While we await the appointment of the next HRSA Administrator it is my honor to serve as the Acting HRSA Administrator. HRSA's mission is to improve health outcomes and address health disparities through access to quality services, a skilled health workforce, and innovative, high-value programs. I want to thank you for your partnership in providing care and services to the nation's underserved communities and vulnerable populations.

For those of you who do not know my background prior to taking on this role and serving as HRSA's Deputy Administrator, I have held several positions across the agency. I started in 2007 working in what is now the Bureau of Health Workforce as the Deputy Associate Administrator. I was the Senior Health Advisor to the HRSA Administrator from 2013-2015, before serving as HRSA's Deputy Administrator. Most recently, along with many of my colleagues from across HRSA, I helped stand up the now $178 billion Provider Relief Fund.

Thank you for your dedication and for all you are doing as we work together to achieve health equity and improve public health for all Americans.

Thank you,
Diana Espinosa
Acting HRSA Administrator

Colleges and universities: Take advantage of HRSA’s School-Based Loan Programs. These four programs give schools funding to offer low, fixed-rate loans to students pursuing a wide range of health care careers. Applications accepted until Thursday, February 25, 11:59 p.m. EST.

For more information, visit: HRSA School-Based Loans.

In a new blog post, the National Academy for State Health Policy describes how states are beginning to incorporate children in their COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans in preparation for when a vaccine is authorized for children under age 16.

The blog post was produced as part of HRSA’s cooperative agreement with National Organizations of State and Local Officials.

Read the blog post.

HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) invites you to its quarterly webinar, Engaging Research Innovations & Challenges (EnRICH) titled “Advancing adolescent and young adult health in the COVID-19 pandemic: Responses and Adaptations” on Tuesday, February 23, 3 - 4 p.m. EST. Learn how the Adolescent and Young Adult Health Research Network has responded to the challenges the pandemic has posed with technology-driven projects that expand the reach of education, social networks and health care to improve adolescent health and well-being.

Register for the webinar.

On February 7, HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) will observe National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, an opportunity to increase HIV awareness, education, testing, community engagement, and treatment in Black communities across the country.

HRSA’s Ryan White National HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) provides HIV primary medical care, medication, and essential support service for more than half a million people with HIV—approximately half of all people with diagnosed HIV in the United States. In 2019, the RWHAP served nearly 568,000 clients, with more than 46% of those clients identifying as Black/African American. A record-high 85.2% of Black/African American clients receiving care through the RWHAP were virally suppressed in 2019.

The RWHAP continues to focus efforts on key populations where HIV is most concentrated—including Blacks/African Americans, especially among young Black/African American men who have sex with men, and young Black women. The goal is to ensure individuals in these key populations are getting tested for HIV, and getting access to necessary care, treatment, and medication if they test positive for HIV.

Learn more about the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.

This Valentine’s Day, share the love by celebrating National Donor Day. This annual observance focuses on five points of life: organs, tissues, marrow, platelets, and blood. Join us in supporting the donors and their families who made the decision to give the gift of life to thousands of people in the U.S. and the medical professionals who made it possible. 

Signing up as an organ donor is the ultimate gift of love and hope to the more than 100,000 people currently on the national transplant waiting list. You can potentially save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of 75 more through organ, eye and tissue donation. Keep love alive: learn more about organ donation and register at organdonor.gov and donaciondeorganos.gov today.