DDP E-Bulletin: March 2026

Posted on March 26, 2026March 31, 2026 by DDP PR Coordinator

VDH recently released a clinician letter with HIV and syphilis updates for Virginia providers.

While the total number of new HIV diagnoses in 2024 was lower than 2023, there are increasing trends among youth and Hispanic/Latino populations. These trends should be known by providers, community partners, and health districts to better advise testing, prevention, and care efforts.

VDH updated the Virginia syphilis screening recommendations for reproductive-aged sexually active people (15-44 years). The guidelines use the 2024 rate of syphilis of all stages among women aged 15-44 to identify counties with “high syphilis rates”

- In counties where this rate is high – above 4.6 cases/100,000 population – screening for syphilis is recommended for all sexually active people ages 15-44
- In counties where this rate is below 4.6 cases/100,000 population, providers should continue to assess individual risk factors to determine testing needs as outlined in the CDC Screening Guidelines

Why we made this change:

- The Virginia syphilis screening guidelines aim to reduce syphilis and congenital syphilis rates. Congenital syphilis cases are at historic highs in Virginia and nationwide. Cases of syphilis among women continue to increase.
- Congenital syphilis cases can result from maternal infection at any stage of syphilis during pregnancy, not just primary or secondary stages.
- Prior to this change, the rate was limited to primary and secondary syphilis cases. A majority (79%) of Virginia women are diagnosed in later stages; only 21% were diagnosed in the primary and secondary stages in 2024.
- Expanding the guidelines to include the rate of all stages of syphilis ensures a more accurate representation of counties with high syphilis rates among

The Living Beyond our Status (LBoS) Gathering 2026 will be held April 17-18. The event will be at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Richmond. LBoS is for Virginians 50 years or older and living with HIV, or for Virginians that have been living with HIV for 15+ years. The event will include sessions on health and wellness and skills building events.

Any eligible consumers can register now using the registration button below or clicking on the flyer to the side.

Contact Marquietta Alston at marquietta.alston@vdh.virginia.gov if you have any questions about LBoS.

The MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center (MAAETC) local partner site, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), will be partnering with VDH, HIV case managers, and the Ryan White Program to host the 11th Annual Virginia Ryan White Case Management Summit.

The summit will be held, virtually, on Tuesday April 21, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and Wednesday, April 22, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Note: the date from the e-bulletin email that went out in February has been corrected. The web version was corrected as soon as the error was identified.

The summit is open to all medical and non-medical case managers, HOPWA case managers, service navigators, community health workers, and others providing case management services to Virginians with HIV.

The theme of this year’s summit is Empowering New Pathways: The Work Continues. Session topics will include:

- HIV/AIDS in 2026
- Partnering through internships and interprofessional education to support the next generation of the HIV workforce
- The use of technology in HIV case management
- Anger, de-escalation, and resiliency in case management
- Supporting health aging through nutrition
- Regional breakout sessions
- And more!

For questions, contact Rob Rodney, Director of the HIV Education Program at VCU, at robert.rodney@vcuhealth.org.

DDP is finalizing plans for digital advertisements that will begin in April/May and run for six weeks. These ads will focus on HIV and STD testing, syphilis/congenital syphilis, PrEP, and DoxyPEP. They will be delivered to audiences and geographic areas with higher HIV and STD incidence.

Local health departments and community partners may see an increase in traffic to their programs as a result of this messaging.

For any questions regarding DDP marketing initiatives, please contact Chris Barnett, DDP Public Relations Coordinator, at christopher.barnett@vdh.virginia.gov.

DDP staff is working on edits to the Virginia Integrated HIV Services Plan. We are currently in the planning stages of 2027-2031 version of the plan. The current plan objectives and information can be found on the DDP plan webpage.

A Virginia Integrated Services Plan Town Hall was held on March 4, 2026. During this meeting staff discussed the current plan, talked about the 2027-2031 plan, and asked consumers and other stakeholders what needs there were around HIV prevention and care in the Commonwealth. The recording from the town hall can be found online.

VDH staff will hold additional meetings to discuss regional needs as they continue to shape the Virginia Integrated HIV Services Plan 2027-2031.

Welcome

HIV Care Services welcomes their new Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part B Fiscal Compliance Auditor, Scott MacCrimmon! Scott has a bachelor's degree in finance from Longwood University. He also has a Master of Business and Science from Mississippi State University. Before joining DDP, he worked as a Fiscal Auditor for the Office of Family Health Services. Scott loves traveling, scuba diving, horseback riding, archery, bowling, and working out at the gym. He has 2 great-nieces and loves being the cool uncle! He also has a golden retriever named Molly, who is his "baby girl." Scott is certified in CPR and is a part-time Wellness Coach at the YMCA. Scott can be reached at scott.maccrimmon@vdh.virginia.gov.

Farewell

HIV and Hepatitis Prevention bid a fond farewell to Aieshia Brooks as she prepares to depart for another state agency position. She has served as the contract administrator for Status Neutral Service Navigation (SNSN) with DDP for six years, joining the division after working at DIS at a local health department.

During her time with DDP, Aieshia has led and coordinated several key programs and projects, including leading the RFP process for SNSN, adapting and enhancing the SNSN program to support braided funding, and partnering with community organizations to host Mind, Body, and Soul events. She has also consistently supported colleagues by assisting with editing and developing program manuals.

Aieshia’s last day with VDH was March 24, 2026. We extend our heartfelt thanks for her dedication and contributions, and we wish her great success in her new role.

While her position is being recruited, please contact Adyam Redae at adyam.redae@vdh.virginia.gov with any questions. Any SNSN questions or needs, please contact Olivia Allison at olivia.allison@vdh.virginia.gov.

