Region 1 - Health New York
The AIDS Institute’s Office of the Medical Director, HIV Education and Training Programs manages multiple training and capacity building initiatives that serve more than 25,000 health and human services providers each year. Located in the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, the program has been addressing HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections for more than 20 years. The Clinical Education Initiative expands the capacity of the clinical workforce to provide state of the art care for HIV, STIs and hepatitis C. Regional Training Centers prepare non-physician health and human services providers to deliver the full range of prevention, screening and support services to improve health outcomes related to HIV, STIs and hepatitis. Training Centers of Expertise deliver advanced trainings to promote health equity, LGBT health, drug user health, build consumer advocacy and leadership skills, and expand employment for people living with HIV. The program is responsible for the trainings included in the Certified Peer Worker Course catalogue, through which more than 250 individuals have earned the titled Certified Peer Worker in one or more of three tracks: HIV, Hepatitis C, or Harm Reduction. The program has been funded by the CDC to develop and deliver national trainings, serve as a technical assistance center for state health department hepatitis programs and lead regional Learning Collaboratives on topics related to HIV cluster detection and response. The program houses the Health NY Disease Intervention Training Center which trains Disease Intervention Professionals throughout the northeast (Region 1).
Health NY DITC is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide standardized skills-based trainings for Disease Intervention Service providers and partner services in health departments and other related settings throughout the northeast region. Health NY DITC conducts all activities in alignment with the principles of good public health practice, which include respect for persons, cultural sensitivity, autonomy and confidentiality. Health NY DITC works closely with CDC to conduct needs assessments, trainings, evaluations, learning collaboratives, and more.
To browse the Region 1 course catalog and register for trainings, please visit:
https://nationalditc.org/training/
Want to keep up with the latest news and course announcements? Sign up for the NY DITC mailing list! Click here to join!
Here’s what participants are saying about our trainings…
“I would not change anything about the delivery of this training session. The facilitators were engaging, professional, and well-equipped with knowledge of the subject matter. Thank you for a job well done!”
“This training was awesome! I have learned how to conduct selfcare on myself as well as others. I can truly say I learned something new today. I'm looking forward to future trainings as well.”
“As always, the facilitators were very engaging and did a great job facilitating a discussion throughout the training.”
Get to know our NY DITC Team!
Atticus Ranck - Co-Manager
Atticus Ranck, M.A., (he/him) is a Co-Program Manager and trainer for Health NY DITC for two years. Additionally, Atticus has been a contract manager of the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute in the Office of the Medical Director Education and Training Program for the past 5 years. Atticus brings a wealth of personal and professional knowledge to his roles as Atticus has worked for various LGBTQ+ non-profits and has been a trainer and educator, including telling his own story as a trans man, for the past 10+ years. He resides in rural Schenectady County with his wife and newborn son.
Barbara Raymond is a Program Manager for the Health NY Disease Intervention Training Center for 4 years. Barbara has 28 years’ experience working in the public health field and has overseen Community Based Organizations that provides sexual health services, substance abuse treatment and other services. Barbara brings a unique prospective working directly with the community for many years and leading efforts to promote health equity for underserved and marginalized communities. Barbara has managed $8 million public health work initiatives, and she is a founder of a non-profit organization that serves families and youth in underserved communities. Barbara is looking forward to revolutionizing how the public view sexual health and to promote sex positivity, sexual Health.
Robert Curry - Senior Trainer
Rob Curry, MSEd (he/him) is the Assistant Director of Education and Training Programs. Rob has presented & trained locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally on many sexual health topics for over 35 years. He holds a BA degree in Communications and a MS in Education degree from The University of Dayton in Ohio. Rob has worked in the field of health and human services for over 38 years, including women’s reproductive health care administration, public health planning, higher education, as well as Instructor to medical students, nurses, PAs and university students and staff alike. Rob has been a constant voice for marriage equality, Trans-rights, PAWH, TIC, U=U, DUH and health equity. Rob is a fierce advocate for all people living and aging with HIV. He resides in Albany, NY, with his partner/husband of 28 years.
Lisa Papa - Senior Trainer
Lisa Papa, MSES, (she/her) is a Training Instructor for the New York State Disease Intervention Training Center. She has extensive experience in the field of STD/HIV prevention and Lyme Disease. Lisa served as the HIV/STD Liaison, coordinating HIV/STD integration efforts at the CBO, local, and state government levels. Prior to joining the DITC, she worked for 10 years as a Public Health Advisor for a NYS County Health Department in their communicable disease program interviewing, investigating and managing STIs/HIV and Lyme Disease.
Kris Bonifacio - Trainer
Kris Bonifacio, M.A. (he/him) is a trainer for the Disease Intervention Training Center (DITC). He holds an MA degree, and is currently pursuing the Ed.D degree, both in Health Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Kris has served in various leadership positions for local and national organizations. Currently, he is part of the Health Equity Committee with the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD), as well as being in the executive committee for the Refugee/Immigrant Caucus with the American Public Health Association (APHA). As a first-generation immigrant, he is passionate about minority health and health equity.
Taran Haut - Trainer
Taran Haut (she/her) is a trainer for the Disease Intervention Training Center (DITC) with the Education & Training Program of the New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute. Taran earned her BS degree in Health Education and Health Promotion from Arizona State University, along with her BS degree in Health Science. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and has been working in higher education instruction, teaching undergraduate classes, and leading curriculum design for the past 3 years. Prior to that, she worked in various capacities including operations management, public health food safety training, and other skills-based training.
Taran’s research and advocacy efforts are in health equity, LGBTQIA+ health and rights, sexual health and wellness and public policy, and community development for healthy equity. She also plans to start her Master of Public Health degree in 2024.
Jennifer Goldman-Westfall - Producer
Jennifer Goldman-Westfall (she/her) is a Producer for NNDITC as well as a member of the Education and Training team. Jen has been working in the HIV field for 15 years. Prior to working at the AIDS Institute, Jen worked at an Albany non-profit specializing in delivering services to people living with HIV and other chronic illnesses. Jen resides in Columbia County, NY with her husband and three sons.
Kalvin Shinrock - Producer
Kalvin Shinrock, MPH, (he/him) is a producer for the Disease Intervention Training Center with the Education and Training program within the NYSDOH - AIDS Institute. Kalvin earned his BA in Public Health from the University of Colorado Denver and then went on to complete his MPH with a focus in epidemiology at New York University. Prior to joining the team at NYSDOH – AIDS Institute, Kalvin held roles in clinical settings where he provided direct patient services focused on health education, promotion and access for underserved communities living with, or at risk of, HIV/AIDS, Hep C and STIs.
