What did you enjoy most about STD Engage?

The opportunities to learn from other DIS and professionals in the STD field were the best part of STD Engage 2020. Seeing people who have had the same experiences, questions, and struggles that I have and learn how they have dealt with those situations was incredibly valuable. I am so grateful to have been able to attend STD Engage for its focus on the work of DIS and people that are making this field more equitable, youth-friendly, and sex-positive. Despite not being able to gather in person, the virtual platform and the content focused on health equity met the demands of the current moment defined by the COVID-19 pandemic and calls for racial justice.

What’s something you learned at STD Engage that you plan to put into practice in your work?

I walked away from STD Engage with so many nuggets of brilliance from other people that I have already started using, with great success, in my work. Some of the best takeaways came from the pre-conference workshop called “Enhancing DIS Motivational Interviewing: COVID-19 and STDs” and listening to other people talk about how they do their jobs as a DIS, hearing new ways of explaining complex health topics in simple, straightforward terms, and learning tips for completing successful partner services interviews. Another takeaway was a renewed inspiration. Virtually gathering with others in this time of isolation energized me and made me proud to be doing this work alongside so many passionate individuals.

In light of your work experience and what you learned at STD Engage, what do you think are the biggest challenges faced by DIS?

COVID-19 has exacerbated almost all existing challenges faced by DIS and has created a completely new set of its own challenges.  Balancing priorities with COVID-19 redeployments and staying motivated through changing job functions have been challenges that many of us have faced in the last year. I heard in many sessions the extent to which COVID-19 has affected the work of so many people in our field. These challenges are going to have to be met with creativity and resilience. Fortunately, problem-solving is an essential skill to be a DIS and our work is adapting in new ways. A great example of how COVID-19 has encouraged us all to address long-standing problems in new ways is the work being done by the speakers of the session titled, “Looking Beyond STDs: Tackling Homelessness and Substance Use Disorders Through a Health Equity Lens”.