Across the Horizons | August 2026 Newsletter
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Tuscaloosa, AL
HIV: 263
PrEP: 256
Case Mgmt: 217
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Starkville, MS
HIV: 225
PrEP: 138
Case Mgmt: 173
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Oxford, MS
HIV: 242
PrEP: 29
Case Mgmt: 185
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Meridian, MS
HIV: 35
PrEP: 7
Case Mgmt: 98
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Montgomery, AL
HIV: 1,523
PrEP: 201
Case Mgmt: 1,132
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Dothan, AL
HIV: 781
PrEP: 62
Case Mgmt: 686
| | Shaping the future of HIV Care | | Speakers (L - R): Claudette Poole, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Lori Mills, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Katie Turner, Baptist Medical Center East, Kelly Fuller, Alabama Department of Public Health, and Stephanie Hagan, Five Horizons Health Services. | | |
Last week, members of the Five Horizons Health Services team had the opportunity to attend the 2026 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment in Washington, D.C., where professionals from across the country came together to share best practices, strengthen partnerships, and advance the work of ending the HIV epidemic.
We are especially proud of Stephanie Hagan, LBSW, Perinatal Social Worker, who represented Five Horizons Health Services as a panelist during the session, "Stronger Starts: Reimagining Approaches in Client-Centered Maternal-Child Health HIV Care Through Statewide Collaborations." Alongside partners from UAB, Baptist Medical Center East, and the Alabama Department of Public Health, Stephanie shared how Alabama's collaborative, patient-centered approach is improving care for pregnant women with HIV and their infants while helping prevent perinatal HIV transmission.
We're honored to have our team contributing to conversations that are shaping the future of HIV care and proud to stand alongside partners committed to expanding access, improving outcomes, and building healthier communities.
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| Strengthening HIV Care in Selma, AL | | |
Five Horizons Health Services has begun providing Ryan White Part B and HIV Prevention services in Selma, expanding our commitment to ensuring access to high-quality, compassionate care across the communities we serve.
For individuals who previously received HIV services through Selma AIR, continuity of care remains our highest priority. We are working closely with community partners to ensure a seamless transition, and clients will receive additional information in the coming weeks.
We are honored to expand our presence in Selma and remain committed to advancing equitable access to HIV prevention, treatment, and support services for our community.
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This month our Research team brought Five Horizons Health Services staff, researchers, and community partners together for meaningful conversations, new connections, and a shared look at how research can help shape the future of the communities we serve.
“Research Unplugged was really about bringing everyone to the same table. I wanted to create a space where our staff, researchers, and community partners could connect, have real conversations, and see how each of us plays a role in moving research forward at Five Horizons.” - Brieanna Boyd, Director of Research and Grant Administration
We’re grateful to everyone who showed up, shared their expertise, asked questions, and helped make this event a space for collaboration and connection. Together, we’re building stronger partnerships and advancing research that can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
| | AUGUST EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH |
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Veronica Hemphill, MBA, MSA
Director of Finance | Tuscaloosa, AL
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FROM THE FIELD:
PREVENTION & OUTREACH RECAP
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Tuscaloosa, AL
The Tuscaloosa Prevention & Outreach Team had a busy July, bringing HIV/STI testing, education, and resources to communities across West Alabama. The team hosted pop-up testing events in Greensboro, York, and Aliceville, providing HIV, Hepatitis C, and syphilis screenings to dozens of community members.
They also led education sessions with seniors in Aliceville and Eutaw, participated in back-to-school and community resource fairs, supported local youth through the YouthBuild graduation and Akron Public Library’s summer program, and strengthened partnerships with organizations including Mercedes-Benz and The Preserve.
From rural outreach to community events, the team continues to meet people where they are and connect them with the care and resources they need.
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Montgomery, AL
The Montgomery team continued building community connections through outreach and education. The team partnered with the Boys & Girls Club to promote health education among local youth and participated in Research Unplugged, supporting our research department by connecting with local, state, and community research partners and sharing valuable resources.
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Dothan, AL
The Dothan team recently participated in a community outreach event at the Boys & Girls Club, connecting with youth and families while promoting health, wellness, and community resources.
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Starkville, MS
While July was a quieter month for outreach events, the Starkville team focused on building partnerships that will create lasting community impact. Five Horizons Health Services was named a Bright Horizons Partner with the West Point Consolidated School District, opening new opportunities to support students and families through education and prevention initiatives.
The team also strengthened its partnership with the West Point Police Department and was invited to participate in the upcoming National Night Out event. These partnerships will help expand access to health education, prevention services, and community resources across the area.
