A decade of dedication and growth in the STOP HIV/AIDS Team

The STOP HIV/AIDS Initiatives Team is made up of a group of specialized multi-disciplinary health care professionals, including nurses, outreach workers, peers and social workers. They are committed to providing health and psychosocial services to patients who experience challenges connecting with health care and in maintaining their HIV medication program. Many of these clients experience significant trauma, poverty, mental health and addiction, homelessness, and other co-occurring health issues.

Meet Greg Musto, an Outreach Worker within the STOP Team. Having lived through the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and inspired by the progress in treatment and prevention, Greg found a calling in outreach work and working with individuals who are HIV-positive. “No one with HIV needs to go through the horrors of the early days with the current treatments available now,” says Greg.

The STOP Team works collaboratively in ‘pods’ consisting of a nurse, outreach worker and social worker. Their daily tasks include rapport building, appointment accompaniments, check-ins, and connecting clients with community resources. “What I love are the small successes, such as getting a client who was has been reluctant to see a doctor, dentist, or other health care professional.”

Having joined the STOP team almost 12 years ago, Greg can’t imagine working in any other team at VCH. “The amount of growth and learning these past 12 years is beyond what any other team could bring me personally and professionally,” Greg tells us, crediting this to the supportive team dynamics and the strong leadership. “I am fortunate to work with a team of dedicated professionals who bring their own unique skills and personality to the work we do. A team of professionals that I can rely on, debrief with, and offer support when dealing with challenges at work.” Greg also emphasizes the importance of good leadership in creating a safe and compassionate work environment, a quality Greg sees prevalent throughout the leadership team at VCH.

Feeling valued and having one’s opinion matter within a multi-disciplinary team is a motivating factor for Greg to want to come to work every day. Working in an organization dedicated to employee well-being and continuous learning keeps Greg interested and engaged in the work. Greg tells us, “We have ongoing workshops and learning to build and foster team dynamics as well as with our community partners: without their continued support, we cannot do the exceptional work that we do.”

Greg acknowledges all the resilient clients and the contributions shared by those who have worked in the field. “World AIDS Day gives us time to reflect on those we have lost and those that continue to fight and live exceptional lives. The enormous strides in HIV care and treatment gives me enormous pride that in my small role, I have contributed.”

Explore career opportunities within the STOP HIV/AIDS Team. 

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