Mobile County Health Department HIV Coordinator Diane Glass found her niche in HIV/AIDS education

MOBILE, Ala. -- More than a decade ago, Diane Glass decided it was time to take back her life. Divorced with no job, she took the plunge and enrolled in college. That was in 2002.

At 49, she received tuition assistance to earn an Associate’s Degree at the University of Mobile from a local program. After working for the Mobile County Health Department for a few years, and becoming a Registered Nurse, she is now MCHD’s HIV Coordinator.

“I feel like I found my niche,” Glass said. “I really love teaching. I love going out into the community and educating people about HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. It’s very rewarding.”

Glass, who has served in the HIV Coordinator role for two years, was spotlighted by Mobile Works on its Facebook page this week as one of their success stories. One reason her job in public health is meaningful, she said, is because of the opportunities she has every week to change perceptions about HIV/AIDS within the community.

“The education piece is really key because of the lack of understanding about how HIV is transmitted,” Glass said. “I talk about how to protect yourself and empower people to take their health into their own hands.”

On Oct. 7, 2014, Glass will travel to Montgomery to be an exhibitor for HIV/AIDS at The Alabama Youth Council. Young people from across Alabama will gather to promote healthy behaviors among local teens.  Students will be encouraged to take a more active role in the prevention of bullying, HIV/AIDS, STIs, teen pregnancy and other adolescent risk behaviors.

As the HIV Program Coordinator for Public Health Area 11, which is all of Mobile County, Glass also provides education on HIV/AIDS and STDs/HIV testing at homeless shelters, drug and alcohol rehabilitation sites, to Mobile Prison Work Release participants, troubled youth in alternative schools, nursing home employees, at Senior Centers. She performs community outreaches at health fairs, and community events such as National HIV Testing Day and World AIDS Day.

“The state also sends me the names and contact information for those who have been newly diagnosed with HIV in Mobile County,” Glass said. “I confirm they are in care. If they are not, I try to find them and encourage them to get into care.”