Wednesday, May 17, 2023
12:00PM – 1:00PM Eastern Time

Webinar objectives:

1. Describe methods to characterize the cervicovaginal microbiome (CVM)
2. Detail the role of the CVM and HPV natural history
3. Delineate the role of the CVM and acquisition of C. trachomatis infection

Speaker

Robert D. Burk, M.D.
Professor, Department of Pediatrics (Pediatric Genetic Medicine), Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s Health (Gynecological Oncology), Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Population Health (Epidemiology), Vice Chair for Translational Research Department of Pediatrics

Dr. Burk is a laboratory-based epidemiologist. He is currently investigating the role of the human microbiome and cervical HPV natural history and other STIs. Dr. Burk’s lab has pioneered the characterization of the cervicovaginal microbiome using next-generations sequencing. His lab has created an algorithm that takes next-generation sequencing (NGS) of 16S rRNA gene in clinical sample DNA and generates a Nugent-like bacterial vaginosis score (molBV). molBV thus allows clinical interpretation of NGS data and study of the cervicovaginal microbiome using stored DNA from HPV and/or other types of epidemiological studies. Dr. Burk is also an authority on the genomics and evolution of human papillomaviruses (HPV). His team was the first to report, in the New England Journal of
Medicine, that the vast majority of HPV infections in young women are short-lived and don’t require treatment. Dr. Burk is the past Chair of the HPV nomenclature group of the International Committee for the Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). He is an elected fellow of AAAS and has published over 450 peer-reviewed papers.

Moderator

Dr. Marc Steben, M.D., C.C.F.P., F.C.F.P., D.E.S.S.
Family physician; President of IUSTI Canada and President elect International Society for STD Research

As a family physician, Marc concentrates his clinical interest on sexual health, mainly chronic genital diseases. Research, development and publications field include therapeutic approaches to chronic genital pain, prevention and treatment of genital herpes and development of HPV prophylactic vaccine. Marc is also President of IUSTI Canada

In collaboration with the University of Ottawa Office of Continuing Professional Development, the Canadian Public Health Association has recently released a free online continuing the Canadian Public Health Association has recently released a free online continuing professional development (CPD) course Provide safer, more inclusive care for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections. Intended for clinical care providers in Canada, including family physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, students/trainees and other professionals in clinical settings, this modular, learn-at-your-pace course addresses the often entrenched barriers encountered by patients and clients seeking treatment for sexual health, substance use or STBBIs.

Content for the course was developed in collaboration with experts, including individuals and organizations with clinical, research and/or lived and living experience in the area of STBBI stigma.

The course uses examples, realistic case scenarios, quizzes, self-reflection exercises, videos and more to explore the key roles that language, communication styles and workplace policies and procedures can play in creating safer, more inclusive environments. Participants can complete the course in less than four hours, resulting in increased comfort levels for care providers, which in turn will affect the satisfaction and health outcomes of those receiving care.

This course has been certified for up to 4 Mainpro+® credits (College of Family Physicians of Canada) and is an Accredited Self-Assessment Program (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Sign up today.

Click here for more information about CPHA’s STBBI project.