Special Programs

Lax Center Clinics

The Lax Center has two specialty clinics to better meet the needs of people living with HIV. The Hepatitis Clinic is a special program for those living with HIV and Hepatitis B and/or C. The MDR clinic is for those who have exhausted first line treatment, and need assistance in finding alternatives. You do not have to be a Lax Center patient to access these clinics. For more information, or to make an appointment, please call Julie Fort, nurse manager at 215-790-1788 ext. 117.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): The I AM Men’s Health Project

The I AM Men’s Health Project is a completely free program for young HIV-negative gay/bisexual men who are interested in learning more about men’s health issues and reducing their risk of HIV infection.

Participants meet weekly in a group setting to discuss topics such as HIV stigma, risk reduction, healthy eating, safe sex, and leadership skill development. Participants receive a one-week supply of TRUVADA® at each meeting, and remain under the close medical supervision of the Jonathan Lax Center. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, gay and bisexual men who took TRUVADA® daily before and after exposure to the HIV virus, and were counseled about safe sex practices, greatly lowered their risk of becoming infected with HIV.

Philadelphia FIGHT is the first organization in Philadelphia to start a PrEP program.

Get involved and be a part of the generation that will end the HIV epidemic! Fill in the form below to get more information about PrEP and to find out if you’re eligible for the I AM Men’s Health Project.

Pharmacy Adherence

LaNelta Nobles, Pharmacist, and Meredith Bethea, Pharmacy Technician, are assisting patients at the Jonathan Lax Treatment Center with all their medication needs. This includes, but is not limited to helping clients understand their prescribed medications and side effects, providing and setting up pill boxes, giving refill authorizations to pharmacies to continue filling medications, processing paperwork required to obtain authorization for medications not covered by insurance companies and counseling patients about medication side effects and the importance of taking their medication every day.

The Lax Women’s Health Program

The Lax Women’s Health Program is committed to excellent care for women with HIV that is comprehensive, team-based, and respectful of diverse cultural backgrounds and spiritual traditions. We partner with and support HIV positive women to heal, grow, maintain health, and achieve their goals.

The Women’s Program envisions a future in which HIV positive women from diverse communities are comfortable coming to The Lax Center for care.  Patients feel welcomed and respected by the supportive, multidisciplinary team, and are able to see themselves reflected among members of our staff.  The team partners with women to provide excellent care that allows them to heal, remain healthy, and achieve their goals.  This care includes:

• Support groups and activities that allow women to work through issues, build skills, and become empowered.
• Discussions about intimate relationships, how to avoid violence and create safety.
• Opportunities to move physically to promote health and reduce stress.
• Honoring different spiritual traditions.
• Childcare, GED classes, and other supportive services available on-site.
• Visits to women in their homes and communities for collaborative and comprehensive care.