Hilary E. L. Reno, MD, PhD, a professor of medicine the Infectious Diseases Division at Washington University School of Medicine, secondary faculty with the WashU Bursky School of Public Health, and Medical Director of the St. Louis STI/HIV Prevention Training Center (STL PTC) has been awarded the 2026 WashU Bursky School of Public Health Community Engagement Award in recognition of her sustained commitment to community health and partnership.
The award honors a primary or secondary faculty or staff member whose work has made a significant contribution to community health, service, and engagement, with an emphasis on long-term impact. Reno was recognized for her work in sexual health care, where she has helped build trust and strengthen relationships with communities affected by sexually transmitted infections and other public health infections for more than a decade.
Community-focused partnerships
After receiving the award in May, Dr. Reno is committed as ever to community health and partnerships. On August 25, 2026, her team held its first STI point of care testing (POCT) community event in partnership with the Sexual Wellness Team at the Urban League’s King Rising event at Friendly Temple Church. The team provided HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea point of care testing, HIV and STI prevention, and safe sex kits.
The event is part of a year-long project that Dr. Reno secured funding for in March. The WashU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) awarded a 2026-2027 Clinical and Translational Research Funding Program (CTRFP) grant for her project “A Community Engaged Approach to Implementation of STI Point of Care Testing.” The program is operated in partnership with groups active in St. Louis City and County.
“We are able to offer point of care testing for HIV and gonorrhea/chlamydia with results in as little as 20 minutes. This is state of the art medical care.” Reno said the team is planning more community testing events
Sustained commitment
In nominating Dr. Reno, Simone Phillips, director of training and technical assistance at the STL PTC, praised Reno’s leadership as a model of meaningful community engagement. Phillips said that Reno’s work has transformed sexual health care in an area often marked by stigma and mistrust, noting that her efforts have reflected credibility, excellence, and sustained commitment. Phillips also pointed to Reno’s collaborative approach and her willingness to share power with community partners as key reasons her work has had lasting impact.
This work is rewarding in ways I can’t explain and continues to grow and impact health care.
Dr. Hilary Reno, MD, PhD
Reno said she is grateful for the relationships her team has built with community members. “I am honored to have been recognized and pleased that our team has built a lasting relationship with community members impacted by STIs and other public health infections,” Reno said. “This work is rewarding in ways I can’t explain and continues to grow and impact health care.”
Photo courtesy of Hilary Reno.
As a colleague at the STL PTC, Phillips said Reno has consistently contributed expertise to community partners beyond her own research and projects, including support for organizational initiatives and participation in community events. She has also helped redesign research processes to include community governance and strengthened clinic systems serving populations disproportionately affected by STIs. Phillips described Reno’s leadership as “the embodiment of what it means to meaningfully prioritize and engage community,” citing her long-standing, innovative, and relationship-driven approach as central to her impact.