Our word for the month is COMMUNITY!

Community is our word every month because the community is where we put our efforts and why our work matters.

In this edition, we shine the light on one of our incredible taskforce members. We are always appreciative of their support and dedication to making a significant impact. Their contributions exemplify the importance of community.

We also share some highlights from our trip outside the local community to the 2024 United States Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA) held in New Orleans, LA. This event not only fostered meaningful dialogue but also underscored the vital role of community engagement in driving awareness.

Finally, we want to make sure you are in the know on all things happening at MSM Satcher Health Leadership Institute so be sure to check out our upcoming events section at the end of this newsletter.

As always, thank you for being a part of the Morehouse School of Medicine SHLI community. We are on the go and we will not stop until everyone has access to the information and resources needed to thrive!

Meet Sierra Hillsman, MEd, LPC, NCC, CAMS-II, CCTP

Therapist, Holistic Atlanta

Sierra Hillsman is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Anger Management Specialist-II and National Certified Counselor. A South Florida native, Sierra graduated from the University of South Florida. She is also a masters-level graduate of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of West Georgia. Sierra began her career in partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs. Her professional background also includes residential substance abuse treatment and clients who are court-mandated.

As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, she is passionate about helping clients who seek to heal from their traumatic experiences and redefine a new sense of normalcy on their own terms. Although her treatment approach is rooted in Adlerian and Wellness Counseling, Sierra leverages strengths-based and wellness counseling techniques. Her clinical specialties are adjustment and life transitions, identity work and trauma. She also welcomes and affirms clients who identify as Gender, Sexual and Romantic Minorities (or LGBTQI+).

Sierra Hillsman is fully licensed in Georgia and Maryland and continues to serve marginalized populations at Holistic Atlanta, a private practice located in Stonecrest. She has been featured on Facebook Watch’s Peace of Mind with Taraji, Bustle, Fox 10 News, XONecole and more. She is the CEO of Legacy Speaks, a training and development firm equipping working professionals and their organizations with the skills and resources to combat career-related stressors. She teaches her clients how to develop a greater sense of self, increase work-life harmony and improve their leadership skills.

Dr. Standifer presented the Georgia Thrives End the Epidemic initiative to attendees at the 2024 United States Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA) held in New Orleans, LA September 12- 15, 2024.

The USCHA, known for its networking opportunities and for convening stakeholders across the healthcare and HIV spectrum, is a conference that brings together thousands of people from all over the United States including consumers, case managers, healthcare and public health professionals, concerned advocates and private sector partners. This year’s theme was "So Goes the South, So Goes the Epidemic". The goal of the conference each year is to build leaders to address HIV/AIDS challenges, ending the epidemic and centering the stories of those impacted by HIV.

Dr. Standifer was part of a riveting panel discussion on MSM SHLI’s Gilead work.

Thank you Dr. Standifer for representing us well!

National Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, acknowledges the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic Americans whose ancestors are from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Although there is no exempt community when it comes to HIV/AIDS, the Hispanic-American community is disproportionately affected compared to many other populations. To raise awareness, we've created social media graphics with key facts for you to share. Let's support our community through shared awareness! Be sure to tag us when you share and feel free to use the content below the graphic.

It's time to change these PrEP prescription rates! Only 16% of eligible Hispanic/Latino Americans were prescribed PrEP vs. 65% for whites in 2020.

#HIVPrevention #HispanicHeritageMonth #HealthJustice #GAThrives #GeorgiaThrives #HIVAIDS HIVAIDSAwareness #HIVAIDSPrevention

👀 Woah! Those numbers show a striking gap! Hispanic/Latino Americans disproportionately face new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. We need targeted efforts to understand and address this. This National Hispanic Heritage Month, join us in spreading awareness.

#HIVPrevention #HispanicHeritageMonth #HealthJustice #GAThrives #GeorgiaThrives #HIVAIDS HIVAIDSAwareness #HIVAIDSPrevention

🚨 🎗️ Startling Disparity: Both Hispanic men and women are four times more likely to be affected by HIV/AIDS compared to white individuals. It's time to fight for equity and health. We need more awareness and action.

#HispanicHeritageMonth #FightHIV #HIVPrevention #HispanicHeritageMonth #HealthJustice #GAThrives #GeorgiaThrives #HIVAIDS HIVAIDSAwareness #HIVAIDSPrevention

WATCH FOR DR. STANDIFER ON THE BE WELL, SIS PODCAST

Our own Director of Population Health, Dr. Maisha Standifer, was the guest on the national award-winning podcast, Be Well, Sis hosted by Dr. Cassandra Dunbar.

The podcast was awarded the Best Health and Wellness Podcast by Black Podcasting Awards two years in a row (2021 and 2022).

The segment will air later in the year. We will keep you posted!

10th Annual MSM Community Engagement Day

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Community Engagement Day is a FREE annual event highlighting the best of MSM’s partnerships and collaborations with neighborhood residents and other external partners in service, research, patient care and training. Our theme this year is A New Day for Health, Equity and Justice! This means that we aren’t only addressing mental and physical health, but also the social determinants of health – the outside factors that affect us all daily.

CLICK HERE to meet us there!

Atlanta PRIDE FESTIVAL

Atlanta Pride is the largest pride festival in the Southeast that celebrates diversity and community during a week-long lineup that includes live entertainment, cultural exhibits, a Pride parade and the “Marketplace,” which features more than 200 vendors. This free event is open to the public at Piedmont Park.

Join the celebration!

CLICK HERE to learn more!

American Public Health Association (APHA) Conference

The MSM SHLI team is headed to Minneapolis! We’re looking forward to learning from leading experts, increasing our skills and knowledge, and connecting with our peers at this year’s conference. This year focuses on rebuilding trust in public health and science to ensure populations live longer, healthier lives.

Stay tuned as we share more following the conference!

CLICK HERE to learn more!

The Satcher Health Leadership Institute encourages everyone to get tested and know their status. Click here (pages 37-38) to view a listing of local area testing sites (Source: NIH-funded Center for AIDS Research at Emory University). Together, we can mark another milestone in the Black community's ever-evolving history of better tomorrows and brighter futures.