HEALTAHR TCARE EXPANDING HIV SUPPORT AND SERVICES ACROSS TAMPA BAY By Rafael J. Sciullo Rafael J. Sciullo JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 137 Empath Health is thrilled to announce the official merger of ASAP (AIDS Service Association of Pinellas) and Francis House in Tampa to create EPIC (Empath Partners in Care), a member of Empath Health. Our exciting new organization brings together nearly 60 years of combined HIV services experience, and we can now provide even more services to more people impacted by HIV and AIDS throughout Tampa Bay. As two trusted, leading nonprofit providers, we have proudly served and supported our communities infected or affected by HIV/AIDS for decades. Becoming EPIC strengthens and extends our depth of care, support programs and prevention services to growing numbers of people impacted and in need throughout the Tampa Bay region. Leading forward with the future of HIV care, we will continue to provide the same quality, compassion and comfort to the more than 10,000 clients and families we currently serve at our five existing locations. Expanding on both sides of the bay, we will help even more people receive easier access to the treatment, care and support they need to live healthy, self-sufficient lives. Services will continue uninterrupted on our ASAP and Francis House campuses and the community will communities. It is critical that leaders like ASAP and Francis House – now EPIC, come together to find new and innovative ways to provide services and support to all people who need us. A wide variety of medical care, pharmacy services, counseling, support and prevention services are offered at our ASAP and Francis House campuses and other locations in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. We aim to provide seamless care and support that helps our clients remain healthy, assistance and support to their families, and free HIV testing and education in the community. If you or someone you love is affected by HIV, or you would like more information, please contact us at (813) 237-3066 in Hillsborough County or (727) 328-3260 in Pinellas County or go to MyEPIC.org. 9 EDITOR’S NOTE: Rafael J. Sciullo is president and CEO of Empath Health, a nonprofit integrated network of care for those affected by chronic or advanced illness. For more information about services, call (727) 467-7423 or visit EmpathHealth.org. continue to see increases in depth and breadth of services EPIC will offer in the months and years to come. While HIV/AIDS aren’t always at the top of the headlines anymore, there are still thousands of new diagnoses every year, and many people are unaware they have the virus. The rates (per 100,000 people) of HIV diagnoses in 2015, were 16.8 in the South, 11.6 in the Northeast, 9.8 in the West, and 7.6 in the Midwest. South Florida leads the nation in new diagnoses with Miami showing 51 cases per 100,000 while the national average is about 12 cases per 100,000. In some age groups and populations, the difference in infection rates is staggering. We’ve made huge strides in education, prevention and treatment around HIV/ AIDS, but there is still a major public health risk in our country – in our
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