The Division of Disease Prevention is hiring for the position of HIV and Hepatitis Surveillance Director. This position oversees the work of the HIV and Hepatitis Surveillance unit which includes:

- HIV Surveillance core duties,
- viral hepatitis B and C surveillance and special projects,
- Medical Monitoring Project,
- National HIV/AIDS Behavioral Surveillance program,
- Network Detection and Response, and
- the HIV Analyst team.

This position works across all DDP work units and collaborates with other Office of Epidemiology teams for program implementation and strategic planning.

Town Hall: Virginia Integrated HIV Prevention & Care Plan

Posted on March 19, 2026March 31, 2026 by DDP PR Coordinator

VDH held a town hall on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 6pm ET.

Purpose of the Townhall:

The aim of the March 4th town hall was to briefly explain the background and purpose of the Virginia Integrated HIV Prevention and Care Services Plan to the public, discuss the timeline for the next plan's submission, and to gather public input into the development of the 2027-2031 plan.

Next Steps:

Next steps include hosting regional town halls and continuing to develop and submit the 2027-2031 plan in June 2026.

DDP E-Bulletin: February 2026

Posted on February 20, 2026April 1, 2026 by DDP PR Coordinator

The new site for Resource Connections has launched! With the relaunch we've also rebranded it to call it “The RC” in short. Call it whichever you prefer – we'll know what you mean!

The old site is no longer, but the old URL now automatically redirects to the new. The new URL for The RC is https://therc.vdh.virginia.gov. You’ll find that the new website has a brand-new interface and design. Additionally, the new site uses the Connect 211 functionality like Virginia 211.

VDH staff regularly review and update agency data to ensure accuracy. Most agencies that have an HIV prevention or care funding contract have a requirement in those contracts that they must update their agency’s data in The RC on an annual basis at minimum.

Agencies will not be able to update their own information at this time. It is estimated that this functionality will be restored within the next six months. We will communicate when agency data self-service is restored. A training will also be offered at that time. Until then, any agencies that have outdated information on The RC should request their agency information/data updates to the Disease Prevention Hotline at hiv-stdhotline@vdh.virginia.gov.

11th Annual Virginia Ryan White Case Management Summit

The summit will be held, virtually, on Tuesday April 21, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and Wednesday, April 22, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The theme of this year’s summit is Empowering New Pathways: The Work Continues. Session topics will include:

- HIV/AIDS in 2026
- Partnering through internships and interprofessional education to support the next generation of the HIV workforce
- The use of technology in HIV case management
- Anger, de-escalation, and resiliency in case management
- Supporting health aging through nutrition
- Regional breakout sessions
- And more!

For questions, contact Rob Rodney, Director of the HIV Education Program at VCU, at robert.rodney@vcuhealth.org.

National Women and Girl's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

National Women and Girl’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is on March 10, 2026. This year marks the 20th annual observance of NWGHAAD.

You can help raise awareness of this observance by:

- Using messaging and graphics from the following organizations:
- Sharing VDH & DDP social media posts
- Using the hashtag #NWGHAAD on any relevant posts you create of your own
- Access information on HIV and women and hold HIV outreach and testing events for women for NWGHAAD

Learn more about NWGHAAD on the WomensHealth.gov NWGHAAD page.

National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week

National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week is coming up March 16th through the 20th. The week calls for healthcare professionals, advocates, and community leaders to collaborate to address and provide LGBTQ healthcare and health equity.

Visit the healthlgbtq.org website to learn more about the week and find resources and graphics to share on your website or social media.

LGBTQ Equity in HIV Prevention and Treatment Series

The National Coalition for LGBTQ Health offers a multi-module series in collaboration with HealthHIV to strength capacity to provide care to LGBTQ persons.

The module is a FREE self-paced CME accredited program composed of five, 30-minute module addressing strategies to reduce HIV disparities among LGBTQ populations.

The target audience for the modules include:

- Primary care providers
- HIV care providers
- LGBTQ health providers
- General practitioners
- Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Patients and caregivers

All modules are certified, and participants can earn up to 3.75 credits/contact hours (CME, MOC, AAPA, ANCC, CPE, ASWB, APA) for completion of all program components.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Posted on February 6, 2026February 6, 2026 by DDP PR Coordinator

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: February 7

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is observed on February 7 each year. It exists to raise awareness about the impact of HIV on Black and African American communities. It was first observed in 1999 and highlights the importance of decreasing stigma and increasing community involvement. Improving access to HIV education, prevention, testing, and HIV care are focuses of NBHAAD, as well.

Virginia data

As is the case across the U.S., Black and African American communities are more impacted by HIV in Virginia. In 2024, while Black/African American communities made up 19.12% of Virginia’s population, they accounted for 50.2% of new HIV diagnoses and 56% of people with HIV in Virginia that year. The figure below shows the rate of new HIV diagnoses by race and ethnicity per 100,000 persons. Using rates allows for the comparison across different population sizes.

You can find additional HIV, STD, and viral hepatitis data on our website.

Causes

According to KFF, several challenges may contribute to the epidemic among Black people. These include experiences with:

- Higher rates of poverty
- Lack of access to health care
- Higher rates of some sexually transmitted infections
- Lower awareness of HIV status
- Stigma and discrimination
- Combating Stigma

How can you help combat stigma? Talk openly about HIV to help normalize the subject. This helps others learn about HIV and correct myths and misinformation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a stigma language guide that can help with these talks.

