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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About …

by Daniel Vaillancourt

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About DoxyPEP

Words by Daniel Hirsch

 

A hefty dose of antibiotics. A big syringe in the derrière. Getting treated for an STI is not fun — to say nothing of the symptoms and risks involved with contracting one like syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia. With the CDC reporting rising numbers — gonorrhea is up 11% over the last five years, syphilis is up 79% — risk of infection is on the rise.

 

However, clinicians around the country, spurred by recently released guidance from the CDC, are recommending the antibiotic doxycycline as a means of post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP for short) to prevent the spread of STIs. I spoke with DAP Health Chief of Community Health C.J. Tobe about this prevention strategy.

 

Let’s start with the basics. What is DoxyPEP?

DoxyPEP, or doxycycline, is a 200 milligram pill that can be taken within 24 to 72 hours after sex. It reduces a person’s chance of contracting either chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis by up to 70%. Doxycycline has been around for quite some time and is used to treat STIs and acne.

 

How sexually active do you need to be to justify a prescription?

It’s going to look different depending on a person’s lifestyle and the conversation with their provider. For example, if you have sex Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, you can take DoxyPEP that Monday morning and you’re good. Let’s say you’re having sex five times a week, then you should probably talk to your doctor about switching to DoxyPrEP.

 

And what’s DoxyPrEP?

DoxyPrEP would be taking 100 milligrams of doxycycline daily as a preventative measure. That’s typically for people who either want to make sure they’re protected, or they’re having frequent sex, or they may be a sex worker.

 

Are there side effects? Isn’t doxy tough on the GI tract?

A lot of the side effects that get reported are GI issues. So we recommend people take the medication with food or a carbonated drink. When people take a higher dose of doxycycline, like 200 milligrams twice a day, the side effects increase. If you go on DoxyPrEP, that’s just 100 milligrams once a day. And I can tell you it’s such a low dose that the majority of folks don’t have side effects.

 

One of my worst nightmares, and it’s one shared by the World Health Organization, is that an STI becomes resistant to antibiotics. Is that a concern with people regularly taking doxy?

Part of the medical community is hesitant to embrace this strategy because they don’t know what could happen in terms of drug resistance. The other half are saying, “We need to get people on it right now because it’s an important preventative tool.” There’s always going to be a risk of drug resistance when people don’t follow the dosing recommendation of a doctor. As a public health person seeing the rise in STIs, I think a patient who is having sex should have that conversation with their doctor and see if DoxyPEP is right for them. Personally, I’ve been on doxy since 2020 and it’s been a lifesaver.

Feeding a Family on a Budget

by Daniel Vaillancourt

Feeding a Family on a Budget

Here are eight tips for smart shopping.

Words by Maggie Downs

 

Feeding a family while on a budget can be challenging. But with strategic planning and smart shopping, it’s possible to provide nutritious meals without breaking the bank, says registered dietician Robert Davis from the Comprehensive Perinatal Services program at DAP Health. Here are his tips to maximize your budget while keeping your family well-fed.

 

Meal Planning

Start by planning your meals for the week ahead. Take stock of what ingredients you already have on hand and build your meals around those. Plan meals that use similar ingredients to minimize waste and save money. “Choose just one day to do your planning and shopping so you know what you have and can shop for just enough to take you through the week,” Davis says.

 

Shop With a List

Make a grocery list before heading to the store — and stick to it. This will help prevent impulse buys and ensure you have everything you need to prepare your planned meals. “Don’t get distracted by sale items,” Davis says. “So many times, the sale items are tricky at getting us in the door at the grocery store, but they tend to be the highly processed foods, like cookies or chips or crackers. Some of these foods won’t provide as much nutrition, and they might even make us more hungry.”

 

Don’t Skip the Frozen Aisle

Frozen produce is nutritious, readily available, and can be even more economical than buying fresh. It can also save time in the kitchen, since the produce doesn’t require trimming and washing.

 

Embrace Meatless Meals

Incorporating vegetarian meals into your weekly menu is an excellent way to save money. Beans, lentils, tofu, and eggs are all affordable sources of protein that can be used in place of more expensive meats and dairy. “Non-animal foods are very nutritious and budget-friendly as well,” Davis says. “Consider two days a week having a family meal that doesn’t involve animal proteins.”

 

Shop Seasonally

Purchase fruits and vegetables that are in season, as they tend to be less expensive and more flavorful. Visit the farmers market for fresh produce that supports local growers.

 

Buy in Bulk

Stocking up on staple items can save you money in the long run. Look for deals on larger quantities, and consider joining a wholesale club to access greater savings. “Some of the shelf-stable grain options can be created faster than going out and getting something from a restaurant,” Davis says. He recommends keeping the pantry packed with brown rice, whole wheat pasta, or quinoa, which are all high in fiber, offer B vitamins, and can be cooked quickly with some veggies and a protein.

