Category: Clinicians

AMA Releases New Sexual Health Resources

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AMA Community of Practice Office Hours:  Syphilis Test Interpretation and Action

The American Medical Association (AMA) invites clinicians to join the Syphilis Test Interpretation and Action office hours on May 13, 2026 at 1:00 pm ET as part of the Routine Screening Community of Practice for HIV, STIs, viral hepatitis and LTBI. With rates of syphilis rising, routine screening is essential to diagnosis and prevention.

Join Dr. Kimberly Stanford and an expert panel to discuss how to interpret syphilis test results, how to treat patients who test positive, and how to talk to them about STI prevention. Connect with experts in a supportive learning environment.

AMA Releases Routine Screening Toolkit for HIV, STIs, Viral Hepatitis and Latent TB Infection

Early detection of infectious diseases is critical for the health of our communities. The American Medical Association's Routine Screening Toolkit supports community health centers and emergency departments in integrating routine screening for HIV, STIs, viral hepatitis, and LTBI. Please share this with your community partners to raise awareness about this important resource.

Reflecting on a Busy 2026

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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:

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

New CME Training Opportunity: Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis on the Rise – How to Protect Your Patients

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A new training is available for the following audiences located in the U.S.:

    • Obstetricians/gynecologists
    • Primary care providers
    • Nurse practitioners/physician assistants
    • Pediatricians
    • Nurses
    • Pharmacists

This is an online training opportunity. There are no fees involved to participate or to receive credit.

The goal of the training is for participants to learn how to better implement guideline-based screening recommendations for syphilis and congenital syphilis.

Physicians, nurses, and pharmacists can earn CME/CE credit upon completion of the course and post-test.

This training is organized by Medscape.org. To register/complete the training, you must sign up for, or already have, a Medscape account.

Please note that due to elevated rates of syphilis among women of childbearing age in Virginia, currently all pregnant women should receive syphilis screening in the first trimester, early third trimester, and at delivery. This varies from the overarching screening guidelines covered in the training but is consistent with the recommendation of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and other national organizations.

HIV Care Services Quick Take

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Ending CHARLII and Continuing Seamless Programs

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Reintegrated persons (or persons reentering communities after leaving prisons & jails) should be referred to local community-based organizations (CBOs) and healthcare facilities providing medical & support services by the Department of Corrections (DoC) and some local & regional jails for HIV services including medication.

Setting the Stage for What’s Next: CHARLII & Seamless

The Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Resources and Linkages for Individuals experiencing Incarceration (CHARLII) program at the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) ended on June 30, 2025 due to the Ryan White Part B funding cuts. This program partnered with the VA Department of Corrections (DoC) and some local & regional jails to provide HIV medication and other services: medical case management (MCM), mental health (MH), Substance Use Disorder treatment (SUD tx), emergency financial assistance (EFA), and housing to inmates and those nearing reintegration.

As of July 1, 2025, reintegrated persons may access medication and other HIV services at your agencies through referral from the DoC and local & regional jails. Before the start of grant year 2025, many of these services were funded directly through the VDH Ryan White Part B grant that established a provider system of contracted agencies offering Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-legislated core medical and support services to HIV patients in Virginia. Now and until further notice, services will be offered through Ryan White Part B-contracted agencies as well as non-Part B-contracted agencies.

Seamless Solution

Persons reintegrating from DoC and local prisons & jails may qualify for the Seamless program if they received less than 30 days of medication upon starting reintegration. This program provides 30 days of medication for agencies to honor previous referrals and conduct full unified eligibility assessments (UEAs) for other needed services or referrals to other community providers for needed services.

Action Steps

The VDH requests your continued assistance to integrate these persons into your current patient population and provide the quality services you have established for all patients you serve.

VDH Contacts

Kimberly Eley, VDH Medication Access Field Manager

    • 804-543-0122
    • kimberly.eley@vdh.virginia.gov

Rivkah Meder, VDH Care Services Field Manager

    • 804-235-1445
    • rebecca.meder@vdh.virginia.gov

Susan Carr, Special Projects Coordinator

    • 804-397-5056
    • susan.carr@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Ryan White Part B Resources

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The Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Disease Prevention (DDP) has updated its website with a list of community-based care and treatment resources as well as provider and client FAQs (frequently asked questions).

This information may be helpful to clients, providers, and other stakeholders affected by recent changes in the program or for those who want more information.