We can all help end HIV stigma through our words and actions in everyday life. Be a role model for positive and supportive behavior. Check out some scenarios from CDC to see how you can model positive behavior when you witness HIV stigma.

Access testing and prevention services near you

Free or low-cost HIV, STD, and viral hepatitis testing is available throughout Virginia. VDH funds local health departments, clinics, and community organizations to offer testing services if you do not have a primary care provider. To learn more about testing in Virginia or to find testing near you, visit our testing webpage.

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for HIV is available as a pill taken daily, or a shot taken every other month or every six months. PrEP prevents getting HIV through sexual contact about 99% of the time when taken as prescribed. VDH provides funds to locations throughout the Commonwealth to offer HIV PrEP.

Additionally, there are also post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) options to prevent HIV and STDs. PEP for HIV involves taking a course of medications to prevent HIV infection. It is critical that these medications are started within 72 hours of a potential exposure. DoxyPEP involves taking the antibiotic doxycycline after unprotected sex to prevent getting a bacterial STD. DoxyPEP is available at most local health departments.

If you’re interested in PrEP or PEP, visit our PrEP and PEP webpage to learn more or find a PrEP clinic near you. As noted above, nPEP is extremely time-sensitive, so please call your provider or our hotline if you believe you have been exposed to HIV and need PEP. To learn more about DoxyPEP, read our DoxyPEP fact sheet.

VDH’s response

VDH’s Division of Disease Prevention has multiple programs that address HIV prevention and treatment. This includes:

- Funding, oversight, resources, or support to local health departments, community, and/or clinical organizations for:
- HIV, STD, and viral hepatitis testing programs
- Patient linkages and referrals
- Education and outreach programs
- Comprehensive harm reduction programs
- Condom distribution
- PrEP, PEP, and DoxyPEP distribution
- Disease intervention services
- Data collection and follow-up
- Community planning groups
- HIV care services
- And more!

Learn more about the services that VDH provides on our website. If you want to become involved in any of our community groups, visit our Get Involved page.

Reach out for support

If you have any questions or need additional support, contact the Virginia Disease Prevention Hotline. Hotline counselors are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Virginia state holidays.

The hotline number is (800) 533-4148 and is toll free.

Hotline staff can help connect you to programs and needed resources throughout Virginia.

DDP E-Bulletin: January 2026

Posted on January 22, 2026January 23, 2026 by DDP PR Coordinator

STD Prevention and Control Grant Extension

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced another 12-month extension to the Strengthening STD Prevention and Control for Health Departments (STD PCHD) grant. The extension will cover the period of March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027.

The intent of the extension is to provide flat funding; however, future reductions in the award amount are possible depending on the outcome of federal budget negotiations in Congress. The STD PCHD grant funds STD prevention and surveillance activities in US state and city health departments.

HIV Care Services Coverage

Most staff and community partners are aware that Kimberly Scott has announced her retirement and will have went out on leave prior to her retirement date prior to this newsletter being distributed. Her official retirement announcement is included in this month’s edition.

While the director position for HIV Care Services is being recruited, please note that the following staff will be covering:

- Allison Green, Senior Program Advisor to Ryan White Part B (RWPB) will be the Acting Director for HIV Care Services. She can be reached at allison.green@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-8065
- Jonathan Albright, Grants Manager for RWBPB will serve as acting Program Director and Primary Investigator for RWPB. He can be reached at jonathan.albright@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-380-6445.
- As always, please continue to contact Kimberly Eley, Assistant Director for Medication Access, for any VA MAP needs. She can be reached at kimberly.eley@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-8018.

New Recombinant Mpox Strain Identified in England

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) identified a new recombinant mpox virus in English in December 2025 in an individual who had recently traveled to Asia. Genomic sequencing of the virus showed that the mpox genome contained elements of both clade Ib and clade IIb mpox.

This development is not surprising given that viruses evolve and highlights the importance of continued genomic surveillance.

Read the full statement from UKHSA.

A notice from the CDC went out to public health laboratories updating guidance for monkeypox virus testing protocol. People who have been exposed to mpox or who are at risk of exposure should receive the mpox vaccine.

In Virginia, 36 mpox cases were reported in 2025, compared to 27 in 2024, and 12 in 2023. Visit the VDH mpox website for data and other resources.

Public Hearing: HIV Care and Treatment Services

VDH invites the general public and those with vested interest in the HIV care and treatment services to discuss the impact of HIV in your communities. This includes people with lived experience, community advocates, medical and non-medical HIV care providers, etc.

This virtual public hearing will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. through the Microsoft Teams platform. There is an option to call in by phone. You will need to register to attend the meeting.

If you would like to participate, please use the button below. After completing the registration, you will receive a confirmation to the email you provide. A separate email will be sent with the Microsoft Team meeting information including the dial-in option.

For more information, questions, or if you need help registering, please contact Ashley Yocum, Care Services Planner, at ashley.yocum@vdh.virginia.gov or (804) 864-7621.

MAAETC Preceptorship Clinical Scholars Program

The MidAtlantic AETC is offering a Preceptorship Clinical Scholars Program for the Spring/Summer of 2026. The virtual 2-day session will take place March 16 and 17. On-site learning will take place with MAAETC local partner sites and be coordinated with appropriate clinical preceptors.

Educational topics will include, but not be limited to:

- Initial patient encounters
- Antiretroviral prescribing
- Interactions between STIs and HIV
- Mpox
- Viral hepatitis
- Prevention strategies
- PrEP/PEP
- Co-morbidities
- Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
- Chronic disease management
- And more!

