trans•for•ma•tion–n., A marked change, as in appearance or character, usually for the better. AIDS RESOURCE CENTER OHIO Vision. Voice. Victory. 2013 Annual Report ARC Ohio Implements New HIV Patient-Centered Care Model For three decades we’ve dreamed about a cure for HIV/AIDS. While we’re not there yet, we have almost the next best thing. Today, with early diag- nosis and retention in our current treatment options, individuals living with HIV can expect to live long lives. Viral suppression is our highest goal for HIV treatment. Achieving HIV viral suppression means that the person’s immune system is intact, they will remain healthy, have a near normal life expectancy, and are up to 96 ARC Ohio Pharmacy Services Open percent less likely to transmit the virus. However, in spite of these advances, 20 percent of those living with HIV in the U.S. are unaware of their status. Among those who have been diagnosed, only 24 percent have achieved Along with the opening of the ARC Ohio Medical Center, an onsite full- suppressed viral loads. service pharmacy was established as an important component of the This tells us that many people are still not testing for HIV, they are not properly new model of care as well as earned income. The economic recession linked to treatment when they do test positive, and they are not retained and subsequent recovery have challenged many nonprofit agencies in care. These facts have completely shifted our nation’s strategies for and healthcare providers to meet a growing demand for services. For reaching and treating people living with HIV/AIDS. ARC Ohio, the challenge is to serve an ever-increasing number of HIV patients in the face of reduced private sector and government funding. To be on the cutting edge of care, in October 2012 ARC Ohio opened With 82 percent of ARC Ohio patients uninsured and 77 percent living in its first Medical Center and Pharmacy in Columbus’ Short North neigh- poverty, reimbursements do not fully cover the costs for medical care and borhood. Our Center adopts the best-practices model of AIDS Resource other services. A new revenue stream was needed so ARC Ohio would Center of Wisconsin, whose patients have achieved a 77 percent viral thrive despite the challenges to the nonprofit and healthcare sectors. suppression rate and the lowest HIV-related death rate in the U.S. The ARC Ohio Medical Center is a unique HIV patient-centered model that The ARC Ohio Pharmacy opened in November 2012. This “best practices” integrates medical, mental health, pharmacy and social services in a model helps ensure that our patients have access to life-saving medica- single location to address the health care needs of patients and over- tions while generating mission-related income to contribute to ARC Ohio’s come the social determinants of health including poverty, hunger, discrim- financial strength and sustain its services throughout Ohio. While physically ination and homelessness. co-located with our Short North Medical Center, the pharmacy serves patients statewide through mail-order delivery. Care at the ARC Ohio Medical Center is customized for each patient. A highly skilled team of infectious disease and primary care physicians, The ARC Ohio Pharmacy prioritizes outstanding customer service, easy nurse practitioners, medical case managers, mental health therapists, access to medications, and personalized patient counseling to increase substance abuse counselors and pharmacists work together in an inter- adherence. The pharmacy reached its 12-month enrollment goal of 300 disciplinary approach to develop optimal treatment plans to keep our patients in just four months, demonstrating that it is filling unmet needs as patients healthy. well as prescriptions. The outcomes have been remarkable. Within the first six months, our Medical Center and Pharmacy surpassed their year-one enrollment Open to the public, 100 percent of the proceeds from the ARC Ohio goals. Patients are praising improved access to services, the wonderful Pharmacy are invested to support and expand ARC Ohio medical, facility, and superb care they are receiving. As a result, we are already testing, prevention, and supportive services not adequately supported showing significant increases in viral suppression rates among our patients. by government grants or private fundraising revenues. With this By the twelfth month, we project 475 patients enrolled, including many entrepreneurial business model, patients and the general public are who previously had not been consistent in their treatment. There is no motivated to fill their prescriptions at the ARC Ohio Pharmacy because doubt: this model is transforming how we care for individuals living with they know they are helping people living with HIV and prevention HIV and contributing to longer, healthier lives. services across Ohio. Our model has been lauded by the corporate, philanthropic, financial, and nonprofit sectors for its sound business One patient at a time. strategy and likelihood to succeed. Transforming Our Image