Going Viral: From Baltimore to the World. An IHV Podcast

What do barbershop bloodletting, salon gossip, and modern-day sexual health education have in common? More than you’d think.In this episode, we sit down with the team behind Tea Talks, a bold initiative from the Jacques Initiative that’s bringing sexual health education straight into beauty salons—because sometimes the best place to talk about protection comes with a manicure.Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.

What can global HIV care in Zambia teach us about building stronger health systems in Baltimore?In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Cassidy Claassen, an infectious disease and public health physician based in Lusaka, Zambia, whose work focuses on expanding HIV care in resource-limited settings through community-based interventions. Dr. Claassen shares insights from the front lines of HIV treatment in sub-Saharan Africa, discusses health system capacity-building, and reflects on how lessons learned abroad—from engaging key populations to training the next generation of clinicians—can inform and strengthen patient care at home.Cassidy W. Claassen : https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidy-claassen/ https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/profiles/claassen-cassidy/ MKM Fellowship: https://www.ciheb.org/fellowships--scholarships/mkm/Articles: https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/02/11/us-must-restore-vital-aids-relief-saving-lives-in-africa-guest-commentary/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/01/metro/malnutrition-cuts-usaid-impact-on-children/Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.

What does truly patient-centered HIV care look like in practice—and what drives the people who provide it every day?We sit down with THRIVE Program’s community outreach worker and Ryan White specialist Eric Anderson, and health program director Robyn Palmerio, for an inside look at how their team walks with patients from the very first step. From meeting people exactly where they are to creating a welcoming, judgment-free space, Eric and Robyn share how THRIVE builds trust and supports each person’s path to wellness. They also open up about the “why” behind their commitment—the purpose and passion that fuel their work and uplift Baltimore’s HIV community. This conversation reveals the heart of THRIVE: compassionate, community-driven care that helps people not just survive, but truly THRIVE.https://www.umms.org/midtown/locations/thrive-program https://www.facebook.com/THRIVEProgramBaltimorePhone: 410-225-8369Midtown Outpatient Tower800 Linden Avenue7th floorBaltimore, MD 21201Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.

What does it mean to be Indigenous in a modern American city? This episode, we continue our conversation with Kerry Hawk Lessard, Executive Director of Native American Lifelines, about the deep and often overlooked history of Baltimore’s Indigenous tribes — and the vibrant Urban Indigenous community that calls the city home today.From cultural preservation to health equity, Lessard shares how identity, tradition, and wellness intersect in urban spaces — and how Baltimore’s Indigenous voices continue to shape the city’s story.Guest: Kerry Hawk Lessard https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-hawk-lessard-4588465a/Native American Lifelines: https://nativeamericanlifelines.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/native-american-lifelines-inc/posts/?feedView=allFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NativeAmericanLifeLinesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nativeamericanlifelines/Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.

What does it mean to be Indigenous in a modern American city? This episode, we speak with Kerry Hawk Lessard, Executive Director of Native American Lifelines, about the deep and often overlooked history of Baltimore’s Indigenous tribes — and the vibrant Urban Indigenous community that calls the city home today.From cultural preservation to health equity, Lessard shares how identity, tradition, and wellness intersect in urban spaces — and how Baltimore’s Indigenous voices continue to shape the city’s story.Guest: Kerry Hawk Lessard https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-hawk-lessard-4588465a/Native American Lifelines: https://nativeamericanlifelines.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/native-american-lifelines-inc/posts/?feedView=allFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NativeAmericanLifeLinesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nativeamericanlifelines/Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.

Can a disease shape the modern world? This episode explores the medical and social legacy of tuberculosis, once known as the “White Plague.” Dr. Paul Saleeb discusses how scientific progress, public health innovation, and community partnerships have helped overcome one of humanity’s oldest and deadliest infections.Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.

What does it really take to heal a city in crisis? In this episode, we sit down with a frontline worker and a resident in long-term recovery to talk about the opioid epidemic from both sides of the fight. Together, they share hard truths about stigma, survival, and the everyday acts of compassion that are transforming how communities confront addiction.Guest: Candy Kerr LinkedInBaltimore Harm Reduction Coalition, Inc. Website Facebook InstagramDisclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.

What does it mean to truly meet patients where they are? And how can care rooted in compassion transform health outcomes? In this episode, Baltimore native and nurse Walker Weinstein shares how IHV’s Jacques Initiative provides status-neutral HIV and hepatitis services, gender-affirming care, and community outreach that puts dignity first.Guest: Walker Weinstein, RN https://jacques.ihv.org/Testing, Outreach, and Linkage to CareJACQUES Journey Center520 W. Fayette St. Suite 140, Baltimore, MD 21201 410-706-6410 to speak with a team memberClinical ProgramUniversity of Maryland, Institute of Human Virology725 W. Lombard St., Baltimore, MD 21201 410-706-4091 to schedule a clinic appointmentDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.

You got the call. The transplant was a success. Now what?For thousands of people, receiving a new organ is just the start of the journey—not the end. In this episode, Dr. Kapil Saharia, an infectious disease expert, pulls back the curtain on what happens next: the hidden battle to protect that new organ from infections while keeping the immune system in check. Learn why post-transplant care is a high-stakes balancing act—and how doctors are working to keep patients thriving long after surgery.

What happens when a once-fatal diagnosis becomes a lifelong condition?In this episode, Dr. Poonam Mathur joins us as we dive into the changing landscape of treatment of HIV – how it’s evolved from a health crisis into a chronic, manageable disease—and what that means for a generation now aging with the virus.Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.

You’ve seen the headlines. Overdose numbers. A city in crisis. In this episode, Dr. Sarah Kattakuzhy, Associate Director of the Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine and Co-Director, Research Initiative on Infectious Disease and Substance Use Disorder, takes us inside Baltimore’s opioid epidemic. From the tangled roots of addiction to the real-world impact of harm reduction strategies. It’s a candid look at the crisis beyond the numbers—and the people fighting to turn the tide.Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Human Virology or the University of Maryland. This podcast is intended only for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance specific to your health needs.