Tepeyac Community Health Center Offers Effective HIV Programs to Latinos in Denver

“I had the great opportunity to be part of the Tepeyac’s family over a decade ago.  At a time of my life when I felt vulnerable, lonely and hopeless, La Clinica Tepeyac, Jim Garcia, along with a great team by his side (Clinical and board members) helped me to heal and enjoy life again! For that I will always be grateful. For embracing me and allowing me to become a member of their team.  To me, La Clinica Tepeyac will always have a special place in my heart and the memories will always be alive.”

These are Natanael’s words, one of the first HIV positive patients to receive HIV related treatments at Tepeyac Community Health Center.

Like Natanael, many HIV positive patients keep coming back to the nurturing, caring and effective treatments being offered here at Tepeyac Community Health Center. Treatments and services range from HIV care, labs, case management and BH (Behavioral Health) sessions.

Tepeyac Community Health Center currently offers Specialty Clinics every second and fourth Tuesday of every month. Most HIV positive patients at Tepeyac are enrolled in the Ryan White Part A Program, a payor of last resort that covers all medical care related to the patient’s HIV diagnosis. Patients can qualify for this program if they are less than or equal to 400 percent of the FPL (Federal Poverty Level) and live in the Denver TGA (Transitional Grant Area) comprise of Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver Douglas, and Jefferson counties.

Case managers at Tepeyac Community Health Center assist patients with completing Ryan White related paperwork including Acuity, Medication Adherence, Care Plans, and 6-month verifications. In addition, case managers also assist patients with filling out applications for SDAP, the State Drug Assistance Program that pays for HIV medications, among others. Income requirements for this program is similar to Ryan White’s but patients can live anywhere in the state of Colorado to qualify.

Tepeyac Community Health Center also offers the Public Health Intervention Program (PHIP) for patients interested in PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a medication that helps people who are at high risk of acquiring HIV, but are HIV negative. PHIP covers all PrEP related medical visits and labs including STI testing and most vaccines. The PHIP program is similar to the State Drug Assistance Program in terms of income requirements, and patients must also live in the state of Colorado. Case managers at Tepeyac help insured and unsured patients apply for a co-pay card that covers the price of any related medication.

There are currently three HIV health care providers at Tepeyac Health Community Center:

Dr. William J. Burman, Director of Denver Public Health and Professor of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He joined Denver Public Health as an infectious disease physician in 1995 and directed its HIV treatment and research activities.

James G. Sampson, an American Academy of Nurse Practitioner with 27 years of experience as an adult nurse practitioner with specialization in HIV medicine.

Alison Quinn-Beistcher, is Tepeyac Community Health Center’s in-house provider for the Specialty Clinics. Alison is a dual graduate of Boston College’s Graduate Schools of Nursing & Social Work, and is passionate about providing high quality medical and behavioral health care to underserved populations. Alison recently received the Community Preceptor Award in Family Medicine at the University of Massachusetts.

All Tepeyac Community Health Center’s HIV providers are fluent in Spanish.

There are currently 129 patients enrolled in HIV related programs at Tepeyac Community Health Center. The Specialty Clinic sessions are from 1:00p.m.- 5:00p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday of every month; However, patients can come in and meet with Alison throughout the week and whenever needed. Appointments are required in advance.

For more information about our HIV related programs and services, please call (303) 458-5302 or visit our website www.tepeyachealth.org.