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Conference Updates

Conference Updates Introduction

The Well Project is a regular presence at conferences of all kinds: regional, national, and international HIV community convenings; research and advocacy meetings; gatherings at the intersections of health, gender, and justice; and more. Such events offer key opportunities for The Well Project to share our resources and support women in our community in expanding their leadership platforms through presenting, networking, and reporting on their experiences. View this page for highlights from conferences we have attended in recent years.

2023

KatieAdsila's picture

My Women as the Face of AIDS Summit 2023

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend the Women as the Face of AIDS Summit hosted by Iris House again this year. It was the second in-person summit since the COVID pandemic began, but I was attending virtually. I was still honored to be in the room and listen to the great speakers. Ingrid Floyd, the executive director of Iris House, gave the opening remarks; then there were some great panels talking about reframing HIV. The beautiful and inspirational Ci Ci Covin from The...

Crowd at 2023 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit and screen that reads "Sex is Natural, Sex is Fun".

Centering Sex, Pleasure, and Women: Recaps from the 2023 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit

The agenda for the 2023 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, in April promised a gathering that would "focus on consensual sex in all of its iterations." The Well Project community advisory board chair Marissa Gonzalez was in attendance at the summit; as you will learn from her session summaries, the event did not disappoint!

Bridgette Picou, LVN and logos for the conference and The Well Project.

Dear HIV Researchers, Language Matters.: A Recap from CROI 2023

At some point, the refusal to change the language starts to feel more like disrespect and less like old habits – which is one of the excuses I heard for the behavior. I do believe language is behavior, not just a tool for communication. The science community needs to do better.

Bridgette Picou, LVN and logos for the conference and The Well Project.

Misinformation, Disinformation, HIV, and Us: A Recap from CROI 2023

How is health misinformation a public health threat? An example would be the estimate that more than 300,000 deaths could have been prevented by vaccinations people didn't get because of refusing vaccines. It also erodes public trust.

Katie Willingham

Community Challenges, Global Crises, and HIV: Recaps from the International Workshop on HIV & Women 2023

Just as nature is conquerable, so too are women also oppressed, creating social structures and expectations where women are more dependent on environment. Yet, that environment they need is compromised and destroyed.

Ciarra Covin and Ana Puga, MD.

The Well Project at the International Workshop on HIV & Women 2023

Overall, the International Workshop on HIV & Women 2023 was a fantastic opportunity to meet so many other advocates and stakeholders from across the world whose work I have only had a chance to admire from online.

Kim Canady with her poster.

Sex, Pleasure, and Making the Uncomfortable Comfortable: A Recap from the International Workshop on HIV & Women 2023

Just like participating in sexual activity, the more you engage, the more you also learn what is best for you and your partner. This applies the same when having a conversation with your provider or your patient.

Let's Talk About Sex poster.

Let's Talk About Sex: Facilitating Engagement About Sex and Pleasure Between Providers and Women Living with HIV

This conference poster asserted the need to acknowledge and address the full lives of women living with HIV and positively position sex in non-judgmental, proactive discussions with providers.

2022

The Well Project's poster, "Breastfeeding and HIV: Improving Care and Support for Women Living with HIV".

The Well Project at ANAC (Association of Nurses in AIDS Care) 2022

Members of The Well Project's team were honored to attend the annual meeting of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) in Tampa, Florida, November 17-19, 2022.

Members of The Well Project community at USCHA 2022.

The Well Project at the US Conference on HIV/AIDS 2022

Members of The Well Project's community presented sessions, shared resources at our exhibit booth, and had a long-overdue chance to spend time together at the first in-person USCHA gathering since 2019.

Bridgette Picou standing in front of I love P R sign.

Relationships with Faith: A Recap from USCHA 2022

USCHA 2022 convened in San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 8 – 11, 2022. Members of The Well Project's community wrote recap articles sharing their unique perspectives on conference sessions and events of interest to our communities.

Bose Olotu on the beach.