 

Utilize Leftovers

Don’t let leftovers go to waste! Get creative and repurpose leftover ingredients into new meals. For example, leftover roasted vegetables can be added to salads or turned into a hearty soup. Davis likes myplate.gov for recipe ideas.

 

Cook From Scratch

Pre-packaged and convenience foods are often more expensive than cooking from scratch. Invest in basic ingredients, and learn to prepare simple meals at home. Not only will this save you money, but the time spent with family can be priceless.

Dining Out For Life Greater Palm Springs …

by Daniel Vaillancourt

Annual Philanthropic Foodie Event Happens Thursday, April 25

 

DAP Health participates in the one-day North American gastronomic fundraiser for the 19th year.

 

 

Dining Out For Life® — the annual, North American foodie fundraising event that has collected more than nearly 100 million dollars for community-based organizations that serve people living with or impacted by HIV since its inception in 1991 — will take place in Palm Springs and across the Coachella Valley on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Every year since 2005, Greater Palm Springs has participated in the all-day/all-night affair on behalf of DAP Health. And on each of those occasions, locals, snowbirds, and tourists have swelled with pride and come out in droves to raise much-needed funds while enjoying the generosity of participating local restaurants, bars, cafés, and bakeries that donate anywhere from 30 to 110% of their entire day’s and/or evening’s receipts — not just the profits — to the legendary effort.

Thanks to the generous support of participating restaurants, volunteers, and community members, Greater Palm Springs perennially places in the top three successful markets in the country. In 2023, 72 desert establishments participated to raise more than $270,000 — more than San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and other large urban centers.

With more than 12,000 local supporters expected to dine out for life at breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner, and/or late night this year, the 2024 goal is for Dining Out For Life Greater Palm Springs to grab the number one spot.

Eager participants are urged to visit daphealth.org/dofl, make reservations well in advance, and prepare to satisfy their hunger and thirst as many times as possible on April 25 to beat the North American record right here in our own back yard. If their favorite eatery hasn’t yet made its participation public, diners should speak up and urge the powers that be to sign up ASAP.

For the second year in a row, on the night before — from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. — DAP Health will host a Bar Crawl on Arenas Road in Palm Springs that will serve as the official kickoff of DOFLGPS 2024. Drag performer Jackett Knightley, the event’s special ambassador, will “Pied Piper” patrons from bar to bar, where DAP Health volunteers will provide proof of participation by punching each revealer’s Bar Crawl bingo card.  

DOFL National’s website states that each year “more than 50 local HIV service organizations partner with 2,400+ participating restaurants, 4,100+ volunteers, and 300,000+ diners to raise over $4.5 million for people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States and Canada. The best part? All funds raised through a city’s Dining Out For Life event stay in that city to provide help and hope to people living with or impacted by HIV/AIDS.”

“Because we were founded 40 years ago as a response to the AIDS crisis, Dining Out For Life has always been of supreme importance to DAP Health’s staff and patients,” says CEO David Brinkman. “Since our recent tremendous expansion has allowed us to increase our award-winning HIV/AIDS care from three to five of our 25 clinics, this annual event is more important to us than ever.”

To register as a Dining Out For Life in-restaurant volunteer ambassador on April 25 — or to sign on as a participating establishment, please contact Bruce Benning at [email protected] or 760.320.7854.

Participating Restaurants at Press Time

1501 Uptown Gastropub

Aspen Mills Bakery & Café

Barracks Bar

Bongo Johnny’s

Carousel Bakery

Chef Tanya’s Kitchen Palm Desert

Chef Tanya’s Kitchen Palm Springs

Chicken Ranch

Clandestino

Copley’s on Palm Canyon

Cork & Fork

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge

El Mirasol at Los Arboles

El Mirasol Cocina Mexicana

El Patio Palm Springs

Elmer’s

FARM

Gelato Granucci

Grand Central

Heirloom Craft Kitchen

Impala Bar & Grill Nightclub

Johannes

Johnny Costa’s Ristorante

Kaiser Grille

Le Donne Cucina Italiana

Lulu California Bistro

Palm Greens Café

Purple Room

Spencer’s Restaurant at the Mountain

Tac/Quila

The Front Porch

Toucan’s

Townie Bagels

Trio Restaurant

Willie’s Modern Fare

Zin American Bistro

Dining Out For Life Greater Palm Springs 2024 Sponsors at Press Time

Steve Tobin, Johnny Krupa, and The Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation

Media Sponsors

Alpha Media

KESQ ABC News Channel 3

KGAY 106.5 & 92.1, GayDesertGuide.LGBT and 103.1 MeTVfm

NBC Palm Springs

High-Flying Volunteer

by Daniel Vaillancourt

                         Star DAP Health volunteer Jim Gonzales and fashion icon Donna Karan.

