World AIDS Vaccine Day, also known as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, is observed annually on May 18. HIV vaccine advocates mark the day by promoting the continued and urgent need for a vaccine to prevent HIV infection. They acknowledge and thank the thousands of volunteers, community members, health professionals, supporters and scientists who are working together to find a safe and effective AIDS vaccine and urge the international community to recognize the importance of investing in new technologies as a critical element of a comprehensive response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Join Ren, and guests Dr. Katy Garret, PharmD, and Dr. Stephen Pagkalinawan, MD, and the public health interns at Frannie Peabody Center as we discuss vaccine development and safety, COVID-19 and HIV, and the exciting updates to HIV prevention such as Cabotegravir for PrEP, the Dapivirine ring, and the scoop on Descovy and Truvada!

Please note the we are still producing episodes, but are a little off schedule due to the pandemic. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Ren Morrill (Host) - Ren is a Maine native with a life long passion for HIV. He works for Frannie Peabody Center as a prevention outreach, testing and education specialist. He also serves as the co-chair of Pride Portland’s HIV Advisory Board.

Dr. Katy Garrett, PharmD - Dr. Katy Garrett, PharmD, BCIDP, AAHIVP is the clinical pharmacist at Gilman Clinic specializing in the treatment and prevention of HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Dr. Garrett is a graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy and completed a residency at the Orlando Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center and a fellowship in HIV clinical pharmacology at the University of North Carolina prior to moving to Maine. She is board certified in infectious diseases pharmacy and is certified in HIV pharmacy by the American Academy of HIV Medicine. Her professional interests predominantly involve disease prevention – both HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis and vaccine-preventable illnesses. Dr. Garrett recently initiated a program designed to make PrEP more accessible and presented research evaluating the efficacy of a newer hepatitis B vaccine among people living with HIV or Hepatitis C. Outside of work she enjoys taking her dog for hikes in the White Mountains, exploring all the croissant and bagel places in the area, and cycling.

Dr.Stephen Pagkalinawan, MD- Stephen Pagkalinawan is a dual Internal Medicine/Pediatrics physician and NJ native who completed his undergraduate education at Rutgers - New Brunswick and medical education at Rutgers New Jersey Medical school. He is now finishing up his residency over at Maine Medical Center in Portland, ME and will be leaving for Philadelphia this July to start an adult Infectious Disease fellowship at Temple University and pursue his interests in HIV medicine and sexual health. During his 4 years at Maine Medical Center, he has taken care of hundreds of patients of all ages and has done work to increase awareness of PrEP amongst staff, especially on the Adolescent Pediatrics side.

•Khan Academy Medicine - HIV Suite
•AVERT’s article on HIV subtypes
•AIDS Info - What is an elite controller
•HIV Vaccines Trial Network
•No On Question 1 AKA Maine Question 1, Religious and Philosophical Vaccination Exemptions Referendum (March 2020)
•Host Brian Lehrer and HIV activist Peter Stanley remember Larry Kramer, and discuss vaccine research.
•Amy Walter and Anthony Facuci remember Larry Kramer, and talk about the difficulty of developing a HIV vaccine in comparison to one for COVID-19.
•The Side Effects of Vaccines - How High Are the Risks - Education video mentioned in the show that outlines just how safe vaccines are.
•PrEP Watch - Dapivirine Ring
•Poz Magazine - Cabotegravir for PrEP
•What is PrEP?
•What is the difference between Truvada and Descovy for PreP?
•People without insurance can get free PrEP.
•How Well Do U=U and PrEP Work?