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The AIDS Resource Center has opened a health clinic to offer non-judgmental and affirming care to all.
"This is something that we've talked about doing for such a long time because HIV is so stigmatized -- even still -- within the medical community. We've had so many anecdotal stories from clients where they have received care that is stigmatizing," said Kirsten Burkhart, executive director. "It makes them want to not go back for care or not follow the doctor's instructions."
"And then we heard the same thing from the LGBTQ community also -- that people have gotten negative reactions from their doctors when they've discussed their sexuality, and therefore they're reluctant to do it ... to talk about how their sexuality may impact their health," she said.
"There's such an overlap between the two we thought this is a good opportunity to just kind of address that general stigmatization of groups that need health care, where they're not going to be judged where they can come in and talk about who they are and what they need and the doctor will give them compassionate care because everybody deserves that," Burkhart added.
The clinic is staffed daily, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the center's offices, 500 W. Third St.
A physician is on staff to provide care at the clinic.
The clinic provides primary and urgent care for the center's clients and primary care for the LGBTQ+ community.
"For members of the LGBTQ community right now, just primary care. Although depending on how the schedule shakes out, maybe we'll be adding urgent care to that as well," Burkhart said.
Primary care includes annual physicals, disease prevention and chronic illness management. Urgent care consists of treating minor injuries and non-emergency medical issues that need to be treated quickly, according to information from the center.
Burkhart feels the new clinic furthers the overall mission of the AIDS Resource Center.
"Our mission is to provide general services for people who are living with HIV and also to prevent future infections through education and prevention. So we're also hoping by providing science-based, non-judgmental medical care to the LGBTQ community, who are disproportionately at risk for contracting HIV, that we can provide education. We have a PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) clinic already, enroll people into PrEP, get them the information that they need to be safe so that they don't become HIV positive," she explained.
AIDS Resource provides free HIV and sexually transmitted infection testing and helps clients gain access to HIV preventative medicines PREP and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis).
The clinic accepts insured and uninsured patients. A sliding fee scale will be available for those without insurance, according to information from the center.
There will also be monthly, part-time clinic hours at the State College office, 129 S. Sparks St., Suite 1.