WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

11:00am – 3:30pm: INSTITUTES
1:00 – 4:00pm: HIV PCP INSTITUTE
1:00 – 5:00pm: HIV PNC INSTITUTE
4:00 – 5:30pm: TRACK SESSIONS

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

9:00 – 10:30am: PLENARY SESSION
10:45am – 12:15pm: TRACK SESSIONS
12:30 – 2:00pm: LUNCH PLENARY
2:15 – 3:45pm: TRACK SESSIONS
4:00 – 5:30pm: TRACK SESSIONS

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

9:00 – 10:30am: PLENARY SESSION
10:45am – 12:15pm: TRACK SESSIONS
12:30 – 2:00pm: LUNCH PLENARY

This schedule is preliminary and subject to change.

Sessions

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Today

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for HIV Care and Treatment

    Lived Experiences of Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in Washington, DC: Survival and Seroadaptation

    Potomac B
    HIV Care and Treatment Track

    Understanding how BMSM, who represent less than 1% of the U.S. population, but account for over one-third of new HIV infections annually, practice seroadaptation can inform new interventions to improve their engagement in HIV services. To this end, we conducted a qualitative study (called the “PhotoUStudy”), which was guided by a conceptual model, the BMSM Intersectional Identity Framework Over the Life Course (BMSM Identity Framework). Thirty-six BMSM who lived in/accessed health services in Washington, D.C., aged 18-65, were recruited into a five-day photovoice activity and follow-up interview.

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for HIV Prevention

    Making the Uncomfortable Routine: Transforming Sexual Health Conversations in Rural Settings

    Studio F
    HIV Prevention Track

    Power of PreventionParticipants will learn “how-to” techniques for initiating and guiding conversations about sexual history through a lens of prevention, risk reduction, and patient-centered care. The presentation will emphasize creating a safe, respectful, and non-judgmental environment that encourages patients to ask questions and engage openly. Special attention will be given to the unique challenges faced in rural communities, where stigma, limited resources, and lack of formal education can further inhibit discussions about sexual health.

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for HIV Prevention

    A Simulation Exercise to Improve Sexual Health and Wellness Training for Nurse Practitioner Students

    Studio E
    HIV Prevention Track

    Power of PreventionEvidence shows there are gaps in clinicians’ skills in providing comprehensive sexual health care across diverse populations. Simulation in clinical training has emerged as an effective pedagogy to facilitate student learning of knowledge, skills, and attitudes on a variety of healthcare topics. Faculty at the University of Rochester School of Nursing developed a sexual health simulation for three graduate nurse practitioner (NP) programs (Adult-Gerontology, Family, and Pediatric Primary Care).

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for HIV Care and Treatment

    Getting Spicy: Sex Positivity for Older Adults Living with HIV

    Potomac B
    HIV Care and Treatment Track

    This session will explore what it means to communicate with a sex positive lens with older adults living with HIV, with particular attention to language, imagery, and a cross-generational understanding of sexuality. We will then apply those skills and develop some ideas for outreach and communication geared towards the priority population of the attendees.

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for HIV Prevention

    Blueprint for Expanding HIV Testing in Your Community

    Studio E
    HIV Prevention Track

    Power of PreventionThis presentation will highlight how to build a successful HIV testing program in the community. These are not abstract methods, but concrete steps to provide a clear plan on creating an HIV testing program that will ensure more people will have access to free, rapid testing.

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for HIV Prevention

    Developing Linkage to Comprehensive Prevention Services in an Emergency Department Setting

    Studio E
    HIV Prevention Track

    Power of PreventionThis presentation will discuss the opportunities for implementing linkage to comprehensive services by assessing populations who are seen in the ED testing for STIs, including syphilis and HIV. We will explore the operations of identifying eligible patients, including our collaborations with the public health department, our Infectious Disease Clinic, and our Title V Clinic. We will highlight what is going well and discuss areas of improvement.
    This presentation will also review the successes and challenges of launching a rapid PrEP program in an ED setting.

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for HIV Prevention

    Implementation of Routine Opt-Out HIV Testing across the University of California-San Diego Health Systems

    Studio F
    HIV Prevention Track

    Power of PreventionIn 2006, the CDC shared revised guidance recommending HIV testing be provided to individuals 13-64 years of age, regardless of risk, in all health-care settings unless patients opt out of the service. This approach, known as Routine Opt-Out HIV Testing (ROOT), is key in identifying persons with undiagnosed HIV, persons previously testing positive but not engaged in HIV care or virally suppressed, and persons testing negative that could be referred to preventative services.

