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From ANAC ED Shey Thorn, DrPH, MPH
Nurses providing HIV care continue to show up with courage and clarity in an increasingly volatile landscape, and that reality shapes everything we do at ANAC.
Across prevention, treatment, education and advocacy, nurses continue to serve patients and communities amid growing political threats to public health, professional autonomy and safety. Still, nurses remain steady. Your commitment to care, dignity and justice is lived out every day in clinics, hospitals, community settings and advocacy spaces across the country and around the world.
ANAC exists to ensure nurses are not standing alone and that the nursing voice is never silenced. Advocacy is central to our mission. In recent weeks, ANAC joined more than a thousand organizations nationwide in calling on Congress to halt further funding to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and to revoke billions already allocated to enforcement practices that place communities and health professionals at risk. We also stood with regional and national partners in opposing proposed cuts to Florida’s ADAP program, naming the real harm these decisions would cause to people living with HIV and to the nurses who care for them. Through policy coalitions and coordinated action, we continue to ensure the voice of nurses in HIV care is present, informed and heard.
I am deeply proud of the people guiding this work. Our staff bring expertise, integrity and care to everything they do, and our Board remains engaged, principled and committed to meeting this moment with resolve.
There is also much to look forward to. Conference planning is well underway for sunny San Diego, where we will gather to learn, reconnect and strengthen one another, while also creating space to rest and restore. That balance is essential to sustaining this work.
Our members are the heart of ANAC. Your expertise, advocacy and care shape this organization’s direction and impact. Thank you for standing firm in this shared effort. I am hopeful about what we will build together in the year ahead.
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Florida ADAP cuts - AHF finals lawsuit
On Jan. 8, Florida’s Department of Health announced that on March 1, it will cut the AIDS Drug Access Program (ADAP) by reducing eligibility ending support to purchase health insurance for clients and removing the most-prescribed HIV treatment drug from the program’s formulary. These cuts will affect all of the more than 30,000 ADAP clients and will result in over half of those clients losing access to ADAP services. On Jan. 28, the AIDS Health Foundation filed a petition that the ADAP did not go through the mandatory rulemaking process.
ANAC statement on Minneapolis tragedy
ANAC issued a statement condemning the tragic loss of life of Alex Pretti, RN, in Minneapolis this past weekend. Nurse Pretti was legally exercising his right to protest and these senseless acts of violence that are continuing are avoidable and inexcusable.
ANA calls for action
The American Nurses Association has put together a call to action form to encourage legislators to put an end to the current federal policies in place regarding immigration enforcement in our communities. ANAC fully agrees with the ANA that forceful immigration enforcement has no place in our cities and should never breach HIPAA requirements, impede safe workplaces or the ability to provide safe care in healthcare settings. Stand with us and ANA by contacting your local legislators.
| Our Chapters & Committees | | |
Get Connected in 2026!
ANAC chapters offer a local way to stay engaged, build professional relationships, and support HIV and infectious disease nursing in your community. Through meetings, education events and networking opportunities, chapters connect members with peers who share a passion for advocacy, equity and excellence in care. January is a great time to get involved—find a local chapter, attend an event or explore leadership opportunities near you! Reach out to anac@anacnet.org with any questions or assistance.
Chapter reports due Jan. 31!
A quick reminder that the following reports are due by Jan. 31, 2026. Reports can be submitted online via the ANAC website. You will need to log in to your ANAC account to access the forms.
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New committee chairs appointed
Christopher Hetzer has been appointed chair of the Chapters Committee after serving as co-chair. We are excited for the leadership and energy Christopher brings to this new role. Thank you to Jim Leckliter for previously serving as the co-chair of the committee.
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Gabrielle LeFlore has been appointed the new chair of the Membership Committee. This is a new role for Gabby and we are looking forward to seeing her vision for growing and engaging our members take shape. Thank you to Bill Mannion for his previous leadership of the committee.
| | Member Benefits & Opportunities | | |
JANAC
As part of your ANAC membership, you receive complimentary access to JANAC—a peer-reviewed journal published by Wolters Kluwer and dedicated to advancing HIV and infectious disease nursing practice, research and education.
Why JANAC Matters
JANAC delivers evidence-based insights that support nurses and health professionals across clinical practice, education, research and leadership. Articles focus on improving outcomes for people affected by HIV and related conditions while addressing health equity, stigma and workforce development.
What You’ll Find in JANAC
Recent and recurring article topics include:
- HIV prevention strategies, including PrEP and PEP implementation
- Care models for people aging with HIV
- Mental health, stigma reduction and trauma-informed care
- Health disparities and equity in HIV care
- Nursing leadership, education and workforce issues
- Global perspectives on HIV and infectious disease care
How to Access JANAC
1. Visit the ANAC website and log in to your member account.
2. Navigate to Member Resources or Publications.
3. Select JANAC – Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.
4. You will be seamlessly directed to the Wolters Kluwer platform, where you can browse current issues, archived articles and search by topic.
No separate subscription or payment is required—access is included with your membership. Take advantage of this valuable benefit to stay current, support evidence-based practice and strengthen your professional development.
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Each month, ANAC regularly highlights members during U.S. Heritage and HIV/AIDS awareness observances. We look forward to featuring members this upcoming year starting in February. Take a look at past features:
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Black History Month and National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (Feb. 7): JJ Jackson, MA, NCC, LCPC, LPC
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Social Work Month: Genice Morton, LSW, MSW, CPM
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National HIV Testing Day (June 27): Hazel Jones Parker, DNP, CRNP, AACRN, AAHIVP
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National African Immigrants and Refugee HIV and Hepatitis Awareness Day (Sept 9): Melonie Owusu, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, AACRN, AAHIVS
Interested in being featured or would like to recommend a member? Contact us at anac@anacnet.org!