Dear Friends, The past year has brought many changes, including the introduction of a We are living in a time of extraordinary transformation. Or, more accurately, a new logo and brand identity. This new identity has helped launch the trans- convergence of multiple transformations. formation of ARC Ohio to a statewide care organization at the forefront of Healthcare reform is bringing sweeping changes, the full impact of which comprehensive HIV care and prevention. As part of this change we have is not yet known. The nonprofit and healthcare sectors are challenged to adopted the following beliefs: remain viable in the face of economic challenges, and shifting public and private support. • We believe that AIDS’ days are numbered, a day which will come sooner if we test and treat as many in Ohio as we can. And, remarkably, we’ve reached a point nearly inconceivable until recently. • We believe that a life with HIV can be more full of hope, health, Today, with early diagnosis and retention in treatment options currently available, individuals with HIV can reach viral suppression, giving new hope and honor than of submission, sickness, and shame. for long, healthy lives and much less risk of transmitting the virus. • We believe in treating the whole person–physically, emotionally, and socially. All these factors are transforming our nation’s strategies for reaching and • We believe that sometimes we need to be fearless and firm to treating people living with HIV/AIDS. make things fair in an unfair world. ARC Ohio has been undergoing strategic transformation, as well. Our recent consolidations and mergers have brought greater efficiencies, enhanced As we move forward our Vision is to surround those we serve with holistic capacities, stronger financial health, and more robust services. To be on care, support and vital services to meet their total needs. We will continue the cutting edge of care, especially for those not currently in treatment, last to provide a Voice for people impacted by HIV/AIDS in our communities. year we opened the first ARC Ohio Medical Center in Columbus. At the And we will focus on Victory when testing and treating to defeat HIV/AIDS. same time, we introduced the full-service ARC Ohio Pharmacy, dedicated primarily to providing medications for those living with HIV, but also open to the public to raise mission-based, entrepreneurial earned income to sustain our statewide services. Already, the medical center and pharmacy are exceeding our expectations for patient enrollment and, most importantly, clinical outcomes, including increased viral suppression rates. Today AIDS Resource Center Ohio is the state’s premier provider of a comprehensive, holistic, and coordinated response to HIV, from prevention to diagnosis and treatment. Last year we assisted more than 4,000 people with HIV on their journey to better health. Thousands of others were reached with testing and prevention services. Our size and programmatic breadth now make us one of the leading HIV/AIDS service organizations in the nation. We hope you will celebrate our progress and the care we have provided for so AIDS RESOURCE CENTER OHIO many, thanks to your support. And we urge you to continue your commitment to the vision, voice and victory we bring to thousands of Ohioans. Vision. Voice. Victory. Sincerely, William J. Hardy Bryan J. Bucklew President & CEO Chair, Board of Trustees President & CEO, Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association Christopher Knicely “I had repeated remissions into mania and schizophrenia in January 2009. I was at death’s door.” As a professional in the healthcare industry, Christopher Knicely never expected that he would be diagnosed with HIV. Yet in 2005, Christopher’s health began declining after a motor vehicle accident and it wasn’t long before he was given his diagnosis. But his physical health was not the only thing putting his life in danger. Like half of all persons living with HIV, Christopher was also struggling with serious emotional and mental health challenges. It was these problems that made it extremely difficult for him to take his medications properly and jeopardized his health and treatment. When Christopher needed help he turned to ARC Ohio. “Physically HIV can be controlled by medications, but the mental anguish that comes along with it cannot be written off or ignored. It never leaves.” Integrated care is the core of the holistic, HIV patient-centered model at the ARC Ohio Medical Center. Like Christopher, all ARC Ohio Medical Center patients have access not just to medical care, but to counseling, support groups, harm reduction addictions treatment, case management, financial aid, housing assistance, and other services that contribute to optimal health outcomes. Without ARC Ohio, Christopher believes he might not be with us today, “ARC Ohio kept me alive. It gave me a lot of clarity and kept me going and fighting for my total health.” Now Christopher is leading a successful life as an EMT and his viral load is undetectable.