Nelson Vergel

Nelson Vergel is the co-author of the book "Built to Survive", the founder of the Body Positive Wellness Clinic in Houston, and an expert speaker on exercise, nutrition, testosterone replacement, metabolism , sexual function and therapies to increase lean body mass and decrease fat. He has provided over 500 lectures in the past 15 years in the U.S. and overseas. He provides patient-friendly information accessible to all, no matter of their knowledge base.

Position: Founding Director (volunteer unpaid position)

Setting up, promoting and providing over 600 educational programs and CME programs in collaboration with AIDS Service Organizations all over the United States in English and Spanish to HIV-positive patients and their physicians, nurses and case managers about wellness, HIV treatments, multidrug resistance, adherence, side effect management, and quality of life issues. Assisting research groups at the AIDS Clinical Trials Group and pharmaceutical companies in designing community sensitive research protocols. Managing fundraising and public relations for the organization. Managing volunteers. Serving as community consultant to pharmaceutical companies in product launches and marketing programs. Moderating the largest HIV online listserve (pozhealth at yahoogroups.com), powerusa.org, facialwasting.org, and salvagetherapies.org. Volunteering as an expert on wellness at TheBody.com answering questions daily from patients with multidrug resistance and other health issues.

Body Positive Wellness Clinic 06/1998 – 01/2001 Houston, Texas

Position: Founding Director (volunteer unpaid position)

Designing, implementing and trouble-shooting a first-of-its-kind comprehensive wellness clinic in the US for people with HIV that included treatment education programs, exercise and physical therapy, nutritional counseling, hormonal treatments, stress management techniques, and research protocols. Managing a staff of 12 and a yearly budget of $650,000. Managing fundraising, public relations and research efforts. Empowering and motivating a board of 18 directors to attain goals and mission. Advocating for federal and foundation funding. Successfully developed the program and transitioned it to be part of the largest HIV comprehensive health provided in Houston for patients with low income (Legacy Health Services)