Saturday, November 23, 2024
11/23/2024
Project Title: Program for Affirmation and Gender Equity (PAGE) at Pittsburgh Area Center for Treatment (PACT) Organization: UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside (UPMCPS) Address: 3520 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Project Director Name: Cara McAnaney, MD, AAHIVS Contact Phone Numbers: (412) 383-1675 (Voice); (412) 383-2900 (Fax) Email Address: mcananeycr@upmc.edu Website Address: https://www.upmc.com/services/division-infectious-diseases/services/pittsburgh-area-center-for-treatment Summary of Request: This application represents UPMCPS’s request for Part C Capacity Development Program funding of $130,238 for the period 9/1/2023 through 8/31/24, to support HIV Care Innovation. PACT, part of an academic medical center, proposes to enhance gender affirming care in our Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which serves people with HIV (PWH) in Pittsburgh, PA (Allegheny County) and the 11-county region of Southwestern Pennsylvania as it has since 1994 (Part C) and 2001 (Part D). Funding preference is requested as PACT focuses on improving gender affirming care access in the context of the HIV care continuum through a sub-recipient in Johnstown, PA (Cambria County; Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, CMMC) and our former SPNS site in McKeesport, PA (Allegheny County; Latterman Family Health Center, LFHC) for transgender PWH in rural and medically-underserved areas. Needs: Our transgender population of PWH (n=22) is a diverse group of individuals, and therefore creating a low-barrier, welcoming environment to discuss nuances of each patient’s needs and goals for gender-affirming care remains a program priority. Viral load suppression rates among our trans population is 86.4% compared to 90.3% for the overall clinic population. Caring for transgender PWH requires more than providing hormonal therapy and referrals for surgical procedures. To mitigate this disparity, we plan to train clinicians and ancillary staff to provide better comprehensive primary preventive medical care and mental health care services. Stronger linkages to organizations serving this community will be essential. Services to be continued/enhanced: 1) Comprehensive HIV primary care including gender affirming intake, inclusive language, registration, sexual health history, medical history and physical assessments; HIV pharmacy, mental health, anal dysplasia and gynecologic care, medication assisted treatment, and nutrition counseling; 2) Rapid linkage-to-care for transgender PWH newly-diagnosed or lost-to-care; 3) Supportive services, including medical case management and peer advocacy; 4) hormone therapy; 5) anatomically appropriate health screenings, including cancer screenings; 6) surgical procedure referrals; 7) aging Impact: Part C funds will support training and education to ensure a safe space with trustworthy staff and clinicians, allow us to implement treatment models to improve physical and mental health outcomes for our transgender patients, and improve the viral load suppression to 95% by 2025. Education and training tools regarding gender affirming care will be fully incorporated into the HIV training curriculum for clinicians and trainees. Ongoing continuing education for new and current front-line and ancillary staff, supported with internal or other funding streams, will be routinized. Collaborations with community-based organizations serving the transgender community such as Allies for Health & Wellbeing and SisTers PGH will be strengthened.
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).
