PROGRESS REPORT Spring 2013
Dining Out for Life is Thursday, April 25
Board of Directors Curtis Ringness Jr., Chair Hon. Steve Lachs, Vice Chair Tammy Fox, Secretary Fred Drewette, Treasurer Kevin Bass Ted Briggs Carolyn Caldwell Jim Casey Robert Karl Jr., DDS Steve Kaufer Barbara Keller Terri Ketover, PhD Garry Kief Bruce Purdy Lanny Seese, MD Sheila Williams, Esq. Stephen Winters, Esq.
D.A.P. Directors
David Brinkman, MBA CEO Barry Dayton Director of Marketing and Communications Robin Johnson Director of Social Services Dr. Homayoon Khanlou, MD, AAHIVS Medical Director Brande Orr, MBA Director of Grants and Quality Assurance Mary Park, CPA Chief Financial Officer Bill Quinn Chief Program Officer Sheri Saenz Director of Human Resources Mike Scarff Director of Retail Darrell Tucci Chief Development Officer
Contact
info@desertaidsproject.org (760) 323-2118 2 Spring 2013 Progress Report
UPDATES
Annette Bloch Cancer Care Center at D.A.P. The good news is that people living with HIV or AIDS continue to live longer because of improved medications and treatments. The potential downside is that researchers have discovered that these individuals are at higher risk for acquiring some cancers, including both AIDS-defining cancers and non AIDSdefining cancers. Some AIDS-defining cancers include Kaposi’s sarcoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma while nonAIDS-defining cancers include anal, cervical, liver, and lung cancers. HIV weakens the immune system, so despite medications that keep the virus in check, other viruses that cause some of these cancers, like the Human papillomavirus (HPV), Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, are more common amongst people living with HIV. Additionally, people living with HIV are more likely to smoke or drink alcohol, further increasing their risk for some cancers.
What will the Cancer Care Center do?
Cancer screenings are already being scheduled
The Annette Bloch Cancer Care Center (ABCCC) at Desert AIDS Project is beginning to conduct cancer screenings for clients and patients. While D.A.P. already conducts some screenings for cancers like anal pap smears, which screen for anal dysplasia, the ABCCC will increase the scope and frequency of the cancer screenings we perform.
On April 19th, the Annette Bloch Cancer Care Center will host free oral, head, and neck cancer screenings, in conjunction with the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Desert Regional Medical Center and City of Hope National Medical Center:
Eventually, we hope to bring trials and studies to the ABCCC, giving our clients access to the most cutting-edge research, which is often times not available outside of major metropolitan areas.
Friday, April 19th 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Desert AIDS Project 1695 N. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs Walk-ins will be taken, with no appointments necessary.
Desert AIDS Project
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FACTS
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HIV does not just affect gay white men.
While many of our clients are long-time survivors from the 80s and early 90s, younger people of color are also testing positive across the nation in greater number. In Riverside County in 2011, for example, African-Americans accounted for more than 9% of all people living with HIV or AIDS, while representing only 6% of the population. The Coachella Valley is also home to an older group of people living with HIV or AIDS, where the average age is nearly 10 years older than the national average.
YOU are considered at-risk for HIV.
Yes, just by virtue of living in the Coachella Valley, you are at-risk for HIV. According to the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, individuals may have higher risk simply due to “the sheer number of HIV-positive persons in the communities where they live.” In Riverside County, 61% of all people living with HIV or AIDS are in the Coachella Valley — 2104 people living with AIDS, and 1014 living with HIV.
You probably know someone who will become HIV-positive in their lifetime.
Too often we think of HIV as something other people get. (Really, it’s a thing humans do. Look up “optimism bias”.) And while you may indeed never contract HIV, you probably know someone who is HIV-positive or someone who may contract it at some point in their lifetime. Again, according to the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, almost half of all Americans (43% in 2009) knows someone living with HIV or AIDS.
HIV can be beaten.
In just the past year, multiple cases of suppression, remission, and one case of complete eradication of HIV have been reported. Make no mistake, HIV is still incurable, but with testing and early treatment, it can be controlled. And with new therapies and treatments being developed, it seems we’re finally on the path to a cure. Desert AIDS Project Desert AIDS Project
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OPERATIONS
How We’ve Improved
Our Clinic Operations In the past year, Desert AIDS Project has solicited feedback from our clients and patients to find out what has been working, what has not, and what could be improved. Since the addition of key staff members, including Chief Program Officer Bill Quinn and Medical Director Dr. Khanlou we’ve implemented changes to improve our operations, management, and our provider-patient relationships in response to that feedback.
Electronic Health Records (EHR)
With the rollout of our new EHR system, our providers can now easily track patient health over time, including key health indicators like viral load and CD4 counts. Clinic visits are more efficient with the use of digital “vitals” stations which calculate 6
Spring 2013 Progress Report
weight, body mass index, and other indicators automatically and transfer that data into a patient’s EHR. At the end of every appointment, patients now receive a printed clinical summary of their visit, which is also maintained in their EHR.
