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
/MyEPIC.org
/EmpathHealth.org