High-Flying Volunteer

Jim Gonzales has been all over the globe, but there’s no place like DAP Health.

Words by Kent Black

It might be said that Jim Gonzales is used to the thin air of high altitudes. The Raton, New Mexico native (elev. 6680 feet) worked for Frontier and United Airlines as a flight attendant for 37 years, jetting all over the world to favorite destinations such as Barcelona and Sydney. “I much preferred flying to being in an office,” he says from his lovely home near the Parker Palm Springs. “You get on the airplane, do your job, be nice, and then go home.”

When Gonzales retired in 2015, he and his late husband moved to the desert. Having volunteered for his union for the Colorado AIDS Project, he reached out to DAP Health to see what he could do to help. The nonprofit obliged. His first assignment was to help work the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards, overseeing the silent auction. “I was really nervous as heck about it,” he admits, “but we ended up doing really well.”

Since then, his volunteer portfolio has grown to include duties commensurate with his welcoming and personable disposition. Each January, he donates his time at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

At DAP Health, he helps with fundraising for the organization’s Partners For Life major donor program, its annual Health Equity Walk, and the client Thanksgiving feast. He’s also one of the rotating volunteers who guides the monthly Impact Hour, where guests are led on a behind-the-scenes tour of the DAP Health campus and introduced to its programs and services. “It’s really impressive. Especially when we show them the 61-unit apartment building going up,” he says. “And there’s always a client present to talk about their journey and how they got there.”

Since making Palm Springs his home, Gonzales says, “I have been afforded the opportunity to work with and meet many giving and wonderful people who are also committed to the mission of DAP Health. Helping everyone who has a need … what could be better?”

And, of course, he’s always available for The Chase. Last year, he had the honor of escorting fashion designer and philanthropist Donna Karan when she was honored with DAP Health’s Equity Award. As a seasoned awards escort, what fashion icon does he hope to guide along the red carpet in the future? Perhaps Norma Kamali? “Oh, no,” he says. “I’m hoping for Tom Ford.”

To learn more about how to become a volunteer at DAP Health—at Revivals thrift stores, at special events, or on campus—please click here.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About …

by Daniel Vaillancourt

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Poppers

Words by Daniel Hirsch

 

Poppers. Not only are they a staple of disco dance floors, sex shops, and — more recently — gay internet memes, but openly queer pop star Troye Sivan recently placed them front and center in the mainstream by openly paying homage to them with his summer 2023 smash hit “Rush,” a song title that not-so-coincidentally is the name of a beloved brand of poppers.

But what exactly are poppers? What risks do they present users? And how can these risks be mitigated? I spoke with DAP Health Chief of Community Health C.J. Tobe and asked all of the tough questions.

 

What are poppers?

C.J. Tobe: Basically, poppers is the casual name for a liquid inhalant. Most people are probably familiar with using poppers on the dance floors in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. Then they transitioned into being extremely useful during sex. There are four different chemicals that can make up poppers [amyl nitrite, isopropyl nitrite, butyl nitrite, and pentyl nitrite].

 

Why do people do poppers?

Because they feel good. They make sex even more enjoyable. It also helps relax people. So people who may have sex anxiety or need “liquid courage” (like we talk about with alcohol) may find poppers helpful.

 

What actually happens to your body when you use poppers?

When you inhale poppers, your blood vessels are going to expand, and it’s then going to increase the blood flow and oxygen level within your veins. So that’s what makes it feel euphoric. It’s like a rush, essentially. But while all that is happening, it’s also gonna decrease your blood pressure. Obviously, people with heart conditions are definitely advised to be very, very cautious.

 

Speaking of being cautious, if one were to do poppers, is there any way to do them more safely?

Probably don’t use them alone, because using them will increase your blood flow, which will then lower your blood pressure. Just in the event that you do pass out, you don’t want to be alone. So … poppers and porn? Not the best idea.

A lot of people who use poppers, especially during sex, are also taking erectile dysfunction medicine. That’s an added risk for decreasing blood pressure, which can eventually cause someone to pass out — potentially even vomit and die as well.

 

Are there any other risks to consider?

Generally, some research shows that using poppers can put you at a higher risk of getting an STI, including HIV. Everyone should regularly be screened for STIs and HIV. We also recommend considering being on PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) or PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) to prevent HIV, and/or on DoxyPrEP or DoxyPEP to prevent STIs.