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for HIV Prevention

    Integration Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Emergency Medicine: A Single-Center Model at Tampa General Hospital

    Studio E
    HIV Prevention Track

    Power of PreventionAs part of the Hillsborough Health Equity Plan, a formative research initiative was conducted to increase the uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among Black and Latinx men who have sex with men (MSM) aged 25–34 in Hillsborough County, Florida. The study explored patient and provider experiences within on-demand care settings, such as urgent care clinics and emergency departments (EDs), where opportunities for PrEP intervention are often missed.

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for HIV Care and Treatment

    HIV and Cognitive Decline: The Power of Partnership

    Potomac B
    HIV Care and Treatment Track

    As people living with HIV (PLWH) age, cognitive decline presents a growing yet underaddressed challenge. This presentation highlights an innovative collaboration between The Grand Rapids Red Project (TGRRP) and the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter (AAMC) to implement routine cognitive screenings within TGRRP’s HIV care programs. The initiative targets PLWH aged 44+ and those exhibiting overt cognitive impairment, aiming to bridge gaps in care complexity for aging populations.

    In this presentation, AAMC will review national trends in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and statewide efforts to develop programming for aging PLWH through partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs). With AAMC’s support, TGRRP designed an HIV and aging pilot program featuring tailored screening tools, staff training, and referral pathways—offering replicable strategies for similar programs.

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for HIV Care and Treatment

    Community Mental Health Project

    Studio C
    HIV Care and Treatment Track

    In collaboration with Columbia Psychiatry and New York Public Library, the community mental health project was created to address the impact of mental health on the Black and Afro-Latino communities in NYC, especially during and right after the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervention aims to engage the community in discussion around mental health and thus minimize stigma and advocate for innovative strategies to increase the utilization of mental health services within the community.

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for HIV Care and Treatment

    Language Justice and Accessibility: Navigating Services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deafblind People Living with HIV

    Studio C
    HIV Care and Treatment Track

    This session will provide an overview of how Deaf Community Advocacy Network (Deaf C.A.N.!) Deaf HIV Program addresses the unique challenges of PWLH who are Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing navigating Ryan White Services. Through provider assessments and cultural competency training, client assessments and workshops to improve health literacy on HIV prevention and HIV treatment, and workshops for interpreters to increase their understanding of ever growing HIV terminology such as viral load suppression and U=U, Deaf C.A.N.! has expanded their case management services from 7 counties in the Detroit Metropolitan Area to the entire state of Michigan, increased partnerships, and improved client satisfaction

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for HIV Care and Treatment

    My Steps To Care: Adaptation and Pilot-Testing of STC (Steps To Care) Intervention to Improve HIV Health Outcomes among Black Sexual Minority Men, Black Cisgender Women, and Trans Women Living With HIV in Washington DC

    Studio C
    HIV Care and Treatment Track

    The purpose of this study is to address the health inequities among key populations living with HIV through a community-based participatory research (CBPR) mixed-methods study designed to adapt and pilot-test STEPS to Care (StC), a CDC-endorsed evidence-based intervention. This intervention consists of three person-centered, evidence-informed strategies to improve retention in HIV care, adherence to antiretroviral therapies, and reduce viral load, which include: Patient Navigation, Care Team Coordination, and HIV Self-Management.

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for Hepatitis C

    HCV (Testing, Linkage and Treatment) in the Time Before and After COVID in Alabama

    Boardroom
    Hepatitis C Track

    In the US and globally, there have been two secular events exogenous to the HCV epidemic that has impacted HCV negatively. The first is well documented with the accompanying rise in the Opioid epidemic resulting in the uptick in HCV infections particularly among the population younger than the baby boomer generation. The second is the advent of COVID-19 that caused disruptions in testing, linkage and treatment of people living with Hepatitis C. We showcase the impact COVID 19 had on our testing program in Alabama.

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for Hepatitis C

    Integrated Data Management Systems Accelerate HCV Elimination: Evidence from a US-based Patient Re-engagement Program

    Boardroom
    Hepatitis C Track

    This study aims to assess the follow-up eligibility of individuals with HCV presumed LTFU. Pre-contact investigation (PCI) to assess ineligibility, including due to death or outdated contact information, was encouraged.  Data came from the patient registries of 23 of 30 grant-funded organizations in different clinical, community and geographical settings. Data sources included patient, state, prison, and public records. 

