May 2024

Board of Directors

Annual scholarship fundraiser

During May, as part of Nurses Week and beyond, the ANAC Board of Directors hosted the third annual scholarship fundraiser to support nurses and nursing students to attend the ANAC conference in November.

Last year, ANAC awarded a mix of 15 full and partial scholarships. This year, our goal is to surpass this achievement by raising $10,000. To date, we have raised over $6,000. Help us get closer to our goal!

While the May campaign has closed, you can still make a donation online using the drop-down box to indicate scholarships. Every donation, regardless of size, will enable nurses and nursing students to enhance their clinical expertise, stay updated on the latest advancements in nursing research and improve their advocacy skills at ANAC2024.

Policy

ANAC participates in workgroups

ANAC is an active participant in the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership (FAAP), a national coalition of more than 120 local, regional and national organizations advocating for federal funding, legislation and policy to end the HIV epidemic in the United States. It is organized through specific workgroups. ANAC staff and Policy Committee chairs represent ANAC and the interests of ANAC members and the communities that we serve on the following work groups (WG):

• Carole Treston (Healthcare access WG)
• Donna Sabatino (HIV Prevention WG)
• Sheila Tumilty (HIV & Aging WG)
• Marik Moen - ANAC Policy Committee co-chair (Research & Structural/SDOH WGs)
• Justin Alves - ANAC Policy Committee co-chair (Syndemics WG)

FAPP updates will be available in upcoming newsletters. Contact Donna Sabatino for more information.

Research

All of Us Research webinar

ANAC hosted a webinar with Caitlin Dreisbach, PhD, RN, who presented “Nurses Advancing Reproductive and Sexual Health Research Using the All of Us Researcher Workbench”. If you missed the live webinar you can find the recording and slides on our website.

Conference

Early bird registration for our annual conference is now open.

Register now at a discounted price to reserve your spot today!

Join us to:

• Attend engaging presentations covering the latest in HIV/AIDS care and related co-morbidities.
• Examine the connections between LGBTQ+ rights, social determinants of health, racism and trauma related to quality of life, HIV prevention and treatment.
• Connect with more than 400 nurses and other members of the health care team from around the world who are interested in HIV, health equity and advocacy.

Conference is open to all ANAC members and non-members. Attendees are eligible to receive up to 18 contact hours of nursing continuing professional development!

Member and Chapter News

ANAC visits South Dakota!

Carole Treston and Sheila Tumilty were recently in South Dakota with ANAC member Pat Doust and had the opportunity to visit the Pine Ridge Reservation, the Oglala Lakota College of Nursing and the Red Cloud Indian School. Visits provided greater insight into the challenges faced in these locations and discussions included issues such as stigma, health care access and disparities, and knowledge about PrEP and U=U. We extended ANAC membership invitations to nurses working on the reservation.

Chapter Committee session for leaders

The Chapter Committee hosted a chapter leader session on reporting and the importance it plays in running your chapter. Check it out if you missed it and please send to your chapter leaders. The Chapter Committee alongside ANAC national staff will host chapter leader sessions throughout 2024.

Chapter Award applications now open

We are now accepting applications for the Chapter Recognition Award.

This award recognizes the outstanding efforts of one of ANAC’s chapters in meeting the mission of the organization, which includes:

• Creating an effective network among nurses and other members of the healthcare team in HIV care.
• Providing leadership to the nursing community in matters related to HIV disease and/or its comorbidities.
• Studying, researching and exchanging information, experiences and ideas leading to improved care for persons with HIV disease and/or its comorbidities.
• Social advocacy & actions for persons with HIV disease and/or its comorbidities, or for other related social justice and human rights issues (examples, unhoused, LGBTQ rights, anti-racism, equality, etc.

The 2023 Chapter of the year, the Houston Gulf Coast Chapter, submitted this amazing video for their application. Is your chapter applying this year?

Committee News

DEI Fellowship applications open

The fellowship recognizes a member of a historically underrepresented racial or ethnic minority group who has a genuine interest in HIV/AIDS care. Re-watch the informational webinar for more information on past recipients and mentors.

The DEI Fellowship supports a student from a diverse racial or ethnic background who has an interest in HIV care by establishing a mentor/mentee relationship with an ANAC member and provides support for attending the ANAC annual conference.

Apply now! Deadline is June 10.

National LatinX Conference

DEI Committee co-chair Michele Crespo-Fierro and Membership Manager Nakera Dumas attended the NaLa Conference, also known as the National LatinX Conference, last month in El Paso to represent ANAC. We proudly sponsored a booth to exchange ideas and engage with nurses and other healthcare professionals that serve LatinX communities! NaLa is one of the largest gatherings of individuals working with Hispanic/Latino communities on issues related to HIV.

CCO partnership continues

ANAC was pleased to collaborate with Clinical Care Options (CCO) as well as members in South Dakota and the Palm Springs Chapter to present two live events in May. ANAC members Jenn Sobolik and Pat Daoust presented “Overcoming Barriers to PrEP Uptake: Nurses Perspectives” in Rapid City, SD. Pictured are Jenn Sobolik and Pat Daoust.

ANAC members Anthony Velasco and Robert Dodge presented “Beyond Viral Suppression: Expert Strategies to Improve Patient Outcomes – Nurse Perspectives” in Palm Springs, CA. We are grateful to members in both locations for working with the national office to bring these opportunities to their communities. Palm Springs members Bridgette Picou, Anthony Velasco, Jimmie Leckliter and Kimberly Skeete seen here with Robert Dodge and Carole Treston.

Research Participants

ANAC member and PhD Candidate at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing Brenice Duroseau, MSN, FNP-C, RNC-OB, AAHIVS, is seeing participants for her dissertation research. Her research focuses on addressing sexual reproductive health (SRH) disparities among marginalized groups, especially Black women, who are disproportionately affected by HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Find out more and share the flyer and screener link with your social and professional networks who may meet the eligibility criteria.