January 12, 2007
REUNITED
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Two leading HIV/AIDS and LGBT clinics in Washington DC are rejoining; staff of the Washington Free Clinic will join the Whitman-Walker Clinic to boost Whitman Walker's Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center and provide comprehensive care to the District's medically underserved, including the LGBT community and people living with HIV/AIDS.
The Washington Free Clinic was established in 1968 and is the oldest free clinic on the East Coast. In 1973, it launched the Gay Men's VD Clinic and in 1977 the Gay Men's VD Clinic was incorporated as Whitman-Walker Clinic.
Gregg Payne, Director of the DC Department of Health said the combination "puts Whitman-Walker Clinic at the forefront of integrating primary care into HIV/AIDS care."
Jim Graham, a former W-W ED and Ward 1 Councilman said the move is an "historic step in the evolution of Whitman-Walker Clinic and health care in our city".
Raymond Blanks, a DC Community HIV Planning Group member, applauded the collaboration, while noting it's not really a merger of equals.
"The Washington Free Clinic is a great place without adequate resources, said Blanks. He cautioned that the merger must include additional attention to cultural competence, "in order to ensure effective services to the minority and immigrant populations that the Washington Free Clinic currently serves so well."