Baltimore Health Clinic Turns 25

In 1978, Chase Brexton Health Services opened in Baltimore to stem the spread of STDs. Back then, it was known as the Gay Health Clinic for Venereal Diseases. It has since expanded its services to include primary and mental health care for gay as well as non-gay patients. In recent years, CBH has become a full service health center with 120 staff members. CBH will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Sept. 28 with an afternoon of cocktails, a silent auction and a show on Nov. 2 by Australian drag personality Dame Edna.

CBH now provides a full range of outpatient mental health services, including therapy and counseling for individuals, couples and families. In addition to primary care for men, women and children and STD and HIV/AIDS diagnoses and treatment, CBH provides physicals, immunizations and dental care among its services.

"We probably are seeing more people who are coming here simply because they are hearing good things about the services we provide," explained Dr. David Haltiwanger, the clinic's mental services director.

There are advantages for people who are gay or HIV-positive to be able to talk openly about their individual needs, said Dr. Eva Hersh, CBH's primary care medicine director. "It just cuts away a whole layer of explaining," she said. For example, many lesbians have been asked by a doctor whether they use birth control medication, she said, and most doctors do not ask men if they engage in anal intercourse.

Despite the success CBH has had providing medical services, David Shippee, the clinic's executive director, said he would like the organization to take on more of an advocacy role in addressing health care and public policy issues in Baltimore. "For the last 20 years, we've pretty much stuck to the rendering of care instead of the shaping of policy," he said. But now, he said, CBH has "made the commitment to become a much more active player."

Back to other news for September 18, 2003