Meet PATF's new Medical Director and learn about Healing Weekend
PATF e-Perspectives
Issue 61/ August 2016
Meet Dr. Sarah McBeth, PATF's New Medical Director of our Health Clinic!
We're thrilled to announce that Sarah McBeth, MD, MPH, has joined PATF as Medical Director of our new health clinic! Dr. McBeth, who brings experience in both internal and HIV-specialized medicine, will lead a medical team in creating a new model of comprehensive, coordinated and integrated care for PATF's clients and their families. The clinic will not only provide HIV treatment, but primary care for medical issues related and unrelated to an HIV diagnosis.
 
Dr. McBeth and her team will also provide sexual health care for the community, regardless of HIV status. Community members who access our HIV, STI and hepatitis C testing will be able to receive treatment at PATF's clinic. This new health expansion will also feature a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Clinic. A powerful new tool in preventing the spread of HIV, PrEP entails taking the medication Truvada--long used to treat HIV--and is over 90 percent effective at preventing the transmission of HIV.
 
Dr. Sarah McBeth was an emerging infectious disease laboratory training fellow with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before obtaining her Medical Doctor and Master of Public Health degrees from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. She came to Pittsburgh for a residency in the global health track of UPMC's internal medicine program. While in this program, she spent several months of her clinical training in Beira, Mozambique, a city severely affected by the HIV epidemic. Following her residency, she went on to infectious diseases fellowship training at UPMC. One of Dr. McBeth's specialties is the treatment of hepatitis C among those with HIV co-infection, an issue affecting many HIV-positive individuals.
 
"Though treatment for HIV has drastically improved since the introduction of antiretroviral medications in the 1990s, many new medical challenges have arisen as those with HIV age," said Sean DeYoung, PATF CEO. "Dr. McBeth's experience and passion for treating HIV, along with the many other medical issues that arise from the virus, make her uniquely suited to lead our new medical clinic. PATF has long been a leader in providing vital social services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS in our region, and we're thrilled to be able to combine these services with Dr. McBeth's medical care."
 
"Seeing the AIDS epidemic in Africa firsthand convinced me that HIV is among the most important public health problems in the world," said Dr. McBeth. "HIV medicine is challenging because it requires addressing stigma, psycho-social issues, sexual concerns and health systems navigation, all while managing concomitant health problems. But the same things that make it a challenge make it incredibly rewarding. Every day I try to meet my patients where they are and help them find a path to better health. I am continuously inspired by what they overcome. I know the team at PATF shares my goal of preventing HIV and empowering those who live with it. I am delighted to join them as we build a clinic to achieve those ends."
 
Dr. McBeth is currently in the process of helping to hire additional medical professionals and outfitting the recently-constructed medical facilities at PATF's East Liberty office. PATF anticipates that the medical clinic, along with an expanded pharmacy program, will open this fall. More details will be announced soon!
Healing Weekend gives clients strength in the ongoing struggle against HIV/AIDS

This year marks the 24th anniversary of the Healing Weekend, an opportunity for renewal in the ongoing struggle against HIV. In their everyday lives, many people living with HIV/AIDS experience ongoing discrimination and stigma due to their race, sexual orientation, gender identification and/or HIV status. This weekend provides a healthy escape and an opportunity for self-empowerment and positive affirmation. Because of this yearly retreat, people are better able to manage the difficulties of living with HIV in their everyday lives.

In a self-nourishing environment, attendees foster new supportive relationships and strengthen existing ones by offering an invaluable shared experience. The weekend also helps raise awareness of HIV by promoting social change through community building and social action.

Healing Weekend takes place at a fully-modernized retreat center focused on holistic and spiritual heath. All meals, snacks and beverages are provided. Highlights of the weekend include workshops that focus on healing body, mind and spirit; keynote address and HIV care updates; small groups for support and sharing; bodywork through massage and reiki; bingo, Saturday night dance and movie; hiking, swimming, and other outdoor activities.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, PATF is able to offer scholarships based on need for many of our clients, 98 percent of whom live below the poverty line.  
Join PATF & Ace Hotel for a night of debaucherous delights at The Bacchanal

PATF and Ace Hotel Pittsburgh are teaming up to bring you a night of dancing, drag and druids in celebration of the fall equinox on Saturday, September 24. Moon Baby hosts the evening and drag performers Bebe Beretta, Karmageddon, Cherri Baum, Dixie Sherwood and others will be providing live entertainment throughout the evening. Included in admission is a signature cocktail and light food, with cash bar available. Click on the image above to purchase tickets! 
PATF in the news
Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force employee offers 25-year retrospective on the HIV/AIDS battle

During the deadliest years of the AIDS epidemic, Alan Jones worked in the trenches, dealing with medical casualties on a daily basis.

The early 1990s represented an unwinnable war and race against time, with patient after patient wasting away from diseases associated with the human immunodeficiency virus of HIV.

Many patients lacked money, enough food, and sufficient housing, transportation and medical care. Others were keeping their infection a secret from family members and friends, fearing cessation of communications if the truth be told.

"I felt I was in the middle of a horrible situation," Mr. Jones said. "Someone who was told they had AIDS had 18 months - two years, tops. It was a death sentence, and people knew it was a death sentence no matter how long it dragged out."

Read the full story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette here.
Your vital contributions help over 500 people living with HIV/AIDS in southwestern Pennsylvania get the care and support they need to lead healthy and happy lives. Generous funding from community members like you also helps fund our HIV testing and prevention programs, which reach over 15,000 people at high risk for HIV infection in our region.
Join the conversation on social media with us!
We'll be making further announcements about our medical clinic soon. Keep your eye on our Facebook and Twitter accounts for news and behind-the-scenes views of the clinic! 
Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force  | 412-345-7456 |  patfinfo@patf.org | patf.org

Questions or comments about e-Perspectives? Please contact editor Andrew Ptaschinski at aptashinski@patf.org .