Exploring Advocacy, Pleasure, and Past Trauma: Recaps from USCHA 2022

USCHA 2022 convened in San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 8 – 11, 2022. Members of The Well Project's community wrote recap articles sharing their unique perspectives on conference sessions and events of interest to our communities.

Marissa Gonzalez in front of USCHA sign.

Feeling the Complex Feels: Recaps from USCHA 2022

USCHA 2022 convened in San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 8 – 11, 2022. Members of The Well Project's community wrote recap articles sharing their unique perspectives on conference sessions and events of interest to our communities.

Ciarra "Ci Ci" Covin standing in front of USCHA sign.

Back in Person and Better than Ever: Recaps from USCHA 2022

USCHA 2022 convened in San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 8 – 11, 2022. Members of The Well Project's community wrote recap articles sharing their unique perspectives on conference sessions and events of interest to our communities.

Kim Canady in front of USCHA sign.

Sun and Rain in Vertical Lives: A Recap from USCHA 2022

USCHA 2022 convened in San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 8 – 11, 2022. Members of The Well Project's community wrote recap articles sharing their unique perspectives on conference sessions and events of interest to our communities.

Collage of images from Let's Talk About Sex 2022 conference.

The Well Project at the National Reproductive Justice Conference: Let's Talk About Sex! 2022

Members of The Well Project's team were honored to join our partner organizations SisterSong and Dallas-based The Afiya Center, cohosts of Let's Talk About Sex! The National Reproductive Justice Conference in Dallas, Texas, August 25 – 28, 2022.

Ciarra "Ci Ci" Covin at "Breast is Best" session.

The Well Project at AIDS 2022: Follow the Science

The Well Project was at AIDS 2022 in Montreal Canada from July 28-August 2 and is pleased to report on our experiences and what we took away from the meeting.

AIDS 2022 Poster, Amplifying the Voices and Experiences of Parents Living with HIV Around Breast/Chestfeeding.

Amplifying the Voices and Experiences of Parents Living with HIV around Breast/Chestfeeding

The Well Project presented an e-poster, Amplifying the Voices and Experiences of Parents Living with HIV around Breast/Chestfeeding , at AIDS 2022 in Montreal, Canada on July 29 – August 2, 2022, which sought to present information in a way that a broad range of audiences looking for information on infant feeding choices could access.

Red40something's picture

Follow the Science (But Do Not Forget to Take the People with You)

The 24th biennial International AIDS Conference took place from the end of July into the beginning of August this year, and I was happy to have been able to attend.

Promising Approaches to Test for, Prevent, or Treat HIV and Other STIs: A Recap from CROI 2022

The world's leading HIV science meeting took place virtually yet again in February 2022, and three of The Well Project's Community Advisory Board members were in attendance.

The Bottom Line on HIV and Anal Cancer Screening: A Recap from CROI 2022

The world's leading HIV science meeting took place virtually yet again in February 2022, and three of The Well Project's Community Advisory Board members were in attendance.

On COVID-19 Protection and HIV Remission: Recaps from CROI 2022

The world's leading HIV science meeting took place virtually yet again in February 2022, and three of The Well Project's Community Advisory Board members were in attendance.

HEU, What's in a Name? or The Science in Perinatal HIV Exposure: A Recap from CROI 2022

The world's leading HIV science meeting took place virtually yet again in February 2022, and three of The Well Project's Community Advisory Board members were in attendance.

KatieAdsila's picture

My Inner Scientist

Have you ever had a bone for science? I used to when I was growing up. I remember I used to want to be a scientist, I had so many questions about so many things and I wanted to know everything. I enjoyed running my little experiments to see what would happen if you froze a coke or mixed things together. I was inquisitive. But as you might guess I never became a scientist -- or even a high school graduate (I was a troubled youth), but I still have an interest and respect for science so I love...

Red40something's picture

Nuances

Have you ever heard a doctor, advocate or friend say "you probably know someone living with HIV and you just don't know it"? People hiding in plain sight. I've said that to people. It's a way to get them to consider HIV in a way they never have before. To humanize the scary HIV acronym and make them think about the nuances of what it must be like to live with it. The 2022 CROI conference did that for me in an unexpected way this year. Humanized science when science isn't exactly popular for...