The program is intended for clinicians employed within the MidAtlantic region, particularly those involved in HIV testing, treatment, and supportive services. The training content has been tailored to address the educational needs of healthcare professionals in Virginia and other MidAtlantic states and territories.

Continuing education units are provided as long as the requirements of the activity are met.

Hepatitis C Virus Clearance Dashboard (2022-2023)

The Virginia Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Clearance Cascade is a framework to monitor how many people are tested for HCV, how many are infected, and how many are cured. The cascade was developed using CDC guidelines. To be included, a person had to have a positive hepatitis C test result from 2022 through 2023. Laboratory results were evaluated through 2024 to allow for enough time for people to get confirmatory HCV testing, establish hepatitis C care and treatment, to allow for post-treatment testing, and natural clearance of the virus. This dashboard will be updated annually.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Retirement: Kimberly Scott

DDP bids a fond farewell to Kimberly Scott as she retires from her position as the Director of the HIV Care Services (HCS) unit. Kimberly joined VDH after serving as a Senior Program Officer for the National Academy of Sciences/Institute of Medicine in Washington D.C. She has worked in the health field for over 40 years, including VDH for over ten years. Kimberly served as the Assistant Director of HCS before becoming the Director in 2016. Under Kimberly’s direction, the HCS unit had historic client enrollment in health insurance coverage, the initiation of a rapid access pilot program to immediately provide antiretroviral therapy for people newly diagnosed with HIV, increased services for people with HIV at local health departments, and building and expanding telemedicine infrastructure for people with HIV to receive specialty care, thereby reducing patient appointment wait times from six months to two weeks in rural areas. Kimberly oversaw a team committed to serving people with HIV with a whole person-centered approach to help them start and stay in care. During her time at VDH, Kimberly and her team instituted Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) changes such as moving health insurance enrollment to an enrollment assistance provider, Benalytics, and transitioning medication pickups to Walgreens for easier client accessibility. Kimberly also collaborated on behalf of VDH with Washington D.C. and Maryland RWHAP programs on HIV service planning, funding allocations, and service delivery system strengthening for the “DMV” (DC, MD, and VA). She successfully did the same for RWHAP Part A in the Norfolk Transitional Grant Area (TGA). Kimberly will be missed by her colleagues, and patients will remember her as an advocate for the uninsured/underinsured and all those with HIV.

Kimberly’s retirement date is set for January 31, 2026, with her last working day on January 12. She wishes good health and happiness in her retirement.

Welcome

DDP welcomes Carlos Aleman Cortez to the Division! He is an Old Dominion University graduate student pursuing his MPH with a concentration in epidemiology. He will be working with HIV and Hepatitis Prevention as an intern while completing his practicum through April 2026. Carlos originally planned to pursue a career in nursing or as a physician assistant. However, after taking some courses on health research and epidemiology during his undergraduate studies at James Madison University, he developed a stronger interest in public health. Over the last four years, he’s worked at OrthoVirginia in Arlington as both a Medical Scribe and Medical Assistant. Although he values direct patient care, he has found that focusing on population and community health aligns more closely with his long-term interests. Through his graduate training, he has developed a strong interest in infectious and chronic disease surveillance and data analysis using statistical software such as SAS. He is eager to continue building skills and gain more hands-on, applied experience. He is also very interested in learning more about how public health programs are developed, implemented, and evaluated in practice. Carlos can be reached at carlos.alemancortez@vdh.virginia.gov.

Farewell

Hunter Newland, HIV Care Services Data Analyst, departed VDH on January 15, 2026. Hunter has been with the HCS team for the past two and half years and was extremely instrumental in building out what we now know as the HCS data team. She built and maintained countless dashboards and REDCap projects which have helped to drive the HCS data team's goals of automation and data modernization. In addition to that, she led the hiring and onboarding of UEA auditors, another project seeing recent success. She is extremely talented as it relates to the field of data analytics and epidemiology, but she has also taken our hearts with her kindness and desire to go the extra mile, even without being asked.

She will be missed dearly, but her colleagues are so happy to see her try something new with all the new tools she has acquired from the time spent with VA RWPB program. DDP and her HCS colleagues wish her the best in her future endeavors. While her position is being recruited, please contact Tinika McIntosh-Amouzouvi at tinika.mcintosh@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-7972.

DDP E-Bulletin: December 2025

Posted on December 16, 2025December 17, 2025 by DDP PR Coordinator

From Our New Director

Hello! My name is Rachel Stallings, and I am the new Director of the Division of Disease Prevention.

I’m very excited to start in this new role and continue the excellent work of DDP. I look forward to continuing to support the work of our community partners.

I’m a native of northeastern Ohio. I played lacrosse at Virginia Tech while completing my B.S. in Biology. I then went on to complete my MPH with a concentration in Infectious Disease. Most of my free time is spent with my family (my husband, our two young girls, and our dog).

Since joining DDP in 2015, I have worked within three of the four DDP units:

- STD Prevention and Surveillance
- HIV & Hepatitis Prevention
- HIV & Hepatitis Surveillance

I look forward to meeting new colleagues and working with those of you I already know in a new capacity! Please reach out if anyone needs anything as we begin our work together. My email is rachel.stallings@vdh.virginia.gov.

Wishing you all happy holidays.

Health Benefits Enrollment for VA MAP Clients

2026 ACA Open Enrollment

Client enrollment for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans began November 10, 2025, instead of November 1, 2025.

Only ACA enrollments completed through Benalytics will be accepted by the program.

2026 Medicare Open Enrollment

Medicare open enrollment began October 15 and continues through December 7. Enrollment assister, Benalytics, assists clients with enrollment into Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part C or D). Some carriers have made changes to their plan offerings for 2026. Benalytics can assist clients with finding prescription drug plans that meet their medication needs and provider needs (if enrolling into a Part C/Medicare Advantage).

