Rural HIV case managers deem MWAETC conference a resounding success

Planning committee members (L-R) Kate MacDonald (ID), Judy Thorne (ID), Sheila Daniels (ID), Rebecca Schliep (ID), Carrie Van Ness (WA), Madilyn Larson (WY), Laurie Sylla (WA), Rhianna Tretin (MT)

 Rural HIV case managers deem MWAETC conference a resounding success. On May 6-7, 2024, 65 individuals from 10 states across Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and the northern plains braved wind, snow and freezing temperatures to attend a 2-day MWAETC conference held at the Snow King Resort in Jackson, Wyoming geared for rural HIV case managers. The goal was to equip individuals providing HIV case management services in rural and remote areas with the tools necessary to be effective and thrive long-term in a challenging field.

 The conference provided opportunities to learn from clinical experts, people with lived experience, and peers through lecture, discussion, and interactive activities. Topics included motivational interviewing, addressing stigma and discrimination, self-care, working with carceral systems, care planning, clinical updates, aging with HIV, mental health, and so much more. This was the first in-person rural HIV case management conference in the region since 2019.

The MWAETC was able to provide travel scholarships to 20 individuals working in case management at community-based organizations and local health jurisdictions who otherwise would not have been able to attend. Rural HIV case managers are often undervalued lynchpins of care who cobble together under-resourced systems to help people with HIV get their needs met. We were pleased to provide affirmation and educational support to this important group of workers.

Participants noted the value in being able to network and gain support from colleagues. Excerpts of comments from attendees:

• This is the best, most interactive conference I have attended in my five years working in public health. Thank you!
• The environment for this conference was very comfortable. All opinions were respected and valued. All questions were considered valid and answered to the best of ability. 10 out of 10. Would attend again!
• The ability to participate in smaller groups and to form connections was great!
• Getting to hear someone's lived experience and learning more about motivational interviewing was important.
• Understanding my value as a case manager, my client and self-care management was so valuable.

Grand Tetons in Jackson, Wyoming in May!

Case managers collaborate on an exercise

Annie Roepke presents on Motivational Interviewing

Facilitated breakout discussion session