Marig2016's picture

CROI Should Stand for Crying Ridiculously Over Incomprehension

When I applied to join the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), I had little faith that I would be chosen as I clearly have no scientific background or knowledge, like not even a little.

2021

Access to HIV and Sexual Health Care (and Who's Doing it Right): Recaps from the International Workshop on HIV and Transgender People

The Well Project medical editor Isabella Ventura, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, and community advisory board member Katie Willingham, attended the virtual gathering of the International Workshop on HIV and Transgender People in December 2021 and reported on compelling takeaways.

Parenting Intentions of Trans and Gender-Diverse Young People: Recaps from the International Workshop on HIV and Transgender People

The Well Project medical editor Isabella Ventura, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, and community advisory board member Katie Willingham, attended the virtual gathering of the International Workshop on HIV and Transgender People in December 2021 and reported on compelling takeaways.

Headshots of Katie Willingham and Isabella Ventura and logos for The Well Project and The International Workshop on HIV and Transgender People.

Gender-Affirming Surgery Pioneers and Perspectives: Recaps from the International Workshop on HIV and Transgender People

The Well Project medical editor Isabella Ventura, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, and community advisory board member Katie Willingham, attended the virtual gathering of The International Workshop on HIV and Transgender People in December 2021 and reported on compelling takeaways.

KatieAdsila's picture

A Research Conference All About Transgender Communities

In December 2021 I attended my first International Workshop on HIV and Transgender People and it was a fantastic learning experience.

"Community Impact, Involvement and Diversity": The Well Project's Coverage of USCHA 2021

The virtual United States Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA) took place December 2 - 3, 2021 – and three members of The Well Project's Community Advisory Board were on the "ground" at the gathering. Read on for their unique perspectives on sessions of interest to our communities – as well as their blog articles retelling their personal experiences at the US's largest HIV community convening.

HIV Work in the COVID-19 Era: Recaps from USCHA 2021

Members of The Well Project's Community Advisory Board attended, presented, and reported their perspectives on the virtual US Conference on HIV/AIDS, December 2 - 3, 2021. Read on for summaries of presentations dealing with COVID-19 pandemic-related changes to HIV care and service delivery.

Dimensions of the HIV Epidemic in the US: Recaps from USCHA 2021

Members of The Well Project's Community Advisory Board attended, presented, and reported their perspectives on the virtual US Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA), December 2 - 3, 2021. Read on for summaries of presentations related to the state of the US HIV epidemic.

USCHA & The Well Project logos, headshots of Katie Willingham, Bridgette Picou, & Marissa Gonzalez.

Support for Living Our Best Lives with HIV: Recaps from USCHA 2021

Members of The Well Project's Community Advisory Board attended, presented, and reported their perspectives on the virtual US Conference on HIV/AIDS, December 2 - 3, 2021. Read on for summaries of presentations related to quality of life for women and other people living with HIV.

Marig2016's picture

Mishaps, Message & a Mission

It's inevitable that anything virtual will have some hiccups but I was honestly just so excited to be in attendance that I didn't care. It was a bit annoying but the experience heavily outweighed the annoyance of technology. After becoming positive in 2016, I went on a research binge and USCHA was one of the very first things to come up and with reason! This is the most anticipated conference for HIV/AIDS, in my personal opinion, and I quickly learned why. Virtual attendance wasn't part of the...

Red40something's picture

USCHA 2021: I Love Us.

I attended the virtual USCHA conference this year put on by NMAC, supported by too many sponsors to name and I want to start by saying this: I love us. "Us" as in the HIV community.