Next one’s for the bottoms: Poppers make sex more enjoyable, but they’ll also give you a high, where you become dizzy and you don’t know exactly what’s going on. You could put yourself in a vulnerable position, where someone could take advantage of you. They could tie you up, or do a “booty bump” [insert unwanted drugs into your rectum]. It just makes you less aware of your surroundings, which also could increase the possibility of something negative happening.

 

What about the dreaded, so-called “poppers nose,” (aka chemical burns in one’s nostrils)?

My advice to prevent this would be to inhale through your mouth. Just like a cigarette [without putting your lips on the bottle]. It bypasses actually going up through your nostrils and won’t give you a headache. I learned that from an expert who reps a national poppers brand.

 

Can poppers be addictive?

There’s little research to prove or disprove the addictive effects. However, from a cognitive behavioral perspective, anything can become addictive, especially agents that produce pleasure, promote escapism, or assist in numbing.

Poppers create a sense of euphoria, so someone can very well become accustomed to this experience while having sex, and require it to allow for a full sense of pleasure due to the association. However, ultimately, physiological dependence? No. 

I would add to this: It is very much recognized as a relapse trigger for those in recovery. The erotic experience can create what is referred to as “euphoric recall,” which directly sets off a chain of thought and behavior patterns. So related to addiction, it is definitely high-risk. 

 

How come poppers are sometimes sold with code names like VCR cleaner or tar remover? Why the code names? Are poppers legal?

From my last understanding, it’s illegal to consume nitrite, as well as some of the things that go into poppers for recreational use. So, when you would go into a store, they’re sometimes number coded: “I want number two, I want number eight, I want the yellow or the red.” Legally, we’re not really allowed to state that you were there to get poppers in a sex shop or store. It’s legal to sell it, but it should not be used recreationally.

 

Anything else to add?

I know this is going to sound very corny, but talk to your doctor! I know it’s so basic to people. We can Google all day… But, ultimately, just tell your doctor you want to do poppers. Or let them know you’ve been doing poppers for 10 years. They can look at your medication list for any potential risks and ensure you are receiving sexual wellness support.

I think the more education and knowledge we have around health matters, the better. Even if your doctor may not be culturally competent on poppers, you can start that conversation to make them curious. Get them educated on poppers so they can help guide and educate some of their other patients.

And I just have to add, here at DAP Health, we are very culturally competent. We all know all about poppers. And we provide service without stigma, shame, or judgment. You can always ask your DAP Health provider anything.

 

Image courtesy of Not So Innocent adult entertainment store, 2100 North Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

A Safe Space in a Sea of Hate

by suelowe

A Safe Space in a Sea of Hate

How DAP Health is elevating lifesaving gender-affirming care in Southern California.

Words by Jacob Anderson-Minshall

 

As seen in DAP Health Magazine Issue 4

 

Navigating the Storm: The Landscape of Gender-Affirming Care

A wave of legislation targeting trans and nonbinary people — especially youth — is radically reshaping Americans’ rights in states across the nation. There are new restrictions on access to LGBTQ+ books, public restrooms, and participation in sports. But the greatest threat to trans lives is undoubtedly the recent criminalization of gender-affirming care.

The Battle Against Discrimination: Upholding Gender-Affirming Care

The ACLU is currently tracking 492 anti-LGBTQ+ bills — more than in any previous period in U.S. history — nearly half specifically targeted at transgender, gender-nonconforming, and nonbinary people. In fact, against the advice of the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, at least 90 of those bills will prevent trans youth from accessing age-appropriate, medically necessary, and life-saving health care. (When that happens, suicide rates also rise.)

Just this year, 19 states (Texas being the largest) have restricted some (often all) gender-affirming care for anyone under 18. Despite the propaganda, genital surgeries aren’t and haven’t been offered to trans kids, but these laws can eliminate access to hormone therapy and puberty blockers. Criminalizing gender-affirming care intensifies the already significant barriers trans people face when seeking medical services.

Anthony Velasco, a senior nurse practitioner specialist who led the development of DAP Health’s gender wellness program, explains, “In my research on stigma and primary care access among transgender and gender-diverse people, many reported experiencing violence and victimization when accessing care.”

A Beacon of Hope: DAP Health's Gender Wellness Program

DAP Health aims to turn that tide and improve access to gender-affirming medical care across Southern California.

“Creating safe spaces for all people, regardless of their gender identities” is a natural extension for DAP Health, Velasco says. “We exercise social justice by continuously engaging our communities, interrogating social injustices, and addressing health inequities.”

The same could be said for Velasco, who uses he/they pronouns. He identifies as a “queer person of color, an immigrant, and a first-generation student” who provides care for “systemically and historically minoritized communities.”

