BMC receives $1.1 million MDPH grant to expand HIV clinic

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has awarded a nearly $1.1 million grant to Boston Medical Center (BMC) to provide funding for HIV/AIDS support and case management services. The grant will allow for the expansion of BMC's HIV clinic - already one of the largest in the state - making it possible for a greater number of patients to receive more comprehensive care.

BMC's HIV clinic serves a high proportion of inner-city, low-income patients, as well as the highest number of women living with HIV in the state. Case management services, which include assisting patients with medical care coordination, referrals, insurance issues and counseling, are vital to providing effective treatment. According to Jonathan Hall, director of operations for the department of Infectious Diseases, those services require significant financial resources. "This grant will allow us to continue providing the essential, comprehensive services that our patients need," said Hall.

Patients with HIV/AIDS at BMC have traditionally had appointments in both the infectious diseases and primary care departments, which were housed in two locations. The opening of the Shapiro Ambulatory Care Center this past April, however, enabled the two departments to collaborate in one location, which the providers saw as a great opportunity for patients.

"We will now have a full and comprehensive continuum for HIV/AIDS case management services," said Hall, who said that there will now be a case manager within the department of primary care. "The goal is to continue to increase the number of patients that we serve in the new ambulatory space , which combines primary care and infectious diseases into one health care support system."

The grant also will support peer navigation services for HIV/AIDS patients, allowing clients to build a support network by interacting with other patients who are having similar experiences.

Source: Boston University Medical Center