Valerie Wojciechowicz - Hostess and Guest Speaker

Valerie Wojciechowicz has overcome many obstacles in her life including addiction, obesity and HIV. She has used her experiences in battling these conditions and related stigmas to become a stronger woman and to use that strength to help others.

Facing her out-of-control addiction led Valerie to lose 90 lbs. and begin a career in fitness. She became a Motivational Speaker, Personal Trainer and Aerobics Instructor.  She came to see that she could help others by sharing her experiences and leading by example.

Being diagnosed with HIV changed her story and her focus in life. In addition to maintaining her weight loss and sobriety for more than 22 years she has become an HIV/AIDS Educator, testing counselor and mentor.  She provides education and inspiration to a wide variety of local groups and speaks nationally at conferences and trainings. Her passion is evident in her support of several non-profit organizations . She currently sits on the Board of Project Smile in Manatee County, and is a member of the Florida Statewide Consumer Advisory Group and National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA). She is also the founder of 4HIVHelp.com, a Web site designed to provide information and workshops to help individuals become more comfortable with their status and become empowered through education. Her story has helped many learn to reach inside and unlock their own potential and to believe in themselves regardless of their situation or past.

Valerie travels nationally with “Women Living Positive” summits where she provides information on the importance of exercise, nutrition and managing HIV. She also presents  workshops on “Disclosure” and “Compassion Fatigue” at conferences and trainings.  She also provides training for several Speakers Bureau’s.

In addition,  each year Valerie participates in “The Smart Ride” a 165 mile bike ride from Miami to Key West and has been featured on many radio and television programs, as well as gracing the cover of HIV Positive Magazine. She works tirelessly to educate in the hopes of prevention and to reduce the stigma so HIV’ers can live POSITIVE lives in all ways.  Please visit Valerie’s web site at www.4hivhelp.com

Dr. Michael Wohlfeiler- Featured Speaker

Dr. Michael Wohlfeiler is Medical Director of Special Immunology Services at Mercy Hospital in Miami, Florida. He began his professional career as an attorney after graduating from the University of Arizona College of Law. While in law school he received a scholarship to serve six months as a Staff Assistant with a subcommittee of the United States Senate Judiciary Committee while continuing his studies at Georgetown University Law School. After a brief and unhappy career as an attorney, he entered medical school at Rush Medical College in Chicago where he graduated Salutatorian in 1987. He completed his postgraduate training in internal medicine at the University of Miami. He began working with HIV/AIDS patients in 1988 when he became the study physician for the University of Miami's Biopsychosocial AIDS Project. After completing his residency training, he entered private practice with a focus on the care of persons with HIV/AIDS. In addition, he became involved in developing a new model of hospice care for terminally ill AIDS patients and served for 8 years as the Medical Director of a large AIDS hospice program. Dr. Wohlfeiler is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He is credentialed as an HIV Specialist by The American Board of HIV Medicine.

Dr. Wohlfeiler is a consulting member of Miami-Dade County's Ryan White Medical Care Subcommittee. He recently completed his term as Chair of the Florida Academy of HIV Medicine and is a member of the national Board of Directors for the American Academy of HIV Medicine. He has authored 2 chapters in books about end-of-life care for persons with AIDS and has published various peer-reviewed research articles and monographs. Dr. Wohlfeiler speaks locally, nationally, and internationally on issues related to HIV/AIDS and end-of-life care. He is involved extensively in HIV/AIDS clinical research trials. He serves as a Community Preceptor for medical students and residents attending the University of Miami. In 2002, the Ronald McDonald Foundation chose him as one of Miami's "Twelve Good Men". He has been selected three times for inclusion in the book The Best Doctors in America and has recently been appointed to the International Board of Directors of Amigos de las Americas, a youth-oriented non-profit organization that sends volunteers to Central and South America where they engage in a variety of developmental projects.

Nelson Vergel- Featured Speaker

Nelson Vergel is a former chemical engineer from Venezuela, is a 22 year HIV survivor who has become one of the leading treatment advocates and speakers in the US. He is the co-author of the book Built to Survive, the founder of the Body Positive Wellness Clinic in Houston, and the moderator of pozhealth, the discuss list, with the largest membership on the Internet. Nelson has lectured extensively in the past 15 years and will be coming on the cruise to talk about how to stay healthy and fit while living with HIV. For more information, visit www.nelsonvergel.com and www.medibolics.com