Our services are completely free. We offer full comprehensive STD/HIV services to men and transgender/gender non-conforming individuals. We offer only HIV testing for women, and are happy to provide resources for women looking for other sexual health services.
Meet Our Board
Our Board
Ken Barbeau
Board Treasurer
He, Him, His
Ken Barbeau is the Director of Community Programs & Services for the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee. Ken has been a volunteer at BESTD since 2006 and performs intake for STD clients and/or HIV clients. Since he has an accounting background, he also acts as BESTD Treasurer.
Dr. Andy Petroll
Medical Director
He, Him, His
Andy is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin in the Division of Infectious Diseases where he specializes in the care and prevention of HIV. He also holds an appointment as an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and conducts research at MCW’s Center for AIDS Intervention Research. His research interest is understanding and improving the function of the healthcare system in the prevention of HIV. Dr. Petroll currently serves as the Medical Director for the Board.
Ryan Schmidt
Board Member
He, Him, His
Ryan began volunteering at BESTD in 2022 and is involved with HIV counseling and STD testing. He works as an Emergency Department Technician, and is interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Ryan is passionate about HIV care and prevention and strives to reduce the inequalities and stigmas surrounding HIV. In his free time, he enjoys taking care of his plants, running, and the outdoors.
Emma Nelson
Board Secretary
She, Her, Hers
Emma Nelson is a Linkage to Care Specialist in the Froedtert Infectious Disease & Inclusions Health Clinics at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Emma brings a decade of experience working with people living with HIV to BESTD. She began volunteering with the clinic in 2017 and joined as the Secretary of the BESTD Board of Directors in 2018. Emma is passionate about social justice, civil rights, and environmental activism. She is a news and politics junkie, loves nature and hiking, and is a proud aunt and cat mom.
Bryan Cerro
Board Member
He, Him, His
Bryan is a Medical Laboratory Scientist that works in a clinical oncology laboratory. He graduated with a degree in Biomedical Science - Clinical laboratory science from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in 2014 and has been volunteering at the STD Lab at BESTD since that time. He joined the board in 2020.
Kevin Robertson, MD
Board Member
He, Him, His
Kevin is an Assistant Professor in the division of Family and Community Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. His clinical practice is focused on the LGBTQ+ population including transgender health, HIV primary care, and prevention of HIV. He is passionate about health equity, the outdoors, board games, and his dog, Diane.
Wolf
Board Member
He, They
Wolf is a current medical student at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is interested in Family and Community Medicine and has a passion for LGBTQ+ health and gender affirming care. Wolf has been volunteering with BESTD since 2021. He loves being outside, doing art, and spending time with his two beautiful children (cats).
Ronnie Rivera
Board Member
He, Him, His
Ronnie Rivera was born in Chicago and was raised in the city as well as the suburb of Elk Grove Village. Ronnie moved to Wisconsin, where he received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in social work with a minor in LGBTQ+ studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. After graduating, Ronnie moved to Milwaukee, where he continued his career as a social worker.
Over the next seven years, Ronnie worked in the social work realm providing services that are culturally sustaining, equity focused, and trauma informed to people who have historically been excluded and forgotten. Ronnie worked as a school social worker for more than five years before entering his current role as coordinator for the MPS Department of Gender & Identity Inclusion.
Outside of MPS, Ronnie also works at Courage House MKE, the first and only group home in the state of Wisconsin that specifically houses LGBTQ+ residents in the system. Ronnie brings a vast array of LGBTQ+ expertise and draws on professional and personal experiences as someone who identifies as queer, Taíno, and Puerto Rican.
Outside of work, Ronnie is a proud husband, son, and older sibling. He enjoys listening to Bad Bunny’s newest song or reading the latest novels.