Wisconsin: AIDS Resource Center Expands Services

The AIDS Resource Center (ARC) of Wisconsin is adding medical care services to its Green Bay facility, becoming a comprehensive one-stop center for more than 600 people living with HIV/AIDS in the region.

Mike Gifford, ARC's chief operating officer, said HIV/AIDS involves specialized needs that cannot be met by traditional health care providers. The Green Bay location, at 445 S. Adams St., already provides HIV prevention, dental care, mental health treatment, social work, and other services. Because even grocery shopping becomes complicated for patients due to dietary restrictions, the 6,000-foot-space includes a food pantry.

"Integrated health care is so vital," said Gifford. "We need to make sure that we have a system designed to address the needs of these very complex patients."

ARC forged a partnership with Prevea Health System, which is providing two physicians for the facility. Prevea President and CEO Ashok Rai said his organization now does not have to ramp up its own infectious-disease program and duplicate the services provided at ARC. "It's a big benefit to the greater Green Bay area," said Rai.

ARC has spent roughly $1 million renovating the location to accommodate the addition of medical care services.

For more information, visit www.arcw.org/.

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