LSU School of Social Work PhD Student DeKeitra Griffin Attends HIV Symposium at the White House

PhD student DeKeitra Griffin was honored with an invitation to the White House for the Enhancing the Lives of People with HIV: A Quality of Life Symposium on December 5, 2024

December 9, 2024

BATON ROUGE – DeKeitra Griffin, a PhD student at the Louisiana State University School of Social Work, has been honored with an invitation to the White House for the Enhancing the Lives of People with HIV: A Quality of Life Symposium on December 5, 2024. Hosted by the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) during the week of World AIDS Day, the symposium highlighted efforts to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV, centering the voices of both lifetime and long-term survivors.

Selected by ONAP Director Francisco Ruiz, Griffin’s participation included a paid trip to attend the three-day event which included a pre-summit on December 4, the full-day symposium on December 5, and a lobby day on Capitol Hill on December 6. The symposium brought together federal officials, researchers, advocates, and individuals living with HIV to discuss critical aspects of quality of life, such as mental health, housing, nutrition, and employment.

“This is an incredible honor to be invited to the White House for the Quality of Life Symposium for people living with HIV,” Griffin shared. “As a Black, gay man who has been living with HIV for 13 years, this opportunity not only validates my journey but also highlights the need for greater support, resources, and policies to improve the lives of those like me.”

The symposium featured discussions on HIV and aging, defining quality of life, and federal partnerships to advance holistic care for individuals living with HIV. With medical advances enabling longer, healthier lives for people diagnosed with HIV, the event emphasized the multidimensional nature of quality of life, including self-rated health, mental health, food security, stable housing, and employment.

Griffin is a nationally recognized advocate in the field, serving as a board member of the Professional Association of Social Workers in HIV/AIDS and a steering committee member for the U.S. People Living with HIV Caucus. His advocacy aligns with the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) Federal Implementation Plan, which introduced five quality-of-life indicators in 2022 to measure progress in areas like mental health, food security, and housing stability.

Griffin spoke about the power of collaboration during the symposium. “Being in a room with people who share my lived experience and are committed to meaningful action was powerful,” he said. “This moment not only affirmed my journey but reminded me of the work still needed to ensure equitable opportunities for all people living with HIV.”

Griffin continued, reflecting on the personal and professional significance of the event. “I am proud to represent my community, and I hope that this moment can inspire change, raise awareness, and spark conversations that lead to tangible improvements in the lives of people living with HIV, particularly in marginalized communities.”

“DeKeitra is an unstoppable trailblazer,” said Dr. Catherine Lemieux, PhD Program Director. “His invitation to the White House is a testament to his remarkable leadership, resilience, and unwavering dedication to improving the quality of life for people living with HIV. His participation in this national symposium, along with other persons living with HIV, CEOs of AIDS servicing organizations, and representatives from federal entities (CMS, HRSA, CDC, HUD), is an enormous achievement and the School of Social Work couldn’t be prouder of his accomplishments.”

 

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ABOUT LSU SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

LSU School of Social Work offers multiple degree programs in Social Work and Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS), including an on campus Social Work doctoral program, on campus and online Master of Social Work, and an on campus Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Science in HDFS.

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CONTACT

Ellen Tadman
School of Social Work
etadman@lsu.edu