Tara Gerardy

A professional, committed, organized and determined candidate with focused work experience within the healthcare, substance use and psychosocial sectors. Equipped with a post-graduate diploma in addictions care, along with relevant training and medical certifications, substantiated by practical experience. A candidate who has exceptional knowledge and experience managing harm reduction projects, applying evidence-based practices, working with diverse personalities and cultures, handling aggressive and challenging behaviors, displaying social intelligence and stress management abilities are highly valued. Proficient in providing basic life and ambulance support, the development and management of HIV prevention program's, inclusive of psychosocial services and opioid substitution therapy for people who use drugs.

Tara is a co-author of two publications. These include an editorial for the South African Medical Journal entitled; ‘Developing an advocacy agenda for increasing access to opioid substitution therapy as part of comprehensive services for people who use drugs in South Africa” and “Six-month retention and changes in quality of life and substance use from a low threshold methadone maintenance therapy programme in Durban, South Africa” Additionally, Tara presented a poster for TB HIV Care at the international Harm Reduction Conference in Porto, Portugal, entitled “Lessons learnt in improving client retention in a low threshold methadone maintenance therapy programme for people who inject drugs in Cape Town, South Africa”. Several newspaper articles and radio interviews have also been conducted with Tara.

National harm reduction training certificate