That OAN invites nominations and applications for the role of Executive Director, a position that will have an indelible impact on the future of the organization as it continues to lead and inspire a strong, shared, and effective response to HIV and AIDS in Ontario.

The OAN’s Board of Directors are pleased to announce Nasra Smith will be the OAN’s Executive Director, effective July 10, 2023.   Nasra comes to us with a wealth of experience in the HIV/AIDS sector, healthcare and in leadership. Nasra has over five years of senior leadership experience with both the Ontario HIV Treatment Network and the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Part of her work at OHTN was to oversee media campaigns and organize advisory groups to address HIV medication access barriers. Nasra also managed the launch of HQ’s

HIV organizations and other public health leaders expressed our grave concern regarding the government’s announcement to shut down and prohibit supervised consumption services (SCS) sites and restrict harm reduction equipment distribution programs in Ontario. While we acknowledge the complexities of addressing public safety concerns surrounding the toxic drug supply, the choice to dismantle these services will have devastating consequences: reduced safety, increased preventable deaths, increased transmission of bacterial and viral infections, and soaring healthcare costs. Ultimately, these policy changes will further entrench and deepen health disparities, and Ontario will fall behind other jurisdictions in health outcomes. Read the full letter.

We are pleased to share our annual report summarizing OAN, GMSH and WHAI activities, outputs, and financials for the 2023/24 fiscal year. In this report, you’ll find a report-back from the co-chairs of the OAN’s Board of Directors, and an update from our Advisory Committee. You will also get updates about our Skills Development, the Positive Leadership Development Institute and more. The full Annual Report is available on our website for you to explore. We encourage you to dive into the report, learn more about our journey over the past year, and discover how, together, we’re creating a positive impact

The OAN is pleased to welcome Vimbayi Pheobe Munonyara as our new Lead of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Vimbayi brings over 15 years of experience in the HIV/AIDS sector, spanning Africa, Australia, and Canada. She has led initiatives addressing social determinants of health and championed equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility for marginalized communities. Most recently, she contributed her expertise to the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection. Currently a board member of the Ontario HIV Treatment Network, she remains deeply committed to health equity and social justice through research and policy development. As the new Lead, Equity at the Ontario AIDS Network, Vimbayi