Peers in Power-Transforming HIV Prevention and Care

This episode explores how lived experience is reshaping HIV prevention, care, and community trust. It offers insights into the value peers bring to HIV services, from bridging cultural gaps to increasing engagement and retention in care. Guests provide firsthand accounts of how peer roles have evolved into long-term career paths and how strong training, guidance, and investment in people with lived experience can build a more inclusive and effective public health workforce. This podcast is part of the EBTI "Strengthening the Capacity of the HIV Prevention Workforce Series," which includes the "Recruiting and Retaining Peers to Support Prevention and Care" manual and the "Stability in Uncertain Times: Strengthening HIV Prevention Through Peer Workforce Investment" webinar. Faculty Valerie Wojciechowicz has been in the HIV field for 27 years and created and managed Medical Peer Programs, Speaking Programs and Trainings. Her desire to help improve the lives of People Living with HIV is evident. She strives to erase stigma and discrimination and help others see the value of eliminating Stigmatizing Language in HIV. Moderators Amalia Amy Zamot, MS, CHRC is the Senior Capacity Building Assistance Manager at HealthHIV. She has been active in the field of HIV for more than 25 years. Her career began in Ryan White case management before moving into a regional position serving all of southwest Florida as the Regional Minority HIV/AIDS Coordinator.  In 2013, she transitioned into the private sector and served as the Director of Prevention and Community Services for a local community-based organization that focused on ensuring equitable access to services for vulnerable populations throughout Southwest Florida. Steve Wood is the Senior Education and Advocacy Coordinator at HealthHIV. Steve has worked in the HIV/AIDS field since 1986, in several different disciplines including clinical research, biomedical research, a trainer and curriculum writer for New York State, as well as several years providing direct-service to the community. Steve has extensive experience serving the community as a community-facing worker, as an administrator, and as a trainer.