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Next Generation HIV Specialists
Passing the Torch: Forging the Next Generation of HIV Specialists

Released: May 18, 2026

Siham Mahgoub
Siham Mahgoub, MD
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Key Takeaways
  • As the population of people living with HIV ages, the new generation of HIV specialists will need to be well-versed in comprehensive care to address age-related comorbidities in the context of HIV.
  • HIV care is a professionally fulfilling specialty because of the way that appropriate management positively transforms people’s lives.

The Pressing Need for a New Generation of HIV Specialists
I think it's very important for students, residents, and trainees to learn about HIV care because modern antiretroviral therapy has enabled people with HIV to achieve about the same life expectancy as people without HIV. That means that now, when we take care of people with HIV, we're not just taking care of their HIV. Because they’re living longer, we're also taking care of their long-term health and their age-related comorbidities. For example, I see many patients whose hypertension or diabetes is not controlled or who are dealing with overweight and obesity.

Ultimately, every comorbidity we see in the population at large is also seen among people living with HIV. This is why I think it is important to practice comprehensive care and why I think a career in HIV is a perfect opportunity for trainees who want to practice in primary care. To take the field of HIV management forward, the new generation of HIV specialists must also learn to be proficient in ensuring that patients are not just surviving, but thriving.

I have practiced this way for quite some time. I like to provide as many services as I can for my patients. When it comes to concerns outside my area of expertise, like cardiology, heart failure, or renal issues, I collaborate with my colleagues in other subspecialties. Our patient population greatly benefits from this because it reduces the number of appointments they must attend, thereby reducing barriers to engagement in care. Instead of seeing them in the HIV clinic and then referring them to another primary care clinic, they can have all their concerns addressed at 1 appointment. Our patients deal with a lot of psychosocial issues, so making engagement in care more convenient for them is a major factor in preventing loss to follow-up.

Professional Fulfillment and Public Health
Successfully helping people manage their HIV is one of the most professionally rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.

For example, consider a patient who comes in with a very low CD4 count or high HIV-1 RNA. In providing them comprehensive care, I have the opportunity to observe them transform from being very sick, sometimes unable to work or socialize with friends and family, to someone who is able to participate fully in life.

Even when, more commonly, a patient’s HIV is diagnosed earlier, it is still a worrisome diagnosis for them.  Helping them find support within the clinic—from physicians, from case managers, social workers, and the clinical team—makes a big difference in their lives. As an HIV specialist who provides comprehensive care, it is rewarding to reassure them that the science has advanced to the point that people with HIV can live mostly normal lives. That reassurance makes a big difference in patients’ outlook and mental health.

For HCPs entering the field, there is an additional exciting prospect: the chance to be part of ending this epidemic. Even beyond managing HIV, being an HIV specialist means helping prevent HIV by providing effective pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Specializing in this area provides trainees with the opportunity to reach hidden pockets of HIV prevalence around the country, where people don't have access to PrEP.

I’m excited for the new generation of HIV specialists to step up and make strides in the coming decades, from ending the epidemic to providing comprehensive care for people living with HIV. This can be a rewarding field both professionally and personally.

Your Thoughts
What would your advice be to someone who is considering specializing in HIV? Leave a comment to join the discussion!