Alain Litwin, MD, MPH; Medical Director; Irene Soloway, BFA, RPA, Stephaniee Bennett; Hepatitis Health Educator, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; and Danielle D. Brown, MPH; Community Health Educator, Planned Parenthood, Yonkers, NY

Workshop Description: This presentation will identify key issues in integrating hepatitis C management into general services, including HCV support group and peer education programs within substance abuse treatment programs. Discuss outcomes of HCV evaluation and treatment delivered on-site to drug users with co-morbid medical and psychiatric conditions. Learn about challenges of delivering hepatitis screening and vaccination services and conducting outreach for out of treatment drug users.

Simona Rossi, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine; Stacey Trooskin, Phd, MPH; Maricruz Velez, MPH, CHES; Thomas Jefferson University

Workshop Description: This workshop, presented by members of the Hepatology Research Unit at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, will examine a variety of issues related to Hepatitis C identification and management among racial/ethnic minorities in primary care settings. This workshop is aimed at improving the current knowledge and skills of health and welfare professionals in HCV risk factor ascertainment, testing and referral.

Jim Pickett; Director of Public Policy, AIDS Foundation of Chicago; Jessica Terlikowski, BA, AIDS Foundation of Chicago

Workshop Description: This dynamic, interactive workshop will address the desperate need for new HIV prevention tools and provide a comprehensive introduction to microbicides including what they are, how they will work, their current state of research and development, how they could benefit women and men, and why increased advocacy efforts are necessary. The workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to talk about what this advocacy could look like and will provide concrete steps to take in order to heighten the demand for microbicides.

Elizabeth Ingram-Diver; Hepatitis C Association

Workshop Description: Viral hepatitis education for clinicians who work in substance abuse treatment centers. The learning objectives are as follows:

• Understanding the risk factors for and the transmission of Hepatitis A, B, and C.
  
• Discuss treatment and healthy life style behaviors for Hepatitis C patients.
  
• Discuss barriers to testing and treating patients.
  

Ken Akinaka, MRA; Executive Director, Hepatitis Support Network of Hawaii

Workshop Description: The homeless are one of the highest at-risk groups that will continue spreading chronic viral hepatitis B and/or C unless we can start to effectively treat them for these hidden epidemics. Many of the homeless will eventually find stable housing and become productive citizens again; however, chronic viral hepatitis B & C will continue to be “silent epidemics” that will infect many of them unless they are tested and treated.

Gal Frenkel, MPH; Mary Specio, MSW, LISAC, L.ADS and Ruth Hillman; Case Manager, COPE Behavioral Health Services

Workshop Description: Hispanics have a higher incidence rate of Hepatitis C than other racial/ethnic groups and rank as the second highest minority to contract HIV. This workshop will present strategies to identify, track and retain Hispanic patients through a follow-up model and culturally relevant engagement practices, as well as, show the outcomes that can be expected from the implementation of these strategies. Participants will also obtain insight into the adaptation of these strategies for local projects.

Corinna Dan, RN, MPH; Chicago Department of Public Health; Richard Zimmerman, MS; STD Counseling and Testing Coordinator, Illinois Department of Public Health

Workshop Description: Participants will first review epidemiology of hepatitis A & B, as well as populations at risk. Workshop will then provide proven examples of hepatitis vaccination programs within the correctional and STD clinic environment. Also discussed will be strategies for increasing hepatitis vaccination coverage, reducing barriers and building partnerships. Participants will conclude the session with three solutions on how to increase hepatitis A & B vaccination when they return to work.

Joanna Buffington, MD, MPH; Division of Viral Hepatitis, CDC

Workshop Description: Viral Hepatitis is a major public health problem in the United States, with an estimated 1.2 million persons chronically infected with hepatitis B virus, and 3 million persons chronically infected with hepatitis C virus. Learn the burden of viral hepatitis in the U.S., disease trends and the latest recommendations for prevention and control of viral hepatitis A, B, and C. Also discussed will be models of integrating hepatitis services into existing programs.

Susan Zickmund, Ph.D.; University of Pittsburg College of Medicine center for Health Equity Research and Promotion

Workshop Description: Considering the importance of alcohol and/or the drug use link in the pathogenesis of many liver diseases, the diagnosis of hepatitis frequently carries guilt by association independent of its actual cause. This presentation will provide an overview of the complex reasons that contribute to the low treatment rates, especially in some ethnically or culturally defined subgroups, as well as highlight how information about and attitudes toward hepatitis C color decisions patients and physicians make.

Samuel So, MD; Asian Liver Center, Stanford University

Workshop Description: Participants will learn about the impact of hepatitis B on the health of US and global populations, and join the Jade Ribbon Campaign to eliminate the threat of hepatitis B worldwide.

