DDP E-bulletin: June 2026

Honoring Beth Marschak

Most of our partners have now heard the sad news that our colleague and friend, Beth Marschak, passed away suddenly on June 3. A tribute to her legacy is located on our Facebook and on our website. Her absence is deeply and profoundly felt.

In honor of her work starting and building the VDH Condom Distribution Program from the ground up, we are renaming the program, “The Beth Marschak Condom Program.” We will continue to honor Beth’s work and contributions to the communities of Virginia and the legacy she leaves behind each day.

Bicillin Restrictions for Local Health Departments

Benzathine penicillin G (Bicillin L-A®) is currently the only recommended treatment for syphilis during pregnancy. There is an ongoing shortage of this medicine in the United States. In the United States, the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‑approved product is made by King Pharmaceuticals (a Pfizer company). This medication is still in shortage. In April 2026, Pfizer announced that the next shipment of both 1.2 million‑unit and 2.4 million‑unit prefilled syringes is scheduled for October 2026. They expect the full supply to be restored by Quarter 4 of 2027. This new timeline is one year later than what was first expected. The FDA website will continue to share updates.

The FDA is allowing the temporary importation of Lentocilin© due to the ongoing limited availability and extended recovery of Bicillin® L-A. The National Network of STD Prevention Training Centers has posted information for health care providers on the administration of Lentocilin©.

Until recently, health departments in Virginia had enough supply of Bicillin L-A® to treat all patients referred to their clinics. However, the shortage has lasted long enough that restrictions are now needed. As of May 31, 2026, health department clinics are using Bicillin L‑A® only for the following patients:

    • Pregnant women of any age
    • Women of reproductive age (15-44), regardless of pregnancy status, who are infected with or exposed to syphilis
    • Partners of pregnant women infected with syphilis
    • Patients for whom there is a contraindication to alternative treatment regimens such as doxycycline, or who are highly unlikely to comply with an oral treatment regimen, are prioritized on a case-by-case basis, and as supply allows

Please continue to follow the syphilis alternative treatment guidance described in the clinician letter dated June 24, 2025. Should you need to treat a pregnant patient, infant or person allergic to doxycycline, VDH has Bicillin® L-A doses available through the Bicillin® L-A delivery program.


 

National HIV Testing Day

National HIV Testing Day is June 27. DDP will have a blog for the observance on the DDP homepage and several social media posts going out on the Disease Prevention Hotline Facebook. Feel free to share our blog and posts on your accounts.

For resources and/or help planning events, visit:


 

Personnel Announcements

Welcome

Debbie Guilbault joined DDP as the HIV Care Services Unit Director on June 25. Debbie left the Kansas Department of Health (DOH), where she served as the STI/HIV/Hepatitis Care, Prevention & Surveillance Section Chief since 2019. Prior to her work at the Kansas DOH, Debbie was the Executive Director of Positive Connections (formerly the Topeka AIDS Project) for 15 years. Debbie is actively engaged with NASTAD and currently serves as a board member. Welcome, Debbie!

DDP welcomed Erik Jarvis back to DDP as the MMP (Medical Monitoring Project) Coordinator- on June 10. He returned to DDP from the Division of Immunization within the Office of Epidemiology (OEpi), where he was the Vaccine Quality Assurance Consultant. Erik previously worked in MMP as the Project Coordinator and as an Epidemiology Specialist from 2018 to 2025. In addition, he has work experience as a Lead Disease Intervention Specialist. Erik can be reached at erik.jarvis@vdh.virginia.gov.

The Division is also excited to welcome Nan Haugan back. Nan will re-join DDP as the HIV & Hepatitis Surveillance (HHS) Unit Director on August 25 when she returns from parental leave. Nan has been with VDH since 2014 and held several roles in OEpi during that time. Nan’s DDP experience includes STD Epi & Surveillance Coordinator, STD Epi & Surveillance manager, and HIV Data Analyst. Most recently, she served as the Applied Epi and Health Information Manager in the Division of Surveillance and Investigation (DSI). Jenny Kienzle will continue to provide unit Director coverage for HHS in the interim.

