Erasing the Stigma

We all know that Variety Care staff is one-ofa-kind, but did you know that we have the only HIV/AIDS certified nurse in the state of Oklahoma? If you’re familiar with our Sequoyah health center, you know it is just as unique as the staff it employs, with service lines such as Teen Clinic and HIV and Viral Hepatitis care.

That’s where you’ll find Licensed Practical Nurse Courtney Sharpe. Sharpe has worked as an LPN for 11 years, but during her time with Variety Care, her passion has driven her to seek additional certification to better serve the patients that come to Sequoyah.

“When I came to this department, I tried to grab every resource that was available,” Sharpe says. That determination led her to seek her ACLPN certification. She explains that her certification not only allows her to better serve her patients, but also opens a line of communication between herself and other healthcare professionals around the world. “It has been really interesting to see what is still happening in other countries, whether it’s behind or an advancement,” Sharpe explains.

continuing trend of growing numbers. Along with her personal accomplishments, Sharpe championed efforts for Variety Care to meet the standards set by the Human Rights Campaign – an organization that strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.

-Courtney

Just two months after Sharpe was hired as a communicable disease nurse at the Sequoyah location, Variety Care hired its Director of HIV and Viral Hepatitis Services, Phil Burke, PA-C. Burke tells us he is lucky to work alongside Sharpe in the HIV and Viral Hepatitis Department, emphasizing her dedication to serving the populations of patients they specialize in. “This passion is shown in her commitment to educating patients, friends, and co-workers about our services, as well as in how the patients react to her,” he says. “On most days, I am pretty sure the patients would rather talk to her than me because of the relationship that Courtney has forged with all of them over the years.”

She recognizes that while it is interesting being the only AIDS certified nurse in the state, it’s also discouraging. “HIV wasn’t just discovered yesterday – there’s just still so much stigma,” Sharpe emphasizes “I get frustrated because everyone knows someone who has diabetes or hypertension, and you know somebody who has been affected by or has HIV - it’s just not talked about.” Sharpe attributes that stigma to the

Sharpe’s specialized certification requires two years of experience in HIV care and continued education as determined by the board. After completing 51 hours of studies, she obtained her certification in March 2023.

Variety Care teamed up with Walgreens for National HIV Testing Day this year! The team from Sequoyah showed up to provide free walk-up testing and raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.

Together we can END HIV

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Would you like to purchase a pass that will allow you to wear jeans to the office? For just $30, you can wear jeans from Monday, November 27 – Friday, December 29. Your funds will support Variety Care's 2023 United Way Campaign!

*Jeans must be clean (with no rips, tears, holes, shreds, patches, discolorations or stains), and worn with a Variety Care logo top.