The Getting2U (G2U) crew got the chat with one of our own co-hosts, Peta-Gaye Tomlinson, Ryan White Project Manager at the Hartford City Health Department about the Ryan White Programs.

With Ryan White Programs specialized in providing assistance to the most vulnerable among the HIV Community, Peta-Gaye Tomlinson takes the time to break down the various programs and how they serve the community.

The Getting2U (G2U) crew got the chat with one of our own co-hosts, Peta-Gaye Tomlinson, Ryan White Project Manager at the Hartford City Health Department about the Ryan White Programs.

With Ryan White Programs specialized in providing assistance to the most vulnerable among the HIV Community, Peta-Gaye Tomlinson takes the time to break down the various programs and how they serve the community.

The Getting2U (G2U) crew get to chat with Dr. Kevin Hall, Dentist at The Health Collective, based in Hartford, CT.

In this jaw-dropping episode, Dr. Kevin Hall delves into the critical intersection of HIV and oral health. The conversation explores the unique oral health challenges faced by individuals living with HIV and highlights the importance of integrating dental care into HIV treatment plans.

If you have a topic you’d like us to discuss or just want to share your feedback, please feel free to email us at [email protected].

On this episode of Getting2U, the G2U crew chat with Dr. Marwan Haddad, Medical Director of the Center for Key Populations at CHC located in Middletown, Connecticut. The group explores who makes up the Key Populations within the HIV epidemic as well as the role of Primary Care Providers and the importance of taking a Sexual Health History.

Listen today and join the G2U crew in this inspiring podcast episode!

For more information about Dr. Haddad’s Project ECHO series, click here!

If you have a topic you’d like us to discuss or just want to share your feedback, please feel free to email us at [email protected].

The Getting2U (G2U) crew get the chat with Dr. AC Demidont. Medical Scientist for Gilead Sciences.

The team met with Dr. AC Demidont to discuss the latest on HIV PrEP and the studies involved in approving these medications. Dr. Demidont shared her knowledge and input on the current state of HIV PrEP and the importance of getting these treatments in the hands of those who need it most.

If you have a topic you’d like us to discuss or just want to share your feedback, please feel free to email us at [email protected]

The Getting2U (G2U) crew get the chat with Adam Castillejo, also known as The London Patient. Adam was the second person in the world to be cured by HIV through receiving a bone-marrow transplant to combat against his Leukemia.

The team sets the tone for the episode with a brief talk about “safe spaces” and the need to use “people-first language” to battle the ever-going stigma attached to HIV, Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Mental Health, and Substance Use Disorders. People-first language humanizes the condition that the person is going through and subconsciously reminds people that the individual dealing with the issue is a person, rather than the issue itself. A common example used quite often is “person with substance use disorder” versus “drug addict”. People-first language also looks at terminology and its stigmatizing effects on the people experiencing the situation, for instance referring to someone with a negative HIV or STI test result as “clean”. This statement automatically implies a positive test result would be “dirty” and results in external and internal stigma to the individual.

If you have a topic you’d like us to discuss or just want to share your feedback, please feel free to email us at [email protected].

In this episode, the Getting2U (G2U) crew get the chat with Angelica Colon aka Angie, who acquired HIV perinatally and now uses her lived experiences to advocate for others who had similar life experiences.

Angie is a member of the National HIV & Aging Network. If you’re interested in joining, click HERE.

For medical providers looking to earn CME Credit for tuning in, please click here to be directed to our CME page where you’ll find every podcast episode and their post-test to complete under Content & Tests.

If you have a topic you’d like us to discuss or just want to share your feedback, please feel free to email us at [email protected].

The Getting2U (G2U) crew get the chat with subject matter expert, Alixe Dittmore from the National Harm Reduction Coalition based in New York City about HIV and Substance Use Disorder (SUD).

The team’s Hot Topic discussion centered around an article from U.S. News about a Colorado school district’s struggles for allowing Narcan to be at their schools, following the overdose of a 13-year-old student. For more information on the topic click here.

Alixe Dittmore answered a thorough list of questions all aimed at Connecticut’s current SUD climate and how it impacts the HIV community. She addressed various best practices for frontline workers and medical providers, specifically highlighting numerous resources for professionals to use to best serve their clients, which are listed below. If you would like to contact Alixe regarding professional trainings at your agency or place of work, Alixe can be reached at [email protected].

For medical providers looking to earn CME Credit for tuning in, please click here to be directed to our CME page where you’ll find every podcast episode and their post-test to complete under Content & Tests.

If you have a topic you’d like us to discuss or just want to share your feedback, please feel free to email us at [email protected].

Resources:

The Getting2U (G2U) crew get the chance to meet with subject matter expert, Danielle Warren-Diaz, Community Health Program Director at Connecticut Children’s and UCONN Health’s Youth and Family Community Health Program.

The team’s Hot Topic discussion was about the Department of Health and Human Service’s new Chestfeeding Guidelines for people living with HIV. For more information on the topic click here. (Infant Feeding for Individuals with HIV in the United States | NIH)

Danielle helped shed some light on the current impact of HIV on people of children-bearing age, especially among Black heterosexual women, who are among the highest population of people at risk for contracting HIV in Connecticut. Through some heart-felt moments and sharing of some personal experiences, the G2U crew took a deep dive into what UConn Health and Connecticut Children’s Hospital’s Youth and Family Community Health Program is doing to help combat this situation. Hoping to help inspire others to join the movement, Danielle provided her contact information for anyone looking to connect. Danielle can be reached at (860) 446-9685 or by email at [email protected].

If you have a topic you’d like us to discuss or just want to share your feedback, please feel free to email us at [email protected].

The Getting2U crew get the chance to meet with Dr. Amit Achhra, one of Connecticut’s top Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) specialist, and discussed the current trends of STIs in Connecticut and across the country, as well as dive into DoxyPEP and learn all there is to know about this newly approved approach to combat the spread of STIs.

The team’s Hot Topic discussion was on Emory University’s discovery using JAK inhibitors to bring us one step closer to discovering a cure for HIV. The link to their announcement is here.

Dr. Achhra made an awesome recommendation for providers who want extra support with their patients dealing with STIs to use the CDC’s STDCCN.org resource. Providers will get matched to local experts who can provide guidance and even treat their patient, if needed!

If you have a topic you’d like us to discuss or just want to share your feedback, please feel free to email us at [email protected].

*Follow-Up*: Since the time of this recording, the CDC has published draft DoxyPEP guidelines and are looking for public comments. Click the link for more information: Public Comment Period for Doxy PEP Guidelines (cdc.gov)