This webinar explores the spectrum of nurse practitioner–led HIV prevention in Ontario,
highlighting how NPs are advancing equitable access to HIV testing, PrEP, and prevention
services across diverse populations. Drawing on real-world practice examples, presenters will discuss updated HIV testing guidance, low-barrier and culturally safe models of care, and innovative approaches such as status-neutral care. The session will emphasize practical strategies NPs can use to identify opportunities for HIV testing, navigate prevention options, and reduce structural, social, and geographic barriers for patients at increased risk of HIV.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
1. Apply current HIV testing and prevention guidance to identify when HIV testing is
appropriate and confidently initiate or refer patients to PrEP, PEP, or other prevention
services using a status-neutral approach.
2. Describe and implement practical strategies used in nurse practitioner–led settings to
overcome barriers to HIV testing and prevention for populations such as newcomers,
uninsured clients, Indigenous communities, and those facing stigma or geographic
isolation.
SPEAKERS:
Patrick O’Byrne NP PhD is a Tenured Full Professor of Nursing at the University of Ottawa and a Nurse Practitioner in the Sexual Health Clinic in Ottawa. Dr. O’Byrne’s research and clinical work has spanned the last 20 years and focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
Veronica Proper, MPH, NP
Veronica Proper is a nurse practitioner based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, who graduated from Lakehead University in 2020. She provides primary care to vulnerable populations, with a focus on infectious diseases, mental health, and substance use disorders. Most of her patients are Indigenous, and Veronica is deeply committed to delivering culturally safe, trauma-informed care that prioritizes autonomy and self-determination.
Known for her tenacity and refusal to believe anyone is beyond help, Veronica blends evidence-based interventions with humor and realism to create a therapeutic space that’s real, raw, and radically supportive. Her practice style is unapologetically authentic, helping clients feel seen and empowered.
Matthew Canning, MN, NP-PHC As a Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Director of the PrEP Clinic, Matthew leads a team of 12 exceptional nurse practitioners in delivering HIV prevention services on site in Toronto, Brampton and Ottawa as well as virtually across Ontario.
He is passionate about providing low barrier, inclusive, and stigma free care that empowers patients to practice safer sex. Matthew has also played a key role in developing the clinic’s HIV treatment program, which offers both HIV focused and primary care services to a largely uninsured population. He is proud to be part of an NP led clinic that actively bridges the gap for patients who have faced significant barriers to care.