State SHIP reports hepatitis C coinfection data, Project ECHO training and pilot to treat uncomplicated HCV in parish health units

Baton Rouge — Lorentia Gauthier, SHIP statewide nurse educator, presented hepatitis C and HIV‑HCV coinfection data and described provider education and next steps at the Louisiana Commission on HIV and Hepatitis C on Sept. 9.

Key figures and trends: Gauthier said the state identified 3,589 persons with acute hepatitis C in 2023. For HIV‑HCV coinfection counts she reported small case counts stratified by gender and race for 2023 and 2024: in 2023 she reported 14 female, 49 male and 6 transgender individuals; in 2024 she reported 15 female, 50 male and 4 transgender individuals. By race she reported 2023 counts of 48 Black, 17 white and 4 Hispanic individuals; 2024 counts were 43 Black, 25 white and 1 Hispanic.

Project ECHO and provider education: Gauthier said Project ECHO for hepatitis C concluded in July 2025. The series included 10 monthly sessions (second Friday of each month), was free and intended for all patient‑facing staff (physicians, nurses and clinical support). The ECHO series had 106 total attendees (an average of 10.6 per session) and covered staging, treatment, harm reduction and screening. Gauthier named Dr. Gia Landry as the specialist who led the series and noted guest presentations including a harm‑reduction talk by Dr. Susan Julius.

Service expansion and pilot: Gauthier described an upcoming pilot to expand HCV treatment in parish health units, beginning with APRNs in Region 5 treating uncomplicated hepatitis C in parish clinics. She said there is no firm start date: “I don't have a hard date, but it's coming soon,” she told commissioners. Gauthier said if the Region 5 pilot is successful, the team plans to expand the model statewide.

Needs and recommendations from the presentation: Gauthier emphasized the need for expanded screening, linkage to care, harm‑reduction services and preventive measures including PrEP and PEP. Chair Veil Kendall and commissioners asked about outreach to licensing boards (LSBME, LSBN) to raise awareness of training opportunities; Gauthier said she had not communicated with licensing boards but would add it to the docket for follow‑up and noted that Dr. Landry may have engaged with boards directly.

Discussion, not decision: Commissioners asked questions and received an informational update. Approval of minutes and other agenda items requiring a quorum were deferred to the Nov. 18 meeting; the commission did not take formal action on the pilot or on funding at the Sept. 9 meeting.

Ending: Gauthier offered a warm line for provider consultation and said training materials (PDFs/slides) could be shared with commissioners on request. Commissioners thanked Gauthier and noted interest in outreach to rural providers and licensing boards.