Conversations with CEI

Clinical Education Initiative
  • 5.0 (3)
  • COURSES
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Conversations with Clinical Education Initiative (CEI) features clinical experts in HIV Primary Care and Prevention, Sexual Health, Hepatitis C and Drug User Health. Our episodes feature CEI clinicians’ experience and insight on the current health issues, alongside the latest news and guidelines on our areas of expertise. This podcast is produced by the CEI, a New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute program.

  1. MAY 14

    Introducing Point-of-Care Testing for Hepatitis C

    New York State’s Hepatitis C Dashboard shows that in 2023, 4,783 people were newly diagnosed with HCV in the state, an 8% decrease from 2022. Incidence also decreased, with the rate of new HCV infections dropping from 4.0 to 3.6 per 100,000 population among adult New Yorkers. Despite these gains, progress towards elimination has been stalled by reliance on a multi-step diagnostic algorithm to confirm viremia. In populations with the highest risk of infection – including people who inject drugs – testing and treatment are often inaccessible due to barriers along the care cascade. On June 27, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the first point-of-care (POC) HCV RNA test that can be performed where a person receives care, like an outpatient clinic or mobile unit. The availability of a POC HCV RNA testing, which can provide a qualitative results in 60 minutes, unlocks New York’s ability to integrate a test-and-treat approach where a person can be tested for HCV, and if positive for HCV RNA, be linked to care and potentially receive treatment during the same health care visit. To achieve elimination goals, simplified care that engaged people who inject drugs is essential, and single encounter testing and treatment offers a new tool to significantly expand access, decrease time from diagnosis to treatment and increase the number of New Yorkers who are treated for HCV. Today’s episode will focus on this new diagnostic tool and its potential impact on HCV elimination across New York. Related Content:  New York State Department of Health Clinical Guidelines Program, Hepatitis C Virus Screening, Testing, and Diagnosis in Adults (January 2023): https://www.hivguidelines.org/guideline/hcv-testing/?mycollection=hepatitis-care New York State Department of Health Hepatitis C Dashboard: https://hcvdashboardny.org/ New York State Department of Health, Frequently Asked Questions for Hepatitis C Point of Care Diagnostic Testing (June 2025): https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/hepatitis/hepatitis_c/providers/docs/poc_faq.pdf Erie County Medical Center’s Center for Hepatology Care (La Bodega): https://medicine.buffalo.edu/news_and_events/news/2020/04/martinez-bodega-hepatology-clinic-10699.html U.S. Food and Drug Administration News Release, FDA Permits Marketing of First Point-of-Care Hepatitis C RNA Test (June 2024): https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-permits-marketing-first-point-care-hepatitis-c-rna-test MacIsaac MB, et al. Point-of-care HCV RNA testing improves hepatitis C testing rates and allows rapid treatment initiation among people who inject drugs attending a medically supervised injecting facility. Int J Drug Policy. 2024 March:125:104317. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104317. Point-of-care HCV RNA testing how to video: https://vimeo.com/1172653335?fl=ip&fe=ec

    22 min

  2. APR 20

    Cannabis and Pregnancy

    Based on data from 2023-24, roughly 23% of New Yorkers aged 21 or older reported cannabis use in the past 12 months. Although men generally have a higher prevalence of use than women, recent studies show a narrowing gap as female consumption rises. Despite this trend, research is sorely lacking on the impact of cannabis use on pregnancy, birth outcomes and overall health. Many advisory panels and organizations advise against the use of cannabis during pregnancy, but there are numerous reasons pregnant people choose to use. On today’s episode, we’ll talk through the evidence and provide best practices for caring for pregnant persons who use cannabis.  Related Content:  New York State Department of Health Clinical Guidelines Program Therapeutic Use of Medical Cannabis in New York State (October 2025): https://www.suguidelinesnys.org/guideline/med-cannabis/?mytab=tab_6/#pregnancy New York State Department of Health Office of Cannabis Management Cannabis Considerations for Pregnant and Breastfeeding/Chest Feeding Individuals (2022): https://cannabis.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/07/cannabis-considerations-for-pregnant-and-breastfeeding-chestfeeding-individuals-fact-sheet_v2.pdf New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Brief (November 2024-05): https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/brfss/reports/docs/2024-05_brfss_cannabis_use.pdf New York State Office of Cannabis Management Cannabis Education Library: https://cannabis.ny.gov/education Zolotov Y, Mendoza Temple L, Isralowitz R, et al. Developing Medical Cannabis Competencies: A Consensus Statement. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(10):e2535049. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.35049 Raz M, Gupta-Kagan J, & Asnes A. THC Ingestions and Child Protective Services: Guidelines for Practitioners. J Addict Med. 2025 July-Aug;19(4):350-52. doi:10/1097/ADM.0000000000001441 Data to Action: Cannabis consumption during the perinatal period and clinicians’ screening and advising, New York State outside of New York City, 2017-2018 and 2021-2022: https://apps.health.ny.gov/public/tabvis/PHIG_Public/prams/publications/Cannabis_consumption_during_the_perinatal_period.pdf Project CBD: http://projectcbd.com/ American College of Gynecologists and Obstetrics Clinical Consensus on Cannabis Use during Pregnancy and Lactation (October 2025): https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/clinical-consensus/articles/2025/10/cannabis-use-during-pregnancy-and-lactation CEI Training, Clinical Approaches to Medical Cannabis: https://ceitraining.org/courses/1589 CEI Clinical Consultation Line 1-866-637-2342 A toll-free service for NYS clinicians offering real-time clinical consultations with specialists on HIV, sexual health, hepatitis C, and drug user health. https://ceitraining.org/