DDP E-bulletin: May 2026

Upcoming MidAtlantic AETC Events

Full MAAETC Staff, March 2026

The MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) has plenty of training and education opportunities coming up for new public health staff and those who could use a refresher. Many important trainings related to HIV prevention and Ryan White are scheduled in May and June; don’t miss the chance to get the “facts and fundamentals” skills under your belt! Some crucial opportunities include:

Find the full offering of in-person training programs and online on-demand opportunities available on the MidAtlantic AETC website.  

Ryan White Launches New Webpages

The Ryan White team launched new webpages this month, replacing their previous pages. The pages no longer refer to HIV Care Services, using the unit program names instead.

You will find the pages located differently on our website navigation. Some of the old pages no longer exist. We suggest familiarizing yourself with the new pages and where information is located on the pages. Bookmark any new pages that you may need to use frequently.

Thank you to the staff who worked hard on this project! We appreciate you meeting with staff and community members to get feedback on how best to rework these web pages.


 

Hepatitis Awareness Month: Thank You!

Hepatitis Awareness Month comes to a close this weekend. Thank you to all our partners who have been busy in the field doing testing, outreach, and other services to communities in need. One testing event put on by the Health Betterment Initiative and the Mongolian Nurses Association was highlighted by the agency.

A huge thank you to those who shared personal stories with us for our social media campaign this month. We had four amazing people share what going through hepatitis C treatment was like. Check their stories out on our website or our Facebook.

You all accomplish life-saving work every day. This Hepatitis Awareness Month, the importance of your work was seen by many. Thank you again for all that you do every day.


 

Learning Opportunity: SNS Webinar

The San Francisco Department of Public Health is offering webinars for Social Network Strategy (SNS). SNS is an evidence-based intervention that harnesses the power of trusted peers to increase HIV testing uptake among communities most at risk. SNS is designed for health departments and community-based organizations.

VDH-funded partners should talk with their contract administrator before registering for the webinars, especially if they plan to implement SNS for the first time.

    • Webinar for agencies new to SNS:
      • Wednesday, June 10, 2026 | 3 p.m. ET

 

May 2026 QMAC Meeting Overview

The Virginia Ryan White Cross-Parts Collaborative Quality Management Advisory Committee (QMAC) held its first quarterly meeting of grant year (GY) 2026 on May 13, 2026, bringing together QMAC members, VDH staff, Cross-Parts Collaborative partners, consumers, and subcommittee participants to support and strengthen statewide quality improvement efforts. The meeting featured program updates, quarterly performance measure data reviews, subcommittee workplan development, and stakeholder engagement activities focused on practical strategies to enhance HIV care services across Virginia.

Highlights included updates from recipients of other Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program-funded Parts in Virginia through the Cross-Parts Collaborative, as well as VDH presentations on funded service category performance measures and Unified Eligibility data. Participants also received a “You Said, We Did” presentation demonstrating how clinical quality management (CQM) feedback has informed improvements in training, technical assistance, onboarding, communication, and data support.

In addition, members participated in a virtual Red Ribbon Activity as part of the integrated planning process, providing feedback on priorities for Virginia’s 2027–2031 Integrated HIV Prevention and Care Services Plan. Input gathered during the activity will help inform the continued development of the plan’s goals and objectives.

Overall, 55 participants actively attended the meeting, reinforcing QMAC’s role as a key component of the CQM infrastructure and as a collaborative forum for data-informed planning, consumer and provider engagement, and continuous quality improvement across Virginia’s Ryan White system of care.

For questions about the Virginia Ryan White QMAC, please contact either Camellia Espinal at camellia.espinal@vdh.virginia.gov, or Lynea Hogan at lynea.hogan@vdh.virginia.gov.


 

VCU CIRCAA Program

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) secured funding for three full scholarships for their VCU CIRCAA program.  CIRCAA stands for Creating Interprofessional Readiness for Complex & Aging Adults (CIRCAA).

