This course is open to St. Lucia physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, social workers, and allied health staff.
 

HIV: Basics
Aneesa Afroze, MD, FACP, AAHIVS

• Review epidemiology and pathophysiology of HIV globally. 
• Discuss high risk for contracting HIV. 
• Review updated guidelines for HIV screening and diagnostic testing. 
• Describe clinical presentation of patients infected with HIV. 
• Review HAART therapy and management goals in HIV/AIDS.  

HIV: Opportunistic Infections and Management
Aneesa Afroze, MD, FACP, AAHIVS

• Review defining an AIDS diagnosis.
• Discuss opportunistic infections in patients with HIV/AIDS.
• Review Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEp) guidelines.
• Discuss what’s new in HIV research.

From Triumph to Trepidation: Role of Antimicrobial Stewardship
Aneesa Afroze, MD, FACP, AAHIVS

• Describe the rising menace of antimicrobial resistant pathogens due to overuse and misuse of antimicrobials.
• Changing antibiotic prescribing behaviors in an effort to fight antimicrobial resistance.
• Role of penicillin skin testing in antimicrobial stewardship.
• Antimicrobial stewardship and its benefits.

Clostridium Difficile: An Overview and Update on Management 
Aneesa Afroze, MD, FACP, AAHIVS, Lucas Vocelka, DO, Lindsey Rearigh, DO

• Review the epidemiology and pathophysiology of Clostridium difficile.
• Describe known risk factors associated with C.diff diarrhea.
• Discuss severe C.diff infection and its potential complications. 
• Discuss diagnostic testing currently available for patient with suspected C.diff diarrhea.
• Compare and contrast management strategies of C.diff diarrhea and with updated recommendations.
• Review C.diff prevention strategies. 

Update and Overview Diabetes Mellitus 
Lucas Vocelka, DO

• Discuss the pharmacokinetics of the oral medications used for diabetes.
• Review the current guidelines regarding glucose control in diabetics in both the outpatient and inpatient settings.
• Discuss initial management of a patient with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus
• Manage diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome
• Manage the chronic complications associated with diabetes mellitus.

Update and Overview of Hypertension
Lindsey Rearigh, DO

• Review recent evidence affecting the diagnosis and management of patients with elevated blood pressure.
• Discuss the therapeutics of various antihypertensive agents used in managing patients with hypertension.
• Compare and contrast BP targets and first-line therapy options from various clinical practice hypertension guidelines (JNC 8, ACA, AHA).

Aneesa Afroze, MD, FACP, AAHIVS
Infectious Disease and Travel Medicine, Mercy Medical Center

• Residency: University of Missouri, Columbia School of Medicine
• Fellowship: University of Missouri, Columbia School of Medicine
• Medical School: Deccan College of Medical Sciences

Lindsey Rearigh, DO
Resident, Mercy Medical Center

• Undergrad Degree: Biology, Pfeiffer University
• Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Carolinas Campus

Lucas Vocelka, DO
Resident, Mercy Medical Center

• Undergrad Degree: Biomedical Sciences, St. Cloud State University
• Masters: Bioethics, Kansas City University
• Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences