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On June 27, Fenway Health and the
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts announced that both of their boards had
approved the formation of a “strategic partnership” of the two organizations.
They will join to improve care and bolster the stability of services for people
with HIV/AIDS. This is especially important since HIV/AIDS patients are living
longer, but federal and state support has diminished. AIDS Action President
Rebecca Haag noted that her organization’s infrastructure is at a “breaking
point,” because state funding for AIDS services has decreased by 38 percent,
while Massachusetts’ number of HIV-infected people has increased by 44 percent.
Fenway Health and AIDS Action will
unite to become one corporate structure; however, each will retain its
nonprofit status, mission, name, and separate offices. AIDS Action board
members will take on an advisory role, while Fenway’s board will handle
financial responsibility for the new entity. Haag will continue as chief
executive of AIDS Action; Dr. Stephen Boswell, Fenway’s president and chief
executive, will lead the newly merged organization. Boswell emphasized the
positive effect this will have, as the new organization will streamline
services by combining forces, such as sharing administrative functions and
information technology services.
AIDS Action has helped HIV patients
find transportation, housing, and other community services, and now will be
able to use its expertise to connect patients to Fenway’s medical care. Fenway,
a well-known community health center, serves a variety of Boston residents. By
joining forces, the two organizations will be able to serve thousands of
people. AIDS action currently operates with a $13 million budget and serves
approximately 6,800 clients; Fenway Health’s annual operating budget is $64
million, and it treats approximately 22,000 patients.
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!
