Across the Horizons | March 2026 Newsletter
| | |
Tuscaloosa, AL
HIV: 266
PrEP: 277
Case Mgmt: 202
| | |
Starkville, MS
HIV: 167
PrEP: 133
Case Mgmt: 128
| | |
Oxford, MS
HIV: 147
PrEP: 15
Case Mgmt: 101
| | |
Meridian, MS
HIV: 19
PrEP: 2
Case Mgmt: 49
| | |
Montgomery, AL
HIV: 1,507
PrEP: 193
Case Mgmt: 1,145
| | |
Dothan, AL
HIV: 751
PrEP: 53
Case Mgmt: 645
| | MARCH EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH |
| |
Tamara Love, BSN, RN
Manager of Nursing Operations | Montgomery, AL
| | You are invited! Join us for a celebration of our new and improved River Region location at 2573 Fairlane Drive, Montgomery, AL 36116. Enjoy seeing our new facilities, food, swag, music, complimentary testing and MORE on Tuesday, April 7 at 11 a.m. | | | |
Save the dates for our first-ever Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser in Tuscaloosa, AL! The weekend kicks off Friday, April 24, from 5–8 p.m. with Rally & Rhythm (Sunset Supper), a celebration featuring music, food, a silent auction, and opportunities to learn the game.
On Saturday, April 25, starting at 10 a.m., the excitement continues with Paddle for Prevention, our pickleball tournament fundraiser where players of all skill levels compete in men’s and women’s doubles. Whether you’re playing, learning, or cheering from the sidelines, it’s a fun way to rally together and support prevention efforts in our community.
| |
FROM THE FIELD:
PREVENTION & OUTREACH RECAP
| | |
Tuscaloosa, AL
Last month, the Tuscaloosa team continued expanding outreach and education efforts across local campuses and the surrounding community. Staff hosted and participated in several education and testing events, including an HIV education session at the University of West Alabama and a Valentine’s-themed testing event where more than 50 students were tested while enjoying popcorn and movie screenings. The team also partnered with student organizations such as Black in Medicine at the University of Alabama and Black Health Awakening to provide prevention education and information about available services. Outreach efforts also included tabling during UWA’s Get on Board Day, participating in the Go Red Lunch and Learn at the Livingston Community Center alongside community partners, and hosting a testing session at the Eutaw Senior Activity Center to raise awareness about HIV prevention and the importance of knowing your status.
The Tuscaloosa Five Spot team stayed busy connecting with students and the community through a variety of outreach, education, and engagement events. Staff participated in several activities during Stillman College’s Homecoming, including Build a Tiger Day, the Pep Rally, and the Homecoming Tailgate, where they provided safe sex kits, food, and HIV testing while sharing information about prevention and available services. Five Spot also hosted the Step for Your Health testing event, offering HIV/STI testing to students and providing step show tickets as an incentive. Throughout the month, the team continued building meaningful connections by collaborating with READY for a Galentine’s event, hosting the Girl, Be for Real women’s group and launching the My Brother’s Keeper men’s group, and providing education sessions and testing at campus events such as the Dance and Cheer Competition mixer and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s Pillow Talk event. These efforts helped promote sexual health awareness, prevention education, and access to care among students.
| |
Oxford, MS
The Oxford team has been actively engaging with the University of Mississippi and the surrounding community to increase awareness around HIV prevention, testing, and sexual health resources. Recently, Education Coordinator Tykyrah Chapple led an HIV Prevention class for students at Ole Miss, where she shared important information about HIV transmission, prevention strategies such as PrEP and regular testing, and the importance of reducing stigma surrounding HIV. The session created an open, informative space for students to ask questions, learn about available community resources, and better understand how they can protect their health while supporting others.
The team also partnered with campus ambassadors Skylar Harris and Tykyrah Chapple to host an engaging educational session at the University of Mississippi library. The event blended meaningful conversation with interactive moments, helping students feel comfortable discussing topics like HIV prevention, testing, and breaking the stigma associated with HIV. Through this collaborative effort, students learned more about the services and support available through Five Horizons Health Services while strengthening awareness around protecting their health.
Beyond campus, the Oxford team continued outreach efforts in the community by hosting a tabling event at the Oxford Housing Authority alongside volunteer Amari Williams, future Miss Mississippi. During the event, residents received information about HIV prevention, STD testing, and PrEP while engaging in open conversations about sexual health. This outreach opportunity helped connect community members with local health resources and increased awareness about the services offered by Five Horizons Health Services.
| |
Starkville, MS
The Starkville team remained actively engaged in outreach and education throughout the community and local campuses. Staff partnered with the Black Student Association at Mississippi State University for a Health Bingo tabling event, where students created their own safe sex kits and learned more about HIV prevention, resulting in several PrEP referrals. The team also participated in the Cookies, Condoms, and Love event hosted by the Office of Student Well-Being on the MSU campus, providing safer-sex supplies and prevention education in a welcoming environment. In addition, staff delivered an educational presentation titled Support Fuels Success to teens at Sally Kate Winters Park, encouraging mentorship and open conversations about healthy choices. Outreach continued at East Mississippi Community College, where the team engaged with more than 60 students about HIV and STI prevention, and during a monthly education session with Pines and Cady Hill Recovery Center in Columbus, featuring an interactive game focused on HIV, STI, and healthy sexual practices.
| | |
Montgomery, AL
Last month, the Montgomery team remained actively involved in the community through outreach, partnerships, and advocacy. Staff participated in River Region Connect, a resource fair focused on connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with essential services throughout the Montgomery area. The team also partnered with COSA to host an outreach event on the campus of Alabama State University, engaging students in conversations about sexual health, HIV prevention, and available community resources.
In addition, Southern Region staff from Montgomery and Dothan attended Advocacy Day at the State House to connect with lawmakers and highlight the importance of public health programs across Alabama. Prevention & Outreach staff also participated in the Full Circle, Full Strength Retreat, an event centered on self-worth, personal growth, and community empowerment.
| |
Dothan, AL
The Dothan team stayed actively engaged in the community through outreach, advocacy, and empowerment events. Staff celebrated Mardi Gras with local community members, sharing information about available services and resources in a fun and welcoming setting. Team members from the Southern Region, including Dothan and Montgomery, also participated in Advocacy Day at the State House, connecting with lawmakers and community leaders to highlight the importance of public health programs across Alabama. Additionally, Prevention & Outreach staff attended the Full Circle, Full Strength Retreat, a meaningful event focused on self-worth, personal growth, and strengthening community connections.
| | ADVOCACY & POLICY UPDATES | | |
Five Horizons Health Services was proud to stand alongside partners from across the state for HIV Advocacy Day. Our team showed up strong, reflecting our deep commitment to improving the quality of life for people living with HIV in Alabama.
Thank you to the Alabama HIV/AIDS Policy Partnership for leading this important effort, and to our partners, including AIDS Alabama, for their continued advocacy and collaboration.
We were honored to meet with legislators, including Rep. Terri Collins, to advocate for policies that support people living with HIV, including opposing SB 209 and supporting SB 24.
The work continues, and we’re grateful to stand in this fight together!
| | Tell Alabama State Legislators to support People Living with HIV: | Tell Alabama Representatives: Say No to SB 209: | Tell Alabama Representatives: Say Yes to SB 24: | | | |
