Terry Hamilton, HHC Director of HIV Services

In recognition of her 22 years of leadership in improving the quality of care for HIV patients, Terry Hamilton, HHC's Director of HIV Services, last month received the Award for Leadership in Quality from the National Quality Center and Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau.

This award recognizes work that Hamilton has done since 2005 as part of the HHC corporate-wide HIV Quality Improvement Learning Network. Under her leadership, quality management has been a primary concern in HIV services, and the quality of care has continued to improve measurably as a result. One example is the average rates of retention in care for HIV patients, which have increased from 79% in 1999 to 91% in 2010.

During her tenure at HHC, Hamilton has spearheaded several programs, including the 2006 HIV Testing Expansion Initiative focused on making HIV testing part of routine care and decreasing the stigma associated with it. HHC has received national attention for the initiative, which to date has tested more than 1.12 million individuals and linked thousands to care.

The National Quality Center, which works with agencies funded through the federal Ryan White CARE act, is the premiere quality improvement resource in HIV care.

August 2012