WINGS Clinic
(502) 561-8844

WINGS is a federally funded outpatient medical clinic for HIV+ persons. The goal of WINGS is 100% access to comprehensive medical care and 0% disparity in the quality of care provided. Wings provides services including primary care, infectious diseases, nutrition services, support groups, mental health assessments and referral, as well as a liaison to community services for those with HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS Agency Overview: WINGS Medical Clinic
by Deborah Wade, Program Director

The WINGS Clinic, part of the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, is Kentuckiana's only medical clinic specializing solely in care for HIV-positive people. WINGS was founded in 1995, focusing first on women, and received federal funding in July of 1999, expanding medical services to men and all people infected with HIV living in a 7-county region and portions of Southern Indiana. Funding for services comes to the University of Louisville Research Foundation from two federal grants under the Ryan White CARE Act. The CARE (Comprehensive AIDS Resources Administration) Act is the congressional legislation which is intended to help communities and states increase the availability of HIV-related primary health care and support services. The purpose of this Act is to reduce utilization of more costly inpatient care, increase access to care for underserved populations, and improve the quality of life of those infected and affected by the 25 year old AIDS epidemic. In 2001, UL Research Foundation was awarded a second grant for the delivery of HIV medical care and services that specifically targets women, adolescents, and families who are both infected and affected by HIV disease

The WINGS Clinic is the largest provider of HIV care in Kentucky. The number of patients seen has expanded tremendously. In 1999 there were 176 HIV-positive patients enrolled into care. Today there are currently 1,100 patients being served. Approximately 15-20 new patients are referred to our clinic each month. Current HIV services activities provided by the HIV medical clinic include: 1) HIV counseling & testing services; 2) Primary HIV medical services; 3) Client advocacy/financial eligibility services; 4) Mental health screening, assessment, treatment, referral and case management; 5) Substance abuse screening, assessment, treatment, and referral; 6) Nutritional assessment and referral; 7) Oral health care referrals; 8) On-site consultations with a pharmacist regarding medication adherence education and evaluation of medication tolerability; 9) Referrals to other specialty care within the UL medical clinics; and 10) Access to clinical drug trials.

The goal of the WINGS Clinic is 100% access to care with 0% disparity in the quality of care regardless of disability, social background, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation or ability to pay. Care is based on a sliding fee basis. If you have questions about WINGS or HIV medical services, please call (502) 561-8844. The WINGS Clinic is proud to be a member organization of AIDS Services Center Coalition and beneficiary of funds from the Louisville AIDS Walk.