YOUNSTOWN Ursulines, health officials cooperate to open HIV clinic

The clinic at Tod Children's Hospital closed due to budget cuts.
By PAUL WHEATLEY
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Plans are in the works to restore health care for area residents who are HIV positive.
The Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Ministry is working with the Youngstown Health District to bring an adult and pediatric HIV clinic back to the Mahoning Valley.
They hope to open the new clinic in April in the old South Side Hospital.
The Family-Centered HIV Clinic at Tod Children's Hospital closed Jan. 1 after budget cuts. The closest main clinics are in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Akron.
Sister M. Brigid Kennedy of the Ursuline Sisters said she started hearing rumors of the Tod clinic closure in October 2000. The clinic served about 29 patients, mainly children and pregnant women, she said, adding she hopes the new clinic can take on even more people.
Beside HIV treatment, Sister Brigid predicts doctors will be on staff to offer HIV-infected patients everything from care for earaches to vision tests.
Officials' reaction: Local health officials believe the clinic will serve a definite need.
"A number of folks, for a number of years, have been going out of town," said Neil Altman, Youngstown health commissioner.
People are already working to get the clinic open next month.
Altman said administrative work is the main thing hanging up the project so far.
He said contracts must be worked out and the proposal must be brought before the board of health for a vote before the clinic can open.
But although the Tod HIV clinic is closed, other support services are still going strong.
"The Ursuline Sisters AIDS ministry has not been affected by anything," said Sister Brigid , who helps run the ministries' many support services, such as community gatherings, support groups, travel aid and supply pantries.
The Ursuline Sisters receive most of their funding through individual contributions, church group drives and foundation support; the new clinic's start-up costs are being funded by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corp.