Leadership & Staff

DeeJay Johannessen, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Education Learning Project since 1998, has been a driving force in the development, implementation, and administration of ground-breaking service and prevention programming for the LGBT community and those at risk for and living with HIV/AIDS. Capitalizing upon experience gained over a 30-year career in the non-profit sector – 25 of it in the HIV field – in 2016 DeeJay oversaw the development of an exciting new initiative called the HELP Center for LGBT Health and Wellness, or “The HELP Center” for short. The HELP Center’s purpose is to expand access to sexual health services for the LGBT population in Texas. Currently, the HELP Center operates the largest PrEP program in North Texas via two clinics in Tarrant County serving more than 1,300 patients from 103 cities throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

Cheryl joined HELP in March 2019 after 12 years of working as a Project Manager for Oncology Clinical Trials. She has more than 30 years experience in Pharmacy, including Compliance, Quality and Process Improvements, and she is dedicated to HIV and Cancer Prevention, Treatment and solutions to help the patients in need. She is active in a Non-Profit Foundation at her former High School that is providing food, clothing, mentoring and daily essentials to those in need. She assists DeeJay with the activities of HELP, as well as all other day-to-day activities to support the Staff and Clients.

Kelle Tillman, DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC: Kelle serves as the Chief Clinical Officer for The HELP Center. Kelle is a board-certified adult and gerontological clinical nurse specialist. She obtained her Bachelor’s of Nursing  in 1992, her Master’s in Nursing  in 2013 and her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Texas Christian University in 2019. Kelle has been a part of the HELP Center’s PrEP program since it launched in 2017. Kelle is excited to  be a part of The HELP Center for LGBT Health and Wellness.

Brentton Lowery is a board-certified Physician Assistant nationally recognized as an HIV specialist by the American Academy of HIV Medicine. He earned his Master of Science in Medicine degree from Mississippi College, where he additionally completed a six-month clerkship in HIV and Adult medicine. After working at Men’s Health Foundation in Los Angeles, Brentton is happy to have returned to Texas and the Health Education Learning Project as their Arlington Clinic Medical Provider. He focuses on empowering individuals with the knowledge to take control of their sexual health.

Johnnie Ireland, DNP, APRN, ACNS, WHNP-BC: Johnnie serves as one of the Medical Providers for The HELP Center, Fort Worth location, and has been at HELP since its inauguration in 2017.  Johnnie is a board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist.  She obtained her Bachelor’s of Nursing in 1987, Master’s in Nursing in 2013 and her Doctorate in Nursing Practice, 2019 all from Texas Christian University. She completed her Post-Masters Certification in Women’s Health from UT Southwestern Medical School in 1996.

Cody joined HELP in February 2020 with 11 years experience in developing and executing marketing and branding strategies, media relations, social media and design. He has extensive experience with non-profits in fundraising and building awareness during his previous positions and consulting business. He is excited to bring his expertise to grow HELP's awareness and services in our community.

Gabby has been in the field of HIV since 1997, she first became a Certified HIV Counselor in 1999; with 22 years of formal HIV experience, Gabby has held multiple positions in HIV and Public Health, initially as a front-line HIV worker and 18 years in leadership roles which include managing Prevention and Care Services, including HEP C and PrEP/PEP access. Her experience includes working in the non-profit, for-profit, and government sector. Gabby has been involved in local, state, and national HIV planning groups to ensure the needs of minority groups are represented. In 2017, Gabby co-founded Indigenous Pride Los Angeles (IPLA), a social activism and pride organization for Native and Indigenous LGBTQ-Two Spirit Indigenous persons (https://indigenouspridela.org/). IPLA hosts the only Pride event in California that is specific to Indigenous/Native LGBTQ+ persons. Additionally, it’s Indigenous and Native American members work all year round to help reduce social disparities, connection and reconnection to ancestry, heritage and culture as a method to reducing mental health, substance misuse, and increase social/cultural connectivity. Gabby is a subject matter expert in addressing HIV/LGBTQ+ stigma, HIV Prevention – and Continuum of Care, mental health, community engagement and mobilization as well as Leadership Development. Gabby is Studer trained in Evidence Based Leadership, is the co-creator and writer of educational videos targeting vulnerable population, she has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration