Like all of you, we have been feeling tremendous heartbreak and sorrow over the recent events that began with the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. This unacceptable situation reminds us of the persistence of injustice in our society and the continuing need to stand firm against bias, prejudice, and inequality.

Many of us work in HIV because of our deep commitment, our calling, and to work towards greater equity. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program began 30 years ago with the goal of improving the health – and therefore the lives – of vulnerable people with HIV/AIDS and their families. Today we continue this mission and are committed to addressing health disparities in underserved communities and ensuring access to and retention in high quality, integrated care, and treatment services for all people with HIV. 

We hope we can draw on our collective feelings of grief and outrage over recent events to recommit ourselves to the mission of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and continue to embrace a culture of inclusion, equity, and respect for all.

In closing, we would like to thank you for your continued work to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency among people with HIV, while continuing the critical work of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Laura Cheever and Heather Hauck

Associate Administrator and Deputy Associate Administrator

HIV/AIDS Bureau