top of page
Search

Project TIES Present at the Convention of the Association of HIV Treating Physicians

San Juan, Puerto Rico | October 27, 2025 | By Team Project TIES


Project TIES team during the event. From left to right: Tito Orlando Ortiz, Media and Content Specialist; Inés Serrano, Head of the Public Outreach and Health Promotion Division; Mayra Román, Community Outreach Specialist; and José Martínez, Head of the Health Promoters Division
Project TIES team during the event. From left to right: Tito Orlando Ortiz, Media and Content Specialist; Inés Serrano, Head of the Public Outreach and Health Promotion Division; Mayra Román, Community Outreach Specialist; and José Martínez, Head of the Health Promoters Division

Over 80 medical professionals were reached by the Project TIES team during the Annual Convention of the Association of HIV Treating Physicians of Puerto Rico, held on October 24 and 25 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Dorado.


Among other things, Project TIES was able to share with attending physicians at its educational table information about its Service Providers Directory and how this resource benefits participants. As a result, most attendees eagerly took a printed copy with them.

 

Mayra Román, Community Outreach Specialist for Project TIES, was speaking with the doctors present about the Service Provider Directory
Mayra Román, Community Outreach Specialist for Project TIES, was speaking with the doctors present about the Service Provider Directory
José Martínez, Leader of the Community Health Promoters Division for Project TIES, was sharing information with the doctors present about Project TIES subrecipients
José Martínez, Leader of the Community Health Promoters Division for Project TIES, was sharing information with the doctors present about Project TIES subrecipients

The words we use matter


Dr. Carmen Zorrilla during her presentation
Dr. Carmen Zorrilla during her presentation

One of the sessions during the Convention was aimed at the country’s media to offer recommendations on how to cover HIV-related topics with empathy and sensitivity. The presentation, titled “Words Matter: Ending HIV Stigma Through Communication,” was led by Dr. Carmen Zorrilla, director of the Center for Maternal and Child Studies (CEMI), a subrecipient of Project TIES.


"Words can inspire and empower, but they can also frighten us and destroy our sense of self (…) All of this affects how we can diagnose our patients early," Dr. Zorrilla said during her speech.


Dr. Zorrilla also emphasized that the improper use of language can impact adherence to treatment for people living with HIV and may even create fear in individuals about visiting healthcare centers.



 
 
 

Comments

© 2026

(787) 977-0542

  • Facebook

AIDS TASK FORCE - SAN JUAN

ties@sanjuan.pr

This work was supported by grant number UT8HA33947, EHE (Ending the HIV Epidemic), from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

 

Grant Policy Statement : This website is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a grant totaling $2,540,593 with 0% funding from non-governmental sources. The content belongs to the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views or endorsement of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. government.

bottom of page