Thundermist Health Care Center, northern Rhode Island's only HIV/AIDS treatment facility for uninsured residents, is slated to receive $1.8 million in federal grants for its programs over the next five years. Thundermist officials say the $376,445 annual grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services will help them expand comprehensive treatment services offered by the agency.

Now in its third year of operation, Woonsocket-based Thundermist's treatment programs include medical and dental care, nutritional and exercise counseling, and massage therapy for uninsured HIV-positive Rhode Islanders. Thundermist has treated more than 180 patients and has conducted free, community-based HIV testing for hundreds more.

Because Thundermist is "pretty much the only game in town when it comes to dealing with patients with HIV and AIDS" in northern Rhode Island, program officials were worried when they recently learned that their Title III money might be cut, said Lauren Nocera, community health programs coordinator at the agency. But US Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy allayed those fears last week when his office announced that Thundermist's HIV/AIDS program will be level-funded for the next five years.

Kennedy, a long-time supporter of Thundermist, called the funding "well spent." "These crucial organizations fill the gaps to provide health care to those who might otherwise fall through the cracks," he said. "I shudder to think what the state of our health care system would be without organizations like Thundermist."

Now that Thundermist's HIV/AIDS funding has been renewed, program officials want to focus on expanding dental services for HIV patients, said Nocera. They also plan to increase the agency's visibility in the community and reach out to potential clients. The facility also operates satellite locations in West Warwick and South Kingstown.

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