For Asia, healthcare for the HIV+ community is something she believes is sorely misunderstood.
Today, she documents her career journey on her blog,coutureinclinic.comand on herInstagram.
HIV is not a death sentence.
In fact, many of Asias patients live long and healthy lives.
A post shared by Asia Sullivan, PA-C, MPH (@coutureinclinic)
1.
Tell us about your job.
What do you do, and how do you serve the HIV+ community specifically?
Im a certified physician assistant (PA) and specialize in LGBTQ-focused primary care.
I also coordinate care with any specialists they may need to see.
When was the first time you learned about HIV?
What sparked your interest to begin studying public health?
Thats all I knew.
I took care of his miniature poodle, feeding and walking her when he couldnt.
I grew up to learn that man died of untreated AIDS.
The first time I really learned about HIV was my freshman year in college in my public health courses.
All of these experiences influenced my education and now my career.
What do you think are the major misconceptions about being poz?
That you have to take a lot of medication.
Modern HIV drugs are one pill once a day.
Many of my patients take their HIV medicine and nothing else because they are healthy.
That leads me to another misconception: that poz people are not healthy.
Some think that HIV+ people have shorter life spans.
This is not true.
What are the major barriers that people face in terms of treatment, and prevention?
HIV drugs can be incredibly expensive, particularly for those without insurance.
What advice would you give to young people who are sexually active?
