RC: How long have you been with Care Resource? RG: I have been with Care Resource for three years, and I currently serve as the health center's medical director. RC: Tell us more about Care Resource's Miami Beach office. RG: Our newly renovated Miami Beach office is one of our newest locations, located at 1680 Michigan Avenue, Suite 912. Staff that serve at the Miami Beach location include Albert Canas, MD, Internal Medicine/Primary Care Physician; Shari Klinger, MD, Internal Medicine/Primary Care Physician; Marlene Anne Jarin, MD, Primary Care Physician; Dario Archille, APRN, Nurse Practitioner; Lauren Abern, MD, Gynecologist; Gregg Pizzi, PsyD, Psychologist; Harold Balvin, Medical Case Manager; Maria Gabriela Perez, Housing Specialist; and myself. RC: What services does this office provide to the LGBTQ community? RG: Care Resource offers complete medical care in a friendly and professional environment. We provide same-day or next day appointments and prioritize keeping people healthy and providing care when and where they need it with approaches that attend to the whole health needs of patients – both physical and psychosocial. We will be introducing our Medicated-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program for opioid addiction in the near future. MAT is the use of FDA-approved medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a "whole-patient" approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Gynecologic services are also offered. RC: What sets Care Resource apart from other LGBTQ nonprofits? RG: Care Resource is a leader in LGBTQ healthcare equality and is committed to providing services that are sensitive to the needs of the LGBTQ community. Since our founding 35 years ago, Care Resource's services have promoted awareness, provided support for physical and mental health, and have been delivered with a supportive and
Photo provided by Care Resource Photo by J.R. Davis
22 WIREMAG.COM #07 2019
Photo by J.R. Davis
culturally sensitive environment. Moreover, the health center provides quality, compassionate, and informed care for our transgender patients. We serve transgender people and people at various places on the spectrum of gender identity and expression. We are committed to delivering healthcare in our region, and we proudly work together with our transgender community to lead the way in eliminating barriers to care. Care Resource is more than just a four-walled medical office. A patient once described Care Resource as "good people taking care of good people." RC: Tell us about AIDS Walk Miami 2019. RG: The 31st Annual AIDS Walk Miami 5K (3.1 miles) walkathon fundraiser on Sunday, April 28, 2019, will be held in Miami Beach at SoundScape Park. Congresswoman Donna Shalala will be serving as the master of ceremonies. She served as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Bill Clinton, was the president of the University of Miami and president of the Clinton Foundation. Registration and opening ceremonies begin at 8 a.m. and the Walk begins promptly at 9 a.m. The post-walk celebration begins at 9:30 a.m. with a community health fair and a variety of activities for the entire family, including free wellness screenings, HIV/STI testing, giveaways, a kids area and dozens of booths with information about available medical and support resources available to the community. Visit aidswalkmiami.org for more information. RC: What sets AIDS Walk Miami apart from other walks in South Florida? RG: AIDS Walk Miami is South Florida's oldest fundraising event in making an impact in the fight against HIV/AIDS. It funds supportive services at Care Resource designed to stabilize and empower clients living with or affected by HIV, including guiding our clients through our referral and monitoring programs, connecting them with HIV specialists in various fields of medicine, prevention education, transportation vouchers, food, rent, and utility assistance. The fundraiser permits Care Resource and Food For Life Network to continue providing impactful and critical help annually to those individuals who depend on its essential services: primary medical and dental care, HIV and STI testing, case management, counseling, prevention education, housing, food and nutritional assistance, and much more.