Ryan White Program

 

Who we are

First enacted by Congress in 1990, the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency – or CARE – Act, addresses the unmet health needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. It funds health care and support services with the goal of getting people into care and keeping them there.  The Ryan White Program (RWP) at Augusta University (AU) was established in 1995 with the receipt of the initial Part C grant from the federal Ryan White program/CARE Act.  Currently, the AU Ryan White program serves over 1200 clients per year throughout the CSRA, with clients coming from as far as Atlanta, GA and Greenville, SC. 

The goal of our program is to ensure access to health care and reduce disparities. We want to make sure that all persons who need care can get it. Access to high quality care should be equal, regardless of ability to pay. In our program, emphasis is placed on continuing HIV primary medical care services currently provided.  Common problems that are addressed include financial instability, transportation issues, psychosocial issues, and the effects of poverty, substance abuse, and social stigma.  We want to ensure the continuity of care and increasing access to comprehensive medical care for underserved, uninsured, and low income minorities.  The care continuum includes: (1) identifying persons at-risk for HIV infection and offering counseling, testing, and referral services; (2) providing lifelong comprehensive HIV primary care for persons living with HIV disease (3) sustaining mental health and substance abuse services offered in AU’s clinic and (4) focusing on adherence strategies to improve quality of life.

HIV CARE CONTINUUM

About Ryan

Ryan White was a teenager from Indiana with hemophilia who contracted HIV through a blood transfusion at age 13.  With the help of his mother, he fought for his right to attend school, gaining international attention as a voice of reason about HIV and AIDS.  On April 8, 1990, at the age of 18, Ryan died – just months before the U.S. Congress passed a bill creating the Ryan White CARE Act, named in his honor.

For more information about Ryan White and the Ryan White Program, please visit the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) website.

 

Appointments during COVID-19 and other public health emergencies

All patients and support persons must wear a face covering/mask in order to enter the facility.  NO MASK, NO ENTRY! 

No children are allowed into the building at this time, and only 1 support person is allowed per patient, only if necessary.

Upon entry into the Moore Building, each patient and their support person will be asked the following screening questions:

• Do you have any cold or flu symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath?
• Any change in taste or smell?
• Has someone in your household tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days?
• Do you have a pending COVID test result?

If you answer yes to any of the questions above,

Patient: If you are the patient, you may not enter at that time.  You may call 706-721-1852 to schedule a COVID-19 test, and call 706-721-9313 to reschedule your appointment.

Support person: If you are the support person, you may wait in the car until the patient has finished the appointment.  You may also call 706-721-1852 to schedule a COVID-19 test.  If not, you should still make an appointment to see your personal health care provider. 

Throughout the appointment, please adhere to the following:

• Wear a face covering AT ALL TIMES.
• Use hand sanitizer or wash hands before entering the building and throughout the appointment.
• Maintain a social distance of 6 feet (2 meters) from others.