HIV and Primary Care

HIV and Primary Care

Discussing some of the core tenets of AHF

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Michael Wohlfeiler was formerly AHF’s chief medical officer for over a decade, and now serves in an advisory role with AHF and the Department of Medicine.

Dr. Carl Millner is the current chief medical officer at AHF.

Rigness Rush is director of branding for AHF.

CORE TOPICS + DETAILS:

[2:28] - What Does It Mean to be an HIV Primary Care Physician?

Going beyond treating the disease

HIV primary care physicians are primary care providers with special expertise in managing HIV. All providers at AHF must have competency in HIV medicine and primary care, because the reality is that it doesn’t make sense to only address HIV without caring for the whole patient. This is especially true considering HIV raises the risk of other co-morbid conditions, such as high cholesterol and increased risk of heart disease or diabetes. This approach truly saves and transforms lives — just as it transformed Rig’s, who came to AHF as a patient in 2014 and was so inspired by its care that they’re now a director in the organization. 

[8:08] - What Makes an AHF Clinic Different?

Unique needs require unique care

AHF offers what we call “wraparound services.” It’s not just about coming in, seeing a provider, and receiving a prescription. It also includes meeting with case managers, benefits counselors, nurses, and more. And while primary care is the goal, it’s all centered around the needs of someone living with HIV. Meanwhile, every person at every clinic is there because they have a true passion for taking care of this unique patient population. AHF is a mission-driven organization, and our clinics are equally mission-driven.

[11:59] - Authenticity and Intimacy

Rigness speaks on the look and feel of AHF clinics

Rig speaks on how an individual living with HIV enters each clinic with a great deal of physical, mental, and emotional factors. That should all be taken into account with the way that patient is received and the experience they have at the clinic. He calls that approach “honest care,” which relies on a sense of authenticity which leads to better retention by engaging the person, not the problem.

[13:47] - Why AHF?

Why should a patient choose AHF when there are other organizations serving this community?

While many other organizations are doing amazing work in the HIV community, Dr. Carl shares that he feels what makes AHF different is the special level of care patients receive at our clinics. “You feel embraced from the beginning to the end of the process…Counselors are warm and receptive, the care management team is helpful.” 

He also cites AHF pharmacies as one of the distinct factors that sets AHF apart.

[20:25] - Ending on Advocacy

The missing piece that ties it all together

Dr. Carl emphasizes an earlier point from Rig about another overarching mission at AHF: advocacy. Without the entire organization, and every individual in it, advocating for people with HIV and in the community, AHF’s mission is missing the glue that holds it all together. AHF events, like the We the People march in Florida on July 2nd which will take on LGBTQ rights, abortion, and other human rights violations in the state, are absolutely central to AHF’s values.

RESOURCES:

• [13:47] AHF Healthcare Centers
• [20:25]  We the People March

FOLLOW:

• Follow Lauren Hogan: LinkedIn
• Follow AHFter Hours: Instagram

ABOUT AFTER HOURS:

AIDS Healthcare Foundation is the world’