Across the Horizons | June 2026 Newsletter
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Tuscaloosa, AL
HIV: 261
PrEP: 268
Case Mgmt: 196
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Starkville, MS
HIV: 227
PrEP: 145
Case Mgmt: 147
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Oxford, MS
HIV: 242
PrEP: 28
Case Mgmt: 152
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Meridian, MS
HIV: 35
PrEP: 5
Case Mgmt: 92
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Montgomery, AL
HIV: 1,546
PrEP: 212
Case Mgmt: 1,138
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Dothan, AL
HIV: 787
PrEP: 64
Case Mgmt: 680
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At Five Horizons Health Services, we celebrate people from all communities. PRIDE is a time to honor authenticity, connection, and the freedom to live openly and fully.
We're proud to provide a welcoming medical home - offering testing, treatment, care, and a range of supportive services to all who need them.
This month and every month, let’s stand together to uplift one another and build a stronger, more compassionate community.
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On Friday, June 5, community members, advocates, and supporters gathered at Five Horizons Health Services Alabama locations in Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, and Dothan to participate in the Seven Days in June Candlelight Vigil, a statewide event recognizing the importance of sustained investment in HIV prevention, care, and support services.
As the sun set, participants joined together in reflection and remembrance, honoring those lost to HIV/AIDS while also raising awareness of the potential impact that funding reductions could have on individuals and communities across Alabama and beyond. The vigil served as a powerful reminder that access to healthcare, treatment, and prevention services remains essential in the fight against HIV.
We are grateful to everyone who attended and helped make these gatherings meaningful moments of solidarity, remembrance, and hope. A special thank you to the Alabama HIV/AIDS Policy Partnership for organizing this statewide event, as part of the nation Seven Days in June effort. Simultaneously, we hosted a Healthcare Town Hall in Starkville, MS that brought together elected officials, care providers, patients, and members of the community for a robust and riveting conversation about the state of healthcare in the region & what policies would propel the sector forward! Together, we continue working toward a future where everyone has access to the care and support they need to thrive.
| | NAESM National African American Leadership Conference | | |
Five Horizons Health Services was proud to have team members Kevin Brown, Woodlens Ostagne, and Lesly McIntyre attend the 2026 NAESM National Leadership Conference on Health Disparities and Social Justice. This multi-day gathering brought together national leaders, advocates, and healthcare professionals committed to advancing health equity, social justice, and wellness within African American and Black gay, bisexual, and same-gender-loving communities.
Throughout the conference, participants engaged in meaningful community dialogue, educational workshops, and activities focused on holistic wellness, prevention, advocacy, and addressing health disparities. The experience provided valuable opportunities to learn, collaborate, and share strategies for strengthening community-centered care.
Their participation reflects Five Horizons Health Services’ ongoing commitment to professional development, health equity, advocacy, and ensuring that the communities we serve benefit from innovative approaches and shared learning. We are grateful to Kevin, Woodlens, and Lesly for representing our organization with passion, purpose, and dedication to creating healthier, more equitable communities.
| | JUNE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH |
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Zoie Anderson
Director of Outreach | Montgomery, AL
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FROM THE FIELD:
PREVENTION & OUTREACH RECAP
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Tuscaloosa, AL
Throughout May, the team engaged youth, families, seniors, and rural communities across West Alabama through education, outreach, and testing initiatives. Team members provided mental health education to students at Hale County Middle School and local Boys & Girls Clubs, celebrated student success through partnerships with STARS Academy and The Children's Center, and connected with participants in the YouthBuild workforce development program through health education and HIV/STI testing.
The team also expanded its reach through community events including the Sumter County Health Fair, where 20 individuals received HIV screenings, educational programming with seniors in Aliceville, and the annual C.A.R.E. Day event in Tuscaloosa. These efforts strengthened community partnerships, increased access to health resources and testing services, and supported Five Horizons Health Services' mission of improving health outcomes throughout the region.
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Montgomery, AL
The Montgomery team continued fostering community connections by participating in the Be Well Festival, a community-centered event focused on wellness, healing, and connection. Team members Faith and Jay engaged attendees, shared information about available services and resources, and connected with local organizations, artists, and community leaders dedicated to promoting health and well-being.
Through events like these, Five Horizons Health Services continues to expand community awareness, strengthen partnerships, and connect individuals with the resources they need to thrive.
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Dothan, AL
The Dothan team strengthened community connections by participating in The Circuit: Enterprise Edition, an evening focused on testing, networking, and community engagement. The event provided an opportunity to connect residents with health resources, promote awareness, and foster meaningful relationships within the Enterprise community.
Through outreach events like this, Five Horizons Health Services continues to expand access to care, encourage community engagement, and connect individuals with vital health and support services.
