About
About Us 
The Sylvie Ratelle STD/HIV Prevention Training Center (PTC) is a project of the Division of STD Prevention, Massachusetts Department of Public Health. We are part of the National Network of STD Clinical Prevention Training Centers, which are funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In conjunction with regional medical schools and health departments, the PTC offers courses for health care providers in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of sexually transmitted diseases and the prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
These offerings meet a need for effective training in STD clinical services in support of disease prevention and are the primary source of post-graduate STD continuing education for health care professionals in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Clinical and on-line course offerings are designed for both new and experienced health care professionals (physicians, infectious disease fellows, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, and nurses) in public and private practice who examine and treat individuals at risk for STDs/HIV.
The Ratelle PTC offers courses taught by skilled and experienced faculty from regional Schools of Medicine and State Health Departments, including the following:
- Boston University
- Brown University
- Harvard University
- University of Massachusetts
- Yale University
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health
About Sylvie Ratelle
Sylvie Ratelle, MD, MPH was the founding director of the STD/HIV Prevention Training Center of New England (PTC). As the longtime Medical Director of the MDPH Division of STD Prevention and HIV/AIDS Surveillance, Dr. Ratelle established the training center in 1995 to provide New England clinicians with state-of-the-art training in STD diagnosis, management and prevention. Over the years she worked tirelessly to establish the PTC of New England as a regional and national leader in the field of clinician training. She spearheaded the PTC’s expansion to include clinical training sites in Boston, Hartford, and Providence, and worked collaboratively with numerous organizations to develop innovative teaching tools, workshops and training curricula for the busy clinician. Dr. Ratelle was a staunch advocate for STD/HIV prevention, an astute mentor, a giving and caring colleague, and a great friend.
In 2006, Dr. Ratelle passed away after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer at the age of 51. One of her enduring legacies is the Sylvie Ratelle STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, providing opportunities for countless clinicians to benefit from local and national experts in the field of STD/HIV prevention training.
Testimonials
“Very informative course. I would love to take it again in the future! You can always learn something new!”
-Public Health Nurse, New Hampshire
“A very useful and practical two days of intensive training on sexually transmitted infections, with application of pertinent clinical skills for diagnosing and treating STIs. I would highly recommend this course to providers who diagnose and treat STIs”
-Nurse Practitioner, College Health, Maine
“A much-needed review of STD topics from a public health perspective and a hands-on clinical perspective”
-Physician, Massachusetts
“This course is an invaluable and comprehensive exploration of STD evaluation and management. The speakers were exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about this topic. I highly recommend it!”
-Nurse Practitioner, Community Health Center, Massachusetts
“I had so many ‘AH-HA’ moments during this Intensive course! All of the material covered has allowed me to not only interact better with my patients, but to elicit the information necessary to provide the best care! I highly recommend this program for anyone providing working in STD”
-Nurse Practitioner, Connecticut
“The STD Clinical Intensive Course was fantastic. I walked away with a new confidence in my approach to STDs. The presenters were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, engaging, and created such a wonderful learning environment. Thank you!”
-Nurse Practitioner, College Health, Massachusetts
Meet Our Team
Janine Dyer, MPH
Janine Dyer, MPH is the Deputy Director of the Ratelle PTC. She received a bachelor's degree from Boston College and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with concentrations in community health education and health policy and management. Before joining the PTC in 2002, she worked for many years with Boston's immigrant Haitian community, coordinating community-level HIV prevention and education programs.
Barbara Gray
Barbara Gray has worked for the Department of Public Health for over twenty years in many diverse roles. She joined the PTC staff in 2011 and is a Program Coordinator.
Amber Cranston
Amber Cranston is the administrator for the Ratelle PTC. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a B.S. in Marine Biology. She has worked for the Department of Public Health for over a year, and worked in the addiction field on the Cape previous to that.
