models ready for scale and replication. We also build the capacity of the community to advance youth health by providing research, training, idea generation, and expert advice.
Once we've determined what works, YTH makes sure that the community can learn from our findings by sharing them through our annual YTH Live conference, blog, and research.
About Dr. K
"Dr. K" is a Board Certified Internist and Infectious Disease Specialist with over 30 years of experience. Dr. Klausner earned his Medical Degree from Cornell University Medical College with Honors in Research. He completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at the New York University—Bellevue Hospital Center. Dr. Klausner earned his Master's in Public Health with a focus on International Health and Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. After that training, Dr. Klausner was an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. Dr. Klausner completed his Fellowship in Infectious Diseases at the University of Washington, Seattle.
From 1998-2009 Dr. Klausner was a Deputy Health Officer, Director of STD Prevention and Control Services at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, member of the UCSF School of Medicine faculty in the Divisions of AIDS and Infectious Diseases and Attending Physician at San Francisco General Hospital. While in San Francisco Dr. Klausner helped identify key factors associated with the increased spread of HIV and STDs and implemented multiple novel public health prevention programs. He helped create the St. James Infirmary, the first occupational health and safety clinic for sex workers and Magnet, a community-based peer-run sexual health clinic for gay men. From 2009-2011 Dr. Klausner was Branch Chief for HIV and TB at the Centers for Disease Control in Pretoria, South Africa, helping lead the South African PEPFAR program for care and treatment.
Meet Our Community Advisory Board
Walter Rucker
Walter Rucker is the Associate Director of Program Operations at Pridelines. He has been working in the public health sphere with HIV in South Florida for 5 years. A current full-time Social Work major at FIU and seeking a minor in Public Administration, Walter is also preparing to launch his own non-profit, Brothers Changing Our Culture, focused on centering queer black folk in the fight for racial justice and equality.
Aureliano Davila-Valente
Aureliano Davila-Valente is a 24 year old professional working with the SF Aids Foundation as a COVID-19 Case Investigator. They graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in Public Health Policy and a minor in Gender and Sexuality studies. Working towards racial justice and health justice has always been their passion. They have been influenced by their work serving undocumented communities and tackling health disparities in the queer community. They want to continue advocating for health access and justice in promoting access and usage of PrEP. At the end of the day, Aureliano likes to watch makeup videos, cooking channels, and learning more on the environment. They love the outdoors (and truly miss it)!
Jake Cohen
Jake Cohen is an 18 year old Senior at Tamalpais High School in the Bay Area. In addition to being Jewish, and a member of the queer community- Jake is a vocal advocate on and off campus for equity-related causes. From being an anti-racism educator within his school district (through the SOAR program), to raising awareness about queer-friendly sex-ed, Jewish issues, gun violence prevention and more-he has always had a particular passion for advocating alongside marginalized peoples. Outside of sewing elaborate outfits, doing drag, bickering with his twin brother and listening to old Joan Jett albums, Jake understands the value of intersectionality. Because of the progressive environment he was brought up in, Jake feels the responsibility he, as a more privileged member of the queer community, has to advocate for the safety, access to healthcare, and human rights of his LGBTQI+, and BIPOC queer siblings, all while being proud, visible, and unapologetic.
Damone Thomas
Damone Thomas, the Treatment Education Specialist for Project Rise at APLA Health, got his first taste of HIV Advocacy as a volunteer when he was a high school student in Kingston, Jamaica where he was born and raised. In 2008 Damone worked behind the scenes in several different HIV organizations learning the mechanics of advocacy, which later helped him start his own organization. In September, just two months after the XIX International AIDS Conference of 2012, Damone started his own HIV Advocacy Campaign called Healing with Hope (HwH). Along with his online effort to promote awareness, he currently does HIV/STDs Testing & Counseling with John Wesley Community Health (JWCH) and Board Secretary for To Help Everyone (T.H.E) Health & Wellness Center.
Sean Wright
Sean Wright graduated with their bachelor's degree in biopsychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. After completing a pre-medical internship at UCLA, they found a passion for research in health disparities, going on to intern at the Lab for Cultural Experiences In Prevention. Sean has since moved to Los Angeles, volunteering extensively with the Los Angeles LGBT Center and leading focus groups and “edutainment” events as a facilitator. Sean enjoys connecting with marginalized communities such as transgender and non-binary youth, working at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles as an STI Tester and Research Assistant on the Healthy Young Men's Study. They currently help coordinate initiatives targeting issues affecting black & queer communities, such as Y2Prevent. Sean also is a community leader, advocating for community wellness through outreach, research, & advocacy. Outside of work they enjoy hanging with their hairless cat, cooking, and getting lost in a good scary movie!