Desert AIDS Project Welcomes Dr. Mark Coleman

(PALM SPRINGS, CA – January 28, 2008)

Dr. Mark M. Coleman has joined the staff of Desert AIDS Project as a primary care physician in the Wells Fargo HIV Health Center. He joins Dr. Clayton Barbour, Medical Director, Joe Dahman, Nurse Practitioner, and Dr. Shubha Kerkar, Infectious Disease Specialist, in providing treatment to D.A.P.’s current patient base of about 2,300.

“All of our physicians are credentialed by the American Association of HIV Medicine and possess the most current base of knowledge for treating HIV and AIDS,” says David Brinkman, Executive Director of Desert AIDS Project. “As the only health center in an 11,250 square mile radius offering specialty HIV medical services, D.A.P. prides itself on providing the best possible care to our patients. Dr. Coleman is a welcome addition to our medical staff.”

In addition to its medical services, Desert AIDS Project provides clients with case management or care coordination, including home health care workers for those clients who are home-bound. D.A.P. also provides food, housing, transportation, legal, dental, and optometry services, as well as mental health, substance abuse, and support group programs.

The Education, Prevention, and Testing Department at D.A.P. aims to reduce the rate of HIV infection locally. Confidential, rapid-result HIV testing is offered at eight locations and community outreach is conducted to high risk populations at parks, homeless shelters, bars and clubs, and health fairs. Information is also presented at substance abuse and probation programs, at-risk youth facilities, community organizations, school districts, prison and faith communities.

Desert AIDS Project at the Greenburg-Peet Family Center is the organization in our community where people living with HIV and AIDS can receive comprehensive services to help manage HIV disease. D.A.P. offers primary medical care through its Wells Fargo HIV Health Center. The Project provides widespread education and prevention services for schools, civic organizations, businesses, churches, and health organizations throughout the communities it serves. Anonymous HIV testing is also provided. For more information, call 760-323-2118.