4th Annual Yes, I can be a health care professional! Conference

4th Annual "Yes, I Can be a Healthcare Professional!" Conference

"The mission of Mentoring In Medicine, Inc. (MIM) is to increase the presence of underrepresented healthcare professionals through mentoring, career development and exposure."

Date: Saturday, December 05, 2009 from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM (ET)

Location:

Frederick Douglass Academy I

2581 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd

On 7th between 148th and 150th

New York, NY

Hosted By:

Mentoring in Medicine

Get more information or Register to attend at

http://mentoringinmedicineconference.eventbrite.com

HIV Travel Ban to be Lifted

By Alexa Mieses

The HIV Travel Ban has been in place since 1987, when some members of the global community were still unsure about the means by which HIV was transmitted. It was believed that HIV could be passed via respiratory or other physical contact and as a result, HIV was put on the list of communicable diseases by Health and Human Services. The HIV travel ban prohibits HIV-positive tourists from visiting the United States and prevents such individuals from gaining permanent residence in the United States. Though heterosexual couples from other countries with at least one HIV-positive member can apply for a waiver, similar homosexual couples are not granted this right.

The HIV travel ban is discriminatory against HIV-positive and homosexual individuals alike. This ban also conflicts with the values put forth in the global community by the United States (over $6 billion of global AIDS funding). This ban has also prevented the United States from hosting global conferences related to HIV/AIDS since persons living with HIV/AIDS would not be allowed to attend. Thankfully, President Obama overturned the ban and will finalize this decision on Monday, November 2, 2009. The United States is one of about a dozen countries with an HIV travel ban in place; however, after Monday and a 60-day waiting period, the US will be one less on the list.