Standing Firm: The Fight for Inclusive Healthcare

Now that DAP Health has absorbed the Borrego Health system, it is poised to further elevate lifesaving gender-affirming care with Cathedral City’s LGBTQ+ clinic Stonewall Medical Center. Dr. Jason Halperin will be leading that charge — working out of both Stonewall and DAP Health’s clinic in Escondido — as the incoming director of specialty programs for gender-affirming care as well as those living with, or at risk of, contracting HIV.

Dr. Halperin hails from New Orleans, a blue city in a deeply red state. It’s “an island of inclusion in a sea of oppression,” he says. But even in places that embrace diversity, like much of Southern California, Dr. Halperin maintains, “We must be aware of the national backlash against so many of the communities we serve, especially those of trans experience. [In Louisiana] I witnessed the impact of clinics that provided reproductive health services and gender-affirming care shuttered due to the politics of hate.”

Manager of Gender Health and Wellness Programs Mita Beach has witnessed the chilling effects the anti-trans backlash has had locally. “In all of Southern California, there are two clinics in L.A., one clinic in San Diego, and our clinic in Palm Springs that will see trans youth,” they say, adding that there were two or three more in 2021, but providers are being “scared away” by the criminalization of trans care.

As trans people, families with trans kids, and trans adults flee other states, DAP Health is committed to boosting Stonewall Center’s beacon and serving as a safe haven where care is accessible to everyone.

The nonprofit already has “a proven track record of shifting the norm to a more equitable one,” Velasco says. “As we expand our clinics within and around the Coachella Valley, we continue to be committed to opening our doors even wider so we can provide more services to our trans and gender-diverse patients.”

Breaking Barriers: Overcoming Obstacles to Care

Empowering trans, nonbinary, and other gender-expansive people to walk through DAP Health’s doors is Beach’s job. There are numerous barriers to care that trans and nonbinary folks face, including social determinants of health like lower incomes and lack of transportation.

Just connecting isolated trans and nonbinary folks with each other is difficult in rural areas with a widely dispersed population, says Beach. Another issue is “misinformation in general,” they say. Many don’t know what care is available, or that it is accessible, even for those who need financial assistance.

To overcome those hurdles, Beach has done outreach at every LGBTQ+ event they could find. “I would go and put up posters and signs at coffee shops out in the middle of nowhere, and I would get one or two phone calls,” they say. “But a lot of it is word of mouth.” Beach thinks DAP Health’s track record of “engaging with the community outside of the clinic’s doors” will help spread the word about safe, accessible, and competent gender-affirming care.

The Road Ahead: Expanding Services and Support

Even before the two federally qualified health centers had joined forces, DAP Health’s gender wellness initiative had begun to make inroads.

“We were able to increase the number of actively engaged transgender and gender-diverse patients by more than 400%,” Velasco adds. “Creating an interdisciplinary team and grounding our program using a trauma-informed and patient-centered approach was critical.”

Working with different departments within DAP Health was also crucial in meeting the psychosocial needs of patients, like “housing, social services, access to food, care navigation,” Velasco says. And, with the expansion of DAP Health, “we will be able to offer these services to more trans people.”

Beach is there to connect trans people to appropriate care even before they arrive. They help patients overcome their fears and share relevant details with providers. Making potential clients feel welcome also takes representation. “From the front desk to the provider, somewhere in that chain, we have to have some trans and gender-diverse folks.”

Beach, who is nonbinary and queer, is personally dedicated to that effort, currently studying to become a nurse practitioner “because I don’t see enough people that look like me.”

Of course, providing competent gender-affirming medical care isn’t as easy as hiring a few trans or nonbinary folks. Providers need to understand trans care, and how it differs.
“Trans health care isn’t typical health care,” Beach explains. “Typically, when people go to the clinic, it’s because they’re sick or because they have to go once a year for a checkup.” But trans people often need to see a provider more frequently, especially if they are receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy, which needs to be monitored.

Circumstances can also complicate access to care, especially the dysphoria that can exist in a physical body that doesn’t reflect one’s true gender. For example, Velasco points to one study on cervical cancer screenings. When retesting was necessary, trans men waited nearly 420 days, compared to the 80 days cisgender women wait.

The experience of receiving gynecological care can be a fraught one for many trans men and nonbinary people assigned female at birth, Velasco explains. “Some trans people may find getting a Pap smear dysphoric, and, thus, avoid or delay getting testing and retesting.” Velasco adds, “Finding gender-affirming health care providers…can also be very challenging.”

Culturally competent providers are especially important for youth, but their care is becoming the most criminalized in the U.S. Fortunately, it is still embraced in California. Following international protocols and recommendations from dozens of medical associations, the Stonewall Medical Center and Escondido will continue providing nonsurgical interventions for youth. Teens can be prescribed puberty blockers and/or gender-affirming hormone therapy.

