Love the Golden Rule: Treating Patients with Dignity, Love and Compassion

Dr. Bob Wallace, Treating Patients with Dignity, Love, and Compassion. Photo by Musaweron

Love the Golden Rule

By Suzanne Driscoll

Dr. Bob Wallace decided to specialize in treating patients with HIV/ AIDS for one simple reason: Many of his friends were dying. A 1982 graduate of the University of Florida College of Medicine and among the first students there to be openly gay, he started his career when many members of the LGBTQ community were infected with a mysterious new disease for which there were no treatments.

After working in a walk-in clinic for a few years, Dr. Wallace opened his own practice in St. Pete in 1987. He made it his passion to do all he could to stop the spread of HIV. “I participated in every clinical trial possible and attended every HIV conference related to the treatment of HIV/AIDS,” Dr. Wallace recalls. “In one particular trial, I had more patients enrolled than any other practice in the world.”

One drug for which he worked as a lead investigator would become known as Emtriva. Today it is a key component of some of the oncedaily medications now available. Dr. Wallace is also a founding board member of the organization that would come to be known as the American Academy of HIV Medicine.

The good news is that anyone now infected with HIV/AIDs can expect to live a normal lifespan. Patients take one pill, once per day, that generally has no side effects.

However, prevention remains a major goal, since Florida has the highest rate of new HIV infections in the country. Today those at risk can take a daily pill known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It is highly effective for preventing HIV when taken as prescribed. It reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99%, and from injection drug use by 74%.

For those interested in an alternative to daily prevention pills, there is now Apretude, which is injected every two months. It has been shown to reduce the incidence of HIV infection by 99%, but since it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), those sexually active are advised to use condoms.

Other Specialties

Love the Golden Rule was founded in 2013 and specializes in treating and curing Hepatitis C. An added benefit is that it negotiated agreements with large pharmaceutical companies to provide Hepatitis C medications at no cost for patients not covered by insurance.

The practice also provides primary medical care and addiction treatments for adults. It accepts many forms of insurance and works on a sliding scale with patients who have no insurance or are out of network. Anyone can get a free HIV or Hepatitis C test by scheduling an appointment.

Removing the Stigma of Monkeypox

As the monkeypox virus began to spread earlier this year, Dr. Wallace sprang into action. “I was interviewed on a variety of news channels six times in two weeks to emphasize this was not a disease of just the gay community,” he says.

Dr. Wallace named his practice “Love the Golden Rule” because he was brought up to believe people should be treated how he would want to be treated. “When I worked for the health department, I remember being at a homeless shelter in a medical mobile van where patients were left standing in a parking lot in 95-degree weather with no water and no shade for hours,” he says. “I vowed then I would always treat my patients with dignity and respect, and we practice this each and every day.”

Love the Golden Rule is at 3000 First Ave N in St. Pete, and appointments can be made by calling (727) 826-0700. For additional information or to make a donation to help those not covered by insurance, please visit LoveTheGoldenRule.com.