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Oxford, MS
The Oxford team provided health education, testing, and resources throughout North Mississippi. The team partnered with the Boys & Girls Club to educate youth about healthy lifestyles and HIV/STI prevention, while also connecting residents at the Oxford Housing Authority with information about PrEP, PEP, testing, and supportive services.
At the Good Samaritan Clinic in Tupelo, the team provided free, confidential rapid HIV testing along with prevention education and connections to care. The team also participated in the Wear It Well Kickback, connecting with community members and sharing health resources in a welcoming environment.
Through these efforts, the Oxford team continues to promote prevention, increase awareness, and strengthen connections to care across the community.
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Meridian, MS
The Meridian team stayed active in July, connecting with local families, youth, and community members through outreach and education. The team participated in a Back-to-School Backpack Drive, sharing health resources and helping families prepare for a successful school year.
They also partnered with the Boys & Girls Club for an engaging session on bullying and cyberbullying, equipping youth with tools to promote kindness, respect, and safer communities. At the Meridian Public Library, the team provided sexual health education, HIV prevention and STI awareness information, testing resources, and connections to care.
Through every event, the Meridian team continues to promote wellness, reduce stigma, and connect our community with the resources they need.
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FHHS on the Hill
Five Horizons’ CEO, Chief of Staff, and Director of Mississippi Advocacy & Community Relations traveled to Washington, D.C. July 13-16 to join an in-person meeting of the AIDS United Public Policy Council & to meet with the offices of Alabama and Mississippi Members of Congress. Visits focused heavily on FY27 appropriations, defending 340B, the harmful ramifications of OMB’s proposed change to uniform grant guidance, and constrictions in healthcare access resulting from last year’s HR1 (OBBBA). The FHHS delegation is pictured here with Dr. Cameryn Blackmore (formerly Billy’s student in the UA MPA program, formerly a staffer with Congresswoman Sewell, and currently an advocate with the Susan G Komen Foundation) and Elizabeth Torrance, Director of Advocacy for AIDS Alabama!
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FY27 Appropriations Update
With appropriations bills stalled and with Congress running out of runway before funding expires September 30th, it has become clear to all stakeholders a Continuing Resolution will be necessary to ensure continued federal funding. The Senate is considering a CR that would fund the government through Dec. 11th and this Republican-authored bill contains language that would temporarily block implementation of OMB’s proposed change to uniform grant guidance!
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Take Action: Defend Community-Based Prevention Funding
A key HIV prevention program administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is not slated to continue as a dedicated funding opportunity for community-based organizations (CBOs). This program—Comprehensive High-Impact HIV Prevention Programs for Community-Based Organizations (PS21-2102)—was designed to help CBOs serving communities that are the most disproportionately affected by HIV through the development and implementation of HIV prevention programs that complement and extend the reach of HIV prevention efforts implemented by state and local health departments.
Unfortunately, it appears that the CDC does not intend to recompete this grant and plans to redirect the money to state health departments. While we are grateful for our close relationships with MSDH and ADPH, they already receive CDC prevention funds – these were the only CDC prevention grants that went directly to organizations on the ground in communities most in need. Take action today to ask that this critical, locally-directed funding be restored!
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Oxford Town Hall
Five Horizons Health Services will host the Oxford Healthcare Town Hall: Community Voices & Policy Impact on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and light refreshments will be available.
This event will bring together healthcare professionals, community advocates, and state leaders for an important conversation about how healthcare policies are affecting individuals and families in Oxford and across Mississippi.
We are especially proud to have our very own Oxford Clinic Director, Shannon Fryer, FNP-BC, serving on the panel alongside Dr. Daniel Edney, Mississippi State Health Officer, and Dr. Shanika Ward, Founder and Executive Director of Empower Advocacy Oxford, Inc.
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Join our Action Network
Joining the FHHS Advocacy Network (FAN) is a great low-barrier, low-commitment way to get more involved in local, state, and federal advocacy efforts!
By signing up, you are simply agreeing to receive periodic emails from us with opportunities to get engaged in activities such as:
- Advocacy & Policy Trainings
- Sharing educational campaigns on social media
- Calling, writing, & emailing elected officials
- Meeting with elected officials
- HIV Advocacy Days in Jackson & Montgomery
-
AIDS Watch in Washington, D.C.
- So much more!
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Health Sciences Center Revises Process to Prevent Unauthorized Disclosures to Employers
A state health sciences center disclosed protected health information to a complainant's employer without authorization. Among other corrective actions to resolve the specific issues in the case, including mitigation of harm to the complainant, OCR required the Center to revise its procedures regarding patient authorization prior to release of protected health information to an employer. All staff was trained on the revised procedures.
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