‘The DOCK’ clinic opens at the Desert AIDS Project
A new clinic specializing in screening and counseling people for sexually transmitted diseases opened it’s doors today.
The DOCK is located on the south side of the Desert AIDS Project building at 1695 N. Sunrise Way in Palm Springs.
That ramp that leads to the entrance for the clinic is in the loading dock area of the Lila & Morris Linsky Food Depot at D.A.P. and is part of the reason for the new clinic’s name. “We also thought it was a fun play on words for the “docs,” the doctors, that people are going to find at this new clinic,” said David Brinkman, CEO of Desert AIDS Project.
“The DOCK is a separate clinic marketed separately to the community, for people who are HIV negative, it provides the services of STD testing and treatment,” said Prevention, Intervention, and Education Manager, Rafael Gonzalez with D.A.P.
For those who test negative for HIV, there are now new forms of medication called pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs or PrEP drugs, which can help stop the spread of the disease.
“So you’ll get tested for HIV and you’ll get the counseling and talk about PrEP, then you’re referred to the providers here, so if the doctor and the patient decide that PrEP is right for them, then they’ll be able to get prescribed PrEP,” said Gonzalez.
“People with STDs are medically at greater risk of acquiring HIV, so all of the services offered at The DOCK are inter-related and important to sexual health,” said Dr. Steven Scheibel, medical director of both Desert AIDS Project and The DOCK.
The DOCK also has a group of different types of medical professionals who can help with the emotional burden of testing positive for an STD.
“We offer STD testing, we offer STD counseling, you don’t have to feel uncomfortable and don’t have to say I want to get treated for syphilis, we know what people are going to come here to get tested for and were going to check all that,” said Gonzalez.
Testing for a variety of other sexually transmitted diseases are done here as well. Since diseases like syphilis are evolving and changing all the time. The most aggressive new form can make people with HIV go blind. And these diseases can effect anyone of any race or gender.
“We get to reach out to the whole community, not only just a certain type of person, not just people who are HIV positive, but people who are HIV negative or anyone that is sexually active and wants to get tested for STD,” said Early Intervention Specialist, Vivianna Raya with D.A.P.
Free HIV testing and PrEP counseling will be available on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM with no appointment necessary. For those who would prefer a scheduled time, appointments can be made between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM on Monday or Thursday only by calling 760-992-0492.
Those interested in starting PrEP can visit The DOCK to confirm their HIV-negative status – a requirement for beginning PrEP, as well as to receive counseling and have their questions answered, all at no cost. Those interested in considering PrEP may then schedule a follow-up appointment with a medical provider at The DOCK, who will confirm whether PrEP is appropriate and prescribe medication accordingly.
