On April 1, David E. Munar started his tenure as CEO of the Columbus, Ohio-based non-profit health system Equitas.
The date marked the latest chapter for Munar, who previously helmed AIDS Foundation Chicago and, most recently, Howard Brown Health—which he led for a decade of aggressive expansion before stepping down in February. Under his leadership, the organization acquired its Federally Qualified Health Center status and opened a number of satellite offices, as well as a new building in Lake View. The organization, however, has had a number of labor-related issues in recent years.
Recently, Munar talked with Windy City Times about stark differences between Equitas and Howard Brown, as well as adjusting to a new city and state.
NOTE: This conversation was edited for clarity and length.
Windy City Times: What's been the biggest adjustment going from Chicago to Columbus?
David E. Munar: Well, everything's an adjustment. I just moved to Columbus very recently, so I've discovered a whole new community and city. The biggest difference is not having my network and having to understand the organizations and politics. But there's a strong LGBTQ community in Ohio, and particularly in Columbus. I've already made friends at organizations like Stonewall Columbus and I'm relying on my new colleagues at Equitas.
Equitas has offices all over the state, as opposed to just traveling all over Chicago for Howard Brown. I was in Dayton yesterday and I stopped in Lima, Toledo (whose office grew out of hospice called David's House) and Akron. I'm also visiting Portsmouth and Youngstown. It's going to take two weeks to go to all the locations around the state.
I am a Chicagoan through and through, though.
WCT: Please tell the readers what Equitas is all about.
DEM: Equitas is a 40-year-old organization that started as several HIV-related organizations that eventually merged.
The organization provides HIV care and prevention, and primary care for the LGBTQ community at five locations across the state. Then there are another six or seven locations that are providing HIV prevention, harm reduction, outreach, anti-violence services, and services for the transgender/non-binary community. It has a big focus on gender-affirming care and its legacy is HIV work.
WCT: Equitas' recent past leadership has a [questionable] history. In 2021, Bill Hardy stepped down amid allegations of racism and, in 2023, interim CEO Robert Copeland stepped down—and no one seems to know why. Employees were a bit disgruntled, even launching a petition for access to Equitas' board of trustees over the issue. So will one of your primary challenges be to reach out to employees and make Equitas "one big happy family?"
DEM: Oh, absolutely. That is paramount because our organization depends on the workforce to deliver essential services and to connect with constituents. I'm on day seven of this new job and I'm out in the field meeting new staff—and I've been really transparent with folks. I want to understand where we are and to receive what people need. I just get an assessment of things, with input from staff. And there's anxiety about transitions that have occurred and people who have left; people feel unsure about their places in the organization.
I'm here to do what I can to steady the organization, and amplify the talent that we have—that's one of the things that attracted me to Equitas. This organization is very vital and Ohio has been going through a lot. The governor [Republican Mike DeWine] vetoed a really repulsive anti-trans law, and the legislature overrode his veto. That is really problematic, as it affects gender-diverse young people who seek gender-affirming care. But the governor has proposed regulation through the Department of Health that would further impede gender-affirming care for young people and would create a mandate for all people who receive [that] care to register with the health department.
It's certainly a reminder for me, who comes from a blue state like Illinois, that there are real dangers facing our community. That's why Equitas is so vital in this state; it's an oasis for people who might not otherwise receive affirming care. We're advocating vigorously and this [measure] is back in the legislature in the joint committee for administrative roles. And that law that was recently passed is the subject of a lawsuit—thank you, ACLU. But this is what we're up against, and we're bracing for what the November elections will bring for the continuum of care should there be a change in the White House that results in funding cuts.
This is a reminder that progress is not a straight line.
WCT: And I had forgotten that you moved from a blue state to a red one.
DEM: Yeah—but, in some ways, that made me more interested in the job. The people we serve through Equitas really, really need compassionate care and they really need help. The state is using its power to come after us, and it's augmenting the culture of hate. That's why we need to continue to provide essential services. Most places don't have a Howard Brown or an Equitas, unfortunately.
WCT: What would you like to say about your reasons for leaving Howard Brown?
DEM: I left at the 10-year mark for a variety of reasons. I'm proud of what I was able to accomplish.
When I joined, we were a smaller and struggling organization, and I think I left it in a better place—plus I managed it through COVID. Ten years turned out to be a capstone for me. Certainly, finishing the new building on Halsted was a [high point] as well. So I was ready for a change of pace and put my energy into something new.
I also felt that my decision could help heal. Some blame me for all sorts of challenges, particularly around employee relations and unionization. If my exit helps the organization turn a corner and continue to thrive, then that's great. But I really needed a change of pace, and this opportunity presented itself when I was marking 10 years.
WCT: If Equitas had not courted you, would you still have left Howard Brown?
DEM: Well, it was going to be a moment of examination anyway, in terms of my career. I turn 55 this year and it's 10 years before I retire—although I've never worked anywhere less than 10 years. [Laughs] So I was really thinking about my next move, and this just presented itself.
WCT: What's your message to Chicago and Howard Brown?
DEM: Before I left, I did communicate… It was an incredible honor to lead the organization for 10 years—and it was incredibly hard. It means so much to me; it was where I was diagnosed with HIV 30 years ago. I have so much faith that the best is yet to come for Howard Brown because of the talented workforce and the legacy of service. I know that, despite the challenges that are there now, this organization will continue to be influential in serving our community for decades. I don't know if I navigated everything as well as I could have, but hindsight is 20/20; I learned a lot.
Healthcare delivery in our country is so complicated and challenging—and that's one of the reasons that Howard Brown and Equitas exist: to help mend the chaotic system for vulnerable patients. I feel proud of the contributions I made, and also am proud to let go. Change is good; it invites new leadership, energy and ideas. Hopefully, for those who are holding on, it'll provide some healing and growth. I'm excited to see what the next [form of] leadership will bring.
WCT: Is there anything you want to add?
DEM: My new staff will kill me if I don't mention that we have an AIDS Walk on April 20. We're trying to raise $250,000 and RuPaul's Drag Race's Jujubee will host.
For more about Equitas Health, visit equitashealth.com . Information about Equitas' AIDS walk is at www.classy.org/event/aids-walk-ohio-2024/e543651 .
