4 Celebrated with a near-unprecedented three awards, Pennsylvania’s AIDS Resource has evolved considerably since it was founded in 1988, but the commitment of this non-profit to supporting individuals with HIV has remained steadfast since day one. Initially, the services provided by AIDS Resource centred around delivering comfort and dignity to those dying from AIDS complications across the Lycoming County region. As medical treatments have evolved however, so too has this organisation,andweexplorethemultitude of essential, life-changing services it today offers below. In the late 1980s, HIV/AIDS was gripping the US just like it was the rest of the world, and the unknown nature of the disease unfortunately resulted in a lot of fear and stigma, particularly concerning the country’s gay communities. Thankfully, in the years since, those living with HIV have benefited from significant advancements in medical treatments, meaning that people whose HIV is discovered early can often live a life just as long and fruitful as the average person. However, this is far from the end of the story. Despite prospects improving over the past 35 years or so, one thing that unfortunately hasn’t is the attitude many people hold when it comes to HIV, particularly in certain areas of the US. Be it a doctor examining a HIV-positive patient from across the room, or another refusing to provide preventive medicine to a gay man due to a personal bias, the team at AIDS Resource have heard it all over the years, and this is why their services encompass everything from prevention and education to free HIV testing and community initiatives. One of the most notable programmes delivered by the company over its more than 35 years operating in this space came just last year, with the opening of AR Health. A healthcare practice clinic dedicated to serving those living with HIV as well as the wider LGBTQIA2S+ community, AR Health delivers its comprehensive primary care services in a judgment-free manner, allowing everyone to access these vital primary care services, which can potentially save lives, without the sense of fear that may be felt at a standard practice. From preventative care services to help managing everything from acute illnesses to chronic diseases, sexual health testing and advice, and even house calls, AR Health’s primary care services for those living with HIV are as comprehensive as they are inclusive. Moreover, for its LGBTQIA2S+ patients, the clinic also offers free HIV testing and prevention medication, as well as additional resources based around general safety and security for the community, be it from violence, homelessness, or help overcoming mental health troubles. Led by Dr Haussmann, who served on the AIDS Resource Board of Directors for more than two decades and has operated the organisation’s PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention) clinic since day one, AR Health is bolstered further by a team of diverse, talented, and multidisciplinary AIDS Resource staff. Leveraging several decades of combined experience to provide expert care in an accessible, welcoming environment, this team are taking a proactive approach to nurturing safer, happier healthcare. This is a mission shared by the wider organisation, which has really ramped up its efforts over the past six years or so to reach as many people as possible across Pennsylvania. For example, by the time 2018 rolled around, AIDS Resource was marking its 30th anniversary and had successfully introduced a variety of client support services, ranging from transportation assistance and financial aid to housing support programmes, alongside its ever-growing range of medical and care services for which it has become well known. Apart from expanding into the neighbouring Elk, Cameron, Clearfield, and McKean Counties, 2018 also saw the launch of a free PrEP programme at the organisation’s main office in Williamsport, with this major milestone resulting in HIV prevention services being made available to countless across the region. This is something that AIDS Resource has continued to do in subsequent years, and one of its upcoming projects even entails installing free harm reduction and public health vending machines across the state. Be it HIV tests, pregnancy tests, condoms, Naxalone (a medication used to reverse the effects of opioids in the case of an overdose), and drug testing strips, AIDS Resource providing these items free of charge in its vending machines both removes the barrier of cost and eradicates the stigma associated with purchasing or accessing these items in public settings. Ultimately, this sets AIDS Resource apart in this sphere, as its non-profit status means it is available to honour its care commitment to all, whether they are in a position to pay or not. Since universal health coverage is not available in the US, AIDS Resource and AR Health are both able to impact health in ways that the country’s more traditional, profit-oriented healthcare providers cannot. Of course, this approach does mean that, like with most non-profits, the primary challenge for the organisation is funding. Luckily, AIDS Resource’s staff and board of directors are always developing new initiatives and implementing meticulous plans to diversify and secure vital funding for the organisation. As Executive Director Kirsten Burkhart tells us: “We are confident we will be able to increase our programmatic and organisational sustainability through a combination of several strategies, and believe that, through a robust fundraising plan combined with an organisational culture of philanthropy, AIDS Resource will be able to sustain, expand, and scale these (and other) programmes to effectively serve the community for the long term.” Best HIV Testing Program 2024 - Pennsylvania & Excellence Award in Primary Care 2024 - Pennsylvania & Healthcare Practice of the Year - Pennsylvania AIDS Resource / AR Health
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