BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Each February, we celebrate the achievements of Black Americans during Black History Month. We are proud to honor all of the outstanding Black ANAC members who are working to advance HIV/AIDS care, research, prevention, education and policy.
Feb. 7 - National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day to acknowledge progress in HIV prevention and care among Black people, while recognizing the work still needed. The CDC has put together a toolkit to help people spread the word about this important day.
As part of this year's celebration, we sat down with Deborah Wafer, chair of ANAC's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) committee, to discuss her career and the DEI committee's goals for this year.
Deborah Wafer, PA, NP (she/her)
Chair, ANAC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
HIV Prevention Medical Scientist, Gilead Sciences
Years as an ANAC member: 10

Why did you join the fight to end HIV/AIDS?
I started my professional life as a health educator and quickly became aware of how access impacts health outcomes. I joined the HIV fight to help educate women and the Black community. When I joined, there was tremendous amount of mistrust and denial about HIV in women and Black people. It was important for patients to see someone that looked like them and who could translate for them.

What does ANAC mean to you?
ANAC is an organization made up off committed nurses that are part of ending the HIV epidemic worldwide. My favorite part of being an ANAC member is seeing the shared dedication to patients among all members.

Do you have a mentor who has been instrumental to your career?
Dr. David Satcher is one of my mentors, and has been for the past 30 years. He is a Black American doctor I was fortunate to meet early in my career who has influenced public health in many ways, including serving as the 16th U.S. surgeon general. 

What words of wisdom might you pass on to those entering the field?
Never ever give up on your patients.

Who inspires you?
My grandparents inspire me. “I am my ancestors' wildest dream." My grandparents were sharecroppers in rural Louisiana with primary education.

What is something you learned in the last month?
In the last month, I’ve learned to give grace and have patience with people who have a different view than me. 

What are the DEI committee's goals for this year?
  1. Ensure diversity and inclusion are infused into all ANAC activities. 
  2. Educate nurses on how to be allies for each other and patients. 
  3. Raise awareness of how social determinants of health impact health outcomes and how nurses can be instruments for improvement.

For more information on our DEI committee, visit our website.