KatieAdsila's picture

Through My Eyes

I just attended USCHA 2021 (United States Conference on HIV and AIDS). I really enjoy these conferences, there's so much to learn and experience. This year, due to Covid, USCHA was virtual. I'm starting to get used to these virtual conferences, but I don't want to. I miss seeing everyone and having that full conference experience that so many of us know and love. So I was so thrilled to see that NMAC tried to make the virtual platform as recognizable to the old style conferences of our past...

boseolotu's picture

Not Doctors or Nurses (Iris House Honor and Award)

Most of us long term survivors living with HIV virus are not doctors or nurses, but have impacted and helped improve the wellbeing of newly diagnosed persons. Fifteen years ago, a neighbour came to my house to ask for my help with her aged mother who tested positive for HIV. She had no idea what to do, her sister-in-law who is a qualified nurse also did not know any better. She saw me on TV talking about HIV and sharing my experience as a woman living with HIV, which informed her decision to...

Side ack view of woman sitting at desk looking at computer screen with zoom squares.

Clinical Research Meets Community Engagement: Recaps from the International Workshop on HIV & Women 2021

Read about sessions of interest from the International Workshop on HIV & Women 2021, including a presentation by The Well Project's own Krista Martel!

The Well Project's picture

Iris House's Virtual 16th Annual Women as the Face of AIDS Summit - June 7, 2021

The Well Project is thrilled to have a strong presence at Iris House's virtual 16th Annual Women as the Face of AIDS Summit on June 7, 2021!! The 2021 Summit's theme is "Women Without Bounds" and will attempt to address the local, domestic and global implications of the virus and its impact.

Marig2016's picture

Conferences, COVID & Replays

I have been HIV positive since 2016, almost five years. When I thought about sharing my story and status publicly, I knew I would eventually attend conferences where I could meet many other amazing women living openly with the condition.

Two women, one in medical garb, seated, facing each other, with the words Conference Highlights.

Addressing Diverse Health Needs and Challenges: Recaps from CROI 2021

Read summaries of studies from the world’s leading HIV research meeting, written by members of our staff and CAB and covering topics of concern to our communities.

KatieAdsila's picture

I just attended my first CROI (Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections). It was also my first virtual conference and my first conference since the quarantine apocalypse began

2020

PDEES's picture

Missing the Days When We Were Able to Meet in Person

Although I am disheartened at the fact that I wasn't able to be present in Puerto Rico this year and surrounded by all you beautiful souls who work in the HIV/AIDS field doing advocacy or direct service work, I am extremely impressed with how the virtual USCHA 2020 conference turned out.

AIDS 2020 conference flyer with woman smiling and laptop on table.

Gender, Pleasure, Advocacy, and More: Recaps from AIDS 2020

Read summaries of AIDS 2020 sessions on topics of interest to our communities, including stigma; youth; sexual health, rights and pleasure; and more.

The Well Project's picture

The Well Project's Coverage of AIDS 2020: Virtual and HIV2020 Online

The Well Project is pleased to offer highlights on topics of interest and importance to our community from both the AIDS 2020 and HIV2020 conferences.

Visibility Matters: HIV Community Experts on the Presence of Trans and Cis Women at AIDS 2020

We asked participants and presenters at the virtual International AIDS Conference what was compelling to them about the gathering. Here are their responses.

2019

Word cloud including words "nurse", "educator", "researcher", "clinician", "spouse", etc.

Association of Nurses in AIDS Care Conference 2019

I had the pleasure of attending the 32nd Annual ANAC 2019 Conference which was held November 7 - 9 in Portland, Oregon

Krista Martel; Marielle Gross, MD; Claire Gasamagera; & Ciarra Covin seated at table at conference.

Breastfeeding and HIV in the Era of U=U: Highlights from a Growing Discussion

How do current HIV and breastfeeding guidelines impact women's lives? What is important to consider regarding this topic? What do people with HIV and providers need in order for the field of infant-feeding options to expand? We convened a session with community experts discussing these questions and more at USCA 2019 in Washington, DC.

KatieAdsila's picture

USCA 2019: A Gathering of Warriors

I'm sitting on the plane to fly home from my second USCA experience, and what an experience it was. Last year was my first and I remember it to be a much more overwhelming experience. It was so big; it was unlike any conference I had ever been to at that point, there was so much to take in and so many amazing people, like a sea of advocates, providers, and pharmaceutical reps, anyone and everyone playing a role of any kind in this ongoing fight against this damned life-altering virus. From all...

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