Ribbon-cutting Friday, July 11th - 11:00 a.m.

Patient-centered model allows for utmost discretion and one-to-one HIV care

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is pleased to announce the dedication of its AHF Healthcare Center and Wellness Center in Tacoma, Washington, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony set for Friday, July 11. The state-of-the-art facility, AHF’s first in the Tacoma area—features AHF’s innovative patient-centered clinic model, eliminating waiting rooms.

The health care center delivers cutting-edge medical care and services to patients living with HIV regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The site also houses an AHF Wellness Center, offering free and confidential STD and HIV testing, counseling, and access to resources like PrEP and PEP.

“Our Tacoma AHF Healthcare and Wellness Centers have no waiting room, so patients are immediately escorted to treatment rooms and serviced from a centrally located provider workstation,” said Marcelino Alcorta, AHF Western Bureau Chief. “The goal here is to maximize efficiency using this innovative patient-centered model to improve health outcomes and increase retention in care.”

AHF Tacoma

The AHF Tacoma Healthcare and Wellness Center offers welcoming, client-centered care designed to meet the evolving needs of Pierce County’s most vulnerable residents. Core services include: Primary HIV Medical Care & Wellness Services, Medical Case Management & Care Coordination, Free Comprehensive HIV/STI Testing, Same-Day PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) for HIV prevention, and an on-site Wellness Center for walk-in sexual health support.

AHF Wellness Centers are a part of AHF's broader mission to provide comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and advocacy. AHF Tacoma also operates a Mobile Testing Unit that delivers free HIV/STI testing directly into the community—meeting clients where they are and eliminating barriers to access for those most in need.

Additional Supportive Services at AHF Tacoma

With funding from Washington State’s Ryan White Part B program, AHF Tacoma provides wraparound services that address key social determinants of health. These services include: Medical Case Management – individualized treatment coordination, Food Vouchers – addressing nutritional needs, Linguistic Services – inclusive and culturally competent care, Housing Assistance – supporting housing stability for clients, Psychosocial Support – mental health and peer services, and Emergency Financial Assistance – for urgent, short-term needs.

These services are particularly critical for clients experiencing compounding vulnerabilities, including LGBTQIA+ individuals facing stigma, housing insecurity, and limited access to affirming healthcare.

Washington State HIV and STIs (2023)

In 2023, over 39,000 people were newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the United States. In Washington state, 421 people were newly diagnosed (rate of 5.4 per 100,000 population) and for Tacoma city, Pierce County, 60 people were diagnosed (rate of 6.4 per 100,000 population) in that same time period [A].

14,873 people are living with HIV in Washington state, 12,803 are engaged in care (86%), and 11,711 have achieved viral suppression (79%) [A]. In Pierce County, 1,694 people are living with HIV which is 11% of all people living with HIV in the state. 1,385 are engaged in care (82%), and 1,239 have achieved viral suppression (73%). Pierce is the county with the second highest HIV prevalence and new diagnoses after King County (Seattle) in Washington.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, provides cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 2.4 million individuals across 48 countries, including the U.S. and in Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Eastern Europe. In January 2025, AHF received the MLK, Jr. Social Justice Award, The King Center’s highest recognition for an organization leading work in the social justice arena. To learn more about AHF, visit us online at AIDShealth.org, find us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250709210461/en/