Clinic Operations
One meaningful way we’ve been able to improve our operations has been efficiently connecting patients who call in with questions with a staff member who can quickly provide answers. Closely related, our front desk operations have been streamlined for patients in a way that follows bestpractices at other community health centers. Even the waiting room across the hallway from our clinic has been redesigned from the ground up to be more welcoming, less cluttered, and
present a positive and more private experience for our patients. Providers are also now able to send out and receive lab requests and results electronically, reducing wait times and lost requests and information.
Quality Care & Prevention
Under the leadership of Dr. Khanlou, providers are reviewing all patient drug regimens so that we may identify anyone who could benefit from a change in treatment, such as newer medications and therapies. Providers have also increased preventative measures like ensuring flu shots and immunizations are up-to-date. Additionally we have assigned one dedicated nurse for each provider, to maintain stability and strengthen relations between patient and physician.
What’s Next
We’re excited about upcoming enhancements, like a simplified registration process and a “patient portal”, allowing clients to access their own health information online. Meanwhile, we will continue to conduct more town halls, forums, and workshops to ensure we’re providing the best care we can, to focus on patient satisfaction.
Recent Staff Additions Dr. Scheibel joined the medical team at Desert AIDS Project, under the leadership of Medical Director Dr. Khanlou. Dr. Scheibel like all of our providers, is credentialed by the American Association of HIV Medicine.
Dr. Steven Scheibel, Provider
As Nursing Manager, Joel Chong has primary responsibility for coordinating and supervising patient flow through D.A.P.’s medical clinic, supervising or performing triage and clinical patient assessments while overseeing the daily activities of D.A.P.’s medical assistants, LVNs, and other clinical staff.
Joel Chong, RN, Nursing Manager
Dr. David Hersh, Psychiatrist
Dr. David Hersh comes to D.A.P. from the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Community Behavior Health Services where he most recently served as Medical Director of Substance Use Treatment Services. With his extensive training and knack for the administrative side of psychiatric services, we welcome Dr. Hersh to our team. Desert AIDS Project
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PROGRAMS
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We offer free yoga and dance therapy to stimulate the muscles. We encourage clients to take advantage of all types of medicine, including Eastern therapies like acupuncture and meditation classes. We host health education luncheons in our community center for clients to learn about latest medications, treatments, how to disclose their status if they choose, and dealing with their HIV. We are now a fully “smoke-free” campus, like most major hospitals and health centers. Our medical clinic and dental clinic are under one roof, literally just steps away from each other. There is an addictions specialist on-site… and many of our other staff members have alcohol and drug abuse counseling certifications and training. Mental health support includes psychiatrist Dr. David Hersh and long-time D.A.P. staff member Melanie Wolfe, PhD, LMFT as our Mental Health Clinician, in addition to the numerous support groups we host weekly. Every third Wednesday of each month, we host a Farmer’s Market, providing fresh foods, produce and other staples to our clients. Desert 99 Desert AIDS AIDS Project Project
PROGRAMS
Delivering Effective
HIV Prevention
HIV prevention is one of three core tenets at D.A.P. But soon after the State of California completely eviscerated all funding for HIV testing and prevention in 2009, our Education Department became a ghost town.
One of our whatever-it-takes strategies since then has been our commitment to free and confidential HIV testing. But that’s only one part of a well-rounded HIV prevention program. Recently, our HIV educators have significantly increased their outreach and prevention services, with a specific focus on high-risk groups. High-risk groups include people entering drug treatment centers, gay and bisexual men, youth, and low-income people of color. By identifying and targeting these groups, our educators are able to reach those who are most at-risk for contracting HIV, and thus, execute the most effective HIV prevention.
Youth
For over a year, our educators have been providing HIV 101 presentations to local juvenile halls twice a month, 10
Spring 2013 Progress Report
in additional to youth “accountability programs” at local high schools like Ramon Academy at Palm Springs High School, Desert Hot Springs High School, Moreno Valley High School and others. Our educators also attend special events targeting youth - such as the TAY UnConvention, a collaborative effort amongst organizations providing services to transitional age and foster youth, as well as the Rainbow Youth Summit, including local gay-straight alliance high school students and related groups.
Drug Treatment Centers
Every month, educators visit Metcalfe Recovery Ranch in Blythe, an inpatient rehab center, and every 6 six weeks, they drop in at Michael’s House, an alcohol and drug treatment center in Palm Springs, to provide HIV 101 presentations to men and women dealing with substance abuse issues.
Gay & Bisexual Men
Every year, our educators and testing staff set up shop on Arenas during the famed White Party Weekend in Palm Springs. This year, our mobile testing unit will have a presence from 11AM until 10 PM on (cont. on next page)
(cont.) Friday and Saturday of White Party Weekend, as well as a shorter hours on Sunday. Additionally, we will offer free HIV testing at Blatino Oasis an event for Black and Latino gay and bisexual men on May 4th at the Canyon Club, marking the first time we’ve been invited to participate.
Low-Income People of Color
The RAM Healthcare Expedition is a free healthcare expo taking place at the Riverside County Indio Fairgrounds during the first weekend in April. Since many low-income people of color do not have insurance, this is a perfect opportunity for our educators and HIV testing staff to reach another high-risk population.