At DAP Health, services provided to trans and nonbinary patients already run the gamut, Velasco says, including primary care, behavioral health, dentistry, sexual wellness, chiropractic, and social services.“We hope to expand our gender-affirming services to include speech therapy (for voice feminization and masculinization), electrolysis/laser hair removal services, and legal clinics (for legal transition needs),” Velasco adds. “We hope to eventually expand our services to include surgical and post-surgical services to our [adult] trans and nonbinary patients.”

Stigma increases against those who find themselves at the intersections of various identities, including gender identity, expression, and sexual orientation. Both Velasco (a credentialed HIV specialist) and Dr. Halperin (the former infectious disease director at New Orleans’ CrescentCare) understand another intersection.

“People of trans experience and nonbinary communities have increased rates of HIV acquisition, especially those of color,” Dr. Halperin says. “We know that racism and stigma play the greatest role in driving these increased rates. Furthermore, when structures of power such as the police — or increasingly, legislatures — target and stigmatize communities, we will inevitably see worsening health outcomes due to exclusion.”

Shining the Light: A Call to Action

That’s why, Dr. Halperin adds, DAP Health “must commit even more to this work. We must shine our light bright and far. Our clinics need to ensure easy and supportive accessibility to gender-affirming care. We must also continue to work in solidarity with those across our country.”

Desert Care Network Donates $2.5 Million …

by Daniel Vaillancourt

DESERT CARE NETWORK DONATES $2.5 MILLION TO DAP HEALTH IN SUPPORT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The generous gift, part of DAP Health’s Vision Forward campus expansion, will go toward programs and services for residents of the organization’s second on-campus housing complex, Vista Sunrise II, enabling residents to access lifesaving care in their own backyard.

 

Desert Care Network (DCN) continues its longstanding support of DAP Health with a significant $2.5 million contribution toward the nonprofit’s Vision Forward campus expansion campaign and soon-to-be-unveiled affordable housing complex, Vista Sunrise II. The generous gift reflects DCN’s dedication to addressing the needs of the diverse communities both organizations serve. This commitment will help provide equitable housing solutions for individuals facing challenges such as homelessness and chronic illnesses.

“At Desert Care Network, we are deeply committed to improving the health and well-being of all residents in the Coachella Valley,” says Desert Regional Medical Center & Desert Care Network CEO Michele Finney. “Our 40-year partnership with DAP Health, and this donation toward its Palm Springs campus expansion, focus on much-needed affordable housing, and align perfectly with our mission to provide comprehensive care to our most vulnerable residents. To support the health of our entire community, we know we are better together.”

“Thank you, Desert Care Network, for understanding — as we do — that housing is health care,” adds DAP Health CEO David Brinkman. “Together, we are transforming lives and building a healthier, more compassionate community. By focusing on health equity and social drivers of health, we highlight the connection between housing and superior health outcomes. The ability of Vista Sunrise II residents, most of whom have no means of reliable transportation, to access primary and mental health care — not to mention wraparound social services such as nutrition, health education, and so much more — within a short walk next door is a game-changer for some of our most marginalized neighbors.”

Vista Sunrise II, a collaborative effort between DAP Health and developer Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, will provide affordable housing while incorporating thoughtful design elements and sustainable construction practices. This innovative project will feature 61 units, with 30 dedicated to rapid rehousing for individuals experiencing homelessness and 30 units allocated to those with chronic illnesses and/or low incomes. Key features include:

Thoughtfully Designed Living Spaces: The units will offer a variety of configurations, including one- and two-bedroom layouts, with a housing manager’s home also onsite. Each unit has been designed to prioritize comfort and functionality, featuring large windows for natural daylight, office nooks for work-from-home opportunities, and mobility-accessible options for residents with special needs.

Sustainable Construction Practices: The project incorporates environmentally friendly practices such as density housing on an existing site to minimize land clearing, “cool roof” materials to reduce energy costs, and all-electric appliances to decrease reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, carports with solar panels will offset the complex’s power grid electrical needs, further enhancing its sustainability.

Unique Amenities: Vista Sunrise II offers a range of amenities to foster community engagement and well-being, including rooftop terraces with mountain views, outdoor courtyards, a community center for gatherings and learning, and on-site case management services for residents. The proximity to DAP Health programs and services, grocery stores, shops, and an adjacent park will encourage residents to lead a healthy, active lifestyle.

Vista Sunrise II represents a beacon of affordable housing innovation, combining compassionate care with sustainable practices to create a thriving community for all residents. With Desert Care Network’s generous contribution, this project will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families in Palm Springs for decades to come.

