‍

‍

This month, we are pleased to spotlight Matthew Bare, Regional Business Manager at Curant Health.

‍

‍

What personally motivated you to become involved in working to address HIV?

During college, I began working in the file room of the Infectious Disease Clinic at a large university health system in Virginia. In that role, I supported two social workers by enrolling patients into the Ryan White Program. Those two individuals, responsible for more than 2,500 people living with HIV across Central Virginia, were doing their best with incredibly limited hospital support. I saw firsthand the weight they carried, the sadness that HIV had brought to so many lives, and the hope that began to emerge as treatment improved.

Together with others, we advocated for a transformational change in how the clinic delivered HIV services. One of the most impactful steps we took was launching a 340B program so grant-funded services could reach far more uninsured and underinsured patients. What began as a small grant serving just 150 people per year grew into a program supporting nearly all 2,500 active patients annually. That once-small team of three staff members has since evolved into the largest delivery site of HIV care in Virginia.

Witnessing this transformation and the resilience of the people we served deeply shaped my commitment to this work. It showed me how powerful compassionate, consistent, and accessible care can be in changing lives. It also underscored how essential it is to ensure every individual has the dignity, support, and resources they deserve.

In 2021, I transitioned from that organization to Curant Health, where I’m able to continue advocating for patients and building impactful programs, now on a national scale. The work is personal to me, and every step of my career has reinforced why addressing HIV remains both a responsibility and a privilege.

‍

Why do you believe it's important for businesses to play a role in our nation's efforts to end the HIV epidemic?

Businesses have a unique ability to scale solutions and reach communities that traditional healthcare structures may miss. Ending the HIV epidemic requires collaboration across sectors, and companies like ours can help accelerate progress by expanding access, supporting innovative care models, and addressing social and structural barriers. The private sector brings agility, resources, and a commitment to long-term impact that is essential to achieving national goals.

Why is it important for Curant Health to be part of the U.S. Business Action to End HIV coalition?

Joining the U.S. Business Action to End HIV coalition allows Curant Health to amplify our impact through shared leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and national advocacy. Our participation ensures that the voices of patients, providers, and community-based organizations are represented in broader conversations about policy and access. As a specialty pharmacy deeply committed to improving outcomes for people living with HIV, it is important for us to help shape solutions, share data-driven insights, and support initiatives that move us collectively closer to ending the epidemic.

What is one innovation Curant Health is most proud of so far regarding your work to address HIV?

One of Curant Health’s most meaningful innovations is our patient-centered Medication Care Management™ model, which leverages personalized care plans, proactive adherence monitoring, and strong provider collaboration to support people living with HIV. Our approach integrates real-time clinical insights with high-touch support from dedicated care teams, allowing us to intervene early, resolve barriers before they escalate, and help patients achieve and sustain viral suppression. This model transforms pharmacy care from simply dispensing medication to actively improving health outcomes.

How do your personalized care models strengthen long-term health outcomes and support sustained viral suppression?

Curant Health’s Medication Care Management™ model is built on individualized care plans, frequent touchpoints, culturally informed communication, and barrier resolution. By addressing social determinants of health, we help patients maintain consistent adherence, one of the strongest predictors of viral suppression. Continuous engagement ensures that patients are never navigating their care journey alone.

What insights have you gained about bridging gaps in access and equity in HIV care, particularly for underserved populations?

We’ve learned that trust, consistency, and culturally sensitive support are foundational to equitable care. Many underserved patients experience fragmented systems, stigma, or limited access to reliable healthcare. By meeting patients where they are we have helped close critical gaps. Equity requires designing care that adapts to patients’ needs, not expecting patients to adapt to the system. By working closely with community partners and providers, we have created practical, patient-centered solutions that improve continuity of care and support long-term adherence.

What are the biggest barriers you face in scaling HIV services, and what are some ways to overcome them?

The most common barrier we see and hear from our partners includes inconsistent funding, varying payer requirements, and geographic disparities in access to specialized care. Scalable solutions require expanding partnerships with community providers, leveraging digital tools to connect with patients in remote or underserved regions, and streamlining administrative processes so the focus is on patients and their care. 

What advice would you give to other corporate leaders considering taking action on HIV?

Start by listening to patients, community partners, and frontline care teams. They understand the lived realities of living with- and treating HIV better than anyone and can reveal gaps that numbers alone will never show. Approach HIV initiatives with humility and a commitment to sustainability, focusing on long-term impact rather than short-term visibility.

Collaboration is essential. No single organization can address HIV alone, and meaningful progress happens when businesses work alongside clinics, community-based organizations, and public health partners toward shared goals.

Most importantly, remember that HIV is not just a medical issue, it’s a human one. Stigma, inequities, and social challenges shape people’s experiences just as much as clinical needs. Leading with empathy, respect, and a person-first mindset is the foundation of any effective effort to make a lasting difference.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your company’s journey in addressing HIV?

Curant Health is deeply rooted in partnerships. Partnership with patients, clinicians, community organizations, and national leaders. We are proud of the progress we’ve made, but we remain committed to continuous improvement and innovation. Ending the HIV epidemic requires all of us, and Curant Health will continue to be a dedicated, collaborative, and patient-focused partner in that mission.