The Center for Aids, Harris County Hospital District Partner to Provide Treatment Information

Episcopal Health Charities Awards a $30,000 Grant to Support the CFA's Partnership with HCHD

Episcopal Health Charities, part of St. Luke's Episcopal Health System, awarded The Center for AIDS (CFA): Hope and Remembrance Project a $30,000 grant to fund its one-year partnership with the Harris County Hospital District in providing HIV/AIDS treatment information to patients and staff of three of the district's HIV/AIDS clinics. On June 23, 1999, The CFA began a series of treatment education forums to Thomas Street Clinic, Northwest Community Health Center and LBJ's Women's Immunology Center.

The purpose of the forums is to provide HIV/AIDS patients, physicians and other health care providers the opportunity to learn about new treatment developments, ask questions and discuss vital issues with national leaders in the field. This series will be tailored specifically to the HIV/AIDS patients being treated in the public health care system and their health care professionals. The forums will address adherence, issues specific to HIV-positive women and provide continuing education for physicians, nurses and other health care providers.

"The educational forums provide a unique opportunity for HIV-positive people and health care professionals to engage with key leaders in the HIV/AIDS community, and discuss openly what works and what doesn't work with HIV/AIDS treatment. The forums are essential to our mission of educating patients so that they can participate in their HIV treatment decisions and interact with health care professionals to facilitate a more principled approach to HIV/AIDS treatment," says Michael Peranteau, co-founder of The CFA.

The Gulf Coast Region of Texas has been impacted greatly by the AIDS epidemic. According to the current Ryan White Planning Council Needs Assessment, HCHD treats 60 percent of all HIV positive individuals in Harris County.

"We want our HIV/AIDS patients to have the very best we can provide not only in terms of medical care but in education and support services as well. By bringing in national experts, The Center for AIDS will help us deliver those quality services to our patients and to health care professionals throughout the community. We look forward to many more such collaborative efforts with the CFA and other organizations in the future," says Nancy Miertschin, HIV projects director.

"We are very excited about partnering with HCHD. It will enhance our treatment education programs and will help reach more individuals with important information benefiting everyone involved," says Peranteau.

- ROBYN MAGUIRE

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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