Wednesday, April 23, 2025
4/23/2025
Ryan White Part C Outpatient EIS Program - SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The John T. Carey Special Immunology Unit (SIU) of University Hospitals of Cleveland, established in 1985, provides expert comprehensive HIV primary care regardless of ability to pay to nearly 1200 patients in the greater Cleveland area (Cuyahoga, Lake, Ashtabula, Geauga, Medina and Lorain counties) using a multidisciplinary medical home model of care. We are requesting $522,199 to continue to care for the increasing number of people living with HIV in our community, to provide HIV physician and nurse care, specialist referrals, radiology, adherence counseling, nutritional counseling, and continuous quality improvement (CQI). TARGET POPULATION: The SIU serves persons with HIV from the impoverished predominantly African American neighborhoods close by, as well as persons living with HIV from around greater Cleveland and neighboring counties. Cleveland is the second poorest large city in the nation according to the 2022 census, with 31.8 % living below the federal poverty level. The Ohio Department of Health reports that 6,037 persons (80% male) in the Part A TGA are living with HIV/AIDS; 85% reside in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. Most acquired HIV infection sexually, 56% MSM and 27% heterosexual. While only 30.5% of the residents of Cuyahoga County are African American according to 2023 census data, 57% of persons living with HIV are African American. The SIU cared for 1105 persons with HIV in 2023 including 33 new patients; 64 % of SIU patients are African American, 23% women, 63% MSM, and 61% live below the federal poverty level. The SIU staff is multicultural, highly experienced at caring for the underserved HIV population, and includes on-site pediatric, adolescent and adult HIV/ID physicians, nurse care managers, ob/gyn, dietician, pharmacist, financial counselor, social workers and mental health counselor. 94% of persons cared for in the SIU in 2023 have undetectable HIV levels (virally suppressed). OBJECTIVES: 1. Provide expert, comprehensive HIV primary care to 1200 total patients (and 50 new patients annually), with every patient having their own doctor, nurse and social worker to coordinate their care. 2. Provide adherence counseling, specialty care referrals as needed including psychiatric referrals, mental health and substance abuse screening, nutritional counseling, and eligibility screening and financial counseling to all SIU patients. 3. Ensure provision of quality medical care for all patients through CQI measures, including preventing opportunistic infections, prescribing ART, retaining patients in care and keeping their viral load undetectable. 4. Continue the peer mentor program, social and educational patient groups, and the Patient Advisory Group to ensure consumer input in program management.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).