Enrollment appointments can be made through the appointment tool on the co-branded website, myvamap.com, or by calling the dedicated toll-free line, 855-483-4647.

Clients must provide their 2026 Medicare information to Benalytics by January 15, 2026.

Open Enrollment Fact Sheet Open Enrollment Fact Sheet (Spanish)

HIV Care and Treatment Services Town Hall

VDH is hosting a town hall for the general public and those with vested interest in HIV care and treatment services to discuss the impact of HIV in their communities. This includes people with lived experiences, community advocates, medical and non-medical care providers, etc.

The town hall will be held virtually on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will also be a call-in option for those without computer access. To register for the town hall, please sign up through REDCap.

For more information, questions, or if you need help registering, please contact Ashley Yocum, Care Services Planner, at ashley.yocum@vdh.virginia.gov or (804) 864-7621.

DDP Condom Program Update

The state contract with Global Protection has still not been resolved. However, VDH can fulfill condom orders for agencies based on current supply. DDP's current condom inventory is actively changing. Due to this, DDP has removed the order form from the community partners’ webpage and asks that you email the Disease Prevention Hotline at hiv-stdhotline@vdh.virginia.gov for the most updated form.

As a reminder, community-based organizations and local health districts are eligible to participate in the DDP Condom Distribution Program. Organizations that participate in the program may order up to 100,000 condoms each year. Agencies with multiple locations/sites may be approved to order more.

Please contact the Disease Prevention Hotline if you are interested in becoming a distribution site, for the most current order form, or for general questions about the program, at hiv-stdhotline@vdh.virginia.gov.

MidAtlantic AETC Training & Resources

The MidAtlantic AETC continues to offer regular training courses. Through December 2025 and January 2026 there are numerous courses that are required for staff providing rapid HIV testing in Virginia (HIV Facts and Fundamentals).

Search for training courses near you for you or your staff.

The AETC has also created pocket guides in electronic format available for viewing and download. Some of the topics include:

- Mental Health and HIV
- Key Concepts in Motivational Interviewing
- Lessons in Patient Assessment & Engagement
- Non-Occupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (nPEP)
- HIV Case Finding for Persons with Substance Use Disorder

Access the more than ten clinical pocket guides on the AETC website.

DDP Security & Confidentiality Policies and Procedures

Each year DDP sends out DDP Security and Confidentiality Policies and Procedures for all staff and agencies that handle, use, enter, or analyze DDP confidential paper records, electronic records, or data. DDP staff have an internal process to acknowledge these policies and procedures.

Non-DDP staff have a separate process. Non-DDP staff include external contractors, service providers, and data recipients. The non-DDP staff policies and procedures can be found on the community partners webpage.

These policies and procedures have been sent to non-DDP responsible parties as of December 10, 2025. Anyone who received these policies should review them and complete the REDCap verification form by December 31, 2025. All other non-DDP staff should sign the Verification of Receipt form by December 31, 2025, and retain the forms on site for review by your DDP contract monitor at your annual site visit.

For questions regarding the process for non-DDP staff to complete this REDCap form, or if you believe you received the document by mistake, please contact Brianna Carey, HIV Counseling, Testing, & Referral Program Coordinator, at brianna.carey@vdh.virginia.gov.

Note: if you are a DDP staff member and have not received an email requesting that you review the policies and procedures, please contact Christina Martone, HIV Network Detection and Response Program Coordinator, at christina.martone@vdh.virginia.gov.

Personnel Announcements

Congratulations

The Office of Epidemiology and DDP offer congratulations to Rachel Stallings, who was recently promoted to Director of the Division of Disease Prevention. Read her highlight at the beginning of the e-bulletin for more information!

Jenny Kienzle is the Acting Director of the HIV and Hepatitis Surveillance (HHS) Unit until the position is filled. Jenny can be reached at jennifer.kienzle@vdh.virginia.gov for any HHS needs.

Farewell

Reid Auchterlonie, HIV Data Analyst, had her last day with VDH on December 12, 2025. Reid was with the DDP surveillance team for nearly a year and provided great insight and innovation on multiple projects, including updating and recreating dashboards; creating data entry tools; and conducting data trainings for multiple prevention programs. Until the position is filled, if you need assistance on projects Reid worked on, please contact Lauren Maxwell at L.maxwell@vdh.virginia.gov.

World AIDS Day: December 1

Posted on November 21, 2025November 21, 2025 by DDP PR Coordinator

Worlds AIDS Day has been observed on December 1 each year since 1988. Every year, communities stand together, united with the red ribbon. We remember those who have been lost, unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and raise awareness to prevent new cases of HIV.

What’s happening in Virginia?

During the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures, patients were less likely to seek routine screening and testing, and as a result Virginia reported fewer new cases during that time. The total number of HIV cases annually in Virginia have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Certain communities continue to be impacted by HIV more than others. Youth, ages 15-19, saw a 41% increase in new HIV cases from 2023 to 2024. Black and Hispanic/Latino persons have seen a 27% increase in new cases each year since 2022.

There are over 28,000 people living with HIV in the Commonwealth of Virginia. More than 75% of people with HIV in Virginia are men, and over half are 50 or older. While Black, non-Hispanic people make up 19% of the population in the Commonwealth, 56% of people with HIV identify as Black, non-Hispanic in Virginia.

Find more detailed HIV statistics on the data and reports page and the HIV data dashboard.