    23 min

  3. APR 7

    CROI 2026 – Live from Denver: What You Need to Know

    Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) 2026 took place from February 22 to 25 in Denver, Colorado. CROI is an annual scientific meeting devoted to the understanding, prevention, and treatment of HIV/AIDS and the opportunistic infections associated with AIDS. Thousands of leading researchers and clinicians from around the world convene in each year for the Conference. On this episode, Antonio Urbina, MD, Medical Director for CEI’s HIV Primary Care and Prevention Center of Excellence, reflects on this year’s conference and shares his highlights about exciting developments in the world of HIV prevention and treatment.  Related Content: CROI University of Liverpool HIV Drug Interactions Checker (website and app) CEI Clinical Consultation Line 1-866-637-2342 A toll-free service for NYS clinicians offering real-time clinical consultations with specialists on HIV, sexual health, hepatitis C, and drug user health. https://ceitraining.org/

    15 min

  4. MAR 12

    Misconceptions about Contraception

    Host Dr. Erica Bostick from the University of Rochester Medical Center Division of Adolescent Medicine chats with Dr. Stacy Sun, a double board-certified physician in obstetrics and gynecology and complex family planning at the University of Rochester, about misconceptions they hear from patients about contraception. Should patients get their hormone levels checked before starting a birth control method? What is emergency contraception and how does it work? Is it safe to use contraception to suppress the menstrual cycle? What do recent studies show about the Depo-Provera shot and the risk of meningioma? Listen to this episode to hear all about these common questions and more, and to get real examples of counseling tips from Dr. Bostick and Dr. Sun! Related Content:  CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342 https://ceitraining.org/ www.hivguidelines.org Curtis KM, Nguyen AT, Tepper NK, et al. U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2024. MMWR Recomm Rep 2024;73(No. RR-3):1–77. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7303a1 Nguyen AT, Curtis KM, Tepper NK, et al. U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2024. MMWR Recomm Rep 2024;73(No. RR-4):1–126. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7304a1 Xiao T, Kumar P, Lobbous M, Yogi-Morren D, Soni P, Recinos PF, Kshettry VR. Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate and Risk of Meningioma in the US. JAMA Neurology. 2025;82(11):1094-1102. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.3011. Roland N, Neumann A, Hoisnard L, Duranteau L, Froelich S, Zureik M, Weill A. Use of progestogens and the risk of intracranial meningioma: national case-control study. BMJ. 2024;384:e078078. doi:10.1136/bmj-2023-078078

    34 min

  5. FEB 17

    What “The 72-Hour Rule” Update Means for New York State

    Effective February 19, 2026, New York State law permits clinicians to dispense up to 72 hours (equivalent to a 3-day supply) of controlled substances, such as methadone and buprenorphine, for the management of opioid withdrawal while arranging referral and linkage to care for persons with opioid use disorder, as authorized by federal regulations (specifically, the Code of Federal Regulations or CFR number 1306.07). The federal regulations were updated in August 2023, and New York State law is just now catching up. We informally refer to the update as “The 72-Hour Rule.” Featuring Dr. Linda Wang, this episode reviews what this update means for New York State and how clinicians and healthcare administrators can think about its implementation. Are you implementing “The 72-Hour Rule” in clinical practice in New York State? We want to hear from you! Please reach out to share your experience: Lauren.walker3@mountsinai.org. Related Content:  New York State Senate Bill S3416D: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3416/amendment/D Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 1306.07: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-II/part-1306/subject-group-ECFR1eb5bb3a23fddd0/section-1306.07 Skogrand E, et al. (2024). Dispensing methadone at hospital discharge: One hospital’s approach to implementing the “72-hour rule” change. J Addict Med. 2024; 18(1):71-74. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000001246. Shahlapour M, et al. (2024). Novel uses of methadone under the “72-hour rule” to facilitate transitions of care and low-dose buprenorphine induction in an outpatient bridge clinic. J Addict Med. 2024; 18(3):345-347. doi: 10/1097/ADM.0000000000001281. Taylor JL, et al. (2022). Bridge clinic implementation of "72-hour rule" methadone for opioid withdrawal management: Impact on opioid treatment program linkage and retention in care. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2022; 236:109497. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109497. CEI Clinical Consultation Line 1-866-637-2342 A toll-free service for NYS clinicians offering real-time clinical consultations with specialists on HIV, sexual health, hepatitis C, and drug user health. https://ceitraining.org/

    20 min

  6. JAN 12

    Two New Treatments for Gonorrhea; one is available now!

