Tallahassee HIV Update Symposium 2025: Building Collaborative Solutions for HIV Care

On Friday, March 7, 2025, a group of healthcare professionals, educators, and program administrators gathered at the Ghazvini Center for Health Care Education at Tallahassee State College to address the ongoing HIV crisis in Tallahassee. The Tallahassee HIV Update Symposium provided a platform for insightful discussions, data sharing, and collaborative problem-solving to improve HIV prevention and care in the region.

Rising HIV Rates in Area 2B

The event began with a presentation by James Easton, the Florida Department of Health in Leon County HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator. James highlighted concerning trends: Tallahassee is experiencing its highest HIV rates in the past decade, with a notable increase in AIDS diagnoses. The majority of new cases are among Black males aged 20-29, a population that Scale It Up - Florida directly supports.

Despite not being an officially designated Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) county, Tallahassee is experiencing similar trends as those in EHE priority areas. Late screenings and less effective prevention efforts are contributing to higher AIDS diagnoses. Participants agreed that increasing awareness about testing and treatment is vital to reversing these trends.

Roadblocks to Testing and Treatment

A key concern discussed was the lack of trust in medications among the at-risk demographic. Educational efforts are crucial to address this mistrust and emphasize the value of testing and treatment. Many newly diagnosed individuals lack prior habits of healthcare, leaving them feeling isolated and uncertain about navigating resources and systems that may have previously failed them. Building trust and providing supportive pathways are essential for improving outcomes.

Enhancing Primary Care and PrEP Education

Following Easton's presentation, Ryan Nall, MD, a North Florida AETC Faculty Practice Transformation Facilitator and Coach, led a session on primary care considerations for individuals with HIV. Discussions highlighted the importance of quality care and behavior change strategies, fostering a hopeful and solution-focused atmosphere.

Vidhu Kariyawasam, MD, Assistant Professor at the UF College of Medicine in Infectious Diseases & Global Medicine, presented on HIV PrEP. Dr. Kariyawasam stressed that PrEP is more than just medication; it is a comprehensive prevention strategy involving sexual health education, STI screenings, and adherence support. The "5 P's" of sexual history (partners, practices, protections, past, and prevention of pregnancy) were emphasized as an effective tool for engaging patients in personalized prevention conversations.

Building Community and Support Networks

During a lunch break provided by Panera Bread, attendees continued networking and exchanging ideas. Afterward, Debbie Cestaro-Seifer, MS, RN, NC-BC, CTP, North Florida AETC Consultant, facilitated a session on HIV and self-care. Using interactive tools like Menti gave life to this session, fostering open dialogue about personal experiences in HIV care. Participants connected on a deeper level, and the conversation emphasized the need for a new collaborative community coalition to address gaps in care.

Key elements identified to improve client outcomes included:

• Education and trust-building
• Transportation and housing support
• Mental health access
• Affordable care
• Personalized, one-on-one care approaches

Participants highlighted the value of "one-stop shop" services, peer support, and relationship-based care as essential strategies to build safe and effective networks for clients.

Moving Forward

The Tallahassee HIV Update Symposium proved to be an inspiring and educational event, reinforcing the power of collaboration in addressing HIV disparities. Attendees left motivated to implement new strategies, streamline resources, and support clients with privacy, dignity, and respect. By working together, the community can take meaningful steps toward reducing HIV diagnoses and improving health outcomes for those impacted in Area 2B.