Celebrating a legacy of connecting women to care: A Q&A with Erica Williams, Program Support Specialist at the FXB 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. Stigma and fear keep many people—especially in underserved communities—from getting the help they need.
The Rutgers School of Nursing’s François-Xavier Bagnoud Center (FXB Center) has been part of this work since the beginning. Starting in the 1980s as one of the country’s first pediatric HIV centers, FXB Center has always focused on a whole-health approach for women and children.
One of FXB Center’s earliest initiatives, The Family Place, lives on today through the work of Erica Williams. A Newark native who has been with FXB Center for over 20 years, Erica is more than a Program Support Specialist—she is a lifeline. She has spent decades breaking down the barriers of stigma to ensure women in Newark and surrounding areas stay connected to care. In honor of Women’s History Month and National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Erica shares what this work means to her.
Tell us about your work at the FXB Center. What brought you to the center, and how long have you been working with women with HIV in Newark and the surrounding communities?
I have been working at the FXB Center for over two decades. I began my career at University Hospital (formerly UMDNJ) in the adolescent inpatient unit, where I worked with children and adolescents who were perinatally affected by HIV. At the time, I had limited knowledge about HIV, but witnessing so many young people living with the virus had a profound impact on me. 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 closely 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 a lack of medical coverage or other barriers. Early in my career, my relationships with clients had very few boundaries. I was deeply, emotionally invested, reflecting the time and the level of support available then. Women felt comfortable sharing their stories during weekly support groups, and I knew many of their children personally. I would even conduct outreach on weekends if it meant helping someone reengage in healthcare.
How would you describe your relationship with your clients now? How have their needs changed over the years?
Over time, my relationship with clients has evolved. Today, my approach is grounded in respecting each woman’s worldview, meeting her where she is on her journey, and supporting her in ways that align with her needs and readiness. The needs of clients have changed as services and resources have shifted. While the level of support once available is no longer the same, my role remains focused on providing consistent, respectful, and individualized care.
How do you manage compassion or care fatigue and stay motivated when they face repeated challenges or setbacks? What are the biggest barriers and challenges currently preventing your clients from getting the help they need?
I manage compassion and care fatigue by truly meeting clients where they are. While this phrase is often used, my experience allows me to do this without imposing my own beliefs or biases. Not everyone is equipped to conduct home outreach or work so closely with clients; this work requires a genuine commitment to helping others, regardless of whether they look like you, speak your language, or share your background.
Your clients are women with HIV, but what advice do you have for women and girls about HIV prevention options? How would you advise them to talk about HIV prevention 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. 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.
Education and honest communication are key. When women feel informed and confident, they are better positioned to protect themselves and make decisions that align with their values and circumstances.
People with HIV are often stigmatized by their providers. What steps can clinicians and other healthcare professionals take to provide compassionate and non-judgmental care to eliminate the stigma, fear, and discrimination their patients face? What can women do to demand the respectful care they deserve?
Clinicians must engage in ongoing training to address bias, stigma, and outdated beliefs about HIV. As the world continues to change, so do patients’ needs. Annual training for providers can help ensure they learn, unlearn, and reflect on how their personal experiences influence their interactions with patients.
For women, demanding respectful care begins with understanding who they are and recognizing their right to be treated with dignity. Depending on their background or upbringing, some women may not have been taught that they can push back or advocate for themselves. Once they realize they have that right, it often empowers them in other areas of their lives. Ultimately, people want to be heard and understood. Listening to their lived experiences is just as important as providing medical care.
Is there anything you wish we had asked you about related to your work with women? If so, tell us more. What should we have asked, and what is your response?
Yes. One question I wish had been asked is how this work has shaped me personally, and how being from the same community as the women I serve has impacted the care I provide. 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 healthcare 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.