University of Arizona’s Petersen HIV Clinics (PHC) and Pacific AIDS Education and Training Center (PAETC) - Arizona were recently presented with the Peter Likins Program Inclusive Excellence Awards, the highest honor of the University of Arizona Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
The Petersen HIV Clinics, a federally funded program of the University of Arizona Division of Infectious Diseases for nearly four decades, provide HIV treatment and prevention services for over 1,000 patients in southern Arizona. Through a multi-disciplinary team approach, all patients receive high-quality medical care, medications, and support services. In addition to care coordination, PHC staff are skilled in navigating medical systems, insurance plans, and financial programs which assist with the cost of medical care for patients in need. Staff are comprised of highly qualified professionals from diverse personal and professional backgrounds reflective of the population served by the clinic. PHC serve people from all socioeconomic backgrounds including men, women, and transgendered individuals. The clinic endeavors to provide culturally sensitive services that prioritize vulnerable populations such as racial and ethnic minorities, refugees, LGBTQ communities, and those with behavioral health challenges. Efforts to increase access to inclusive services for all clients include thoughtfulness around patient experiences such as considerations for bus routes, medication co-pays, how questions are asked on patient forms, appointment scheduling, and more. PHC staff have been trained in trauma-informed care practices and seek out educational opportunities and patient feedback as much as possible. PHC is part of the Division of Infectious Diseases and is primarily funded by the Health and Resources Services Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau Ryan White Program Parts B and C.
The PAETC – Arizona — also known as the Arizona AIDS Education and Training Center — provides HIV training and capacity building to health care professionals throughout the state of Arizona. PAETC Arizona prioritizes health care organizations that serve minority and vulnerable populations such as Federally Qualified Health Centers, Indian Health Service sites, and health care professionals along the U.S. -Mexico border. PAETC Arizona works to address disparities in HIV infections through increased access to high-quality HIV prevention and care services. In addition to clinical training, PAETC Arizona offers training curricula that mindfully prepare the workforce for the diversity of sexual orientations, gender identities, and sexual behaviors seen in patient populations with the long-term goal of creating safer spaces for all to access non-judgmental and compassionate care. In all training and capacity building activities, the PAETC Arizona aims to engage community partners who represent the communities being served. For example, a trans-identified patient navigator serves on the planning committee for the trans health clinical preceptorships; partners from Sonora Mexico help to plan border health events; and community health workers (CHWs) from across the state have been involved in planning trainings with CHWs working primarily with native and border health communities. PAETC Arizona is part of the Division of Infectious Diseases and is funded by the Health and Resources Services Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau Ryan White Program Part F.
Top row: Cesar Egurrola, Brett DePiñeda, Sarah Yates, Alyssa Guido, Krystal Fimbres. Middle row: Kristen Ellis, Andrea Verdin, Larry York, Connie Chan, Ruth Hillman. Bottom row: Britt Nigon, Michael Castaneda, Sascha Bianchi, Jai Smith, Joanne Wolf.