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Starkville, MS
The Starkville team expanded access to education, testing, and community resources across the region throughout the month of May. The team provided 22 HIV tests and 3 Hepatitis C tests during a Pop-Up Testing event in Starkville, engaged 29 recovery center residents through interactive health education sessions, connected with hundreds of new and expecting mothers at the Annual Community Baby Shower, and shared vital health information and support resources with community members at Project Cradle Care in Noxubee County.
These efforts reflect Five Horizons Health Services' ongoing commitment to increasing health awareness, expanding access to care, and strengthening community connections throughout Mississippi.
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Oxford, MS
The Oxford team continued building meaningful community connections throughout May by expanding access to education, support services, and testing opportunities. The team engaged individuals experiencing homelessness at the All Saints Episcopal Church Resource Fair in Tupelo, established a new partnership with the Pregnancy Center of Oxford to support pregnant women with resources and education, and strengthened community collaborations through an educational session with Health Connect America in New Albany.
The month concluded with a successful testing event in Tupelo, where the team partnered with Good Samaritan Health Services/Antone Tannehill Clinic to provide testing services to 61 individuals, secure 6 PrEP referrals, and complete 4 behavioral health surveys. These efforts continue to increase access to care, foster community partnerships, and connect individuals with the services they need.
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Meridian, MS
Throughout May, the Meridian team strengthened community connections through education, outreach, and testing initiatives across East Mississippi. The team participated in the Information Expo in Quitman, connecting residents with valuable resources and local services, and led a mental health education session for youth at the Boys & Girls Club, encouraging healthy conversations about emotions and support systems.
Additional outreach efforts included engaging children and families at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library Summer Reading Kickoff and participating in the 2nd Annual Kick Out the Stigma Kickball Event, where the team provided health education, community resources, and HIV testing for 15 individuals.
These activities helped increase awareness, reduce stigma, and connect community members with the services and support available through Five Horizons Health Services.
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House Releases Draft FY27 Budget Proposal: Take Action Now
The U.S. House has released a first draft of its FY27 budget proposal, and while it contains cuts that would be detrimental to our communities, the cuts proposed are not as deep as they were last year! This means your advocacy is breaking through and things are trending in the right direction! This draft still has to go through the “markup” process before its final, but this is probably a decent representation of where the House will land.
We are depending on Members in the House and the Senate to push back against these cuts that we know would be incredibly harmful to people we care about and to our goal of ending the HIV epidemic - so they need to hear directly from constituents how much we care about these programs! We ask you to join us in calling on Congress to completely reject the cuts proposed & fund HIV programs at levels adequate to meet the need in communities across America!
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MSDH HIV Planning Body
Christopher Thompson, Director of MS Advocacy & Community Relations, has accepted the role of Membership Committee Chair. In this role, Christopher will help support member engagement, strengthen connections, and assist with welcoming new members into the organization’s mission and work. On May 6, he led his first orientation, marking an exciting step in this new leadership responsibility.
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WTVA – Tupelo Interview
Five Horizons Health Services appeared on WTVA Midday with Tanya Carter to help promote the upcoming Five Horizons Health Services Starkville Healthcare Town Hall. During the interview, he shared the importance of creating space for community members to discuss healthcare access, local needs, and ways to strengthen health outcomes across the Golden Triangle. The interview helped raise awareness about the town hall and continued Five Horizons’ mission of connecting people to care, resources, and advocacy.
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Houston County Bar Association
On May 27, our Chief Healthcare Officer, Jessica Lamb, MSN, RN, NP-C, AAHIVS, spoke to the Houston County Bar Association about Five Horizons Health Services’ mission and impact across Alabama and Mississippi. Opportunities like these allow us to educate our communities about HIV, promote health awareness, and highlight the important role Five Horizons plays in expanding access to quality healthcare throughout the regions we serve.
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AETC Symposium
On May 27, Dothan Nurse Practitioner Ryan Bletcher, MSN, CRNP, AGPCNP-BC, presented at the Alabama Educational Technology Conference (AETC) Symposium in Mobile, Alabama. Her participation reflects Five Horizons Health Services’ commitment to advancing healthcare knowledge, sharing expertise, and improving patient care through professional engagement and education throughout the Southeast.
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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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A hospital employee did not observe minimum necessary requirements when she left a telephone message for a patient’s daughter that detailed both the patient’s medical condition and treatment plan. An OCR investigation also indicated that confidential communication requirements were not followed, as the employee left the message at the patient’s home telephone number despite the patient’s instructions to be contacted through her work number.
To resolve the issues identified in this case, the hospital developed and implemented several new procedures. One procedure addressed the issue of including only the minimum necessary information in telephone messages. Employees were trained to provide only the minimum necessary information and were given specific guidance regarding what information could be left in a message. Employees also were trained to review registration information for patient contact preferences and directives regarding leaving messages.
These new procedures were incorporated into standard staff privacy training, both as part of a refresher series and as mandatory annual compliance training.
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