HIV continues to be a significant public health concern, affecting over 1.2 million Americans, with more than 30,000 new diagnoses annually. Since the 1980s, when HIV had no available treatment, the landscape of HIV care has evolved dramatically. Today, people with HIV can lead long, healthy lives thanks to effective treatment options.
Established in 1988, the AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETCs) are funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. The MAAETC is part of a national network of eight regional and three national AETCs, serving the U.S., Puerto Rico, and its territories.
The MAAETC serves Region III—Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia—by training healthcare professionals in HIV prevention, care, and treatment. Our work aligns with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, HRSA's HIV/AIDS Bureau priorities, and responds to healthcare changes under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Our goal is to equip clinicians—both within and beyond Ryan White-funded programs—with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver high-quality HIV care. This includes partnerships with community health centers, hospitals, and other providers serving populations with limited access to care.
Through regional collaborations, consortium meetings, and community engagement, the MAAETC remains responsive to emerging needs. Local Partner Site Directors gather input from community leaders and individuals receiving services to inform and tailor training efforts.
As more patients enter care due to expanded ACA coverage, the demand for skilled HIV providers has grown. Many clinicians report gaps in their HIV-related expertise, particularly in primary care settings. Additionally, as people with HIV live longer due to antiretroviral therapy (ART), they often face age-related comorbidities that complicate care.
Healthcare providers must navigate a range of challenges:
1. Evolving treatment protocols;
2. Shortages of trained providers in underserved areas;
3. A complex and shifting healthcare system;
4. The need to integrate prevention, testing, and long-term care.
The MAAETC addresses these challenges through intensive training, preceptorships, and technical assistance for a wide variety of healthcare settings. We deliver education on topics such as HIV screening, linkage to care, treatment of comorbidities, and prevention strategies.
Our reputation as a trusted resource is supported by partnerships with leading academic medical centers, which provide expert faculty, facilities, and support. These collaborations ensure our training programs are evidence-based, cost-effective, and impactful.
Select trainings offer continuing education for eligible participants and are accredited by organizations including the American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, American Council on Pharmaceutical Education, and American Dental Association.
By building networks of providers and delivering innovative, tailored training, the MAAETC is committed to enhancing HIV care and prevention throughout the region.