The program focuses on HIV and Aging for the next academic year. This will be the third cohort to go through the program. Thus far, agencies that have participated in the program include staff from:

    • VCU
    • Three Rivers Health District
    • Fredericksburg Area HIV/AIDS Support Services
    • AIDS Response Effort
    • Virginia Health Options
    • Council of Community Services

The program is a 9-month, post-BACC certificate program. It’s open to prescribers, nurses, and case managers. The scholarship applications are due June 22, 2026. Full Ryan White-specific details and the application can be found via REDCap survey.


 

Personnel Announcements

Welcome

HIV and Hepatitis Surveillance (HHS) welcomes Dzhuliyana Handarova (pronounced Juliana) to DDP! Many of you may recognize her name, as she was previously a Syphilis Reactor Desk Coordinator in DDP from 2019-2021. Most recently, she was with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) as a public health research analyst and has also worked in research at Thomas Jefferson University and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dzhuliyana has her Master of Public Health from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Commonwealth University. She will be working as an HIV Prevention Analyst and will be working closely with the CHR, SNSN, and PrEP teams. In her free time, she loves to be outside, especially riding her bike and spending time with her cat Meatball. She can be reached at dzhuliyana.handarova@vdh.virginia.gov. Welcome back to the team Dzhuliyana!

DDP E-Bulletin: April 2026

Reflecting on a Busy 2026

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.

Training Announcement: Program Sustainability

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 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.


 

NCCC PEPline Now Offers Weekend Hours

The National Clinician Consultation Center (NCCC) has expanded their services to include weekend hours. The PEPline will now be available on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., not including holidays.

The PEPline number is 844-ASK-NCCC (844-275-6222).

For more information about the NCCC PEPline and the services that they provide, visit the NCCC PEPline website.


 

CHR Overdose Update: Medetomidine

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.


 

Annual HIV and Hepatitis Summit

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.


 

Viral Hepatitis Elimination Conference

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.


 

Personnel Announcements

We’re Hiring!

DDP is looking for a Medical Monitoring Project Program Coordinator to join HIV and Hepatitis Surveillance. The position closes on May 4, 2026.

DDP E-Bulletin: March 2026

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STI Awareness Week 2026

There were more than 55 thousand STDs reported in Virginia in 2024
STI Awareness Week (SAW) is April 12-18, 2026. SAW helps raise awareness about sexually transmitted infections. It also helps show how STDs impact our lives and helps to decrease stigma, fear, and discrimination. We often use the occasion to help distribute tools and knowledge about STD prevention, testing, and treatment.

DDP will have a blog posting on our website and social media posts on our Facebook account if you wish to share our messaging.

HIV and Syphilis Updates for Virginia Providers

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

 

Living Beyond Our Status Gathering

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.


 

Mind, Body, and Soul Conference

The Mind, Body, and Soul Conference will be April 10-11 at the Embassy Suites in Richmond, VA – the conference is designed to support the total well‑being of participants by addressing physical, mental, and emotional health.

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

Contact Olivia Allison at olivia.allison@vdh.virginia.gov if you have any questions about the conference.

11th Annual Virginia Ryan White Case Management Summit

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.


 

HIV/STD Prevention Advertising

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.


 

Virginia Integrated Services Plan

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.


 

Personnel Announcements

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.


We're Hiring

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.

DDP E-Bulletin: February 2026

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New Resource Connections (The RC) Site Launched

The RC LogoThe 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 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. 

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.


 

VDH Integrated HIV Prevention & Care Town Hall

VDH DDP is holding a virtual VDH Integrated HIV Prevention and Care Town Hall. The discussion will tie direction into the Virginia Integrated HIV Services Plan.

The town hall will be held Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. It is a virtual (online) meeting with a call-in option.

Contact Olivia Allison at olivia.allison@vdh.virginia.gov with questions or for more information.


 

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:

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.


 

Personnel Announcements

We’re Hiring!

DDP is hiring the Director of HIV Care Services.

Please apply or share with anyone who may be interested.

DDP E-Bulletin: January 2026

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STD Prevention and Control Grant Extension

Decorative image: stack of papers with the top paper stating "STD Prevention Grant"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.


 

Town Hall: HIV Prevention and Care

VDH invites you to join our virtual town hall to talk about HIV prevention and care in Virginia. This discussion will tie directly into the Virginia Integrated HIV Services Plan.

The town hall will be held Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. It is a virtual (online) meeting with a call-in option.

Contact Olivia Allison at olivia.allison@vdh.virginia.gov with questions or for more information.


 

MAAETC Preceptorship Clinical Scholars Program

MAAETC Scholar Program FlyerThe 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

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is observed on February 7 each year. Graphics and materials for NBHAAD can be found on the following website for your agency:

DDP will have a social media post(s) and blog write-up for the observance next month. You can find DDP blog postings at www.vdh.virginia.gov/disease-prevention. You can also follow us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/diseasepreventionhotline.


 

Community Submission

The following is a community submission from Juan, a member of the Virginia Quality of Care Consumer Advisory Committee (VACAC), celebrating Kimberly's retirement, career, and contributions to the VACAC.

E-bulletin community submission for Kimberly's farewell


Personnel Announcements

Photo of Kimberly Scott's retirement celebration

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

December Ebulletin Header

From Our New Director

 

Rachel Stallings, MPH, Director, Division of Disease Prevention

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.

Image promoting learning about open enrollment for VA MAP clients
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.

 

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.


 

AIDSVu Calculator Promo Image

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.

DDP E-Bulletin: November 2025

November Ebulletin Header Photo

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 Photo, SquareMpox 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.

Helping Hand Concept Photo

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.


 

AIDSVu Calculator Promo Image

AIDSVu Launches HIV Impact Calculator

AIDSVu has launched a new interactive HIV Impact Calculator to help policymakers, public health professionals, advocates, and communities. The calculator helps model how changes in PrEP coverage and viral suppression rates can impact new HIV infections and overall healthcare costs.


 

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.


 

2024 HIV Continuum of Care Available

The 2024 HIV Continuum of Care is now available on the DDP Data and Reports page. This final Virginia report brings us to the current year.

For any questions about the report, please contact Lauren Maxwell, Lead HIV Epidemiologist, at L.maxwell@vdh.virginia.gov.


 

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.


 

New NSTCD Syphilis Resources

In response to increases in syphilis among pregnant women and congenital syphilis cases, the National STD Curriculum (NSTCD) released additional resources. The NSTCD is a free educational website from the University of Washington STD Prevention Center. New resources include:

Visit www.std.uw.edu for additional educational resources from NSTCD.


 

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

October Ebulletin Header

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

MMP LogoOn 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.

Read more about MMP on our website.

DIS Recognition Day

DIS Recognition Day PhotoDIS (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 RC LogoThe 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.


 

HIV Epi Profile Updates Available

The HIV Epidemiology Profile Updates for 2024 have been added to the DDP Data and Reports page.

Updates are available for:

Contact Lauren Maxwell with any questions about the new updates at L.maxwell@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!

Photo of Elaine Martin's retirement lunch

DDP E-Bulletin: September 2025

September Ebulletin Header Photo, Decorative

The CHPG is looking for New Voices!

CPG LogoThe Virginia Community HIV Planning Group (CHPG) needs new members. The CHPG works with DDP to develop and monitor Virginia’s Integrated HIV Services Plan. Their main goal is to end the HIV epidemic and improve the health of people with HIV. The Plan will guide DDP work over the next five years.

The CHPG is looking for members from the following groups:

    • People with HIV
    • People vulnerable to HIV
    • HIV care and prevention providers
    • Health department staff

We also need people from agencies that provide:

    • Mental health and substance use treatment
    • Housing services
    • Social services
    • Other services used or needed by the people we serve

People from communities of color, people from the Northern and Eastern region of Virginia, as well as men and those that fall outside of the gender binary are of particular interest for recruitment. At least 30% of the CHPG are people with HIV. There are attendance rules as Community participation is crucial to the mission of CHPG.

The group meets six times a year on Thursdays or Fridays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in Richmond. Members who live outside of the meeting area will have a hotel room provided. Meals and travel will be reimbursed. Lunch is served at meetings.

For more information or to read meeting bylaws, visit the DDP Get Involved page.

