Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting of New GMHC Center for HIV Prevention

What:
GMHC will host the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new GMHC Center for HIV Prevention.  The new Center consists of state-of-the art HIV testing services (also syphilis and hepatitis C testing), the Community Health Department which primarily focuses on HIV prevention and research programs, a new youth leadership-development program, and MOMS Pharmacy (full pharmaceutical services)--all in a storefront setting.  A tour of the new Center will also be provided.

Who:
Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer and Janet Weinberg, Chief Operating Officer of GMHC will be joined by elected and government officials, leadership of community-based organizations and funders.

When:
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
9:00 am to 10:00 am

Where:
GMHC Center for HIV Prevention
224 West 29th Street - 3rd floor
(between 7th and 8th Avenues)
NYC
 
Why:
The new location will enable GMHC to expand its services to meet the growing and complex needs of people affected by HIV/AIDS.  In this 30th year of the epidemic, HIV continues to rise at alarming rates--locally and nationally--particularly among women, African Americans, Latinos and men who have sex with men. 

Recently, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported that Chelsea has the highest rates of HIV infection in the city.  Of those infected in Chelsea in 2009, roughly 75 percent of those diagnosed with HIV were men who have sex with men, compared to 43 percent of those diagnosed citywide who were men who have sex with men, according to the report.

Interviews and photo opportunities with GMHC's leadership and elected officials will be available.

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GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS.  We provide prevention and care services to men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City.  We advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.