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(English) Clinica Esperanza: Celebrating Thirty Years of Hope

(English) At a festive event on November 21, 2019, community members, clients and staff joined together to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Clinica Esperanza, MNHC’s HIV clinic. As guests arrived, they were greeted by a slide show celebrating the many devoted staff over the years and an art gallery of masks that lined the perimeter of the room. The art gallery displayed masks created by patients, family members, partner organizations, and staff in a weekly workshop. Participants made a cast of their face and then decorated it to reflect their emotions and the impact of HIV in their lives and community. The workshop is held yearly to celebrate AIDS world day; this year it was held in conjunction with the celebration of the clinic’s anniversary.

 

 

 

 

 

An ambitious idea when it started 30 years ago, today the clinic serves about 425 patients, mostly Latino men. All services are available in Spanish and English. Services include primary medical care, case management, behavioral health, HIV testing, HIV prevention, nutrition services, support services, and activities such as the mask making workshop and stress reduction knitting group.

MNHC Executive Director Brenda Storey, herself a former director of HIV services at MHNC, opened the official ceremony welcoming the guests. “Clinic of Hope, that’s what you get when you bring community together with activism, caring and heart,” she said. “You can make an impact against fear, HIV, stigma and discrimination. Now even though effective treatment has rendered HIV a chronic disease, there is still the vision to eliminate new HIV infections bringing community together.”

Hillary Ronen, San Francisco Supervisor of District 9, was honored for her social justice and healthcare support. “Fighting against gentrification,” said Brenda Storey, MNHC executive director, “we acknowledge her support and tireless advocacy for our patient population.” Ms. Ronen then presented Clinica Esperanza leadership with a certificate for “unwavering commitment to the Latino community.”

“At this moment, programs like Clinica Esperanza give me hope that we will get through these turbulent times,” Ms. Ronen said. “This program is nothing but heroic. Whereas we used to have to work in the dark of night, now we can operate in the light of the day. I am here to honor how incredible and radical Clinica Esperanza truly is. Heroes like Brenda Storey, Fernando Gomez-Benitez (HIV services director from 2002-2008) had to step in to keep the clinic alive. It’s truly a team with heart.”

Valerie Gallo, Deputy Regional Administrator at Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the Department of Health and Human Services also attended the festivities to celebrate the anniversary.  “I believe in what MNHC does, especially because of their commitment to their patients at all levels,” she said.

Alison Wakefield, the current director of HIV Services honored Virginia Scribner, nurse clinic manager, considered by many to be the heart of Clinica Esperanza, for her 30 years of service to the clinic and her importance in the lives of her patients. After a big round of applause from the attendees, many of whom are Clinica Esperanza clients she said “This role has been the best thing ever in my life. It has given my life purpose. I’m not leaving yet but what scares me the most about leaving is how much I will miss my patients.”

 

Wrapping up the presentation, two patients shared the impact of Clinica Esperanza on their lives. “Being a part of Clinica Esperanza just makes life easier,” said one gentleman. “I have never felt judged, just cared for.”

“I feel as if I acquired a new family at Clinica Esperanza who truly cares,” stated another client. “I’ve lost 70% of the people I know to this disease and I never thought I’d make it to age 78. I feel great all because of these wonderful people.”

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