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Everyday Heroes: Celebrating the Contribution of Health Workers

UNITED STATES:
Whitman-Walker Clinic
Washington, DC

Washington, D.C., faces a tremendous HIV/AIDS problem. One in 20 adults is believed to be HIV-positive. One in 50 adults has AIDS.

The Whitman-Walker Clinic provides health care and social support services for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities and for those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

Whitman-Walker Clinic has developed a model of care for people living with HIV/AIDS that addresses the entire spectrum of client needs. To do this, the Clinic has built a diverse, talented and experienced staff that treats a very diverse clientele, many of whom live at or near the poverty level.

Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the D.C. area, Whitman-Walker has strived to provide a wide array of health care and social support services to those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

The clinic provides medical and dental care; mental health and addictions treatment; legal assistance; case management; nutritional assistance; HIV education and prevention efforts; and HIV testing and counseling. In addition, the Clinic provides day treatment and operates two housing programs for people with addictions.

The Clinic has two sites in the District of Columbia - one in Northwest, the other in Southeast - and one in Arlington, Va. Whitman-Walker Clinic reaches out to populations that are in great need of services but may be reluctant or unable to the clinic.

Funding for Whitman-Walker Clinic is a mixture of federal, state and local government funding, private contributions and reimbursement from third parties, such as private insurance or public health programs such as Medicaid and Medicare.

The clinic has recently changed its business model to reduce dependency on government funding and private fundraising and increase third-party reimbursements.