The new AHF facility will offer state-of-the-art medical care, including specialty pharmacy services, to people living with HIV/AIDS
CHICAGO (May 5, 2016) — AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday May 11th, 11 am – 1 pm for its new AHF Healthcare Center and AHF Remote Consultation Pharmacy in Hyde Park located at 1515 E. 52nd Place, Suite 206, Chicago IL 60615. Both the AHF Healthcare Center and AHF Remote Consultation Pharmacy will operate on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
WHAT: Ribbon Cutting & Dedication—New, free AHF HIV clinic and AHF Remote Consultation Pharmacy
WHEN: WEDNESDAY, May 11th 2016 —11:00 a.m.
WHERE: AHF Healthcare Center/Hyde Park & AHF Remote Consultation Pharmacy, 1515 E. 52nd Place, Suite 206, Chicago, IL 60615
WHO:
- Michael Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation President
- Kaleo Staszkow, AHF Healthcare Center Medical Director
- Donna Tempesta, VP – Northern Region and Finance, AHF
- Tracy Jones, AHF National Advocacy Campaign Manager
- Invited guests include: 4th Ward Alderman Sophia King; 5th Ward Alderman Leslie Hairston; State Representative Barbara Flynn Currie; State Representative Christian Mitchell; State Senator Kwame Raoul.
“We are excited to expand AHF’s services in the Chicago area with the opening of our newest healthcare center and remote consultation pharmacy in Hyde Park,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein. “Under the leadership of Dr. Kaleo Staszkow, who also oversees our AHF Healthcare Center at 2600 South Michigan Avenue, our new Hyde Park clinic location and remote consultation pharmacy aims to make it easier for people living with HIV/AIDS in Chicago to access quality medical care and get the medications they need to be healthy and productive.”
AHF Healthcare Centers aim to decrease the number of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses by providing:
- Free HIV testing so people can be aware of their status;
- Immediate linkage into care – regardless of ability to pay – for those who test positive; and
- Support through ongoing follow-ups to ensure adherence to a health regimen that will ultimately extend life expectancies and reduce the risk of transmission.
According to City of Chicago’s 2015 HIV/STI Surveillance Report, Chicago has seen a 3 percent annual decrease in new HIV diagnoses, and the number of new HIV infection diagnoses fell in 2014, down by 48 percent from 2001. While Chicago is ahead of the nation in linking newly diagnosed HIV positive individuals to care and ultimately to viral suppression, new HIV infection diagnoses in 2014 were highest among those who identify as male (83.2%), were reported as MSM (78.3%), and were 30 years of age or older at diagnosis. Non-Hispanic (NH) Blacks, which account for nearly 1/3 of Chicago’s population, represented over 50% of prevalent cases, new infection diagnoses, and new AIDS diagnoses.
In February 2015, AHF announced its affiliation with the South Side Help Center, a community-based organization that has provided critical services to HIV-positive individuals since 1987. AHF’s Healthcare Center located at 2600 South Michigan Ave., Suite LL-D also opened last February.
AHF operates 46 Healthcare Centers throughout the United States – in Florida, California, Georgia, Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, South Carolina, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, Nevada Washington, D.C. and the state of Washington – and many more in the countries where AHF works throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. More information about Healthcare Center services and locations can be found at www.hivcare.org.