Making a difference in Georgia

“To every one of you carrying this torch across Georgia: thank you.” - Marie Sutton, CEO

“Embedded in each successful partner agency is a champion who carries the torch for these life-saving services and never lets it hit the ground.” - Marie Sutton, CEO

“The last quarter of the year is time of wrap up and a time of future focus.” - Marie Sutton, CEO

“Thank you for your commitment to a brighter future for Georgia; a future where there are no new cases of HIV and the HCV virus is all but eliminated.”

- Marie Sutton, CEO, Imagine Hope

“Because of you, Georgia is a healthier state.”

- Marie Sutton, CEO, Imagine Hope

“We are deeply grateful to all those who made over 1,000 HCV cures possible.”

- Marie Sutton, CEO, Imagine Hope

“Since we’ve started our HCV program, we’ve helped a lot of people in ways that I could never imagine, and that they couldn’t even imagine.”

- Celitha Taylor, EIS Coordinator (pictured with EIS Tester Melinda Walden)

“We value the contributions of all our partners and were delighted to highlight the work of five at the annual gathering this year.”

- Marie Sutton, CEO, Imagine Hope

“For 138 individuals and their families, the dream of an HCV cure came true this year.”

- Marie Sutton, CEO, Imagine Hope, Inc.

“Please know in your heart that you were there in the early days.”

- Marie Sutton, CEO, Imagine Hope, Inc

“Don’t ever underestimate the significance of your contribution.”

- Marie Sutton, CEO, Imagine Hope, Inc.

“A lot of agencies work in silos. We’re all committed to healing, to recovery. But to treat the whole person, we need to work together.”

- Tarsha Deadwyler

“After nearly three years under the constraints of COVID-19, WE ARE BACK!”

“We’ve had a lot of happy tears.”

-Ali McCorkle

“During the first 6 months of the 2023 state fiscal year, EIS nurses and counselors diagnosed 15 individuals HIV-positive, compared to 14 identified all of last year.”

When an individual is diagnosed with HIV, Ascensa takes a slightly unusual approach to supporting their HIV treatment.

- Melissa Jacobs

“What’s exciting about working in this field is that the medication is so effective - for HIV and for HCV. We’re living in a hopeful time.”

- Jim Rowe, Gateway, Brunswick

“Before I meet with an individual, I take a deep breath and leave whatever I need to behind.”

- Gigi Robinson, New Horizons, Columbus

“Eight clients who were chronically infected with hepatitis c have been cured.”

- Theresha Threadcraft, Aspire, Albany

“Everybody’s struggling with something. But if you’re complaining, that’s not going to help our clients.”

- Marcus Lucas, Highland Rivers, Rome

“I have big dreams for the HIV program here.”

- Ansley Ragan Evans, Middle Flint, Americus

Askia Abdul-Rahman, the new HIV Specialist at DeKalb CSB, began doing HIV testing in mid-March. Less than two months later he had his first positive result.

Rose Spann and Sheila Timmons work together to ensure clients have access to HIV and HCV testing. During the quarter, this duo provided HIV testing to 108 clients and performed 148 HCV tests.

While some sites have seen a decline in screening for HIV and HCV, a few are testing more than ever.

“It is literally life-changing. Ten clients have started on medication, six of those have completed treatment, and four have achieved viral load suppression.”

- Shannon Bruckner, ARC/Athens

“When I walk through the waiting room, clients rush to me asking to be tested.”

- Theresha Threadcraft, RN | Aspire Health, Albany

“We have never been prouder of the statewide EIS team. You have shown up - keeping the doors open and serving clients in a very difficult situation. Your dedication and commitment inspires us to be more.”

- Marie Sutton, CEO | Imagine Hope, Inc.

“When a client walks in our doors, they’ve made that first step of admitting that they need help.”

- Wendy Felix, Ogeechee

“I’ve seen clients in tears because we’ve given them hope where it did not exist before they sat down.”

- Nikki Smith, McIntosh Trail

“When I come to work, I say hello to everyone with a big smile. They don’t want someone coming in grumpy. They need somebody to smile and show that life can be good.”

- Vivian Hunter, Quentin’s Place

“Rarely do we have anyone not take advantage of the opportunity to learn their HIV status.”

- Narsheba Aasir, MARR