DDP PR Coordinator, Author at Disease Prevention

Hepatitis Awareness Month 2026

Posted on April 30, 2026 by DDP PR Coordinator

Hepatitis Awareness Month is observed each May in the United States.  Hepatitis Testing Day is on May 19.  During the month of May, we work to show the impact the hidden viral hepatitis epidemics have on our communities.  We do this by raising awareness and encouraging testing and vaccination.

Viral Hepatitis Key Facts

- There are several different viruses that can cause hepatitis.  The most common types are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
- Some hepatitis infections are short-term and clear on their own.  Others can become long-term (chronic) and need ongoing medical care.
- Chronic hepatitis B and C are leading causes of liver cancer in the U.S.
- Both hepatitis A and B are preventable through safe and effective vaccines.
- Hepatitis C can be cured in 8-12 weeks with a safe and effective prescribed treatment.
- CDC recommends all adults up to age 60 get vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.  Those aged 60+ should get vaccinated if they have certain risk factors.  If you are 60+ and do not have risk factors, you may choose to be vaccinated, or not.
- VDH follows the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for hepatitis B for youth/adolescents. Find out more about hepatitis B recommendations on their website.
- More than 65% of people who have hepatitis B are unaware of their infection.
- Around 5,000 new cases of hepatitis C are reported in Virginia each year.
- At least 40% of people living with hepatitis C don't know they have it.
- CDC recommends all adults get tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C at least once in their lifetime.  CDC also recommends testing for hepatitis B and C during each pregnancy.  Getting tested is the only way to know if you have hepatitis B or C.

VDH released Hep Free Virginia, Virginia’s Viral Hepatitis Elimination Plan, in 2025. This plan is a coordinated effort with the Virginia Hepatitis Coalition and other statewide stakeholders. It outlines goals and objectives to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030.

In order to realize these goals and objectives, VDH and the Virginia Hepatitis Coalition need your help! You can learn more about the plan and get involved. Explore how you can get involved by contacting Colin Dwyer, Viral Hepatitis Program Coordinator, at colin.dwyer@vdh.virginia.gov, or by joining the Virginia Hepatitis Coalition.

Learn more about viral hepatitis by visiting our website.  You can also find locations near you that provide free or low-cost vaccination or testing services by using our directory, Resource Connections.

VDH offers free Hepatitis B testing and vaccines to pregnant women and infants born to women who test positive for Hepatitis B.

If you or a loved one has more questions about viral hepatitis, call our hotline.  Hotline operators are available to help you Monday through Friday.  Call toll-free at (800) 533-4148.

DDP E-Bulletin: April 2026

Posted on April 29, 2026April 29, 2026 by DDP PR Coordinator

We’ve been busy in the Division of Disease Prevention (DDP). I wanted to take time to acknowledge some of the important work we’ve been doing recently in collaboration with the community and our partners.

Earlier in 2026 we started with two public meetings, one specific to Ryan White Part B Services and then another specific to our Virginia Integrated HIV Services Plan. Open meetings such as these allow us the opportunity to hear the voices of those whom we serve. We are incredibly grateful for those who spoke up and voiced their opinions, concerns, and feedback.

What would you do if your grant funds were suddenly canceled?

In these uncertain times, planning for the worst-case scenario is often wise. To help address this issue, the HIV and Hepatitis Prevention (HHP) team is offering a full-day training in late May entitled Program Sustainability.

The training will take place on May 21, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia. It is open to all contractors, including community-based organizations and local health departments.

It is a one-day session and will focus on practical strategies for building a long-term, sustainable program that is not dependent on a single funding source. Participants will learn ways to diversity financial support, strengthen organization resilience, and plan for future stability.

This session is designed for:

- executive directors,
- chief financial officers,
- board members,
- grant writers, and
- staff responsible for sustainability or long-term planning.

Registration is due by April 30, 2026.

Hepatitis Awareness Month is observed each May. Hepatitis Testing Day is May 19, annually. DDP will have a blog about Hepatitis Awareness Month and Hepatitis Testing Day on our homepage and post related social media content on our Facebook page throughout May.

Follow our Facebook and visit our homepage to share our content on your page for the observance(s).