The application does ask personal and sensitive questions so we can select a diverse group of members. We keep applications in a secure system, and they are seen by only the Membership Committee and certain VDH staff.

If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Yocum, Care Services Planner, at ashley.yocum@vdh.virginia.gov, or Olivia Allison, Program Specialist, at olivia.allison@vdh.virginia.gov.

You can submit an application at any time. However, the Membership Committee will meet in October 2025. New members will join in December 2025. Don't miss out on this chance to drive meaningful change. If you are interested, apply now!

VA MAP Clients Eligible for Medicaid Must Transition

Federal funding rules state that the Virginia Medication Assistance Program (VA MAP) cannot pay for client care if there is another way of paying for it. This is not a new rule. If a client meets all of the eligibility requirements for Virginia Medicaid, VA MAP cannot provide them with medication. With limited funds, VDH must apply this rule strictly to ensure as many clients as possible can receive medicines. Clients have a limited amount of time to enroll in Medicaid before losing medication coverage. VDH has sent out client and provider letters about the situation.

Read the provider letter for more information on how you can help your clients during this transition.


 

Condom Program Update

Condom photoBulk condom orders are currently on hold while the Department of General Services negotiates with Global Protection to renew its contract with the Commonwealth of Virginia. This situation has extended beyond initial expectations, resulting in temporary shortages of several brands, including non-latex condom options, lubricant, and Trojan Magnum condoms.

DDP is optimistic about resuming orders from Global Protection soon. In the meantime, we encourage you to place your order with hiv-stdhotline@vdh.virginia.gov using the updated VDH Condom Order form, which is available on our website. This form will be continuously updated to reflect our inventory. We hope to clear out our current stock during this hold, streamlining future orders directly through Global Protection.  Therefore, there is no current hard limit on condom orders. However, orders may be adjusted depending on inventory.

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this period, and we will keep you updated as the situation changes. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to the Disease Prevention Hotline at hiv-stdhotline@vdh.virginia.gov.


 

Reminder: HIV & Hepatitis Testing Team Administrative Portal

The HIV and Hepatitis Testing Team Administrative Portal is DDP’s central resource for agencies to manage HIV and Hepatitis testing needs. Community-based organizations, local health departments, and health centers can use the portal to:

    • Request:
      • Testing supplies (such as HIV and HCV test kits and/or controls)
      • CTR forms
      • Tyvek envelopes
      • Technical assistance
    • Report problems with test kits or controls
    • Notify DDP about expiring or test kit controls
    • And more!

To access the Administrative Portal, visit: https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=MYEJ39XTY9. The link to the portal is also available on the DDP Community Partners page under the General Partner Agency Resources expandable tab.


 

New HIV Annual Report Available

The 2024 HIV Annual Report is available on the DDP Data/Reports page.

    • In 2024, VDH reported 852 new HIV diagnoses (a 2% decrease from the 870 reported in 2023)
    • While the overall number of new diagnoses were down, there was a 41% increase reported in the age group 15-19.
      • The 41 new diagnoses among people aged 15-19 equal the previous high over the past 6 year in 2019 (also 41)
    • Black, non-Hispanic and Hispanic/Latino race and ethnicities continue to be disproportionately impacted by new HIV diagnoses (25.8 and 15.3 new diagnoses per 100,000 persons, respectively)
      • People reporting Hispanic/Latino (all races) increased significantly since 2022 (about 27% increases each year).
    • In 2024, there were 28,264 people with HIV living in Virginia

For any questions, please contact Lauren Maxwell, Lead HIV Epidemiologist, at L.maxwell@vdh.virginia.gov.


 

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

A new online training opportunity is available. There are no fees involved to participate or to receive credit.

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


 

Upcoming 340B Health Webinars

Stay up to date with 340B information! The 340B Coalition is holding several upcoming webinars. These include:

    • 340B Updates from the Field
    • 340 Bootcamp 2024: A 3-Part Series for 340B Beginners
    • Complimentary Webinar: Maximizing Your 340B Health Membership

Some webinars require membership to the 340B Coalition or require a registration fee.


 

Personnel Announcements

No DDP personnel updates for September 2025.