Helping Patients Connect to Care—and Stay Connected

For patients living with HIV, getting care can mean navigating appointments, medication coverage, eligibility paperwork, and everyday needs such as food and transportation. Neighborhood Health’s Ryan White team helps patients work through those challenges so they can stay connected to care.

Led by Absara Haile, Associate Director of the Ryan White Program, the team works across Neighborhood Health’s Mark Center and Casey Clinic, bringing together providers, nurses, and case managers to support each patient. That support can include applying for medication assistance, coordinating referrals, explaining medications, and connecting patients with dental care, behavioral health services, and community resources.

Sometimes, the most meaningful help happens in small moments: sitting with a patient to organize a medication box, answering questions about a referral, or helping someone understand the next step in their care.

Absara’s commitment to this work began early in her career. While working in hospital research, she noticed the same patients returning and wondered what was missing between discharge and readmission. That curiosity led her to community health—and a focus on helping people access care and support before they need another hospital visit.

Today, she also oversees HIV prevention services, including outreach, HIV and sexually transmitted infection testing, and connections to PrEP services. A new Gilead FOCUS grant will support HIV and hepatitis screening and help connect patients to care.

For Absara, the team’s connection to the community is central to its work. Many Neighborhood Health staff members come from the communities they serve, bringing an understanding of the challenges their neighbors face and a personal commitment to helping them.

“They’re here because they really genuinely care,” she says.