Two weeks ago, HIVE had the honor of hosting Anne Statton, Executive Director of the Pediatric AIDS Chicago Foundation Prevention Initiative (PACPI), and a true #SuperShero in the field of perinatal HIV. Anne flew in from the Windy City as a respected collaborator and a valued consultant to HIVE.

As HIVE?s Program Coordinator, I was involved in planning out Anne?s visit to ensure we made every minute with her count. On our first day, we shared two challenging cases to paint a picture of systems barriers to providing the highest quality care for our patients. Our goal was to learn from the successes of the perinatal HIV Fetal & Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) process ? particularly the framework of ?every case matters?. Anne listened thoughtfully to both cases, and then asked a simple question: ?What motivates your patients?? Informed by her years of experience with PACPI, she inspired us to think of creative yet feasible solutions to each barrier. Together, we brainstormed innovative, successful interventions to help patients meet their preconception, prenatal and postpartum goals. We can?t wait to test out these ideas!

On our second day, Anne presented to HIVE?s clinical team and stakeholders on PACPI?s postpartum retention in care efforts as well as the HIV FIMR process. We learned about peer-based strategies in directly observed therapy, the benefits of maternal interviews, creative mechanisms to find patients lost in the system, and the invaluable role of perinatal HIV case managers. At the end of the day, we found ourselves even more appreciative of HIVE Clinical Social Worker and ?secret sauce,? Becca Schwartz. Thank you, Becca, for all that you do.

Anne shared effective quantitative and qualitative methods for capturing program outcomes which will shape upcoming chart reviews and our 2016 Trauma Symposium, and ultimately improve the way we care for our patients and community.

It is clear no hurdle is too large for Anne. From medication adherence interventions to successful fundraising campaigns, Anne enlightened and inspired us to think out of the box. She shifted my mentality from ?No, but?? to ?Yes! And?? She may have even motivated me to put on an Ultimate Frisbee fundraising tournament in 2016!

Thank you, Anne, for the passion you bring. The HIVE is still buzzing from your positive energy.

 

Karishma Oza is the HIVE Program Coordinator based at San Francisco General Hospital. Her passions include: reproductive health and rights, HIV treatment and prevention, health equity, and increasing access to care globally. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, biking, volunteering, traveling, potluck dinner parties, listening to people?s life stories, and learning new languages. Follow her on Twitter: @karishma_oza.