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for Hepatitis C

    Resilience in the Margins: Empathy, Leadership, and the Power of Partnership in Building Health Infrastructure

    Boardroom
    Hepatitis C Track

    This presentation traces the Ohio FOCUS HIV/HCV Partnership evolution, from early setbacks and outdated policies to transformative progress made possible through adaptive strategies, including the integration of a mobile testing model in partnership with Central Outreach Wellness Center. The model brought walk-in, judgment-free care directly to those most at risk, helping remove barriers to treatment. Additional partners, such as Ohio University, enhanced capacity through data coordination and evaluation.

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for Hepatitis C

    Treating Hepatitis C in Syringe Service Programs in Kentucky

    Boardroom
    Hepatitis C Track

    The Target4 project partners with the University of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Care Clinic to integrate Hepatitis C telehealth services into syringe services programs throughout the commonwealth to address access barriers, improve treatment outcomes, and progress Hepatitis C elimination efforts in the Commonwealth. This presentation will discuss the process used to integrate telehealth services into the harm reduction environment in partnership with the local health departments, and share outcomes, successes, and lessons learned along the way.

  • Deconstructing Intersectional Trauma: Empowering Black LGBTQIA+ Men in Therapy and Behavioral Health Services

    Potomac A
    LGBTQ Health Track

    This presentation offers a clinical and social work-centered approach to addressing the mental health needs of Black LGBTQIA+ men through trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and identity-affirming strategies. This session will explore how toxic stress stemming from early-life adversity impacts emotional regulation, relationship-building, and self-worth. Special emphasis will be placed on how systemic oppression, societal stigma, and the lack of culturally competent mental health services heighten these challenges.

  • Empowering Health Professionals to Advocate for Gender-Affirming Care: A Multi-Level Approach

    Potomac A
    LGBTQ Health Track

    This session will train health professionals to become effective advocates for gender-affirming care at the institutional, state, and federal levels. Amid growing legislative, administrative, and regulatory challenges to transgender health care, health professionals have a unique role and responsibility to advocate for inclusive, evidence-based policies. This session will provide participants with actionable tools to address barriers to care, counter misinformation, and build coalitions to support gender-affirming care access.

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for HIV Care and Treatment

    Frequent Participation in Ryan White Services Improves Time to HIV Viral Suppression Among Persons with HIV Monoinfection and Persons with HIV and HCV Coinfection in Philadelphia

    Studio E
    HIV Care and Treatment Track

    Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is associated with poor health outcomes for persons with HIV (PWH). Although higher HIV viral suppression rates have been reported among PWH who participate in Ryan White services, studies have not assessed effects on HCV coinfection.

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for HIV Prevention

    High Retention and Acceptability of Long-Acting Injectable PrEP among Underserved Urban Populations: Findings from a Community-Based Health Center in Newark, NJ.

    Studio B
    HIV Prevention Track

    Power of PreventionThe North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI) conducted a retrospective chart review to evaluate real-world utilization of oral and long-acting injectable PrEP (LA-Cabotegravir) among individuals accessing services between 2024 and 2025. NJCRI serves a predominantly Black and Brown, urban population in Newark, NJ, many of whom face housing instability, food insecurity, and limited access to affirming healthcare.

  • Forward in SYNChronicity for HIV Prevention

    Learning Across Borders: What the U.S. Can Learn from LMIC Contraceptive Rollouts for Injectable PrEP Implementation

    Studio B
    HIV Prevention Track

    Power of PreventionThe U.S. has approved long-acting injectable PrEP options such as cabotegravir (Apretude) and lenacapavir (Yzugo), yet major challenges remain around equitable access, demand generation, and health-system readiness. This project explores what the United States can learn from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that successfully expanded injectable contraceptives, an intervention with striking parallels to injectable PrEP.

Accreditation, Credit, and Support

Information on credits offered to SYNC participants for attending institutes, sessions, and plenaries — live or in-person — is available here.

Commercial Support Acknowledgement

This conference is supported, in part, by independent educational grants from ineligible companies. A full list of supporters is available here. All accredited content has been developed and delivered in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence and the criteria of Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education™, and is free of commercial bias.