Easy Ways to Get Tested for HIV
Do you think to yourself, who has time to look up schedules and locations for HIV testing? If so, then we’ve got your solution. Here are a few “lazy” ways to get tested for HIV...
Ask for an HIV test at your annual checkup.
Get tested while you’re thrifting.
Buy an HIV test online and ship it to your house.
You’re already at the doctor’s office, and he or she is probably already drawing samples for other tests like cholesterol levels or glucose. Have your doctor just add one more test to the list: ask for an HIV test. Easier than ignoring that number on the scale during your weigh in.
Revivals in Palm Springs has HIV testing EVERY SATURDAY. Revivals in Cathedral City conducts HIV testing EVERY FRIDAY. While you’re out picking your outfit for the next theme party you’re going to, why not get tested too? Save money while staying healthy.
Are the sweatpants feeling a little too comfy on your day off? Glued to your iPad while you’re watching The Walking Dead? Then order an HIV test from the convenience of your couch. It’ll be more expensive than FREE HIV testing at D.A.P., but laziness has its price sometimes. Desert AIDS Project
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EVENTS
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Desert AIDS AIDS Project Project Desert
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EVENTS
Dining Out On Thursday, April 25, nearly 60 cities across the US and Canada will partake in Dining Out for Life International, a fundraiser for AIDS Service Organization. National spokespeople include Ted Allen (from Food Network’s hit show Chopped), Pam Grier, Chef Daisy Martinez, and new addition Mondo Guerra, winner of Project Runway All-Stars and openly HIV-positive fashion celebrity. Now in its eighth year in the Coachella Valley, locals and tourists alike can dine for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a few late night drinks at 36 local restaurants and bars, with a portion of proceeds benefitting Desert AIDS Project. The premise of Dining Out for Life goes hand in hand with our commitment to nutrition and food services. For our clients and patients living with HIV, good food and nutrition is vital for overall health, not to mention proper consumption of HIV medications, which may be required to be taken with food. 14
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FOR LIFE
Dining Out for Life, additionally, is a chance to showcase and recognize local restaurateurs for their delectable dishes and their philanthropic persuasions. Many of the participating restaurants this year have been long-time supporters of this event and D.A.P. We’re especially lucky to have 8 restaurants donating 50% or more of their proceeds on Thursday, April 25, with Trio Restaurant - our top restaurant for three years - donating 60% and Spencer’s Restaurant - owned by immense D.A.P. supporter, Harold Matzner - donating 75%. Finally, with the wide range of options available this year, it’s possible to “Dine Out, Fight AIDS” from 6 AM until past midnight, thanks to the addition of local late night spots, including DiGS in Cathedral City, Hunter’s Nightclub, and local favorite Eddie’s Frozen Yogurt on Arenas. We hope to see you on the 25, and be sure to say hi to our volunteer ambassadors in the red aprons!
Participating Restaurants:
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, LN = Late Night Donating more than 50% Donating 50% Donating 33%
Step 1: Dine Out. Step 2: Fight AIDS. Step 3: Repeat.
Trio Restaurant in Palm Springs
Pizza and Tapas at Alicante
Spencer’s Restaurant B, L, D (760) 327-3446 Trio Restaurant L, D (760) 864-8746 Alicante B, L, D (760) 325-9464 Hamburger Mary’s L, D (760) 778-6279 The Muse Café at the PS Art Museum L (760) 322-4800 Sunshine Café B, L (760) 328-1415 Wang’s in the Desert D (760) 325-9264 Zin American Bistro L, D (760) 322-6300 Acqua Pazza B, L, D (760) 862-9800 Azul Restaurant L,D (760) 325-5533 Cello’s L, D (760) 328-5353 Citron Restaurant at the Viceroy Hotel D (760) 320-4117 DiGS Bar B, L, D, LN (760) 321-0031 Eddie’s Frozen Yogurt L, D, LN (760) 325-6700 El Mirasol (South) L, D (760) 323-0721 El Mirasol at Los Arboles L,D (760) 459-3136 Espresso Cielo B (760) 327-9050 Guacamoles L, D (760) 325-9766 Hunters Nightclub B, L, D, LN (760) 323-0700 Il Sogno B (760) 837-1999 Jake’s L, D (760) 327-4400 Johnny Costa’s Ristorante D (760) 325-4556 King’s Highway at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club B, L, D (760) 325-9900 Leon’s Grill at Desert Princess B, L, D (760) 325-5002 LULU California Bistro B, L, D (760) 327-5858 The Mirage Bistro (Wally’s) D (760) 568-9321 Miro’s Restaurant D (760) 323-5199 Native Foods, Palm Springs L, D (760) 416-0070 Palm Greens Cafe B, L (760) 864-9900 Peabody’s Cafe B, L (760) 322-1877 Pinocchio in the Desert B, L (760) 322-3776 Rainbow Bar & Grill L (760) 325-3989 Riccio’s Steak and Seafood L, D (760) 325-6085 Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill D (760) 992-5641 Roscoe Grill D (760) 322-6500 The Tropicale D (760) 866-1952 Desert AIDS Project 15
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Spring 2013 Progress Report