Alder Health Services awarded $103,000 Highmark Foundation grant to support HIV treatment option for central Pa. residents
Dec. 1, 2015 | Harrisburg, Pa.
HARRISBURG (Dec. 1, 2015) — Alder Health Services, a Harrisburg-based organization working to improve the health and well-being of individuals living with HIV/AIDS and members of the LGBTQ community in central Pennsylvania, has been awarded a $103,526 grant from the Highmark Foundation to support its HIV Treatment Adherence Program (ATAP).
In partnership with Coordinated Care Network and Quest Diagnostics, ATAP is used to improve the overall health, well-being and chronic management of HIV positive individuals enrolled in Alder Health Services' medical case management systems. Through the grant, Alder Health Services will increase the number of continually enrolled clients in its HIV/AIDs case management, which currently stands at around 300 individuals, and allow for additional focus to be placed on care and screenings by assisting patients with medication adherence. Increased viral load monitoring for some patients will also be achieved.
"This generous Highmark Foundation grant of more than $100,000 will go a long way in ensuring that our HIV-positive patients receive the high quality care they deserve," said Rosemary Browne, president and CEO of Alder Health Services. "As a non-profit organization, we depend greatly on external funding sources, like the Highmark Foundation, and we are extremely grateful for their partnership in providing the valuable ATAP services to our community."
ATAP is one of the first programs of its kind, providing step-by-step care assistance to HIV-positive patients. Designed specifically to meet each patient's individual needs, ATAP guides their daily routine by sending text message reminders, follow-up phone calls and check-ups to monitor treatment adherence.
"We are proud to support Alder Health Services through this grant to help improve the health outcomes of individuals living with HIV/AIDS,” said Highmark Foundation President Yvonne Cook. "The Highmark Foundation supports initiatives and programs aimed at improving community health. This grant is an example of how we do just that by working with local organizations to address important health care issues."
Available to high-risk Alder Health Services patients enrolled in medical case management, ATAP helps ensure that treatments are adhered to in the most convenient way for the patient, which helps safeguard the continuation of the patient's health care progress.
"The ATAP program provides patients with HIV the opportunity for a more advanced view of their treatment and health outcomes," said Browne. "It provides additional resources to improve the well-being of the patient and allows them to become more compliant with treatment adherence."
About the Highmark Foundation
The Highmark Foundation is a private, charitable organization of Highmark Inc. that supports initiatives and programs aimed at improving community health. The Foundation's mission is to improve the health, well-being and quality of life for individuals who reside in the communities served by Highmark Inc. The Foundation strives to support evidence-based programs that impact multiple counties and work collaboratively to leverage additional funding to achieve replicable models. For more information, visit www.highmarkfoundation.org.
About Alder Health Services, Inc.
Alder Health Services, Inc. was formed in 1985 as the Lancaster AIDS Project during the emerging AIDS crisis. In 1996, the organization became AIDS Community Alliance. Today, it provides high-quality, patient-centered, affordable mental health, primary care and wellness services designed for prevention, treatment and support services with the HIV spectrum and focus on the unmet needs of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) individuals from Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry and York counties. Alder Health Services also offers medical case management for HIV-positive clients, behavioral health including mental health therapy and psychiatric services and primary medical care. For more information, visit www.alderhealth.org.
Contact:
David Misner
Highmark Health
717-302-3638
david.misner@highmarkhealth.org
Rosemary Browne
Alder Health Services
717-233-7190
rosemaryb@alderhealth.org