For questions about awareness day resources, please contact Chris Barnett, DDP Public Relations Coordinator, at christopher.barnett@vdh.virginia.gov.

Medetomidine is a very strong veterinary medicine. It is used as a sedative and pain killer for large animals, similar to xylazine but much stronger. The drug is increasingly found in the United States (U.S.) street drug supply mixed with fentanyl. It causes severe sedation, extremely low heart rate and low blood pressure in humans. Often called, "rhino tranq," or “Dex,” it is not approved for human use and is causing severe, long-lasting withdrawal symptoms, requiring urgent hospital care.

Rapid withdrawal from medetomidine can cause severe symptoms, including dangerously high heart rate and blood pressure, uncontrollable vomiting, tremors, and hallucinations, often requiring intensive care stays. As of early 2026, it is rapidly replacing xylazine in the street drug supply, particularly in the northeastern U.S., with up to 87% of drug samples in certain cities containing the sedative.

Medetomidine test strips are available at Comprehensive Harm Reduction (CHR) programs and at some local health departments.

For questions, please contact Bruce Taylor, Drug User Health Coordinator, at bruce.taylor@vdh.virginia.gov.

The second annual HIV and Hepatitis Prevention Summit took place on March 31 and April 1, 2026, at the Virginia Crossings Conference Center in Richmond, Virginia. The event brought together 83 participants representing cross‑sector HIV prevention and care partners, viral hepatitis stakeholders, and individuals with lived experience. Attendees included:

- medical providers
- care linkage staff
- harm reductionists
- testing and prevention specialists
- local health department teams
- pharmacists

Over the two‑day gathering, participants shared strategies for HIV prevention, care coordination, and hepatitis C elimination; explored new opportunities for collaboration; and highlighted ongoing efforts across the Commonwealth.

The Viral Hepatitis Elimination Conference was held in Williamsburg, Virginia, at the Great Wolf Lodge, on March 24 and March 25. The purpose of the conference was to meet with cross-sector stakeholders on viral hepatitis to share strategies for elimination, identify opportunities for collaboration, and present on ongoing efforts. The audience was comprised of people with lived experience, medical providers, care linkage professionals, harm reductionists, testing and prevention specialists, local health department providers, pharmacists, and pharmaceutical representatives. There were 70 attendees.

Reflecting on a Busy 2026

Posted on April 28, 2026April 29, 2026 by DDP PR Coordinator

Rachel Stallings, MPH, Director, Division of Disease Prevention

We’ve been busy in the Division of Disease Prevention (DDP). I want to take time to acknowledge some of the important work we’ve been doing recently in collaboration with the community and our partners.

Earlier in 2026 we started with two public meetings, one specific to Ryan White Part B services and one specific to our Virginia Integrated HIV Services Plan. Open meetings such as these allow us the opportunity to hear the voices of those whom we serve. We are incredibly grateful to those who spoke up and voiced their opinions, concerns, and feedback.

DDP has had the opportunity to come together with partners and community members through several conferences and meetings this year, including:

- The HIV and Hepatitis Prevention Summit
- The Viral Hepatitis Conference
- Living Beyond Our Status Gathering

These meetings allow us the occasion to gather with our partners, learn from them, and share updates on our efforts. These meetings also allow for the opportunity of training and technical assistance from other experts in the field. Meetings with community members allow the chance for community networking, learning, and sharing.

Much time and effort have gone into our efforts in 2026 thus far, and it has been very rewarding. We are thankful for all the partners, community members, and division staff who have helped our efforts be a success. We will continue our day-to-day work with the vision of VDH protecting and promoting the health of all Virginians.

- Rachel Stallings, MPH, Director, Division of Disease Prevention

STI Awareness Week 2026

Posted on April 13, 2026April 13, 2026 by DDP PR Coordinator

STI Awareness Week (SAW) is the second full week in April each year. This year, it is April 12-18. SAW helps raise awareness about sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It also shows how STIs impact our lives and helps to decrease stigma, fear, and discrimination. We often use SAW to distribute tools and knowledge about STI prevention, testing, and treatment.

