FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 8, 2023

Contact:

Jennifer Lefelar, Public Information Officer

Florida Department of Health – Monroe County

305-434-5413

Jennifer.Lefelar@flhealth.gov

COMMUNITY HEALTH OF SOUTH FLORIDA, INC. (CHI) AND COMMUNITY HEALTH PARTNERS SPONSOR NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY EVENT AT CHI KEY WEST HEALTH CENTER

(Monroe County, Fla.) — On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe), Guidance Care Center and A.H. of Monroe joined forces with Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) to provide HIV and AIDS education and screenings to our local community to commemorate National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

Photo Caption: Members of the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) and Community Health of South Florida, Inc (CHI) participate in a community HIV/AIDS education and screening event at the CHI Key West Health Center to commemorate National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 7, 2023.  Pictured from left Monique Silvera-Cooper (CHI), Randy Bickers (A.H. of Monroe County, Inc.), Claudette Narcisse (CHI), Marvin Gifford (DOH-Monroe), Lisset Ivey (DOH-Monroe), Semein Ayala (CHI), Trent Davis (CHI), Ana Maturell (CHI), Wanda Walker (CHI), Laquica Tuff (CHI), Cyna Wright (DOH-Monroe).  Photo by Jennifer Lefelar, Public Information Officer for DOH-Monroe. 

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About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov. 

About Community Health of South Florida, Inc.

For more than 50 years, CHI has been a beacon of hope providing access to high quality healthcare for all regardless of insurance status, income level or background. The non-profit federally qualified health center offers comprehensive healthcare services including primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, dental, urgent care, behavioral health, vision, radiology, pharmacy, telehealth, transportation and more. CHI has 14 health centers and 36 school-based sites. CHI is a recipient of the Florida Governor’s Sterling Award.  It is accredited by the Joint Commission and is also accredited as a patient centered medical home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. CHI is also designated as a behavioral health medical home.  In addition, CHI is home to the Brodes H. Hartley Jr., Teaching Health Center, training the next generation of doctors in family medicine and psychiatry. For more information about Community Health of South Florida, Inc. please visit www.chisouthfl.org.

About Guidance Care Center, Inc.

Guidance/Care Center, Inc. (GCC) provides behavioral health services, education, and support to benefit people from all incomes and walks of life:  adults, children, and families, persons experiencing issues with mental health and/or substance abuse problems, persons in crisis, adults with serious and persistent mental illness, mothers and fathers working to be better parents, children and youth with a behavior problem.  GCC works collaboratively with other agencies, schools, private providers, law enforcement, hospitals and other behavioral health providers to support and enhance the benefits to our clients, consumers and other stake holders. Services available to women and pregnant women receive preference. GCC serves all clients regardless of inability to pay. Discounts for essential services are offered based on family size and income. For more information about GCC please visit http://www.guidancecarecenter.org.

About AH of Monroe County, Inc.

The mission of AH is HIV/AIDS counseling, testing and linkage to care.  The object, general purpose and nature of AH is to establish and maintain in Monroe County, Florida, a corporation that will provide case managed healthcare, food programs, counseling, housing, clinical, and other supportive and volunteer services; increase affordable housing by acquiring, developing, and maintaining low-income housing for persons in need; and conduct health education and linkage to care.  For more information about AH of Monroe County, Inc visit www.ahmonroe.org.