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HAB Insider
May 2025
Issue 2503
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A Message from Heather Hauck & Antigone Dempsey |
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This week is Public Service Recognition Week. As we kick off this special week, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to each of you for your dedication to HAB’s mission. Over the past several months, you have stepped up with resilience and commitment. Together, we continue to move forward with a clear focus on the goals of our programs in HAB.
Last week, we were visited by Lieutenant Commander Abigail, the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps’ first official mascot. She is a trained facility dog whose mission is to protect, promote, and advance the health of the nation through the human-animal bond. She was very sweet - we hope you got to see her as she made the rounds at HRSA last week.
We wanted to make sure you knew that the 2026 National Ryan White Conference (NRWC) Executive Committee Co-Chairs – Kristin Athey, April Snell and Nicole Chavis are in the pre-planning process for the 2026 NRWC. The NRWC is a biennial event that provides program technical assistance, oversight, and monitory updates, showcases effective care models, and offers peer-to-peer learning to Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program recipients, as well as federal, state, and local stakeholders, health care providers, and people with HIV.
The conference Co-Chairs are seeking leaders to lead and serve as members on the seven 2026 NRWC subcommittees. HAB staff must receive supervisory approval to take on these roles. All interested individuals should respond to NRWCCO-Chairs@hrsa.gov no later than COB May 15, 2025. Please refer to the April 27, 2025 HRSA NRWC Co-Chairs email for more information.
Now that we are in May and summer is quickly approaching, we hope each of you are enjoying this change in weather and plan to step outside more.
We look forward to seeing you all this month during our Virtual HAB Huddles, office hours, other meetings, and in the hallways!
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National Ryan White Conference 2026 Corner |
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 Nicole Chavis (Left), Kristin Athey (Middle), April Fields (Right)
It’s that time again! The 2026 National Ryan White Conference Planning Committee is looking for HAB staff to serve as a co-chair or subcommittee member for one of the seven NRWC subcommittees. If you are interested in joining the:
- Agenda & Program
- Evaluation & CEU
- Logistics
- Registration
- Plenary Speakers
- Posters
- Staff Engagement subcommittee
Please email NRWCCO-Chairs@hrsa.gov by May 15, 2025. Supervisory approval is required. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Ryan White Program 2030 Corner |
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 The Ryan White Program 2030 (RWP 2030) Steering Committee is excited to have a new, monthly HAB Insider feature to share the latest activities from across the four subgroups, which are advancing the vision of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program in ending the HIV epidemic.
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Collaboration and Partnership: This month, the Collaboration and Partnership subgroup announced the “All Parts Integrated CoLab (APIC),” which was developed to better align HAB’s cross-part meetings with RWP 2030 goals.
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Internal/External Communication and Engagement: The Internal/External Communication and Engagement subgroup completed a SWOT Analysis, and based on the analysis’ findings, the subgroup is developing a RWP 2030 Action Guide with a series of internal resources to support HAB staff.
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Evaluation and Data Insights Team (EDIT): The EDIT subgroup conducted environmental scans to assess data sources on undiagnosed and out-of-care populations and is continuing to refine data tools to guide the subgroup’s strategy development.
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Monitoring, Support, and Accountability (MSA): The MSA subgroup is coordinating several key activities, including focusing on data and meaningful engagement with Planning Councils/Planning Bodies.
This looks to be a future opportunity for HAB Project Officer involvement, so be on the lookout for additional information. The RWP 2030 Steering Committee looks forward to highlighting our continued efforts next month!
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Submitted by DPD
DPD's Public Health Analyst and member of the Clinical and Quality Branch, LCDR Krystal West, MSN, RN, CMSRN, recently completed a month-long deployment supporting the Indian Health Service’s response to the syphilis crisis in South Dakota, the state with the highest rates of adult and congenital syphilis in the nation. Her deployment spanned the Pine Ridge, Rosebud, and Eagle Butte reservations, as well as Rapid City. Drawing on her 28 years of nursing experience, LCDR West provided direct syphilis testing, contact tracing, and treatment services. She also played a key role in organizing mass testing events across high-risk settings including, shelters, detox centers, and correctional facilities, bringing critical services to communities most in need. Thank you, LCDR Krystal West, for your outstanding service and continued commitment to public health!
