Clinical | Ryan White HIV/AIDS Clinic

With a big boost in funding, UVA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Clinic expands its staff, hours, and services

The Division of Infectious Diseases’ Ryan White HIV/AIDS Clinic, which first opened its doors in 1986 and currently provides care for almost 700 people with HIV from Virginia and 18 other states, was given a big boost last fall when it received two major grants. Both derive from the national Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program administered by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (“HRSA”); one is a “direct” grant from HRSA, and the other is channeled through the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The first-time three-year federal grant was for $762,000, followed by an award from the VDH’s Ryan White fund for $1.4 million. Together, they have nearly tripled the clinic’s grant budget – from $688,000 at the beginning of FY 2013 to more than $2 million by the end.

What is the clinic doing with all this money? Providing enhanced care for patients, says director Greg Townsend, MD. He’s been able to increase the staff by almost 20% – including three new RNs (a nurse practitioner, a health educator, and a medical case manager), two substance abuse counselors, three mental health professionals, a pharmacist, a phlebotomist and four new medical case managers. With the expanded staff, the clinic has more than doubled its hours for patient visits – from two days a week to a full Monday-through-Friday schedule. And that means caregivers have more time to spend with patients one-on-one, assessing their often complicated needs and getting them connected with the appropriate services. The federal money supports “family-centered” HIV programs, such as the clinic’s evening series for HIV-positive women that focuses on wellness, including healthy eating, exercise, and stress management. Part of the federal money also supports enhanced dental care for HIV patients, who are at risk for a variety of oral and dental diseases.

The clinic offers an array of services, including:

• HIV testing and counseling
• HIV management, including treatment with medications and assessment, measurement and interpretation of CD4 and viral load tests
• Care for women’s health care needs, including prenatal and postpartum care and gynecological care
• Social worker and medical case managers who help patients cope with everyday problems, including help with transportation, housing, food and other community resources
• Educational sessions and substance abuse counseling
• Mental health care