HCV Diagnosis and Linkage to Care in One Visit: HCV RNA PoC Testing in Action | June 3, 2026
Date of Presentation: June 3, 2026
Type: Past Presentation
Audience: Clinical
Program: Hepatitis C
Keywords: #hcv #HCV RNA POC #implementation #test and treat
In this presentation, Dr. Mera highlights how hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnosis and linkage to care can be achieved in a single visit through the use of HCV RNA point-of-care (PoC) testing. He reviews real-world implementation strategies and demonstrates how rapid testing can reduce care delays and improve treatment initiation.
Presented by:
Dr. Jorge Mera
Faculty
Dr. Jorge Mera is the director of the Infectious Disease Department at the Cherokee Nation Health Services, the largest tribally operated health care system in the United States. In 2014, in response the HCV national epidemic he launched the first ProjectECHO hub in the state of Oklahoma. This hub was focused on Hepatitis C treatment and elimination and has provided treatment recommendations to over 1400 American Indian/Alaska Native patients with HCV. In addition, Dr. Mera has been instrumental in the implementation of other ECHO hubs across Indian Country. These hubs have focused on COVID-19, HIV, HIV PrEP, infectious diseases, substance use disorders and eliminating the HIV/HCV/SUD/Syphilis syndemic. Dr. Mera completed his fellowship in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and is Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Infectious Diseases. He is an Associate Professor in the Infectious Diseases Division at the University of New Mexico, Health Science Center, Strategic Advisor for Project ECHO in Latin America, as well as the ECHO Medical Director for the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. Dr. Mera is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.
Read the full bio …Resources Provided:
- Activity Evaluation and Claiming CE
- Tribal Disease Intervention Training – July 2026
- Ending the Syndemic Training – June 2026
Date added: May 29, 2026



















































