STI vs. STD

What’s the difference between “STI” and “STD”? To define the terms, STI is sexually transmitted infection, and STD is sexually transmitted disease. The World Health Organization began to replace the term STD with the term STI in 1999. The reason for this was to reduce stigma, and because not all infections turn into diseases with symptoms. For instance, some infections like chlamydia and HPV are often asymptomatic, making the term “infection,” more accurate. In fact, it is more common for STIs to not show symptoms, which is why regular screening is important.

While health care providers have made the transition to the term STI, the general public still uses STD as an umbrella term. Up to this point, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has still used the term STD in public communications. VDH will be fully transitioning to the term STI over the next few months.

STIs in Virginia

STIs are common in Virginia, with more than 55,000 reported new infections in 2024. On average, about 4,500 STIs were diagnosed each month in Virginia during 2024. Consistent with previous years, certain communities and conditions continued to be vulnerable or problematic. The rate of any STI per 100,000 people was about three times higher among Black or African American Virginians, compared to the statewide rate. The rate of syphilis also increased 145% among women from 2020 to 2024, while the rate among men increased 58%.

All data and reports for STIs, HIV, and viral hepatitis are available on the VDH website.

STI Prevention, Testing, and Treatment

Free or low-cost STI testing is available throughout Virginia. Testing is available at local health departments and community-based organizations. Testing is important since many STIs have no symptoms. Untreated STIs can cause lifelong health problems.

Find STI testing near you by using our locator service, Resource Connections, or the RC.

Learn about common STIs, prevention methods, and treatment options on our STI webpage.

Disease Prevention Hotline

If you or a loved one has questions about HIV, viral hepatitis, or STIs, call our confidential Hotline toll-free. The Virginia Disease Prevention Hotline number is 1-800-533-4148. The Hotline operates from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. It is closed for Virginia State Holidays.

DDP E-Bulletin: March 2026

Posted on March 26, 2026April 20, 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, 2026April 16, 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 20, 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.

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 (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 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, 2026April 23, 2026 by DDP PR Coordinator

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, 2026April 20, 2026 by DDP PR Coordinator

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 2025April 20, 2026 by DDP PR Coordinator

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Viral Hepatitis Key Facts

Help Us End Viral Hepatitis

Got Questions?

Reflecting on a Busy 2026

Training Announcement: Program Sustainability

Hepatitis Awareness Month 2026

NCCC PEPline Now Offers Weekend Hours

CHR Overdose Update: Medetomidine

Annual HIV and Hepatitis Summit

Viral Hepatitis Elimination Conference

Personnel Announcements

We’re Hiring!

Background

STI vs. STD

STIs in Virginia

STI Prevention, Testing, and Treatment

Disease Prevention Hotline

STI Awareness Week 2026

HIV and Syphilis Updates for Virginia Providers

Living Beyond Our Status Gathering

Mind, Body, and Soul Conference

11th Annual Virginia Ryan White Case Management Summit

HIV/STD Prevention Advertising

Virginia Integrated Services Plan

Personnel Announcements

Welcome

Farewell

We're Hiring

Background

Town Hall Recording

For More Information

New Resource Connections (The RC) Site Launched

11th Annual Virginia Ryan White Case Management Summit

VDH Integrated HIV Prevention & Care Town Hall

National Women and Girl's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week

LGBTQ Equity in HIV Prevention and Treatment Series

Personnel Announcements

We’re Hiring!

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: February 7

Virginia data

Causes

Access testing and prevention services near you

VDH’s response

Reach out for support

STD Prevention and Control Grant Extension

HIV Care Services Coverage

New Recombinant Mpox Strain Identified in England

Public Hearing: HIV Care and Treatment Services

Town Hall: HIV Prevention and Care

MAAETC Preceptorship Clinical Scholars Program

Hepatitis C Virus Clearance Dashboard (2022-2023)

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Community Submission

Retirement: Kimberly Scott

Welcome

Farewell

From Our New Director

Download and share this image on your socials to ensure VA MAP clients are going through open enrollment for 2026! Link to the VA MAP page for more info: https://bit.ly/3MD9Itb.

Health Benefits Enrollment for VA MAP Clients

2026 ACA Open Enrollment

2026 Medicare Open Enrollment

HIV Care and Treatment Services Town Hall

DDP Condom Program Update

MidAtlantic AETC Training & Resources

DDP Security & Confidentiality Policies and Procedures

Personnel Announcements

Congratulations

Farewell