Ryan White Clinic remains at forefront of local HIV/AIDS treatment
On Dec. 1, World AIDS Day was observed. Established in 1988 as the first-ever global health day, the event gives organizations and individuals around the world the chance to show support for those living with HIV/AIDS, and to remember those who have lost their battle with the disease.
For us in the field, it’s a great opportunity to reflect. I’m not being hyperbolic when I say that we’ve made tremendous strides in how we treat this wretched disease, which has claimed more than 40 million lives globally since the early 1980s.
Obviously, HIV/AIDS remains a very real threat here in the United States and throughout the world. Here in Northeast Pennsylvania, The Wright Center is among the leaders in HIV/AIDS care via our Ryan White Clinic. Operating out of our Scranton and Wilkes-Barre community health centers, the clinic doesn’t just save lives, but improves them dramatically through our whole-person, integrated model.
Mary Louise Decker, M.D., FIDSA, is a board-certified infectious disease physician and Infectious Disease Medical Director for The Wright Center for Community Health. Dr. Decker leads The Wright Center’s Ryan White HIV and Infectious Disease/Hep C Clinic.
Earlier this year, the clinic, which first opened its doors in 2002, received more than $1 million in federal funding through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Early Intervention Services Program, administered by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The three-year grant supports comprehensive HIV primary health services, education, treatment adherence counseling, and referrals for additional services when needed.
Funded by the HRSA’s Ryan White HIV Part C and B grants, the clinic has a dedicated, passionate staff who provide testing and continuous and coordinated care for around 500 patients diagnosed with or at risk of contracting HIV. That comprehensive care includes administering critical daily medication regimens, as well as important vaccinations, specialized care for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HPV, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and connections to specialists for advanced care.
Thanks to continued progress in medication adherence, more than 95% of our patients have achieved undetectable viral loads, meaning they cannot transmit the virus to others.
In addition, our clinic staff offers behavioral health, dental care, medical nutrition therapy, and addiction and recovery services, as well as ancillary services such as housing assistance, transportation, emergency financial aid, a food bank, home-delivered and congregate meals, nutritional supplements, support for durable medical equipment purchases, help with lab and medical bills, and psychosocial support.
The clinic welcomes all patients, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Our patients range from 18 to over 80, with more than 60% 50 and older – a reflection of the success we’ve seen in extending both lifespan and quality of life for those living with HIV.
Maybe one day we’ll eradicate HIV/AIDS and put an end once and for all to this terrible scourge. Until then, the Ryan White Clinic will continue doing its part to improve the lives of those living with it.
