British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

11/20/2025

"Right now, Canada is deciding its next move with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. From where I stand, as someone who has spent a career relying on strong teams and strong systems, this isn’t just the right thing to do. It is one of the smartest, highest-impact public health investments we can make as a country."

An important piece from four-time Olympic gold-medallist and practising family and emergency medicine physician Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser on how Canada needs to stay the course and sustain our support for The Global Fund.

National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.

11/15/2025

For those that missed Dr. Montaner's SPH PHC Department of Medicine Grand Rounds presentation last month, the full recording is available online for viewing.

Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHcVjfnmS-s to see the full presentation.

⏰ Thursday, October 16th from 12-1pm ⏰

We invite you to join us tomorrow at St. Paul's Hospital as Dr. Julio Montaner presents “HIV/AIDS Control at a Crossroads: A Call for Action” as part of the SPH PHC Department of Medicine Grand Rounds.

For those unable to join us in-person, it will be streamed through the following:

https://ubc.zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 95437 246393
Password: 246393

No registration is required, so we hope we see you there tomorrow for this very special Grand Rounds presentation.

11/06/2025

“In 2025, a postal code remains a better predictor of health outcomes than a genetic code.”

The BC-CfE was incredibly fortunate to host Dr. Andrew Boozary last month as he visited Vancouver to share some of the incredible work he is a part of in Toronto at the intersection between housing insecurity, health system inequities and infectious diseases. With so many parallels between the experiences in Toronto and the intersecting crises we see here in Vancouver, the transformative work underway at Dunn House is an inspiration for addressing Vancouver’s own struggles with the impacts of housing insecurity. (side note: the Toronto Star October 4th piece titled “Jason Miles’ addiction cost $260,000 in emergency room, shelter and jail stays. A Toronto hospital’s radical solution: just give him a home” is well-worth looking up).

A highlight for many, Dr. Boozary presented his powerful lecture “Pathologies of poverty: The need for housing” as part of our Educational Learning Series, which resonated deeply. Reflecting on the impact of housing on the social determinants of health, he compellingly demonstrates how compassionately treating unstable housing first, can have a profound impact on improving health outcomes, healthcare costs, and most importantly, can result in monumental change for the patients we serve.

The full recording of his presentation is now online, and we encourage you to give it a watch at https://bccfe.ca/video/pathologies-of-poverty-the-need-for-housing/.

Thank you to Dr. Boozary for joining us and sharing your invaluable insights!

10/20/2025

✨ We're thrilled to welcome the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) to the Nursing Jobs Fair in Vancouver next week!

🏥 Based in Vancouver, the BC-CfE is a world-renowned organization leading innovative research, education, and treatment programs focused on HIV and related conditions. Nurses at BC-CfE play a vital role in advancing care, supporting patients, and shaping the future of health outcomes across Canada and beyond.

🌟 If you're passionate about evidence-based practice, public health, and making a real impact in your community — this is your opportunity to connect directly with their team.

🎟️ Attendance is free for nursing professionals — simply register to attend!

📍 Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre
📅 Tuesday, October 21, 2025
⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
👉 Register now: https://hubs.ly/Q03NYNBl0

10/15/2025

⏰ Thursday, October 16th from 12-1pm ⏰

We invite you to join us tomorrow at St. Paul's Hospital as Dr. Julio Montaner presents “HIV/AIDS Control at a Crossroads: A Call for Action” as part of the SPH PHC Department of Medicine Grand Rounds.

For those unable to join us in-person, it will be streamed through the following:

https://ubc.zoom.us/
Meeting ID: 95437 246393
Password: 246393

No registration is required, so we hope we see you there tomorrow for this very special Grand Rounds presentation.

10/10/2025

We're looking forward to sharing the exciting nursing opportunities available at Hope to Health where you can join our multidisciplinary team making a difference in lives of those we serve.

Come visit our booth at the Nursing Jobs Fair Vancouver on October 21st!

🚀 Ready to level up your nursing career? The countdown is on — less than two weeks until the biggest nursing recruitment event in British Columbia!

This is the only dedicated recruitment event in BC designed exclusively for nurses and midwives of all levels and specialties. Discover hundreds of career opportunities, get insider advice, and make meaningful connections.

You’ll have the chance to meet leading employers including Agecare, Baptist Housing, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Correctional Service of Canada, GCIndigenous, Good Samaritan CA, Government of New Brunswick, Government of Nunavut, Olive Fertility Centre, Rejuvenation Dermatology, Retirement Concepts, Yukon Health and Social Services, and more.

When & Where:
📅 Tuesday, October 21 | 10am – 4pm
📍 Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect directly with top employers and take the next step toward your dream job.

👉 Learn more & register here: https://hubs.ly/Q03MLQKl0

10/08/2025

📢Final hours to call your MP!📢

The BC-CfE is supporting the Call Your MP Day campaign to make your voice heard, asking Canada make a bold pledge to The Global Fund as part of the eighth replenishment to fight HIV, tuberculosis and malaria!

