Healthcare Connoissuer
In all his leadership roles, there was one underlying constant, creating access to healthcare for underserved patients and communities. It started when Dr. Gunness served as an HIV Coordinator providing access to HIV positive patients during a time when healthcare institutions were still learning about the functions and dynamics of hard-to-reach population. In subsequent years, he oversaw a multi-site research demonstration project at one of the largest HIV clinics in the country. There, he developed a clinic resource center, establsihed the first consumer advisory board and was part of a team that provided optimal comprehensive healthcare services. He later refined his skill set as a Public Health Hospital representative providing technical assistance to over 30 hospitals in New York State.
Furthermore, his doctoral dissertation concentrated on access to healthcare among homeless gay and bisexual young men in NYC. Throughout his experience, Dr. Gunness has developed the critical lens on systematic processes and barriers to healthcare as well as innovative and evidence-based solutions that contribute to the success of healthcare institutions. Today, he sits on the Board of Directors at a large multisite federally qualified healthcare center (FQHC) and is the Board President and Chair of a homeless program.