 

About DAP Health

DAP Health, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2024, is an internationally renowned humanitarian health care organization and federally qualified health center (FQHC) whose goal is to protect and expand health care access for all people — especially the disenfranchised — regardless of who or where they are, their health status, or whether they have health insurance.
 
In 2023, the nonprofit made a successful bid to absorb the Borrego Health system, enabling its 950 employees to serve more than 85,000 patients of all populations, genders, and ages — from newborns to seniors — at a total of 25 Southern California clinics located within 240 rural and urban zip codes from the Coachella Valley to the San Diego coast.

For years, DAP Health’s programs and services have included primary care, infectious diseases, gender-affirming care, LGBTQ+ care, mental health, dentistry, harm reduction, recovery services, affordable housing, social services, and HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. The additional disciplines now under its vast umbrella include family medicine, women’s health (including OB-GYN), pediatrics, veterans’ health, geriatrics, urgent care, and pharmacy services.

The organization was founded as Desert AIDS Project in 1984 by a group of volunteers. Thanks to nearly 40 years of experience caring for those affected not only by the HIV epidemic but by various other public health emergencies (COVID-19, mpox), DAP Health has the physical and intellectual resources, the drive, and — most importantly — the vision to effect even greater change by positively impacting its diverse patient populations’ social drivers of health (SDOH).
 
According to the World Health Organization, SDOH are “the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life.”
 
The next epidemic hasn’t surfaced — yet. But just as DAP Health met earlier community health crises decisively and successfully, its experts stand at the ready.

 

About Vision Forward

Vision Forward is DAP Health’s 10-year strategic plan that will see the organization grow from serving 10,000 individuals annually today at its Sunrise campus to 25,000 patients and clients a year by 2025. So far, this broadminded expansion has encompassed:

  • The purchase of the Annette Bloch CARE Building and the opening of its three clinics.
  • The opening of a DAP Health sexual wellness clinic in Palm Springs.
  • Construction of Vista Sunrise II, which will feature 61 new units of affordable housing, to be completed in the second quarter of 2024.

Still to come is the Tenet Health Pavilion, a structure that will bridge the Barbara Keller LOVE Building and the Annette Bloch CARE Building, and which will include:

  • A transit- and pedestrian-friendly pathway.
  • A central registration area for all patient services.
  • A cafe open to the public that will be staffed and managed by clients of DAP Health’s Return-to-Work program.

 

About Desert Care Network

Desert Care Network is your health care resource in the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin regions of Southern California. We are three hospitals: Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio, and Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree. Working together, we bring advanced health care to our communities.

We operate a Level 1 trauma center at Desert Regional, the highest possible. And Level 4 trauma centers at JFK and Hi-Desert.

We have created a network of stroke-ready hospitals, anchored by Desert Regional Medical Center — our valley’s only nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center — and supported by the primary stroke center at JFK and the certified stroke-ready hospital at Hi-Desert.

Desert Regional is home to the only Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for newborns in the Coachella Valley. We also operate a hospital-based clinic that provides high-risk care for expectant moms.

DCN has an unwavering commitment to our community. We train the next generations of physicians through our residency program, and those doctors staff mobile clinics that provide services to the underserved, unhoused, and refugee populations across the desert.

DCN provides over a hundred million dollars in free and discounted health care to patients in need each year. In the last three decades, we have given millions of dollars in charitable donations and sponsorships to local organizations, including DAP Health, FIND Food Bank, the Women Leaders Forum, Volunteers in Medicine, and many more.

We are dedicated, driven, and proud to serve the health care needs of the Coachella Valley, the Morongo Basin, and everyone who visits our desert.

 

About Coachella Valley Housing Coalition

The Coachella Valley Housing Coalition was founded in 1982 by a group of community advocates, the local community, and business leaders, to address the substandard living conditions farmworkers and other low-income persons were enduring in the Eastern Coachella Valley.

Their innate sense of compassion for the human condition inspired them to help hundreds of families move out of inadequate living conditions — which included makeshift power poles in unpermitted mobile home parks, contaminated drinking water, and other crude housing additions made of cardboard — into safe, decent, and affordable housing. With a $10,000-dollar seed grant from the Aetna Foundation, the board of directors established the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (CVHC).

Today, CVHC is an award-winning tax-exempt 501 (c)(3), nonprofit affordable housing development organization that has been named amongst the Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers in the country. Every CVHC housing community is built with a solid commitment to partnerships, vision, and extensive community planning. CVHC is a Neighbor Works® America chartered member and a Rural LISC partner. It has developed affordable housing throughout Riverside and Imperial Counties, and has developed more than 5,000 multi-family and single-family residences, making it the largest affordable housing developer in Riverside County.

