A Newark Native Leads the Charge for Women’s HIV Care

Erica Williams uses her roots in the community to break down barriers and provide a lifeline for women at the Rutgers School of Nursing's François-Xavier Bagnoud Center

HIV is a manageable chronic illness today, but despite major advances in treatment and more than 40 years of lessons learned, it remains a serious public health issue.

The François-Xavier Bagnoud Center at the Rutgers School of Nursing has been part of this work since the beginning. Established in the 1980s as one of the nation's first pediatric HIV centers, the Newark, N.J.-based FXB Center is focused on a whole-health approach for women and children.

One of FXB Center's earliest initiatives, The Family Place - a comprehensive outreach, case management, and crisis intervention program - lives on today through the work of Erica Williams. A Newark native who has been with FXB Center for more than 20 years, Williams is more than a program support specialist: She is a lifeline.

Williams, who has spent two decades breaking down the barriers of stigma to ensure women in Newark and surrounding areas stay connected to care, discusses what this work means to her.

Tell us about your work with women with HIV in Newark and the surrounding communities.

I have been at the FXB Center for over two decades. I began my career at University Hospital in the adolescent inpatient unit, where I worked with children and adolescents who were perinatally affected by HIV. That experience opened my eyes to the long-term effects of HIV on families and communities and motivated me to provide support in the community where I was raised.

I later applied to the FXB Center as a community outreach worker and currently work as a program support specialist in the very building where I was born. My work focuses on supporting pregnant women with HIV, some of whom learn of their diagnosis during their first trimester. I advocate on their behalf, collaborating with medical providers and community-based organizations and educating clients about HIV during pregnancy and after delivery, as well as what the screening process consists of regarding their baby.

My responsibilities include case management, home outreach, connecting clients to social services and following up with clients and agencies to ensure they're linked to care and, if not, identifying the barriers to linking. I coordinate with local programs to provide resources and services, such as food and baby care items like diapers, car seats and ride-share cards. I also work to reconnect clients to care if they disengage due to lack of medical coverage or other barriers.

What advice can you give to women and girls about HIV prevention options and having HIV prevention discussions with their partners?

One of the biggest barriers my clients face is fear of disclosure and fear of how they will be treated if others find out their HIV status. These fears can lead to missed medical appointments or decisions not to take medication. Understanding these concerns helps me support clients in navigating care while acknowledging the emotional and cultural factors that influence their choices.

For women and girls, HIV prevention begins with empowerment and understanding that they have control over their sexual health.

Erica Williams

For women and girls, HIV prevention begins with empowerment and understanding that they have control over their sexual health. However, cultural beliefs play a significant role in how these conversations unfold. I encourage women to begin discussions about HIV prevention early, often as early as the first date. Starting the conversation early allows women to assess their partner's views, comfort level and willingness to engage in open dialogue about sexual health.

How can health care professionals help to eliminate the stigma, fear and discrimination their patients face?

Clinicians must engage in ongoing training to address bias, stigma and outdated beliefs about HIV. Annual training can help ensure they learn, unlearn and reflect on how their personal experiences influence their interactions with patients.

Depending on their background or upbringing, some women may not have been taught that they can advocate for themselves. Once they realize they have that right, it often empowers them in other areas of their lives.

How has this work shaped you personally?

Working with women living with HIV for over two decades has changed how I see people, systems and resilience. Being from the community allows me to understand the unspoken fears, cultural beliefs and historical mistrust that many women carry into health care spaces. It also comes with responsibility, because I am often seen not just as a provider, but as someone who truly understands their lived experiences.

This work has taught me the importance of humility, boundaries and self-reflection. It has also reinforced that HIV is only one part of a person's life story. When women feel seen beyond their diagnosis, they are more likely to remain engaged in care, advocate for themselves, and envision a future that includes stability, health and dignity.