Health Initiative for Men (HIM) is pleased to announce that Darren Ho (he/him) has been hired as Director of Health Services at HIM. Darren will be taking over from former Director of Health Services, Simon Rayek. Darren comes to HIM with significant experience in queer health, community engagement, program development, provincial network management, research, and evaluation. Darren will act as the third member of HIM’s shared leadership team which includes Executive Director, Aaron Purdie (he/him), and Program Director, Evan Matchett-Wong (they/them). The Director of Health Services at HIM is responsible for overseeing the ways that clinical services (e.g. testing, treatment, vaccination) are delivered across the province, and leading a team that develops health promotion and customized resources for gay, bi, queer men, and gender diverse people.
Darren comes to HIM from his current position at the Community Based Research Centre (CBRC) as the Associate Director of Population Specific Programs. Darren has been a vital team member at CBRC and has performed his duties with dedication, skill, and passion.
“CBRC should be commended for their game-changing work in developing the queer health sector by creating opportunities, changing policy, and building capacity amongst their staff across Turtle Island. We are overjoyed and fortunate to be able to hire one of those staff as we welcome such an experienced Director onto our team”
Aaron Purdie, Executive Director, HIM.
HIM and CBRC have a long history of collaboration and partnership. HIM and CBRC have collaborated on creation national alliances of queer health service providers, partnered on grants and research projects, and have co-facilitated programs such as Totally Outright. CBRC’s Sex Now Survey has been the single most important source of the information needed to, not only, form HIM as a stand-alone health organization, but also as an ongoing source of information to ensure HIM’s programs and services remain evidence-based and informed by the people we work with.
Darren will begin his position at HIM on October 23rd, 2023, and in the spirit of partnership, Darren will continue his role co-directing the CBRC Summit which occurs on November 16-17th, 2023.
