Arizona: HIV Clinic Augments Cardiology Practice

Low-income HIV patients in the Southeast Valley can now access primary care services at the Advanced Cardiac Specialists (ACS) clinic at Greenfield and Baseline roads. The practice recently became a care provider through the federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, which gives grants to community-based health care organizations.

The new clinic will serve east Mesa, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, Gold Canyon, and Florence. Mark Kezios, chair of the Ryan White council for Maricopa County, said an additional clinic was needed since the county is geographically one of the largest in the nation.

About 80 patients living in rural areas of Maricopa and Pinal counties drive up to three hours to Phoenix for care, said Kezios -- too far for patients requiring frequent treatment.

ACS applied for the grant since several of its staff are HIV treatment experts, Kezios noted. "It's just wonderful that we have a provider that is experienced in treating HIV. So opening up in the East Valley is making the quality for people's lives much easier," he said.

The Ryan White program serves 836 HIV patients in Maricopa County, with the per-patient annual cost averaging $2,343. Sun Life Family Health Center in Casa Grande has also joined the program as a network provider.

Back to other news for March 2010