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ANAC ED transition
This month marks a transition for ANAC. Long-time ANAC Executive Director, Carole Treston, RN, MPH, FAAN, retires from that role and Shey Thorn, DrPH, MPH, fully assumes the role of ANAC Executive Director. The ANAC Board of Directors acknowledges the distinguished tenure of Carole, whose leadership guided ANAC through a decade of growth, innovation and advocacy in HIV nursing and global health equity and welcomes Shey into this role. He can be reached at shey@anacnet.org.
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ANAC responds to federal decision excluding nursing from Professional Degree classification
The Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) expresses profound concern and unequivocal opposition to the decision by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) to exclude nursing from the definition of “professional degree” programs in its forthcoming federal student-loan eligibility rulemaking. Read the full statement.
ANAC ED interviewed by ABC News
Members of PACHA (President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS) released a statement regarding threats to HIV progress by the current Administration. ANAC Executive Director & PACHA member, Carole Treston, in an interview with ABC News stated “We have the tools to stop new HIV infections and keep people who are already positive healthy. We can end the HIV epidemic, but only if we continue the federal support that made these gains possible.”
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Dying in America Part 2 webinar
Dec. 18 - 3 p.m. ET: Join us for the second webinar in our series Dying in America: Tools for discussing tough topics with clients, family and friends. Sponsored by the Clinical Practice Committee, the webinar will be presented by ANAC member Melanie Steilen. Register.
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2025 JANAC Article of the Year
At ANAC2025, we awarded the JANAC Article of the Year to Dr. Wanda Goodwyn, Dr. Courtney Caiola, and Dr. Donna Roberson for their powerful manuscript: “An Integrative Review of the Literature Examining Sexual Relationship Power, Depressive Symptoms, Silencing the Self, and HIV Vulnerability for Women in the United States.”
This article stands out for its bold focus on how gender dynamics and mental health shape HIV risk. By examining sexual relationship power, depressive symptoms, and the concept of “silencing the self,” the authors highlight the structural and psychological factors that contribute to vulnerability—especially for women navigating complex social and relational environments.
Nov./Dec. issue is out!
This issue features 10 articles that generate new knowledge that can help promote the health, protect the safety, alleviate suffering and uphold the dignity of women and girls living with or at risk for HIV. Though these articles span methods and geography, they share a commitment to a rigorous research to improve the holistic health of women throughout their lifespan. Read the full issue.
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Evaluations and NCPD
Don’t forget! Evaluations and NCPD credit for attending conference sessions closes on Dec. 31. Conference attendees: check your email for the link to complete the evaluations. Up to 17 hours of NCPD credit is available to attendees. If you need assistance, contact anac@anacnet.org.
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On World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, a study published in Nature, Correlates of HIV-1 control after combination immunotherapy, showed that it may be possible to control HIV without long-term antiviral treatment. Researchers at the University of California-San Francisco, studied treatment with a combination of experimental immunotherapy agents which allowed seven out of 10 participants to maintain the virus at low levels for many months after stopping antiretroviral treatment." | | |
HIV and Aging
Two new resources recently became available related to HIV and aging:
The Sex Never Gets Old campaign was created by the Office of HIV/AIDS Network Coordination’s 50 + HIV Prevention Work Group. This campaign is specifically designed as a resource to encourage conversations around sexual health and wellness for older adults.
HealthHIV released Healthy Aging with HIV learning modules and the Health Aging Hub, a central, online platform that provides education and resources to support people aging with HIV.
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Rural Committee
The Rural Committee was pleased to present their poster, Impact of HIV criminalization on rural communities in the United States: A call for policy change, at the American Public Health Association’s 2025 Conference in Washington, D.C. Spearheaded by committee member, Elizabeth Glaser, the poster highlighted the urgent need for legal and policy reform to align state statutes with the evidence that Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) which will promote health equity and justice for all particularly those in rural communities.
Research Committee
The Research Committee was pleased to host a panel discussion at ANAC2025. The dynamic panel brought together leading nurse researchers to explore strategic directions for HIV nursing science amid evolving research policies and funding priorities. Panelists shared insights on aligning research with national agendas, fostering innovation in a competitive funding climate and mentoring the next generation of nurse investigators. The panel featured ANAC members Diane Santa Maria, Kamila Alexander, Allison Webel, and Tierra Williams and was moderated by Committee Co-Chair, Julie Schexnayder.
Global Committee
Our ANAC Global Committee meeting and global roundtable were such energizing spaces this year, bringing together members from around the world to share the incredible work they’re leading in their communities. We heard powerful presentations from Asha Bhatt (India), who showed how holistic support and community-based approaches helped female sex workers living with HIV achieve a dramatic increase in viral suppression; Harrison Lagat (Kenya), who shared new research on how retail pharmacies can expand stigma-free access to PrEP and sexual and reproductive health services for adolescent girls and young women; and Cho Hee Shrader (South Africa), who offered insights into community-centered strategies strengthening HIV prevention and care.
These conversations highlighted exactly what makes our global community so special: meaningful collaboration, shared learning, and a commitment to improving HIV care everywhere. We’re grateful to all who joined and look forward to building on this momentum together.
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Chapter leadership list – overdue!
All active chapters must submit their chapter leadership list to the national office. These were due Nov. 4. Outgoing chapter presidents are responsible for the completion and submission. Please send them to anac@anacnet.org by Dec. 15.
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2024 ANAC Joanne Ruiz Achievement Award for Excellence in HIV Nursing Practice Award
Jennifer Peters Sobolik, MSN, CNP, FNP-C, AACRN, AAHIVS, received the 2024 Joanne Ruiz Achievement Award for Excellence in HIV Nursing Practice Award.
Jenn Sobolik is an HIV-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner at an FQHC in rural western South Dakota. She is the NP for the Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic at Complete Health where she provides HIV, Hepatitis C, and routine STI testing, treatment, and prevention services along with women’s health care.
This award is named in honor of Joanne Ruiz (1949-1991), one of the first nurses in the United States to become infected with HIV through occupational exposure. Despite this, she continued as an HIV/AIDS nurse and was admired by her colleagues for her compassionate care and non-judgmental respect for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. This award recognizes an outstanding ANAC nurse clinician who brings knowledge, skill and caring to people with HIV infection and their loved ones.
Congratulations again to our 2024 and 2025 ANAC Award Winners.
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Annual business meeting
The annual ANAC business meeting was held virtually on Nov, 15 at 10 a.m. ET - a time that allowed attendance by ANAC members around the globe. The presentation from the meeting is available
Research Committee Co-Chair, Moka Yoo-Jeong, was recently awarded a K01 grant from the National Institute on Aging. Her research project is A Mixed-methods Approach to Understand the Interplays of Social and Physical Environments, Loneliness, and Cognition among Older People with HIV
Forward 2 Quit (F2Q): A study and web program created with and for trans and gender expansive folks taking steps toward a smoke-free life. Find out more.
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Member benefit
DID YOU KNOW – THAT AS AN ANAC MEMBER – YOU HAVE ONE FREE POSTING IN THE NEWSLETTER EACH YEAR. Announce a job posting, your IRB-approved research project or other items. Contact anac@anacnet.org for more information.
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