Conversations with CEI

Drawing on recent New York State data and clinical experience, this episode explores the growing impact of cocaine and methamphetamine use, the risks of stimulant-associated heart disease and evidence-based treatment approaches that can improve patient outcomes—even when stimulant use continues. The conversation also explores innovative, low-barrier models of care that integrate cardiology, addiction medicine and community-based outreach to better support patients living with heart disease.
At its core, this episode underscores the importance of harm reduction, compassionate and nonjudgmental care, and collaborative approaches that meet people where they are. Listeners will come away with practical insights and a powerful reminder: People who use drugs deserve access to effective medical treatment, dignity and support without judgment. Related content: 
Chiang J, Pechan J, Smith K, Kersey CB, Yadava M, Leyde S, Hidano D. Community-Based Outreach for People Living With Methamphetamine-Associated Cardiomyopathy. JACC Case Rep. 2024 Oct 2;29(19):102598. doi: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2024.102598. PMID: 39484319; PMCID: PMC11522726
New York State Department of Health: State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), 2024 Annual Report: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/consumers/prevention/oduh/data.htm
New York State Opioid Data Dashboard: https://apps.health.ny.gov/public/tabvis/PHIG_Public/opioid/
SAMHSA Interactive NSDUH State Estimates: https://datatools.samhsa.gov/saes/state
Tran T, Azari S, Johnson E, Jimenez S. he HeartPlus Clinic Project: Multidisciplinary Treatment for Patients with Stimulant-Associated Cardiomyopathy. Meeting Abstract: Abstracts From the American Heart Association's 2024 Scientific Sessions and the American Heart Association's 2024 Resuscitation Science Symposium. doi: 10.1161/circ.150.suppl_1.4142436

In this episode, Dr. Antonio E. Urbina, Medical Director for CEI’s HIV Primary Care and Prevention Center of Excellence, provides an overview of three new two-drug regimens: daily doravirine/islatravir, daily BIC/LEN, and once-weekly lenacapavir/islatravir. Related Content:
CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342
ceitraining.org
Hivguidelines.org
https://viremic.org/episodes/case-30-problem-solving-with-new-arvs/transcript

Erica Bostick, MD is joined by guest speaker Susan Wiener, MD, MPH for this episode of “Conversations with CEI.” Dr. Susan Wiener is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Adolescent Medicine at the University of Rochester. She is a board-certified pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist. Her clinical expertise includes sexual/reproductive healthcare and caring for adolescents with eating disorders. Dr. Wiener is passionate about reducing adolescents’ barriers to receiving the care that they need, empowering young people to make decisions about their own health and promoting health equity. Her research interests include sexual health education and person-centered counseling skills. Listen as they discuss person-centered contraceptive counseling, how stereotypes and other biases may get in the way (and mitigation strategies) and how to adapt your current contraceptive counseling practice to be patient-centered.  Related Content: 
CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342
ceitraining.org
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Academy of Pediatrics
Ross LJ, Solinger R. Solinger R, Bridges KM, Luna Z, Tapia R. Reproductive justice: an introduction. Oakland: University of California Press; 2017
https://www.sistersong.net/statements/2025/8/14/long-acting-reversible-contraceptionstatement-of-principles
https://picck.org/
Bryson, Amandaa,b; Koyama, Atsukoc,∗; Hassan, Areeja,b,∗. Addressing long-acting reversible contraception access, bias, and coercion: supporting adolescent and young adult reproductive autonomy. Current Opinion in Pediatrics 33(4):p 345-353, August 2021. | DOI: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000001008

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic versions of testosterone, and like naturally produced testosterone, they can increase male sex characteristics and help build muscle. They are prescribed for low testosterone, delayed puberty and muscle loss from severe illness, among other things. But AAS are also used regularly – particularly among gay, bisexual and queer men – without a prescription to gain muscle and improve physical appearance.
The health impact of use varies from injection-site infection to sexual dysfunction and high blood pressure, and many people who use AAS have developed creative ways to mitigate risk. Today’s episode will introduce AAS as performance enhancing drugs and provide harm reduction strategies that clinicians can employ to mitigate risks associated with their use. Related content: 
Kutscher E, Arshed A, Greene RE, Kladney M. Exploring Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Use Among Cisgender Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Men. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 May 1;7(5):e2411088. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.11088.
Kutscher E, Arshed A, Greene R, Kladney M. Exploring Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids Use Among Cisgender Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Men. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2025 Feb 1;267:112112.
Kutscher E, Arshed A, Greene RE, Kladney M. Harm Reduction Techniques among Cisgender Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Men Using Anabolic Androgenic Steroids: A Qualitative Study. Harm Reduction Journal. 2024;21:196. doi.org/10.1186/s12954-024-01121-8.
Kutscher E, Silverman E, Bachi K. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids: Emerging Use Disorder, Mechanisms of Action, and Clinical Considerations for Pharmacotherapy. Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2026 Spring;24(2):168-178. doi: 10.1176/appi.focus.20250045.
Clinical decision tool for providers and patients: https://aas-87py.onrender.com/#/providers/
CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342
https://ceitraining.org/

AIDS 2026, the 26th International AIDS Conference, was held on July 26-31 in Rio. In this episode, Dr. Antonio E. Urbina, Medical Director for CEI’s HIV Primary Care and Prevention Center of Excellence, summarizes the clinical highlights from AIDS 2026, focusing on new HIV treatments and prevention strategies. Related content:
CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342
https://ceitraining.org/
https://www.iasociety.org/conferences/aids2026

Daniela DiMarco, MD, MPH is joined by guest speaker Valeria Cantos, MD for this episode of “Conversations with CEI.” Dr. Valeria Cantos is an Associate Professor at the Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory. She is an investigator at the Emory Ponce Clinical research site, where she leads HIV prevention and HIV vaccine clinical trials from the HPTN and HVTN networks. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the most common STIs worldwide. This episode covers a brief overview of herpes simplex virus (HSV) mucocutaneous infections including current recommendations for testing, diagnosis, treatment, and preventing perinatal HSV transmission. They also discuss managing more challenging scenarios to provide practical guidance and address common clinical questions. Related Content:
CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342
www.ceitraining.org
www.hivguidelines.org
Plunkett M, Neville CT, Chang JG. Genital Herpes: Rapid Evidence Review. Am Fam Physician. 2024 Nov;110(5):487-492. PMID: 39556630.
Gnann JW Jr, Whitley RJ. CLINICAL PRACTICE. Genital Herpes. N Engl J Med. 2016 Aug 18;375(7):666-74. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1603178. PMID: 27532832.
Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, Johnston CM, Muzny CA, Park I, Reno H, Zenilman JM, Bolan GA. Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021 Jul 23;70(4):1-187. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1. Erratum in: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023 Jan 27;72(4):107-108. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7204a5. PMID: 34292926; PMCID: PMC8344968.