The President's Perspective - Leading Together | |
I Came for the Conference. I Stayed for the Hugs.
I did not always believe in professional nursing organizations.
For most of my nursing career, I wanted no part of them. I saw nursing organizations as exclusive cliques, places where you had to know the right people to belong. That began to change when I started my doctoral studies.
One of my doctoral classmates, Michelle, encouraged me to join ANAC because my research focused on people with HIV. Her question was simple: How could you be doing this work and not belong to ANAC?
I still resisted.
Our doctoral program encouraged us to submit abstracts to professional conferences, and Michelle was determined to get me involved. She sat next to me until I had written three abstracts and submitted them to the ANAC conference. Of course, submitting those abstracts meant I had to join ANAC.
So I did. Reluctantly.
I will not deny that presenting my work at a national conference was a thrill. But when I think about that first ANAC conference, the presentations are not what I remember most.
I remember how people made me feel.
People I had never met came up to me. They introduced themselves. They welcomed me. They talked with me.
They gave me hugs. - I had not expected that. - And so, each year, I came back.
The education was excellent, but that was not the only reason I returned. I came back for the hugs. I came back for the love. I came back for the reconnection with people who “got me.”
There were years when things were difficult. Work was difficult. School was difficult. Life was difficult. But then I would arrive at ANAC, see familiar faces, reconnect with “my tribe,” and somehow, for a little while, everything felt right in the world again.
Over time, I realized that what I had found at ANAC was something I had never expected to find in a professional nursing organization. I found belonging.
ANAC changed what I believed a professional organization could be. Yes, we come together to advance the science and practice of HIV nursing. We learn from one another, develop professionally, address the challenges facing our patients and communities, and work collectively to improve HIV care. But ANAC is also something more.
ANAC is a community.
As President, I think often about the reluctant doctoral student who walked into her first ANAC conference expecting very little and found a community waiting to welcome her.
That experience shapes what I want for our organization today.
I want every new member to feel that there is a place for them here. I want the student attending their first conference, the nurse new to HIV care, the longtime HIV nurse, the researcher, the educator, the advanced practice nurse, the community partner, and the member traveling from another part of the world to know that they belong.
When you see someone standing alone at our conference, introduce yourself. When a new member joins your chapter or committee, reach out. When someone presents their work for the first time, congratulate them. Invite someone to sit with you. Make room at the table.
Tell them, “We are glad you are here.”
And, if they are a hugger, give them a hug.
Because long after we have forgotten the titles of presentations or the names of plenary sessions, we remember the people who welcomed us. We remember the communities in which we felt seen. We remember where we belonged. For me, ANAC became that place.
And all these years later, I still come back for the learning, for the work, for the people, for my tribe, and yes, for the hugs.
Darcel Reyes, PhD, ANP-BC, FNYAM, FAAN
President, ANAC Board of Directors
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States and DC pass measures for PrEP coverage
The District of Columbia, Massachusetts and Delaware have enacted measures requiring state-regulated insurers to cover the full range of PrEP options—including long-acting injectables—without cost-sharing, prior authorization or other utilization barriers. The protections strengthen access amid uncertainty about the future of federal PrEP coverage requirements and offer models for other states to follow.
| Our Chapters & Committees | |
Chapter spotlight
The Rhode Island Chapter recently participated in the Rhode Island AIDS Walk, hosting a RIANAC table to connect with attendees, share information and resources, and increase awareness of the role of nurses in HIV care and prevention. RIANAC members also joined the Rhode Island Pride Parade, demonstrating support for and solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities.
They are also planning their annual Education Day 2026! Meeting the Moment: Advancing HIV Care, Sexual Health, and Harm Reduction in Today’s Healthcare Landscape will be held Sept. 25 in Providence offering 6 contact hours of NCPD.
| Member Benefits & Opportunities | |
Member Benefit Spotlight: Share with the ANAC Community
Have something to share with fellow ANAC members? As part of your membership, you receive one complimentary posting in the ANAC member newsletter. Use your posting to share a job opportunity, research study or survey, professional opportunity, upcoming event, resource or other relevant announcement with the ANAC community. It’s another way your membership helps you connect, collaborate and get the word out about work that matters to the HIV care community. Contact the ANAC team to submit your complimentary newsletter posting for consideration in an upcoming issue.
Shop the new ANAC online store
Great news! The new ANAC 2026 online store is officially open! Browse ANAC merchandise online and place your order in advance for convenient pickup at the ANAC2026 conference in San Diego this November.
Shopping is simple and ordering ahead means your items will be ready for pickup at the conference.
Visit the ANAC 2026 online store today, start shopping and show your ANAC pride!
| Upcoming Conference & Events | |
ANAC2026: San Diego
Register now!
Official conference hotel
Book your room now at the Sheraton San Diego Resort. It offers amenities like morning yoga, free bicycle and paddle board rentals and a complimentary shuttle to and from the San Diego International Airport.
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ANAC Announces the 2026 ANAC Award Winners
We are proud to announce the list of award winners this year. These esteemed individuals will be honored at the annual ANAC Conference in San Diego on Nov. 12. If you are coming to ANAC2026, please plan on attending!
ANAC Awards
HIV Educator Distinguished Service Award
Dalmacio Dennis Flores, PhD, RN, FAAN
Research/Impact Award
Wei-Ti Chen, RN, CNM, PHD, FAAN
Joanne Ruiz Achievement for Excellence in Clinical Practice in HIV
Amit "Mickey" Dhir, PhD, MBA, MSN, NP-C, AAHIVS
Frank Lamendola Achievement Award for Nursing Leadership in HIV Care
Kamila Alexander, PhD, MPH, RN
Chapter Recognition Award
Houston Gulf Coast Chapter
Lucy Bradley-Springer Excellence in HIV Prevention Award
Sheryl Malone-Thomas, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, AACRN
Public Service Award
Demetre Daskalakis, MD, MPH
Helen Miramontes Advocacy Award
Arkeelaua Henderson, MSN, BSN, RN, AMB-BC, ACRN
SaVanna Wanzer (Awarded posthumously)
Andrew Komensky Excellence in Service Award (New award category)
Sheila Tumilty, BSN, RN, ACRN
Crystal Chapman Lambert, PhD, CRNP, NP-C, FNP-BC, AAHIVS, ACRN, FAAN
ANAC President's Award
HANCB
International Nursing Network for HIV Research
Lifetime Achievement Award
Carol Vincent, PhD, CRNP, RN, AAHIVS
HANCB Awards
Dr. Patrick Kenny Certified Nurse of the Year
Amanda Eldredge, BSN, RN, ACRN, AMB-BC
Lifetime Achievement Award
Carol Cohen, RN, ACRN
Richard L. Sowell JANAC Awards
Article of the Year
"In God's Hands": Qualitative Study of Religion/Spirituality and HIV-Related Intersectional Stigma Among Black Women Living With HIV in Washington, DC
Tamara Taggart, PhD, MPH
View award descriptions
(There were no applicants this year for the DEI Student Fellowship Award)
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Awards Program Ads
Honor your colleagues by placing an ad in the Awards program. You can place an ad even if you can't attend!
Ad info:
Full-page full color ad: 4W" X 8H" - $150
Half-page full color ad: 4W" X 4H" - $75
Due Oct 1. Contact sara@anacnet.org to place your ad!
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2025 DEI Student Fellowship Award webinar
This year, the 2025 DEI Fellowship Award winner, John Fuller, will be presenting a summary of his experience with his mentee at a webinar to be held in November. More information about this webinar will be announced soon!
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Get to know the ANAC staff
Mary Smith, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, AMB-BC, NC-BC
NCPD Director
Accredited Provider Program Director (AP-PD)
As ANAC’s NCPD Director, I oversee the activities we offer as an accredited provider of nursing continuing professional development (NCPD). Much of my work happens behind the scenes alongside ANAC’s Executive Director and Education Director to meet members’ educational needs, maintain alignment with accreditation criteria, and support ANAC’s mission. In 2025, ANAC awarded more than 3,000 NCPD contact hours to nurses and other health care professionals who attended educational events.
Key highlights:
The highlight of my year is our annual conference. It takes a village of ANAC staff and member volunteers to bring it to life, and my role is to prepare the educational components with the ANAC team. When conference days arrive, it is a privilege to see ANAC members and allies fill the space to learn, connect and strengthen one another through this remarkable community.
HIV/AIDS care, research, prevention and policy work can be challenging, exhausting and often isolating. Seeing our community come together each year to lift one another up is an absolute highlight for me.
What's next / What I'm currently working on:
With our annual conference just around the corner, it is naturally a major focus right now. But did you know that ANAC also partners with other organizations to provide continuing professional development throughout the year? I work with ANAC chapters, universities such as Case Western Reserve and Johns Hopkins, and other organizations to bring HIV-related accredited education to communities across the country. Let us know if accredited education can help further your cause!
