Alexis Charpentier

Alexis is the HIV Transmission Reduction Coordinator for the Hawaii Department of Health's Harm Reduction Services Branch (HRSB). She oversees HIV prevention, intervention, and care activities in order to diminish the number of new HIV transmissions in Hawaii. This involves managing, implementing, and evaluating essential activities that respond to Hawaii's HIV care continuum, which measures the sequential steps necessary for a person living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) to achieve viral suppression. Alexis’ passion to help others, especially traditionally marginalized groups, drives her to learn from and network with other public health champions, while standing up for those who have no voice—with the ultimate goal of reducing stigma, eliminating barriers to care, and advancing health equity for all.

The mission of the Harm Reduction Services Branch (HRSB) within the Hawaii State Department of Health is to empower people in Hawaii to make responsible health decisions for themselves and others by: providing statewide leadership and coordination for the prevention, treatment, care, and surveillance of infections transmitted primarily through sexual contact or injection drug use; and by assuring the accessibility and delivery of client-centered, non-judgmental, and comprehensive services with the spirit of aloha and respect. HRSB displays its mission statement through strong network collaboration with the community, transparent surveillance data to improve services, and maintaining respectful rapport following a harm reduction philosophy.