“The biggest misconception is that you are going to die! That your life is over and no one will ever love you with this condition! This is far from the truth. You can live a full life with HIV/AIDS. I may be living with AIDS, but first I am a woman. Just follow your treatment plan and do not let a virus define you”
Kira Villamizar
Director, STD/HIV Prevention and Control Program and Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade
Elizabeth Ross
c/o Behavioral Science Research Corporation (contracted staff support to Partnership); 2121 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 240; Coral Gables, FL 33134
305-445-1076
Community Leadership Messages
"The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade is committed to fighting the spread of HIV in our community through the work of the Fast Track Initiative. It is vital to come together as a community from all areas and be disruptive innovators against the HIV epidemic."
“Miami continues to be an HIV/AIDS epicenter in the United States. We must continue to work together to defeat this epidemic, making sure we do not leave our most vulnerable populations behind.”
“Having been personally involved and working for an organization that has been fighting against HIV/AIDS for over 25 years, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with communities around the world in efforts to eradicate the virus in our lifetime.”
“ For the good of a city, where more than one out of every 100 people has HIV, where we have an explosive drug epidemic, let's hope 2016 is the year the Legislature helps us do what's best for Miami."
“Miami continues to be significantly impacted by HIV: however, I am confident that new initiatives such as the Florida’s Plan to Eliminate HIV Transmission and Reduce HIV related deaths, the Mayor’s G2Z Task Force and the inclusion in the Fast Track Cities will create the momentum that is needed to put an end to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our county”