Posts
Patients with HIV/AIDS in Vermont
have received state-of-the-art care through the Comprehensive Care Clinics
(CCC) for 25 years under the leadership of Christopher Grace, MD., professor of
medicine and director of infectious diseases at the University of Vermont/Fletcher
Allen Health Care, and Deborah Kutzko, nurse practitioner and leader of the
clinic program. The clinic also employs a team of providers, nurses, social
workers, and a dietitian and psychiatrist. The HIV/AIDS comprehensive care
clinics were established in 1987. According to Melissa Farr, Vermont Cares
Services program director, at that time, the establishment of a long-term
clinical program to treat HIV was a heroic act, but because of the strong
network of HIV care and treatment that distinguishes CCC, persons with HIV/AIDS
in Vermont are living longer, healthier lives.
The program now includes four
clinics across the state. They are supported by Ryan White CARE Act funding and
other federal grants. At present, there are approximately 500 persons with HIV
in Vermont, and according to Dr. Grace, the number of clinic patients increases
each year by about 35 to 50. In 2011, the clinics provided health care for
approximately 440 patients. Each clinic has a physician, nurse, social worker,
dietitian, and psychiatric clinician. The model on which the clinics are based
specifies an onsite nurse, onsite social worker, phone access to an infectious
disease specialist, and visits once a month by a dietitian, and psychiatric
nurse practitioner. Also once every month, a professor of medicine, an
associate professor of medicine, and Dr. Grace visit different clinics. The
group also has associates in northern counties of Vermont and upstate New York
who assist with patient management.
One of the clinics, the Burlington
clinic, cares for approximately 300 patients and is staffed by four physicians,
in addition to Dr. Grace, and two other doctors who visit once per month. The
Rutland clinic has 50 patients, the Brattleboro clinic, approximately 60 to 70,
and St. Johnsbury, 20 patients. The collaborative relationship between Vermont
CARES and the CCC facilitates patients’ entry to medical case management and
medical care. Patients are able to work with a team that is focused on
supporting their overall wellbeing, including stable housing, good nutrition,
growing social networks, and mental health support.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