Scientific Progress

Major advances in science have been made since HIV/AIDS was first discovered. HIV testing is fast, reliable, and available at any local health department or healthcare provider. Testing is the only way to know if you have HIV. Not everyone has symptoms during the onset of the infection. Having a sexually transmitted disease (STD) can make it easier to get or transmit HIV.

Find HIV and STD testing near you on the VDH testing page. Learn more about HIV prevention on the HIV prevention page.

HIV Treatment

Advances in HIV treatment help people with HIV live long and healthy lives.

It is proven that when a person with HIV has reached and sustains an undetectable viral load, they will not transmit HIV to their partner sexually. An undetectable viral load means that the number of copies of the virus in the body cannot be detected by certain tests. This is often referred to as Undetectable=Untransmittable, or “U=U.”

Getting into medical care and starting treatment immediately is important. The sooner a person with HIV starts HIV treatment, the better their health outcomes will be.

Have Questions or Need Help?

If you or anyone you know has been diagnosed with HIV, help is available. Financial assistance with the cost of medications or copays is available through local, state, or federal programs. These programs can also help you find support groups or other social services in your area. Learn more on our website or call the Disease Prevention Hotline at (800) 533-4148.

DDP E-Bulletin: November 2025

Posted on November 21, 2025 by DDP PR Coordinator

Mpox Situation Update

Data Updates

Virginia continues to see an increase in mpox cases reported during 2025 compared to cases reported in 2024. Through November 19, 2025, 34 mpox cases have been reported, surpassing the total number of cases reported in all of 2024 (27).

Mpox cases continue to occur primarily in men. Mpox also disproportionately affects communities of color. Mpox cases have occurred in all five state health regions, with the greatest number of cases reported from Virginia’s Northern and Central health planning regions (82%).

The mpox data dashboard is updated weekly with mpox case numbers.

How You Can Help

Almost 77% of mpox cases have been in people who had not received an mpox vaccine. Vaccination remains the best way to protect against the monkeypox virus. The JYNNEOS vaccine is administered as a two-dose regimen and both doses are needed to provide the best protection against the virus. People can receive their second dose of JYNNEOS at least 28 days after getting their first dose.

Six patients with mpox were hospitalized so far during 2025 in Virginia. Those with compromised immune systems, such as persons with HIV, are at greater risk for severe health outcomes from mpox, including hospitalization and death. DDP asks local health department staff and community partners to talk with patients with compromised immune systems, who might be at greater risk (see vaccine eligibility) for severe mpox outcomes, about getting vaccinated.

What We Are Doing

DDP and the Division of Surveillance and Investigation (DSI) continue to provide a collaborative mpox response. DSI monitors/investigates cases, and updates VDH mpox data weekly. DDP communicates mpox updates within VDH, to providers, and our community partners through website updates, social media, clinician letters, various newsletters, and presentations to various audiences.

Clade I Community Spread

As of October 17, 2025, three non-related cases of clade I mpox were identified in Southern California. Clade I mpox is causing an ongoing outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa. Clade I cases have not been part of the previous mpox outbreak in the U.S., which was comprised exclusively of clade II. While the risk of clade I mpox to the public in the U.S. remains low, these new cases are cause for concern because they occurred in residents without a history of recent international travel, indicating person-to-person community spread in California. Learn more about the clade I cases on the California Department of Public Health’s website.

Got Questions?

For information, clinician resources, or general resources for the public, visit the mpox website at www.vdh.virginia.gov/mpox. For any questions about DDP mpox efforts, please contact Diana Prat, Deputy Director, Division of Disease Prevention, at diana.prat@vdh.virginia.gov.

Health Benefits Enrollment for VA MAP Clients

Virginia Medicare Open Enrollment: Medicare open enrollment began October 15 and continues through December 7, 2025.

Virginia Insurance Marketplace (VIM) Open Enrollment/ACA: Virginia ACA open enrollment began November 1 and continues through January 30, 2026.

Benalytics, the VDH contracted insurance enrollment partner, assists specific Ryan White clients with enrollment into Medicare and ACA coverages.

Find open enrollment and health insurance updates for VA MAP clients on the VA MAP webpage.

Policy Aid: Innovations in Syphilis Policy Playbook

The National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) has released their Policy Aid: Innovations in Syphilis Policy Playbook. As one solution to the increased need for solutions to syphilis and congenital syphilis cases, NCSD released this document. It examines six syphilis prevention policy strategies that were implemented by health departments across the U.S. Key implementation steps and considerations for replication and adaptation are included in the document. Results, lessons learned, and other considerations are also included.

View the full PDF from NCSD to learn more. For questions related to the policy aid, contact NCSD’s policy team at policyteam@NCSDDC.org.

HIV Network Detection and Response (Formerly HIV Cluster Detection and Response)

The HIV Cluster Detection and Response (CDR) program is changing its name to HIV Network Detection and Response (NDR). Feedback from our Community HIV Planning Group and discussions with other jurisdictions who have made this transition confirm the term ‘network’ is less stigmatizing. The name change will also decrease past confusion that an identified cluster indicates an outbreak.

Please refer to the NDR webpage for additional information about this program. For questions, please contact Garrett Shields, NDR Program Manager, at garrett.shields@vdh.virginia.gov.

Free STI Training During November for Urgent Care Providers

The National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) is offering a training, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases in Urgent Care Centers. CEUs are available and the training is being offered at no cost during November.

Recognizing that more patients are turning to urgent care centers for treatment of potential STIs, NCSD organized this training. The course will educate providers to identify and treat the most commonly encountered sexually transmitted infections in the urgent care setting. At course completion, .5 ANCC credits are earned.

