Dr. I.J. Davis, Sylvia Drew Ivie, Dr. Tina Edmunds-Ogbuokiri, and Melvin Harrison flank a picture of Dr. Charles R. Drew, pioneer in blood preservation. Sylvia Drew Ivie, Chief of Staff to Los Angeles County Supervisor, Mark Ridley-Thomas, and daughter of Dr. Charles R. Drew was the keynote speaker.

          The National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Symposium held March 20, 2010 in Los Angeles California highlighted culture specific HIV/AIDS epidemiology and interventions for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Charles Drew University of Medicine & Science, National Minority AIDS Education & Training Center (NMAETC) Regional Performance Site, Dr. I. Jean Davis, Co-PI, collaborated to include three regional sites in the planning. Colorado State University, Dr. Pamela Jumper Thurman, Program Director, and Navajo AIDS Network, Inc., Melvin Harrison, Program Director, Martha Burnside, Barbara Plested, joined the DREW group to identify Natives’ HIV related needs and to foster this comprehensive culture based training for health care providers.  The goal of the symposium was to increase the number of health care professionals who understand the validity of HIV/AIDS related epidemiology and the impact of culture and traditional healing on clinical outcomes for Native HIV positive patients. Risk factors, prevention for positives, Opt-out, and application of evidence based interventions were also highlighted. The event framed the dialog toward a collaborative paradigm inclusive of Traditional health practices and Western medicine. The session presenters were recruited from Native communities and marketing was directed to a broad range of health care professionals who provide services to American Indians, Alaska Natives and/or Native Hawaiians in the surrounding County that is home to a large number of Native people.

          Sylvia Drew Ivie, Chief of Staff to Los Angeles County Second District Supervisor, Mark Ridley-Thomas, provided the keynote address. Session topics and presenters were: HIV/AIDS among Native Americans: Locally and Nationally, Juli-Ann Carlos, MPH; HIV Care in Alaska Terri Bramel, PA-C; Substance Use and Abuse Lawrence Kairaiuak, BA; Best Practices for the Diagnosis, Treatment and Care of Native Americans with HIV/AIDS: An Update for 2010, Tina Edmunds-Ogbuokiri, B.Sc, PharmD, FASCP and I. Jean Davis, PhD, PA, MS; Evidenced Based Interventions (EBIs), Melvin Harrison, BS; Honoring Tradition and Wisdom in Our Native Communities, Pamela Jumper Thurman, PhD and Melvin Harrison, BS. The working lunch featured a Prevention for Positives Panel facilitated by Elton Naswood. The skill building breakout session, The Integration of Traditional & Western Medicine was facilitated by Melvin Harrison, Marco Arviso, and Elton Naswood.  Among the cultural highlights of the day was the opening Blessing Ceremony and drumming, and the raffleing of a beautiful Pendleton blanket depicting Native designs and symbols. Seven hours of Continuing Medical Education was provided for the major specialties including Alcohol and Substance Abuse counselors.