The Ryan White HIV Center of Excellence
The Ryan White HIV Center of Excellence (COE) has received Ryan White Part B funding from the Tennessee Department of Health for more than 20 years. The COE provides an interdisciplinary, team-based approach focusing on HIV testing and treatment, primary care, mental health services, case management, and assistance with food, transportation, and medication. In addition, services such as prevention and education, harm reduction and the opportunity to participate in research are provided in partnership with community and university organizations.
The COE will now be able to expand its services thanks to the award of Ryan White Part C funds. The Ryan White (Part C) Early Intervention Services grant awards $975,159 over the course of three years and will allow the COE to establish a new clinical site in Sullivan County in conjunction with the division of Infectious Diseases at Quillen College of Medicine.
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As of 2023, the COE in HIV/AIDS hosts two Ryan White Programs:
Part BGrants for care to the entire United States and all territories, specifically covering medications, core medical and support services. Requirements for Part B Ryan White funds require a diagnosis of HIV and an income eligibility determination in conjunction with federal requirements and the Ryan White Part B consortia. CARE Act services are intedned to reduce the use of more costly inpatient care, increase access to care for underserved populations, and improve the quality of life for those affected by the epidemic. The CARE Act works toward these goals by funding local and state programs that provide primary medical care and support services.
Part C Provides grants to local community-based organizations, such as rural hospitals, Indian health services, nonprofit organizations and others. Grants are aimed toward capacity building and early intervention services. The COE HIV/AIDS became the Ryan White Part C grantee for Tennessee’s Northeast region in 2023. Ryan White Part C funds are provided by the federal government to clinical programs to ensure people living with HIV/AIDS have access to comprehensive HIV primary health care and support services. The COE HIV/AIDS was already the largest HIV medical provider in the area when it became a Ryan White Part C grantee. The Ryan White Part C grant supports medical care costs for the COE HIV/AIDS uninsured HIV+ patients, as well as mental health services and support groups for men, retention services, transportation assistance, walk-in HIV testing services and the Ryan White Patient Advisory Board.
Ryan White funds are used only as a payor of last resort, when no other source of payment exists.