Thanks to the The Stephen Lewis Foundation for coordinating this call out, we encourage folks to visit https://win.newmode.net/stephenlewisfoundation/callyourmpday to learn how you can call your local MP today and ask them to show global leadership with an ambitious three-year pledge to strengthen health systems around the world.

Results Canada HIV Legal Network ONE Canada GRAN

09/26/2025

“We know HIV community services are critical: our research shows that people with strong social supports are much more likely to stay engaged in HIV treatment."

In light of the announcement that ACT will be closing in the next 6 months, BC-CfE Senior Research Scientist Dr. Kate Salters spoke with Xtra about the important role HIV service organizations play in supporting the health of those living with HIV.

Visit Xtra Magazine's webpage and search 'Changing health landscape poses a questionable future for HIV organizations' to read this important story on the future of HIV service organizations.

09/05/2025

BC-CfE Executive Director & Physician-in-Chief Dr. Julio Montaner sat down with The Tyee earlier this summer to discuss the US cuts to foreign aid programs and their impact on the global HIV response.

In a comprehensive piece published yesterday, Dr. Montaner called on Canada to step up its commitment to funding HIV prevention and treatment both in Canada and globally.

He also outlined how we can strengthen our HIV response nationally by following BC’s Treatment as Prevention strategy across five areas:
• Make medication for prevention and treatment free for anyone nationwide.
• Enhance genetic monitoring of HIV/AIDS to better respond to clusters of case and tailor treatment.
• Implement a national policy for harm reduction including access to sterile equipment for drug use.
• Enhance social and medical support for marginalized populations including the unhoused.
• Decriminalize HIV.

Visit the The Tyee's website and search for "As the US Quits the Global HIV Fight, Canada Can Step Up" to read the full story.

09/05/2025

BC-CfE Executive Director & Phsyician-in-Chief Dr. Julio Montaner sat down with The Tyee earlier this summer to discuss the US cuts to foreign aid programs and their impact on the global HIV response.

In a comprehensive piece published yesterday, Dr. Montaner called on Canada to step up its commitment to funding HIV prevention and treatment both in Canada and globally.

He also outlined how we can strengthen our HIV response nationally by following BC’s Treatment as Prevention strategy across five areas:
• Make medication for prevention and treatment free for anyone nationwide.
• Enhance genetic monitoring of HIV/AIDS to better respond to clusters of case and tailor treatment.
• Implement a national policy for harm reduction including access to sterile equipment for drug use.
• Enhance social and medical support for marginalized populations including the unhoused.
• Decriminalize HIV.

Visit the https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/09/03/US-Quits-HIV-Fight-Canada-Step-Up/ to read the full story.

And BC’s approach is the model to save lives, says a groundbreaking local researcher.

08/31/2025

Today marks International Overdose Awareness Day, a day to grieve those who have lost their lives to overdose, support the loved ones left behind, and renew our commitment to preventing the impacts of the toxic drug crisis.

Nine years ago, the BC Government declared the toxic drug crisis a public health emergency, and while we still grapple with the devastating consequences of a toxic drug supply, the BC-CfE remains committed to supporting those who use these substances, to reduce their overdose risk and ensure they receive the healthcare services they need.

The decline in overdose deaths over the last year has been encouraging, but we recognize that these gains are against the backdrop of far too many lives still needlessly lost to fatal overdoses. These preventable deaths often occur in isolation due to stigma, discrimination & socio-economic inequities, and highlight the vital importance of harm reduction services including supervised consumption sites.

Each year, we increase our resolve in the hopes that our collective efforts will turn the tide on this crisis, and this International Overdose Awareness Day, the BC-CfE reaffirms its commitment to the services we provide at Hope to Health.

08/22/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Zabrina Brumme on her appointment as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) this week! Recognized among CAHS’ 47 new Fellows, this prestigious honour is a testament to the extensive contributions Dr. Brumme has made to HIV research as Laboratory Director here at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and a Professor with SFU Faculty of Health Sciences.

https://bccfe.ca/dr-zabrina-brumme-elected-to-canadian-academy-of-health-sciences/

“Dr. Brumme has a brilliant analytical mind and a determination to tackle some of the deeper mysteries of HIV evolution, broadening our collective knowledge of the virus in the hopes of one day achieving a cure for HIV,” said Dr. Julio Montaner, BC-CfE Executive Director & Physician-in-Chief. “Her appointment to the CAHS shines a well-deserved spotlight on the hard work and innovation that defines Dr. Brumme’s leadership here at the BC-CfE, and we are excited to see the continued evolution of this work.”

Considered one of the highest honours for individuals in the Canadian health sciences community, election to the CAHS reflects an outstanding dedication and excellence in one’s field, with a commitment to further enriching the broader health sciences.

Visithttps://cahs-acss.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CAHS-2025-New-Fellows-News-Release-EN-1.pdf to see all 47 new Fellows!