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Training and Organizational Development |
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Around June 20, 2025, OIT will be retiring the Zoom meetings platform. HRSA will be transitioning to Microsoft Teams for all internal and external meetings going forward. Please ensure your meeting links are updated with Microsoft Teams links for any future meetings after June 20th.
To support navigating the shift from Zoom to Teams, a HAB Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page is continually updated. Register for an upcoming OIT Training, including:
- 05/08 - Getting the Most out of Microsoft Teams
- 05/13 - One Touch Teams Room Training
- 05/14 - Live Events & Webinars in MS Teams
- 05/20 - What's New in The New MS Teams
- 05/21 - Breakout Rooms in MS Teams
This change will allow HRSA to streamline communications, enhance collaboration, and take advantage of Microsoft Teams’ integration with other tools in our ecosystem (Outlook, SharePoint, and One Drive).
For questions, reach out to Asher Weinberg (aweinberg@hrsa.gov).
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Please join the Clinical and Quality Branch (CQB) for a clinical quality management (CQM) overview for an internal training open for all HAB project officers.
Learning objectives, to:
- Learn the essential components required of a RWHAP CQM program
- Understand the expectations of how to develop and implement a RWHAP CQM program
- Recognize common issues and key takeaways related to the CQM budget review process
- Become familiar with resources available to assist recipients in building a foundational CQM program
A Q&A will follow the presentation.
When: May 22, 2025
Time: 1:00pm EDT – 2:00pm EDT
Where: 10SWH01 or Virtually (Please check your calendar – Rachel Posin sent a calendar invite to all HAB Staff on April 17)
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Mental health isn’t just about handling a crisis. It’s about checking in, setting boundaries, and finding small ways to protect your peace every day, especially when you work in a field that gives so much to others.
Wellness for Introverts: Recharge Without Guilt
Not everyone recharges by being around others—and that’s perfectly okay. If you're someone who feels more drained than energized after back-to-back meetings or long group discussions, this one's for you.
Your quiet time is not a luxury—it’s a need.
Try blocking off a “recovery window” after big meetings, stepping outside for a solo walk, or listening to calming music during your break. Even five minutes of intentional quiet can help reset your nervous system.
Try this:
Build in non-meeting time on your calendar and treat it like any other commitment. The world benefits from your thoughtful contributions—but only if you're not running on empty.
Wellness for Extroverts: Fill Your Social Cup
If you're someone who thrives on connection and feels most energized when engaging with others, don’t underestimate how vital that is for your mental health.
Social wellness is real wellness.
Plan a virtual coffee break with a colleague, suggest a walk-and-talk meeting, or join an office activity—even if it’s just popping in to say hello. Making space for social connection can boost your energy, creativity, and overall mood.
Try this:
If your calendar’s all business, schedule 15 minutes this week for intentional connection. Reaching out doesn’t just help you—it can uplift others, too.
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We all refuel in different ways—how do you find your balance?
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Quiet time to myself (walks, music, reading, etc.)
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Social breaks with coworkers (lunch, coffee chats)
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Headphones on, world off
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Journaling or reflecting
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Physical activity or stretching
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Stepping away from screens
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Honestly? Still figuring it out…
Results will be shared in the next HAB Insider!
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Mark your calendars and share with your colleagues!
The next HAB You Heard webinar will be:
Wednesday May 28, 2025
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Look out for an email with the link!
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On May 19, HAB recognizes National Hepatitis Testing Day to shed a light on the importance of hepatitis testing, especially in communities affected by HIV. Since these viruses are spread in similar ways, getting tested for both is a step toward staying healthy. |
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Welcome to the Trivia Tribune, where your knowledge of HRSA HAB, public health, and workplace fun facts is put to the test! Each edition features a multiple-choice question. Last edition received a great number of responses and once again, HAB, you knocked it out of the park! See results below and take May's quiz using the blue button!
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Here are the results from April's edition!
 Note for Question 1: The answer options for this question were initially incorrect and were later updated to include the correct option. Some participants selected "Other" to indicate this issue before the correction was made. These responses have been counted as correct, along with those who selected the correct answer after the update. So 92% of you got this correct!
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