AARC serves as an advocate and training center for health care professionals serving those most in need, and hopes to enhance educational programs to demonstrate how the involvement of young professionals can change the health care landscape of the San Antonio community. • Cultural Sensitivity: Cultural competency is at the core of AARC service delivery model. AARC offers staff cultural competence training annually to build knowledge, skills, and increase capacity to improve working relationships with historically marginalized populations. AARC is committed to providing health affirming care to our diverse client population. AARC staff not only reflects the community that we serve, but also offers specific cultural sensitivity training with population of focus at the center, such as: LGBT population, gender non- binary /non- conforming, people of color, people with disabilities, among others. • LGBT Fellowship: AARC is pleased to announce three university student fellowships at its newly opened LGBT Health Equity Clinic. These fellowships will be awarded to students pursuing degrees in the field of nursing, medicine and social work. With these fellowships, AARC seeks to encourage and support those hoping to serve others in their respective professions, while investing in students who are proven leaders in their academic achievements. AARC Health Equity Fellowships will provide $5000 to three university students per semester to work on-site at the clinic alongside skilled professionals.

AARC is one of the largest and most experienced providers of LGBT health and mental health care, supported by a culturally sensitive team working to advance the care and treatment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people. Primary Care: AARC’s Health Equity Clinic (HEC) provides a safe space for licensed medical staff to conduct intakes and medical assessments while offering treatment services for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community in San Antonio, which historically one of the most medically underserved populations in South Texas. AARC contracts with LGBT and LGBT-friendly physicians and clinicians who are culturally sensitive and representative of the communities served. In addition to primary medical care, AARC Health Equity Clinic staff offer comprehensive information, referral, PrEP, HIV care and patient navigation services for LGBT patients and consumers. AARC will utilize its LGBT clinic for health services outreach and education to LGBT organizations and the community throughout San Antonio. AARC Health Equity Clinic services are offered with respect and compassion for the diverse community we represent and serve. HIV Specialty Care: AARC’S Health Equity Clinic offers people living with HIV a wide range of support services, including leading-edge medical care. AARC’s wrap-around care model practices a holistic approach to treatment, helping clients manage all aspects of living with HIV, through counseling, nutritional advice, and transportation support. Nutritional Sercices: AARC provides home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels) to individuals who are on home hospice, home health or who have been recently released from the hospital as well as on-site meals for those with multiple medical and social service appointments. All nutritional services are coordinated through AARC’s registered dietitian. Pharmacy services include: • Private consultations with staff members who can answer your questions about medications, especially HIV-drug regimens and side effects • Free, confidential delivery in San Antonio (some restrictions apply) • Prescription refill assistance program • On-site assistance in English and Spanish If you’re a client of our health center, pharmacy staff will work closely with your physician, nurse, nutritionist, case manager, and/or mental health provider to help you achieve your health care goals. (Pharmacy hours and phone: Mon-Fri, 9:00am-5:30pm; 210.231.0383) Behavioral Health: Mental Health Services are provided to individuals and families who are dealing with various life stressors. These services are conducted in a group or individual setting, and provided by Licensed Professional Counselors. All behavioral health programs are overseen by Howard Rogers, M.A., AARC’s Executive Director, also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and by Dr. Robert Jimenez, AARC’s Medical Director, a psychiatrist with a history of working with individuals living with HIV. • Spanish and bilingual services are available. • The prescribing and monitoring of psychotropic medications to individuals with a diagnosed mental disorder and are provided by a licensed physician. • The provision of prevention and treatment to address substance abuse problems (including alcohol, legal and illicit drugs) in an outpatient setting. Substance Abuse groups revolve around an evidence based approach to treating substance abuse and involve both group as well as individual support.

We accept Ambetter, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, United Health Care, Medicaid, and Medicare, Superior. If you are uninsured, we can help determine your eligibility for medical and drug assistance programs.

Mon-Fri, 8:00am-4:30pm

The P.U.S.H (People Understanding Sexual Health) program, provides testing, outreach, and education to the community as well as linkage to care for HIV-positive individuals. • HIV-STI testing: o HIV testing is confidential with results in 60 seconds o HEP C testing results in 20 minutes o Syphilis testing is blood drawn and you will be contacted with results. • Pre-exposure prophylaxis: o PrEP is a medication that can help prevent HIV infection. It involves taking a pill called Truvada which, if taken daily over a period of time, can prevent HIV from infecting healthy cells. Meet with one of our doctors or other PrEP Navigator to learn whether PrEP is right for you. If it is, we can write and fill a prescription for it. o PEP is medication that has been shown to prevent HIV infection after exposure, if you’re treated within 72 hours. o To schedule a free PrEP consultation call us at 210-625-7216, or drop by. • PrEP Patient Navigation: AARC’s PrEP navigator provides general information about PrEP and nPEP. AARC has also started prescribing PrEP at its newly opened LGBT Health Equity Clinic. o Assessing if PrEP is right for you. o Provide education on prevention topics, including PrEP/PEP, consistent and correct condom use, safer sex practices, risk reduction, regular STI and HIV testing, and the importance of mental health and substance use issues in relation to HIV risk. o Assist with the selection of a clinical site offering PrEP/PEP or an HIV testing site and coordinate referral process, and maintain communication with referral site and the client to ensure linkage to care. o Provides assistance with eligibility for PrEP financial assistance and application process. o Provide assistance with appointment scheduling, accompaniment, and appointment reminders as needed. o Provide support around linkage to other services needed, such as mental health care, substance abuse counseling, employment services, support groups, and basic needs. • Health Education Risk Reduction (H.E.R.R): AARC’s HERR program provides support and Health education and Risk Reduction through client individual and group education sessions. Clients are provided information on HIV and HIV-Health related issues that demonstrates the importance of medical adherence and disease management.

Mon-Fri, 8:00am-4:30pm

In 2016, AARC joined with the Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics at UT Health San Antonio to house the new Pride Community Clinic (PCC), a student and doctor led effort to serve the uninsured and underinsured lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. The PCC will offer primary care for this community on designated evenings, while providing linkages to vital mental health, sexual health, and substance abuse services. The PCC further aims to expose interdisciplinary UT Health San Antonio student volunteers to the needs, concerns, and unique experiences of the LGBTQ population. The Pride Community Clinic serves self-identified LGBTQ patients recruited through marketing and outreach to the greater San Antonio. PCC patients will be welcome regardless of sex, race, religion, national origin, socioeconomic status, insurance coverage, funding ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. In addition, a special focus of the Pride Community Clinic will be to serve homeless LGBTQ populations and the local transgender community, two of the most vulnerable and underserved populations in the city of San Antonio.As it delivers primary care, the clinic will provide sexually transmitted infection testing, hormone replacement therapy for transgender patients, and connection to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

Patients must be 18 years of age or older. LGBTQ patients can be assured that all volunteers within the clinic are trained to be sensitive to LGBTQ issues.

The PCC currently operates one Wednesday evening per month between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm and potential patients must make an appointment over the phone to secure one of the limited time slots.