Reception and open house for new, expanded K Street AHF Healthcare Center location set for
Thursday, April 18 at 3:00 pm; formal ribbon-cutting at 3:30 pm.
WHAT: AHF Commemoration of 10 Years in the Fight Against HIV in D.C.
Open House, Ribbon-cutting ceremony for new, expanded K Street clinic location
WHO: Shelia Alexander-Reid, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs
Michael Kharfen, Senior Deputy Director of the HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration, D.C. Department of Health
DeMarc Hickson, Executive Director, Us Helping Us
Dr. Roxanne Cox-Iyamu, AHF Medical Director- Washington, D.C.
Michel McVicker, AHF Regional Director – Washington, D.C./Maryland
WHEN: Thursday, April 18, 2019 3:00 PM ET; with formal ribbon-cutting at 3:30 PM
WHERE: AHF Blair Underwood Healthcare Center
2141 K Street NW, Suite 707
Washington
Note: This is the new expanded location
WHY: According to recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Controls (CDC), the Washington, D.C. area consistently ranks in the top 20 cities nationally with new rates of HIV diagnosis and has 2% of its population living with HIV. As the world’s largest, non-profit, HIV/AIDS service organization, with over 1 million patients in care, AHF has a proven record of keeping HIV patients in care and has been a leading agency in the D.C. community in the local fight against AIDS for the last ten years, and continues to make a positive impact locally.
WASHINGTON, DC (April 17, 2019) Since, 2009 AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the
world’s largest, non-profit, HIV/AIDS service organization, has been in the District of Columbia,
serving as a leading non-profit agency in the fight against AIDS. On Thursday, April 18th, AHF
will be joined by community leaders, HIV advocates and dignitaries from across D.C. for a
community celebration at its facility located at 2141 K Street, NW, to pay tribute to the
tremendous impact the agency has had in the last 10 years in the local fight against AIDS, as
well as officially re-open its newly-expanded healthcare center housed at this location.
In 2009, AHF initially opened the AHF Blair Underwood Healthcare Center at K Street, to
address the growing rate of new HIV diagnosis throughout D.C. The facility was named in honor
of actor Blair Underwood when the facility first opened, given his outspoken advocacy for HIV
prevention and medical care and services both here in the U.S. and in Africa.
Over the agency’s 10-year history in D.C. as it continued to address the growing needs of the local community
and connecting with those populations most impacted by the current HIV/AIDS epidemic, AHF has
expanded its presence to have a satellite office with a wellness center in D.C.’s northeast corridor on Benning
Road and in the Temple Hills community. Under the leadership of renowned internist and infectious disease
specialist, Dr. Roxanne Cox-Iyamu, who currently serves as AHF Medical Director for the area, the agency
continues to expand it services and outreach, currently providing direct HIV care to over 1,000 individuals in
the D.C. community living with HIV, many who are uninsured and rely on AHF’s commitment to providing care
to all regardless of their ability to pay. In addition to the 3 healthcare centers, AHF also has a public affairs
office near the U.S. Capitol that helps coordinate the agency’s leading advocacy initiatives on behalf of the
over one million individuals living with HIV across the U.S. Over the three decades of AHF’s legacy, through
its advocacy initiatives, the agency has been a leading voice around many critical issues, including increased
access to HIV and STD prevention and testing; medical care and treatment for those living with HIV; the fight,
against increases in prescription drug pricing, gentrification of communities and preservation
and development of affordable housing.
“AHF is proud of the impact that we’ve had over the past decade in addressing the growing HIV epidemic
in D.C., and getting those living with HIV connected and sustained in care,” stated Michel McVickers, AHF
D.C. Regional Director. “Through our expansion in services we will continue our commitment to being
a cutting-edge medical provider in the D.C. community as well as a strong voice for all those impacted by this
epidemic that plagues our community locally and across the nation.”
Facts about HIV in Washington, D.C.: (According to the D.C. Department of Health)
- The Washington, D.C. area ranks 17th in the nation with newly reported cases of HIV diagnosis
- 2% of the population of D.C. are living with HIV
- The highest proportion of new HIV diagnosis were Black men who have sex with men
