The VCU HIV/AIDS Center

The HIV/AIDS Center of Virginia Commonwealth University coordinates all HIV/AIDS-related activities within the university and is responsible for developing increased collaborative efforts between the university and the community related to HIV/AIDS. The VCU HIV/AIDS Center is one of several multidisciplinary centers created as part of the 1993 Strategic Plan for the university and is administered through the VCU Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences.

The HIV/AIDS Center is an extension of the VCU AIDS Program, which was established in 1986. Center programs are multifaceted and interrelated including a rapidly expanding clinical program, a multidisciplinary educational program, an HIV antibody testing and counseling site, basic and clinical research programs, and significant involvement in policy development. In addition, the center has a history of collaboration with community based AIDS Service Organizations and other care providers, educators and researchers in the Richmond area, throughout Virginia, and the nation.

Clinical education and research

The center has well established and well integrated clinical education and research programs related to HIV infection and has played a leadership role in addressing AIDS related issues in Virginia. The center is committed to furthering advances in the prevention and management of HIV infection through improved collaborative efforts within the university as well as between the university and local, state, national and international communities.

Team members

Membership in the center includes faculty and staff from most schools within the university, including representatives of all funded HIV/AIDS related clinical, educational, research and policy programs. Community representatives include community-based AIDS Service Organizations within Richmond as well as local and state health departments. A steering committee and an external advisory committee advise the center on its activities. The center serves as a resource for all faculty, staff and students within VCU with a focus on the development and expansion of resource databases and external funding support for research, service provision, education and prevention activities.

Mission of the center

The mission of the VCU HIV/AIDS Center is to improve the health and social condition of persons with HIV infection and to prevent its spread through education, research and service. This mission will be accomplished through the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines within VCU and local, state, national and international communities.

Goals of the center

To develop an administrative structure that includes faculty and staff involvement from a wide range of disciplines within VCU.
To support the development of multidisciplinary models for HIV care.
To facilitate and expand HIV-related research.
To develop and expand training, education and prevention programs related to HIV.
To assist with policy development concerning all aspects of HIV infection at the university, local, state, national and international levels.
To establish an HIV data center or centers to support HIV-related care, training and research in close collaboration with VCU Libraries, the Survey Research Laboratory and the VCU Medical Center.
To incorporate community involvement into all aspects of the HIV Center to include local, national and international community representation.

VCU HIV/AIDS Center — working groups

The center, at present, has three working groups to address its priorities including:

clinical care — chair, Bob Higginson, PA.
education/prevention — chair, Joy Zeh, RN, nurse practitioner
research — chair, Nancy McCain, PhD, RN.

Interested members of the local community and university community are welcome to inquire about joining a working group by calling (804) 828-2210.

For more information, please contact Dan Nixon, DO, PhD, Director, VCU HIV/AIDS Center at dnixon@vcu.edu .