Share this opportunity with any providers in your network who work in urgent care and other providers who may be interested.

Providers should visit the NCSD Learning Center to register for the course. They must have an account to register. Creating an account in the NCSD Learning Center is free if they do not already have one.

3-Day STI Overview

The STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, John Hopkins Medicine is offering a “3 Day STI Overview”. The 3-day course runs December 9 through December 11, 2025, and is available to all health care providers and health care workers in the District of Columbia and the states of Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Topics covered in the course include:

- STI surveillance data
- Taking a sexual history/patient communication
- STI screening guidelines
- The role of disease intervention specialists
- Vaginitis
- Status neutral care
- GC/CT/Mgen
- HPV/HSV/mpox
- Syphilis
- Viral hepatitis
- And more!

Credit is available for the course. For more information, or to register, visit the training center’s website.

Personnel Announcements

Welcome

HIV and Hepatitis Prevention welcomes Chenoa Jones to the Virginia Disease Prevention Hotline as a Hotline Counselor. She is a contractor hired through 22nd Century.

Chenoa brings valuable experience and customer service skills through her previous background at a high-volume call center. She enjoys spending her free time with family and friends; she says being around those who make her laugh truly energizes her. Chenoa is passionate about reading and photography and is the proud aunt of three energetic nephews who keep her on her toes.

Chenoa can be reached at chenoa.jones@vdh.virginia.gov or on the hotline at 800-533-4148.

DDP E-Bulletin: October 2025

Posted on October 17, 2025October 20, 2025 by DDP PR Coordinator

Unexpected Federal Funding Received for HIV Medical Monitoring Project (MMP)

On September 30, 2025, DDP received a surprising notice of award (NoA) for the HIV Medical Monitoring Project (MMP). Prior funding for MMP ended on May 31, 2025, and we were told the grant would not be renewed. Therefore, DDP ended the program and MMP staff were unfortunately laid off. Due to the unexpected nature of this new award, the back date of the project period to 6/1/25, and current federal government shut down, the remainder of the first year, or grant year 1, will be used to recruit staff and re-establish the program. DDP is awaiting further guidance from CDC, which will occur after the resolution of the federal government shutdown.

DIS Recognition Day

DIS (Disease Intervention Specialist) Recognition Day was Friday, October 3. This special day is observed nationally each year to promote the special work that our DIS do within our communities. The National Coalition for STD Directors, VDH, and DDP had blog postings for the occasion and promoted or shared posts and graphics on social media.

Read more about the special work that Virginia DIS do on our blog posting. While DIS Recognition Day may have passed, we thank our Virginia DIS for their hard work and dedication every day!

Exciting News! The Resource Connections Website is Getting a Makeover

The Resource Connections website is being relaunched with a fresh new look and a new name — The RC: Resource Connections — on the Connect 211 platform! Along with the updated design, the site will feature a new logo and URL.

What to Expect During the Transition:

- Automatic Redirect: For a limited time, the original URL will automatically redirect to the new one, giving you time to get familiar with the updated address.
- Seamless Content Migration: All existing information from the original platform will be transferred to Connect 211.
- Funded Agency Access Restored in early 2026: If you are a funded agency, you’ll be able to update your profile and other relevant information once that functionality is restored in early 2026.

The DDP team is working diligently to ensure a smooth and timely transition with minimal disruption to your access to the valuable resources listed in The RC: Resource Connections directory.

Stay tuned — more details will be shared as they become available, and DDP will announce the official relaunch date soon!

Opt-Out DoxyPEP at Select PrEP Clinics

DoxyPEP will now be offered as an "opt-out" service for appropriate PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) clients at local health departments across the state. Roll out of the initiative will happen over the next several months at select sites.

DoxyPEP is the use of doxycycline to prevent syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea after a potential exposure. It is a single dose of 200mg taken within 24-72 hours of unprotected sex and is highly effective in reducing bacterial STIs. The Centers for Disease Control recommends it for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender women with a history of at least one bacterial STI in the last 12 months.

Which Cardiovascular Disease Risk Calculator Is Best in HIV Care? Global Assessment Leaves More Questions Than Answers

Researchers compared three cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk calculators: Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE), PREVENT, and SCORE2. They used data from the REPRIEVE trial involving 7,757 people with HIV but no prior atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). They found that the calculators often gave very different risk assessments for the same patients: PCE classified the most as statin eligible, PREVENT the fewest, and SCORE2 was in between. Despite this, the number needed to treat (NNT5) estimates were similar across groups.

The analysis highlights that PCE, widely used in U.S. guidelines, tends to underestimate cardiovascular risk in people with HIV because it doesn’t account for HIV-related factors like chronic inflammation and antiretroviral therapy. There is no universally validated risk tool for people with HIV yet. The findings suggest clinicians should use these calculators cautiously and encourage more open, individualized discussions about statin therapy rather than relying solely on risk scores.

Clinicians in the U.S. have generally relied on the PCE to estimate 10-year ASCVD risk because it’s embedded in national guidelines and electronic health record systems. It’s easy to use, and it’s what insurers, cardiology colleagues, and primary care guidelines reference.

This study doesn’t demand an overnight change in our clinical practice. However, the findings should encourage clinicians to have more proactive conversations about statins with their patients, not push statins on everyone, but to make sure risk is discussed openly and contextually.

Further information about this review or about the primary authors of the study can be found on the BodyPro.com or contact Safere Diawara at safere.diawara@vdh.virginia.gov.

