About Us

Welcome to Our Newly-Elected PSSC Board Chairperson

Sarah Pierre-Louis

WELCOME Sarah Pierre-Louis Incoming PSSC Board Chair 2026

Sarah Pierre-Louis is a Community Health Worker for the Sickle Cell Disease Association Philadelphia/ Delaware Valley Chapter. She is also a first-generation child of two Haitian immigrants and is currently living well with sickle cell disease. As a community health worker, she serves as a vital link between healthcare providers and the community, helping to improve health outcomes and access to care. Over time, Sarah's professional interests evolved to match her personal interest in public health and health equity. Sarah applies her past unique experiences and education in several healthcare areas and her intersecting personal experiences to her role at the agency. Her intersecting identities allow her to connect with the community through shared experiences, bringing a sense of comfort and understanding. She combines this with her education and official training to deliver high-quality, comprehensive encounters. She takes pride in being able to serve her community and build meaningful relationships. Her goals through her work is to make a positive impact and foster a sense of unity and support for all of those living with sickle cell disease.

REV. LORRAINE with PSSC STUDENT VOLUNTEERS

Project SPIRIT Sickle Cell ensures that young adults living with a diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease experience internal hope through a community-based spiritual resource designed to support them in managing the complexities of both life and health care treatments, aiding them in effectively responding to and managing life's challenges.

What began as a research study in 2015, has now grown to a thriving organization that aims to increase our client’s ability to cope, improve their self-efficacy, and build resiliency as they learn to navigate life challenges during their formative years.

OUR VALUES

The Project SPIRIT Sickle Cell Approach

OUR TEAM

Care isn't just what we do.

It's who we are.

CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Rev. Dr. Lorraine Brown, D.Min., RN

Rev. Dr. R. Lorraine Brown, DMin, RN, has extensive experience working with individuals/families affected by sickle cell, both as a pastor and registered nurse for over 50 years. The combination of education, skills and experience in nursing, public health, education, federal government program management, and ordained ministry allow her to lead and provide strategic direction, ensuring the project team meets the overall goals and objectives. Much of the thinking for establishing this community-based virtual spiritual support organization is based on lessons learned from sickle cell warriors regarding what they desire of a spiritual support program through surveys and focus groups. Rev. Lorraine, a Specialized Healthcare Chaplain, also serves as a chaplain for this program.

FOR QUESTIONS OR SPEAKING REQUESTS CONTACT: 240.784.1351 or rev.dr.rl@projectspiritsicklecell.org

CO-FOUNDER & PROGRAM MANAGER

Linda Drawhorn, MS, BSN, RN

Linda Drawhorn, MS, BSN, RN, and former Executive Director of LDR Healthcare Consulting has over 40 years’ working with individuals and families affected by SCD. Her work experience with sickle cell counseling, inpatient/outpatient health care, community health and project management for a federally funded SCD research project, informs the work of PSSC. Additionally, in her role as the PSSC sickle cell health educator and program nurse consultant, she provides training for our specialized community sickle cell chaplains and other volunteers. Her expertise has informed the conception and design of PSSC’s work since its inception in 2014.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR, COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER, CFO

Tisha Valle

Tisha Valle has taken the Community Health Worker (CHW) course. She supports the team by coordinating, managing and overseeing all aspects of PSSC’s programs and activities; monitors and approves expenditures; maintains records pertaining to all activities; manages marketing and performs outreach duties to engage communities; initiates and navigates the enrollment of participants and is the organizer for our support group activities; accepts referrals for spiritual counseling services; schedules and assists information technology (IT) support responsibilities; and is the tech for video conferencing virtual platforms.. She has been an integral member of the PSSC team since 2017.

PROGRAM EVALUATOR/QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA)CONSULTANT

Brenda Stone-Wiggins, Ph.D

Brenda Stone-Wiggins, Ph.D. has experience as a public health professional and community psychologist. Her role with PSSC as consultant advises the on-going program development, implementation and data analysis of all aspects of the program, evaluating implementation processes (lessons learned), identify areas for improvement and assessing program impact. She has been an integral team member with PSSC since 2016.

Sarah Pierre-Louis

BOARD CHAIR - ELECT

Patricia Fahey

BOARD VICE CHAIR

Rev. JoeAnn Walker

BOARD TREASURER

Tisha Valle

BOARD SECRETARY

Board Members