Clients with questions can contact:

    • Any Ryan White Part B provider,
    • their case managers, or
    • the VDH Medication Eligibility Hotline: (855) 362-0658.

Direct press inquiries regarding Ryan White Services to the VDH Newsroom.

Bicillin Delivery Program

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The VDH Division of Disease Prevention has set up a process for providers who do not have Bicillin and have identified a case of syphilis in a high-priority patient to request free doses.

High-priority patients are those who fall into one of the categories below:

    • pregnant or pregnancy unknown (women of reproductive age)
    • neonate
    • allergic to Doxycycline or other case by case basis (provider must submit rationale which will be reviewed)

VDH has released a clinician letter on July 24 with additional details about a recent voluntary manufacturer recall and supply shortages of Benzathine Penicillin, or Bicillin L-A.  Read the full letter online. 

Contact Oana Vasiliu at oana.vasiliu@vdh.virginia.gov, or Bryan Collins, at bryan.collins@vdh.virginia.gov, with any questions about accessing VDH Bicillin.

Clinician with patient

There’s a New PrEP Option!

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Lenacapavir was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 18 for use as HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).  It is an injection given twice a year.  It will be sold under the brand name Yeztugo (yez-TOO-go).  Clinical trials proved the drug blocked HIV in 100% of >2,000 cisgender women who’d received it in the PURPOSE 1 trial.  The drug blocked HIV in nearly 100% of>2,000 cisgender men and gender-diverse persons who’d received it in the PURPOSE 2 trial.

Lenacapavir (Sunlenca) was approved for HIV treatment in 2022 for people with HIV.  This was specific to those with limited treatment options due to drug resistance, intolerance, or safety considerations.  Because it is a capsid inhibitor, the chance of developing drug resistance when taking it for PrEP is low.  Capsid inhibitors are a new class of medication not used in any other drugs currently.  Yeztugo’s price will be comparable to Apretude, the long-acting injectable which was approved for PrEP in 2021.

Providers: For more information, refer to the Gilead website or prescribing information. There is an upcoming training opportunity for clinicians to learn more on July 11.

Consumers: If you are interested in this new PrEP option, talk to your healthcare provider.

If you have any questions, please contact Eric Mayes, PrEP Services Coordinator, or Jenny Calhoun, HIV/STI Nurse Consultant.  Eric can be reached at eric.mayes@vdh.virginia.gov.  Jenny can be reached at jenny.calhoun@vdh.virginia.gov.

Virginia’s Hepatitis Elimination Plan

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Hep Free VA

Cover of Hep Free VA, the Virginia Hepatitis Elimination Plan

Learn about Hep Free VA and help us end viral hepatitis in Virginia

Viral hepatitis is an ongoing and nationwide public health concern.  Last year in Virginia, reportable viral hepatitis cases were the third highest reportable condition1.  Only cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea were reported in greater number.  Untreated viral hepatitis can cause serious negative health outcomes.  This can include liver disease, liver cancer, and death.  However, vaccines and antiviral treatments can help to stop viral hepatitis.  Vaccinations are available to prevent hepatitis A and B.  Hepatitis C is now curable through a short course of direct acting antiviral treatments.

DDP has collaborated with a range of statewide stakeholders to create Hep Free VA.  This is Virginia’s Viral Hepatitis Elimination Plan.  The plan aims to eliminate viral hepatitis in Virginia by 2030 by achieving six main goals.

    • Goal 1: Prevent New Viral Hepatitis Infections
    • Goal 2: Improve Viral Hepatitis-Related Health Outcomes of People with Viral Hepatitis
    • Goal 3: Reduce Viral Hepatitis-Related Disparities
    • Goal 4: Improve Viral Hepatitis Surveillance and Data Usage
    • Goal 5: Achieve Integrated, Coordinated Efforts that Address the Viral Hepatitis Epidemics among All Partners and Stakeholders
    • Goal 6: Secure Sustainable Funding to Address Viral Hepatitis Epidemics

Read our full plan!

DDP is grateful to all the stakeholders and partners who joined us in this effort.  We look forward to continuing our viral hepatitis elimination work with you.

If you would like to get involved to end viral hepatitis in Virginia, please contact Colin Dwyer at colin.dwyer@vdh.virginia.gov or (804) 613-8228.

 

1 Virginia Department of Health. (n.d.).  Virginia Monthly Morbidity Surveillance Report.  https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/virginia-communicable-disease-data/virginia-monthly-morbidity-surveillance-report-2018/