HJBR Jan/Feb 2024

46 JAN / FEB 2024  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs patients may not complete prescribed treatments or follow up on recommended care. Addressing this issue is a vital component of the HBCU Schol- ars program. Each year, the Association seeks applications from sophomores, juniors, and seniors from his- torically underrepresented communities who are currently enrolled in an HBCU and are interested in pursuing a professional degree in biomedical and health sciences. NewHIVDiagnoses in Louisiana Drop by 11 Percent Over Five Years The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) announced an 11% decline in new human immu- nodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses over the past five years. LDH reports a decrease in new HIV cases from 964 diagnosed with HIV in 2018 to 860 diagnosed in 2022. As of June 2023, the number of individ- uals living with HIV in Louisiana stands at 22,920. HIV spreads primarily through sexual activities, as well as through blood transfusions, shared syringes, and from parent to child during preg- nancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. It is crucial to note that HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact like kissing, touching, or sharing food, dishes, or utensils. Moreover, the virus does not spread through saliva, sweat, tears, mosqui- toes, or contact with toilet seats. Reflecting on this achievement, Jimmy Gale, a program manager for the LDH Office of Pub- lic Health’s (OPH) STD/HIV/Hepatitis Program, shared his personal journey: “When I recall the fear that followed my HIV diagnosis at 24, I’m reminded of our remarkable progress. On World AIDS Day, I honor those who came before me, who showed me my true potential and helped me find my strength and my voice.” With access and adherence to antiretrovi- ral medication, individuals living with HIV can achieve an undetectable viral load, reducing the amount of HIV cells in their bodies to a very low level. This scientific phenomenon, known as Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U), ensures that individuals with an undetectable viral load cannot sexually transmit the virus to others. Peo- ple living with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load can expect to live as long as their peers Mary Bird Perkins, I can tell you many more inno- vative, life-saving treatments and services are on the horizon. This is really just the beginning of the Cancer Center’s progression as the Gulf South’s premier cancer care organization.” CIS Celebrates 5 Years in Prairieville Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) is cel- ebrating five years of providing cardiovascular care in Prairieville at 37292 Market Place Drive, Suite A. Satish Gadi, MD, Shashi Gavini, MD, and nurse practitioner Chris Alexander provide care in Prai- rieville for all forms of cardiovascular disease, including carotid artery disease, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, valvular dis- ease, and venous disease in the legs. The CIS mis- sion is to provide patients with the highest quality cardiovascular care available. Southern University STEM Students Selected for Healthcare Program According to the Association of American Med- ical Colleges, only 8% of medical students and 5% of physicians are Black and African American. In an effort to address this disparity, the American Heart Association has announced that two local students from Southern University have been selected to participate in the association’s His- torically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Scholars Program. Akajiugo Amucheazi is a junior biology major at Southern University and A&M College and is a native of Anambre States, Nigeria. He is a recipi- ent of the UIU International Student Scholarship 2022-23 academic year and a dean’s list scholar. Mya Bailey is a junior biology major at South- ern University and A&M College and a native of Realto, California. She is on the National Dean’s List and is a 2021-2023 Denny’s scholarship recipient. The HBCU scholars are enrolled in biomed- ical or other health sciences programs at their respective institutions. Through their participation in the association’s scholars program, they will study how the social determinants of health and other health disparities impact underserved com- munities. They will also be paired with a mentor, participate in scientific research projects, and present their findings at the end of the program. “Since 2015, the American Heart Association HBCU Scholars Program has helped change the trajectory of dozens of under-represented students in Science and medicine by fostering their talent, preparedness, and growth to pursue careers in biomedical science” said Kerin Spears, executive director of the American Heart Asso- ciation, Capital Area. “As champions for health- care quality and access for all, the American Heart Association is committed to building the pipeline of diverse persons in medicine and empowering the next generation of research and health care professionals.” The program is funded nationally by a grant provided by the Quest Diagnostics Foundation, which also supports the American Heart Associ- ation’s Hispanic Serving Institutes (HSI) Scholars Program. Locally, the program is sponsored by CareSouth Medical & Dental. “This program plays an essential role in sup- porting the pipeline of HBCU students who will increase representation and equity in the health care field,” said Matt Valliere, CEO of CareSouth Medical & Dental. “We are proud to support this next cohort of HBCU Scholars with the Ameri- can Heart Association, Capital Area, as it provides them with enriching academic and networking experiences to help them excel in their career paths.” Accepted students are selected based on their GPA; completion of a formal application, which includes an essay; and an official recommen- dation from their school. During the program, scholars are paired with a mentor who works in healthcare or is currently performing their own relevant scientific research. They will also partici- pate in a leadership development program and are awarded a financial stipend to help cover edu- cation-related expenses. Clinical research studies published in the Ameri- can Journal of Public Health suggest that patients of color may experience uncomfortable inter- actions and communication barriers with their healthcare providers due to lack of diversity and face implicit and unconscious bias from physi- cians and other healthcare professionals. These barriers, in turn, can lower patients’ trust in the overall healthcare system and, as a result, these