Rochester Victory Alliance

01/06/2026

Wirecutter's sexual-health reporter rounds up the best latex, non-latex, and nitrile options to keep yourself and your partner sensuously safe. Happy New Year!

If you detest condoms, you’re far from alone. But there are better options. We considered more than 100 to find the best.

01/05/2026

Happy to have had a clinical home here for 38 of these 100 years. Happy birthday, SMH!

12/30/2025

It's been a distressing year for science, public health and global HIV prevention. Happily, there are many bright spots in HIV research leading up to 2026!

🌟 Lenacapivir, the twice-yearly HIV prevention shot also called “Yeztugo,” is being approved around the world for use in people who are HIV negative 🎉

🌟 A limited number of doses are being made available at cost by Gilead in select African nations

🌟 Thanks to philanthropists, generic versions of the shot will be manufactured in India for distribution in 100 countries, and the cost will only be roughly $40 per patient per year

🌟Multiple HIV vaccine studies are underway focusing on “bnAbs” (broadly neutralizing antibodies) that can target varying strains of HIV. One of them is in our clinic here in Rochester!

Other promising research includes
🌟 coaxing HIV out of its hiding places in the body ("shock and kill")
🌟 CRISPR gene editing
🌟 using mRNA technology to manipulate immune cells

We look forward to seeing what 2026 brings, as we commit to supporting the community that helps bind us all together. It's an exciting time to be a part of HIV research!

12/23/2025

May you find a cozy spot this holiday season for sharing cheer and good will. ❄️

12/23/2025

Who knew: there's an official Advent Calendar for Festivus! (Boy, if ever there was a year for airing grievances, it is 2025, amiright?)

Happy Festivus to all who celebrate! 🗣️

The “Seinfeld Festivus Pop-Up Advent Calendar” is a delightful treat for fans of the iconic TV show “Seinfeld” and anyone looking to add a quirky twist to their holiday season.

12/22/2025

Who's #1 when it comes to flu infections right now? We are!

New York City, to be exact. Flu season has taken hold early in NYC, earlier and faster than normal. The rest of the state ranks second.* Zoinks!

It's no mystery that respiratory viruses hit hardest when people gather for the holidays. With ED flu visits ranked "Very High and increasing" for Monroe County by the CDC, and area businesses and organizations having to close or cancel events due to illness, it's a good idea to take precautions.

If you're feeling ill this holiday season, consider postponing family and friend get-togethers until you're better. It might just be the best gift you can give this year!

*𝑚𝑎𝑝 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒: 𝐼𝐿𝐼𝑁𝑒𝑡; 𝑔𝑖𝑠.𝑐𝑑𝑐.𝑔𝑜𝑣/𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑝/𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤/

12/18/2025

Brazil did the hard work, and it paid off. It's the largest country yet (pop. >100 million) to achieve this milestone.
🙌

The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Brazil for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, making it the most populous country in the Americas to achieve this historic milestone.

12/17/2025

We are alarmed this happened at an educational institution in Buffalo.

A SUNY Buffalo State student received a six-figure settlement after the college expelled her from campus because of her HIV status.

12/12/2025

'Tis the season — for Otetia and Allie adding holiday spirit to our clinic!

May the coming days bring joy to you, too, with celebration that fills *your* spirit 🩵

12/12/2025

“Separate the culture issues from the science and get the job done —”

AMEN, Dr. Valenti.

And congratulations on another well-deserved award!

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Dr. William Valenti, a prominent figure in Rochester’s medical community, received the New York State Liberty Medal and the key to the city. The honors were presented at Trillium Health’s World AIDS Day celebration at the Hyatt Regency Rochester.Dr. Valenti was recognized for...

12/11/2025

What fantastic news for Rochester's AIDS Remembrance Garden! This grant will help restore the Garden to its original glory and beyond.

And a shout out to Nick Wilbur, South East Area Coalition, Highland Park Conservancy, Friends of Rochester's AIDS Remembrance Garden at Highland Park and the many individuals who've dug in over the years to help keep the garden going. Every w**d pulled, every shovel turned made a difference! 🌳🌼

12/02/2025

“Seven people with HIV were able to control the virus without medication for *several months* — and in one case for more than a year — after undergoing complex immune therapy.”

This is one of three hopeful reports released yesterday (World AIDS Day!), indicating researchers are honing in on cures for HIV infection.

Seven of 10 volunteers kept HIV at bay for months after stopping meds, a rare result scientists call a major step toward a functional cure.