In this episode of Philly Public Health Chats, we talk with Valerie Hughes and Ellen Matzer, two nurses on the front lines during the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Valerie and Ellen discuss their backgrounds, their experiences during the early days of the epidemic, the societal challenges, and why they ultimately wrote the book ‘Nurses on the Inside.’

The episode highlights the personal and professional struggles they faced, the lack of support from the government during the Reagan administration, and the enduring impact of the epidemic. The discussion also touches on the importance of patient-centered care, the ongoing challenges in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and initiatives such as World AIDS Day.

The episode concludes with a reminder of the importance of getting tested and the advances in HIV treatment.