Patient-Centered HIV Care Is Key to Adherence and Viral Suppression in Women of Color

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 542 women of color living with HIV in Miami-Dade County between June 2021 and March 2022. It found that patient-centered, culturally sensitive care, especially provider behaviors such as respect, listening, involvement in decision-making, and spending adequate time with patients, is key to promoting antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and viral suppression. The study population, enrolled in Ryan White Program clinics with strong support systems, had a high viral suppression rate (~91%), much higher than the national average.

The findings highlight that small interpersonal actions, when supported by robust systems that address barriers, can greatly impact clinical outcomes. Different racial and ethnic groups emphasized different aspects of the patient-provider relationship, underscoring the importance of culturally tailored care rather than one-size-fits-all approach. This study confirms that compassionate and respectful care, the often overlooked “soft” skills of clinical practice, are critical to long-term ART success in women of color with HIV.

Patient involvement in decision-making was especially important for some groups, reflecting the diversity within racial and ethnic populations. Overall, this research reminds us that culturally informed care that acknowledges these nuances is essential for effective HIV treatment.

Find more information about this review and the primary authors of this study at the BodyPro.com or by contacting Safere Diawara at safere.diawara@vdh.virginia.gov.

Study Finds that ART Is Not a Guaranteed Lifesaver for Pediatric Patients with HIV

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 84 studies (2000–2020) examined HIV-related mortality in children and young adolescents (ages 0–15) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). The analysis found that mortality risk is highest in the early period after ART initiation and is strongly influenced by age and immune status at the start of treatment, particularly low CD4 counts.

While ART is essential, it is not always sufficient to prevent early deaths. Early diagnosis, rapid treatment initiation, prophylaxis, management of opportunistic infections, and strong inpatient and outpatient support during the first weeks to months of care are critical. These factors help explain why early deaths persist even as overall pediatric HIV mortality declines.

The findings reaffirm that delayed treatment leads to poorer outcomes and highlights the urgent global need to strengthen early pediatric HIV diagnosis and care. Although key interventions are known, achieving equitable outcomes will require addressing persistent health system and social barriers that hinder timely access and sustained care for children living with HIV worldwide.

For more information on this review or about the authors of this study, visit the BodyPro.com or contact Safere Diawara at safere.diawara@vdh.virginia.gov.

Personnel Announcements

Retirement: Elaine Martin

Elaine Martin’s last working day with DDP/VDH was Tuesday, September 30. She is on leave until her official retirement date, January 1, 2026. Elaine has served as the Director of DDP since 2022. In total, Elaine gave 38 years of service to the Agency and our division; many of those years were in a leadership capacity. Her career began at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. Her expertise and contributions to HIV/AIDS in public health in Virginia (in collaboration with colleagues) were many, including creating programs such as:

- HIV self-testing
- Comprehensive Harm Reduction (CHR) in Virginia
- HIV/hepatitis pharmacy testing
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV
- Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Resources and Linkages for Individuals Experiencing Incarceration (CHARLII)

Many of these programs were innovative at the time and have since become successful staples in the eyes of federal agencies and other states and jurisdictions. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eventually developed their own HIV self-test kit program and now encourages pharmacy testing of their funded state health departments!

We wish Elaine the best in her retirement as she enjoys traveling and relaxing with her adoring pets. Happy retirement, Elaine, you will be missed!

Celebrate DIS Recognition Day with Us!

Posted on October 2, 2025October 2, 2025 by DDP PR Coordinator

National DIS Recognition Day is observed annually on the first Friday in October. This is the 14th year it has been celebrated! We honor the dedicated Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) as a vital part of the public health workforce. From locating people in need of treatment and testing, contact tracing to outbreak response, their work is critical.

Who are DIS?

DIS are trained public health professionals with varied backgrounds and skill sets. They’re a group of public health specialists who identify, locate, and prevent the transmission of infections. They often have experience in community health, social work, health education, outreach, public health, and lived experiences.

DIS provide critical services in our communities that improve sexual health, increase knowledge and education, and improve health outcomes. This can include new and reemerging infections, as well. Here are some ways that DIS work hard every day to help improve sexual health:

- Provide non-judgmental answers to difficult questions and easy to understand sexual health education
- Swiftly connect individuals to sexual health screening and treatment services
- Confidentially support partner notification (also called partner services) of individuals potentially exposed to STDs
- Make referrals to wrap-around services including housing, substance use, mental health, harm reduction services and more
- Lead frontline tracing efforts for emerging and remerging infections including tuberculosis, COVID-19, mpox, and others whenever needed
- Locate and share available resources based on the needs of their local communities

The DIS job is not easy. It requires compassion, persistence, and a unique ability to build trust with people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

DIS in Virginia

In Virginia, our DIS are truly vital to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. Here are some examples of the work that they’ve done recently to make our communities healthier and safer:

- From January 2024 to date, DIS outreach prevented 148 congenital syphilis cases by reaching out to pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis and ensuring they received appropriate treatment.
- From January 2024 to date, DIS interviewed 5,934 people and elicited 4,578 partners, associates at risk, and social contacts at risk.
- These efforts interrupt disease transmission in our communities and improve the health of Virginians daily.

How can you help celebrate DIS Recognition Day?

Visit our Facebook and share the post about DIS. Thank them for their hard work!

Remember, if you or someone you know are ever contacted by a DIS, they are working hard to protect your health and work as a public servant. You can always call your local health department with questions if you are contacted by a VDH staff member. Cooperating with DIS efforts will benefit your health and others.

Thank you to all Virginia DIS for their tireless efforts in improving the health of Virginia communities!

STI Awareness Week 2026

HIV and Syphilis Updates for Virginia Providers

Living Beyond Our Status Gathering

Mind, Body, and Soul Conference