University of Miami MWCCS Community Advisory Board (CAB)
The UM-MWCCS Community Advisory Board (CAB) is made up of two groups, the Women's CAB and the Men's CAB. All members of the CAB are participants in the MWCCS study at the University of Miami. The purpose of the CAB is to give the MWCCS community, participants and scientists, with scientific, psychosocial, and policy information on issues related to HIV in the Miami area. Members of the CAB can be involved at all levels of the MWCCS study, including being on working group calls, attending remotely and/or in-person meetings with scientists, and giving their ideas on new research studies. CAB members 1) learn about new study ideas (suggestions for new areas of research), 2) learn about papers being written (future publications) 3) learn about changes to the study before they begin at the University of Miami, and 3) find ways to keep participants actively engaged in the study and getting feedback from study participants.
MWCCS National Community Advisory Board (NCAB)
The MWCCS National Community Advisory Board (NCAB) includes representative MWCCS study participants from all MWCCS sites. The purpose and mission of the NCAB is to provide the MWCCS community with relevant scientific, psychosocial and policy information regarding HIV-related topics to the national MWCCS agenda. NCAB members are involved in all levels of the MWCCS study, including participation on working group calls, attendance at in-person meetings with scientific investigators, and guidance on the validity and practicality of research studies. New study concepts, manuscripts, and protocol changes are reviewed by the NCAB members prior to implementation in the study. The NCAB develops strategies intended to encourage active participation in study visits and solicits feedback from participants about their research visits and healthcare priorities. NCAB members are true representatives of the MWCCS community. Participants of the MWCCS site will be asked to represent the women and men who are affected by HIV and those who are at risk for HIV. The MWCCS NCAB members meet regularly to discuss health-related and study-related topics. Two elected UM MWCCS CAB members will be asked to participate as site representatives at National MWCCS functions. As we go forward and advance HIV research, we seek to provide a voice to women and men of the MWCCS. Anyone interested in being part of the MWCCS NCAB are asked to please contact Andres Vazquez at axv830@med.miami.edu or Ms. Arnetta Phillips at a.phillips@med.miami.edu