    In this episode of the Conversations with CEI, infectious disease specialist Dr. Steven Fine delves into groundbreaking advancements in the treatment of urogenital gonorrhea. The episode highlights the FDA's December 2025 approval of two innovative oral therapies that mark a significant step forward in combating this prevalent sexually transmitted infection. Dr. Fine discusses the first of these treatments, Zoliflodacin (Nuzolvence), a novel medication specifically developed for urogenital gonorrhea. Administered as a single oral dose, it offers patients a convenient and effective option. The second treatment, Gepotidacin (Blujepa), is a versatile drug initially approved in March 2025 for urinary tract infections (UTIs). Now, it has been authorized for urogenital gonorrhea treatment, requiring two oral doses for optimal efficacy. Throughout the episode, Dr. Fine provides insights into the clinical trials, mechanisms of action, and potential impact of these therapies on public health. He also emphasizes the importance of addressing antibiotic resistance in gonorrhea and how these new treatments may help mitigate this growing concern. For more information, listeners can refer to the FDA's official announcement and other resources provided below. Tune in to this episode to learn more about these exciting developments and their implications for the future of infectious disease treatment. Related Content:  FDA Approves Two Oral Therapies to Treat Gonorrhea https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-two-oral-therapies-treat- gonorrhea CEI Clinical Consultation Line 1-866-637-2342 A toll-free service for NYS clinicians offering real-time clinical consultations with specialists on HIV, sexual health, hepatitis C, and drug user health. https://ceitraining.org/

    15 min

  7. 11/20/2025

    PrEParing for Lenacapavir Implementation in Your Clinic: Early Lessons Learned

    On June 18, 2025, the FDA approved Yeztugo, the brand name for subcutaneous lenacapavir, a prescription medication used for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV.  Subcutaneous lenacapavir is administered twice a year (every six months) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents at risk. With patients only needing lenacapavir twice a year for HIV prevention, the field has been optimistic about the potential for lenacapavir to reduce barriers and improve access to PrEP. Since we are still early in the rollout subcutaneous lenacapavir, many providers have questions about how to offer it to their patients—from workflow to billing to managing potential side effects and drug-drug interactions. On this episode, Antonio Urbina, MD, Medical Director for CEI’s HIV Primary Care and Prevention Center of Excellence, speaks with Alex Danforth, PharmD. Alex Danforth is a clinical pharmacist in Rochester, NY.  She practices at Trillium Health, a federally qualified health center, where she works with patients and providers to help manage medications and optimize care.  Alex currently provides clinical leadership for HIV treatment and prevention programs.  Drs. Urbina and Danforth talk about the latest New York State Clinical Guidelines for PrEP, which were updated on October 16th. The new guidelines provide important updates, including subcutaneous lenacapavir. They discuss important considerations for initiating patients on lenacapavir as well as some early lessons learned from implementing lenacapavir in their Rochester- and New York City-based clinics. Related Content:  PrEP to Prevent HIV and Promote Sexual Health University of Liverpool HIV Drug Interactions Checker (website and app) CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342 https://ceitraining.org/

    28 min

  8. 11/13/2025

    Keeping an Eye on STIs – Have You Heard of TMVII?

    This month, host Dr. Marguerite Urban chats with Dr. Jason Zucker, an adult and pediatric infectious diseases physician at Columbia University and the assistant medical director of the New York City HIV/STI Prevention Training Center, about an emerging fungal infection, Trichophyton mentagrophytes Genotype VII, also known as TMVII. Curious about what clinicians should know about TMVII? Listen now to learn more! Related Content: CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342 www.ceitraining.org www.hivguidelines.org “Notes from the Field: Trichophyton mentagrophytes Genotype VII – New York City, April – July 2024” - https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7343a5.htm Emerging Sexual Transmission of Trichophyton mentagrophytes Genotype VII Infections, United States - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/10/25-1056_article Information for Healthcare Providers: Emerging Ringworm - https://www.cdc.gov/ringworm/hcp/clinician-brief-resistant-infections/index.html

    18 min
See All (63)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Conversations with Clinical Education Initiative (CEI) features clinical experts in HIV Primary Care and Prevention, Sexual Health, Hepatitis C and Drug User Health. Our episodes feature CEI clinicians’ experience and insight on the current health issues, alongside the latest news and guidelines on our areas of expertise. This podcast is produced by the CEI, a New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute program.

Information

  • Creator
    Clinical Education Initiative
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Conversations with CEI

You Might Also Like