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Newly published editorial
Graduate education access isn’t just an academic issue—it’s a health equity issue.
While much has been said about the Department of Education’s proposed list of graduate professional degrees, one critical point often gets overlooked: federal graduate loans are a lifeline for registered nurses from underserved communities. Without them, many #nurses cannot even begin the journey to advanced practice—impacting the future of HIV care and health equity. The Journal of Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC)'s newest editorial, led by the remarkable Dr. S. Raquel Ramos from Yale School of Nursing, dives deep into this complex, and urgent topic including: -Why loan accessibility matters for nursing leadership -How policy decisions ripple through HIV care -What’s at stake for the communities we serve.
This editorial is a must-read for anyone passionate about health equity, nursing education and HIV care. You can read it FREE for 30 days.
| | Upcoming Conference & Events | |
Save the Date for ANAC2026!
ANAC2026 will be held in San Diego, CA Nov. 12-14. Registration information will be announced soon, so mark your calendars!
Abstracts open for 2026 NAHN Annual Conference
The conference will be held in Denver, CO July 15-17. Abstract submissions for conference poster and podium presentations will be accepted through Feb. 21, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Submit your proposals today!
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Donna Sabatino, RN, ACRN
Policy Consultant
Donna's area of focus:
As the policy consultant for ANAC, my focus is on domestic policy issues, making sure ANAC and nursing is represented on the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership committee calls and full meetings. I am truly honored to be in this role as policy consultant and will continue to keep ANAC and the nursing profession in the forefront of policy issues. As an HIV nurse for over 3 decades, the relationships cultivated, that are not transferable, continue to be an asset to the organization. Having a seat at the table ensures ANAC and nursing are front and center when policy decisions, that impact the people we serve as well as our profession, are decided.
Key highlights:
- Assisted in the development of the ANAC advocacy toolkit, in collaboration with the Florida Nurses Association, which can be utilized by nurses and other professions
- Working tirelessly and advocating against the draconian ADAP funding cuts that Florida, and likely other states, is implementing. By making calls to elected officials, collaborating with our national partners, interviews and press statements, and sign on letters with our medical organization partners, IAPAC, HIVMA and the AAHIVM we have been able to get the messages out on how these changes can bring us back in time and remove the progress that has been made in the treatment, care and prevention of HIV. Not to mention the impact it will have on the 130,000 HIV lives in Florida, 16,000 of whom it will immediately impact on March 1.
- I am truly humbled to have been a recipient of the Helen Miramontes advocacy award. This award recognizes an ANAC member whose work focuses on improving the lives of vulnerable persons or communities: influences policy at local, state, national or international level and whose drive motivates and passion affects change.
What’s next:
I am currently working on the Florida ADAP funding cuts in Florida and potentially other states. We cannot allow the decisions made by public health leadership at the state level interfere with the progress we have made during the decades of HIV. That has taken up every working hour since we returned from the holidays, however, there will be many other initiatives that will come my way in this role. By continuously keeping tabs on Federal issues that can impact our population, i.e., HOPWA, funding cuts, CDC, NIH, and other agency changes, ANAC stays informed and invited to being part of the solution.
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Research study help needed
ANAC member Dr. Rasheeta Chandler is looking for black women who are willing to participate in a focus group regarding their use of ChatGPT.
Download the flyer
Fill out the form
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2025 Sigma Theta Tau/Association of Nurses in AIDS Care Grant
Samar Mohsen Ashmawi, MS, RN, CPNP-PC, received the 2025 Sigma/Association of Nurses in AIDS Care research grant. Samar is a PhD candidate at New York University's Rory Meyers College of Nursing. Her dissertation research focuses on developing a comprehensive, culturally sensitive sex education program for HIV prevention for Arab adolescent girls and young women (ages 18–22) in Saudi Arabia. Her work utilizes a community-engaged research approach, informed by postcolonial feminism and gender and power theories, to explore socio-economic and cultural factors that influence adolescent girls' and young women's vulnerability to HIV.
The purpose of the Sigma/Association of Nurses in AIDS Care research grant is to encourage research career development of nurses through support of clinically oriented HIV/AIDS research and increase the number of HIV studies being done by nurses. This includes studies focused on HIV prevention, symptom management, promotion of self-care and adherence.
The Sigma/Association of Nurses in AIDS Care research grant application is now open!
Grant details:
Funding available: $2,500 (max)
Deadline: 4/1/2026
Funding date: 8/1/2026
Visit Sigma Nursing for more information and to apply.
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New Year, New Opportunity to Give
As we step into the year ahead, we are inviting our community to lean in with us and help strengthen the work that advances HIV care, education and advocacy nationwide. When you give to ANAC, you are investing in the programs, learning, connections and leadership that keep ANAC moving forward.
If ANAC has supported your practice, expanded what you know or created space for community, we would love for you to be part of what we build next as a donor and a power player in this work.
DONATE NOW!
P.S. Recurring monthly gifts are an easy way to support ANAC throughout the year!
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The George Washington University - Manager, Clinical Research Operations, DC Cohort (Washington, DC)
The DC Cohort is recruiting a Manager, Clinical Research Operations, DC Cohort to work collaboratively with the Study PI, GWU Biostatistics Center MPI, and Project Director to oversee, coordinate, and manage day-to-day study operations. The NIH-funded DC Cohort is one of the largest urban HIV cohort studies in the US and captures electronic health information on consenting participants living with HIV, and at higher risk for HIV acquisition, at 14 clinical sites in Washington, DC. Learn more.
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