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President's Award
Tavell Kindall, PhD, CNP, APRN, FNP, AACRN, FAANP and Kendrick Clack, PhD APRN, FNP-C, AACRN, AAHIVS received the 2025 ANAC President’s Award.
This award is given to the association member(s) who, in the opinion of the president, has provided exemplary leadership and service in fulfillment of the association’s mission and strategic plan. The award is given at the discretion of the president and every association member is eligible.
Dr. Tavell L. Kindall is a board certified family nurse practitioner and nationally recognized clinician, educator, speaker, nurse regulator, and HIV prevention and treatment expert impacting thousands of patients and health professionals through his expertise and contributions to clinical practice, education, and health policy. He currently serves as the Director of HIV Prevention and Treatment at St. Thomas Community Health Center in New Orleans, LA. He oversees the provision of clinical services related to HIV prevention, HIV primary care, sexually transmitted infections, and viral hepatitis. He is a credentialed HIV specialist by the American Academy of HIV Medicine and an Advanced HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse by the HIV/ AIDS Nursing Certification Board.
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Dr. Kendrick T. Clack is a board certified family nurse practitioner who practices routine primary care. His clinical experience includes the management of patient living HIV, Hepatitis and gender affirming care. He has certifications from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American Academy of HIV Medicine, and the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. Kendrick is a veteran of the US Navy Nurse Corps. He currently works at Crofoot MD Clinic and Research Center. He is also pursuing a PhD in Nursing Science at Texas Woman’s University. In his spare time, he enjoys running and traveling.
Read more about our 2025 Award Winners.
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OMB commentary published
Members of the ANAC Research Committee recently submitted a commentary to JANAC in response to proposed revisions to the Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Guidance governing federal research funding. The commentary calls for protecting scientific integrity, independent peer review, community engagement and sustained federal investment in research that advances HIV prevention, treatment and care.
| Resources & Funding Opportunities | |
New menopause clinician education offering
A National Library of Medicine-funded clinician education initiative, Her & Now, aims to strengthen clinicians’ knowledge and confidence in providing menopause and midlife care to women living with HIV. The initiative includes six monthly webinars, with free continuing education credit available to nurses and other disciplines for each live session. The website also features webinar recordings, videos, animated case presentations, articles and information about upcoming sessions.
New policy mapping tool released
The Center for Health Law & Policy Innovation at Harvard Law School and the Policy Innovation Exchange (PIX) have launched Mapping Preventive Care Access at the State Level, a new interactive resource examining state coverage mandates and cost-sharing requirements. The maps include policies related to preventive services, PrEP and prenatal and perinatal infectious disease screening, with statutes and regulations current as of April 3, 2026.
UW updates to curriculum
New content has been added to the University of Washington Infectious Diseases Education & Assessment (IDEA) Program sites, including the new National STD Curriculum (NSTDC) Syphilis Tools mobile/web app and the launch of the National HIV Curriculum 4th Edition. In addition to free CME/CNE/CE, the NHC 4th Edition now offers free Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) and Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE).
| Partner & Sponsor Updates | |
Coming Soon: Organizational Member Spotlights
We’re excited to begin spotlighting ANAC’s organizational members and the important work they are doing to advance HIV care, education, advocacy and health equity. Through these features, you’ll get to know the organizations, the people behind their work and the impact they are making in their communities.
Thank you to your current organizational members DAP Health, Callen-Lorde Community Health Center and AIDS Alabama South for partnering with us! Stay tuned as we share their stories and learn more about their work, leadership and partnership with ANAC!
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Viver Health nominated for HIV campaign
ANAC is extremely excited that Viver Health has been nominated for the 2026 Prix Galien USA Patient-First Award from The Galien Foundation for the educational resource, "Your Guide to Sexual Well-Being," and engagement campaign focused on sexual health and HIV prevention. We are so proud to have been a collaborator on this project with NASTAD and the National Association of Hispanic Nurses to create this meaningful, patient-centered resource to help close gaps in sexual health education.
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The ANAC Job Board connects you with employers seeking passionate professionals dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by HIV.
Browse opportunities for nurses, advanced practice providers, researchers, educators, public health professionals and other healthcare leaders—all in one place. New positions are added regularly, making it easy to stay connected to career opportunities in HIV care.
Ready to take the next step? Visit the ANAC Job Board to explore current openings, or if you're hiring, learn how to post your organization's position and reach ANAC's network of HIV healthcare professionals.
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