Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The Los Angeles Times - Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Pam Noles
"Geographically, it's going to fill a gap that has existed for a very long time," said Angel Love, community educator for the Foothill AIDS Project.
The AHF Healthcare Center, located on the border of Upland and Rancho Cucamonga, will provide medical care and case management services to clients in western San Bernardino County. The Los Angeles-based organization will be responsible for medical care, while the Claremont-based group will continue its housing, food, mental health, transportation and other social services.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is responsible for the site's funding, said Michael Weinstein, president of the organization. Money has come from both San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties to get the new clinic established.
Weinstein said the location was chosen in part because his organization likes to place its facilities near hospitals, and San Antonio Community Hospital is practically next door. The absolute lack of other AIDS health care centers nearby was the other main reason.
"We do have patients who have been traveling a long distance to come and see us," Weinstein said.
Love added that outside of the county clinic in San Bernardino, clients have to go to Los Angeles or Orange County for care. There are some clients who travel all the way to UCLA for routine monthly checkups, she said.
"[AIDS Healthcare Foundation] has been very successful with their six other medical centers," Love said. "They saw the desperate need we had for clinical care."
Dr. Charles Farthing, medical director of the AHF, will handle medical duties at the Rancho Cucamonga facility until a permanent medical director is named for the site, Weinstein said. A pool of Los Angeles-based medical personnel will come out as needed to provide medical care. Right now, physicians will be on site two days a week, with the other services available five days each week, he said.
Love said services available at the center will be offered to anyone who needs it.
"No one will be turned away by necessity of payment, or nonpayment, or because of where they live," she said.
* * *
FYI
What: Grand opening of AHF Healthcare Center
Where: 8263 Grove Ave. No. 201, Rancho Cucamonga
When: 1-3 p.m. Friday
What: HIV/AIDS Testing Day
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Party at Rhino Records parking lot, 235 Yale Ave., Claremont. Testing at Foothill AIDS Project, 233 W. Harrison Ave., Claremont
Information for both events: 482-2066
000620
LT000602
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