Germayne B. Tizzano, PHD; President, Views From a Tree House, Inc; Virginia O’ Keeffe; CEO and Adele Johnson-Moore; Case Manager, Amethyst, Inc.

Workshop Description: This presentation will provide an innovative look at a clinical and educational model designed to enhance women’s sense of empowerment to explore, define and implement sexual health choices aimed at reducing high risk behaviors associated with the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Dave Barker, MD; Chief Medical Officer; The CORE Center for Prevention, Care, and Research of Infectious Diseases, Cook County Bureau of Health Services

Workshop Description: Participants will understand the implications of routine HIV testing and routine consent. They will also learn about rapid HIV testing, where it is mandated and when it just makes sense. Primary HIV resistance testing will also be discussed, as well as what it means for Prevention for Positives.

Hector Bonilla, MD; Department of Infectious Disease, Summa Health System

Workshop Description: This lecture is designed for the health care worker who cares for HIV infected individuals co-infected with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Participants will review pathogenesis, virology, diagnostic approach and therapeutic implications, as well as discuss the epidemiology of the co-infection of HIV/HCV. The 90 minute session will review how the virus will damage the liver, new advances in virology, potential therapeutics approaches and follow up.

Samuel So, MD; Asian Liver Center, Stanford University

Workshop Description: Learn about the risks of liver cancer in patients with chronic hepatitis B or C. Know the symptoms and how regular screening can lead to early detection and successful liver cancer treatment.

RaJade Berry, PhD; Associate Professor, The University of Akron Institute for Health and Social Policy; Jessica Henning, MPA; Graduate Student and Kenny Hendrickson, Ph.D; Graduate Student, The University of Akron Department of Public Administration and Urban Studies

Workshop Description: This workshop addresses a variety of issues related to cultural competency as a standard of care, including accountability, effectiveness of care, and consumer satisfaction. Using the Johari Window to facilitate open discussion, the workshop seeks to explore how systems of care can become more open to mandating cultural competency and bridging the gap between cultural awareness and better outcomes. This workshop walks participants through various quadrants of cultural competence using live scenarios.

Jim Pickett, Director of Public Policy, AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Chair, Chicago Crystal Meth Task Force; Simone Koehlinger; Chicago Crystal Meth Task Force and Director LGBT Health, Chicago Department of Public Health

Workshop Description: Methamphetamine use has been correlated to lowered inhibitions and high risk sexual behaviors that increase the risk of transmitting, or acquiring HIV. This presentation will take a close look at what we know about gay men and their use of methamphetamine and will detail the work of the dynamic public/private partnership that is the Chicago Crystal Meth Task Force. The Task Force’s million-dollar pro bono “Crystal Breaks” social marketing campaign will be described, including how to target gay men along the spectrum from non-use to use to abuse. The results of a full evaluation of this campaign will be shared, as will the next steps of the Task Force has taken to continue adapting to the needs of the community on this important issue.

Patricia Pulliam, BSW, MSW, CMADC; Provident Hospital, Cook County Health System

Workshop Description: Many patients who are living with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis struggle with changing their lifestyle to conform to the responsibility of managing a chronic medical disorder; this is particularly an issue for patients who have a substance abuse disorder. Participants will learn the importance of using harm reduction technique for those resistant to traditional substance abuse treatment methods and explore strategies that increase patient participation in the treatment process, such as the change process, motivational interviewing and the usefulness of positive incentives.

David Indest, PsyD; Supervisory Psychologist, Program Manager and Julie A. Nelligan, PhD; Psychologist; Northwest Hepatitis C Resource Center, Portland VA Medical Center & Oregon Health & Science University

Workshop Description: Speakers will focus on the role of mental health and substance use professionals in evaluating, preparing, and supporting HCV patients throughout the course of their medical management of HCV. This workshop presents an integrated model of HCV care, featuring medical, educational, mental health, and substance use interventions. Attendees will learn techniques and receive clinical tools to assist in conducting an HCV educational group, a pre-interferon-treatment evaluation, and a brief intervention to decrease alcohol use.

Peter Hauser, MD; Clinical Director, Behavioral Health & Clinical Neurosciences Associate Director and M. Aly Rifai, MD, Psychiatrist, Internist; Northwest Hepatitis C Resource Center, Portland VA Medical Center & Oregon Health & Science University

Workshop Description: Speakers will focus on the roles of medical and psychiatric professionals in managing HCV patients with and without psychiatric conditions. This workshop presents an integrated model of HCV care, featuring medical and psychiatric interventions. Attendees will learn guidelines and receive clinical tools to assist in managing and treating HCV disease, including interferon treatment, and in screening for, treating, and managing psychiatric co-morbid conditions.