Key Programs

Rental Housing: Through its Multi-Family Housing Development department, CVHC builds affordable rental housing for working families (in hospitality, retail, and health care), farmworkers, retired farmworkers, migrant farmworkers, veterans, and families/individuals with special needs — the elderly, people with disabilities, and chronic illnesses. With more than 41 affordable rental communities totaling 2,953 units developed throughout Riverside County, CVHC offers an array of housing options for renters who are looking for a steppingstone to homeownership, or who are in need of affordable rental housing. CVHC is proud to partner with DAP Health on the development and operations of Vista Sunrise II, a 61-unit special needs development located in the city of Palm Springs. The development will include 29 units for chronically homeless individuals and 31 units for chronic illnesses. The Vista Sunrise II development will be CVHC’s fifth special needs development constructed in Riverside County.

Homeownership Through the Mutual Self-Help Housing Program: Since 1989, CVHC has been helping families fulfill their dream of homeownership. Creating affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income families is a part of CVHC’s mission. The mutual self-help housing program means homes are built in part by homeowners. In the mutual self-help program, families work together and collectively build each other’s homes by using their sweat equity in place of a down payment.    Mutual self-help housing essentially builds communities based on a shared commitment of hard work, mutual support, and lifelong bonds. CVHC is the largest mutual self-help developer in the nation. To date, over 2,160 single-family homes have been constructed throughout Riverside and Imperial counties.

Community Engagement: CVHC also provides enrichment and educational programs at its Multi-Family developments. These include early childhood education centers, afterschool kids clubs, computer Instruction + technology centers, ballet folklorico dance instruction, mariachi music instruction, alternative high school diploma and GED programs for adults, community gardens + wellness for seniors, health and wellness educational classes + events, and English as a second language.

John F. Mealey College Scholarship Fund: In 2020, CVHC created the JFM Scholarship Fund in honor of its founding executive director. The scholarship is awarded annually to students living in CVHC developments who are seeking a higher education at any accredited college, university, or vocation school. To date, more than $962,000 in scholarships have been awarded, benefiting more than 889 students, supporting their dreams, and helping them persevere to complete their degrees.

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The Benefits of Trauma-Informed Care

by suelowe
The Benefits of Trauma-Informed Care

The Benefits of Trauma-Informed Care

Sometimes, the question to ask isn’t just “What’s wrong with you?” but “What happened to you?”

 

Words by Ron Blake • Photo by Rodrigo Izquierdo

 

As seen in DAP Health Magazine Issue 4

 

The admired, influential writer Maya Angelou said, “You can’t really know where you are going until you know where you have been.”

That is trauma-informed care — a way of treating patients by taking a holistic approach incorporating what has happened to them in the past. Where they’ve been, including the trauma. Bringing a more complete picture of their life to the medical professionals who work to heal them.

DAP Health recognizes that its medical professionals can’t truly help patients get healthy and happy until they explore beneath the surface to understand how trauma might have entered and affected each of their lives, often impacting how they respond to providers and treatment. 

The nonprofit’s Dr. Jill Gover, clinical supervisor of its behavioral health internship program, is part of a team of licensed clinical psychologists who are warmly embracing this type of philosophy, with the expectation that it will bring about more positive health outcomes for patients while effectively managing care and costs, which in turn helps reduce staff burnout and turnover. 

To quote another literary legend, the poet Robert Frost said, “The best way out is always through.” And that’s precisely what Dr. Gover and her colleagues are doing with DAP Health patients. They aren’t ignoring the traumas. They aren’t tiptoeing around them. They’re addressing them head-on. Using them as strengths — not as deficits or weaknesses — to move along the path to healing.

The Power of Lived Experience

The best way to more fully explain a concept like trauma-informed care is to go on an odyssey of empathy that shows the importance and necessity of it through a lived experience.

Last spring, I was in my local hospital’s emergency room in Phoenix, Arizona presenting with symptoms in my lower right leg that I thought were from a sports injury. The on-duty physician looked at my lower extremity and ordered an ultrasound to determine if it was a blood clot. 

I was subsequently taken into a private room for that procedure. There, the male sonographer perfunctorily directed me to remove my shorts, socks, and shoes. I anxiously complied. He then began his duties, running a gel-covered device up and down the inside of my thigh. That’s when I flinched. My leg jerked away from the probing of his transducer. It felt like an instinctive response to danger. As it turns out, it really was — a fight or flight response normally exhibited in trauma.

In response to my reaction, the sonographer harshly said, “It’s not a big deal. You need to relax.” He was scolding me for not remaining still so that he could complete his work. 

His flippant comment made that tense situation much worse. It awakened some bad memories for me. He had taken no time to learn anything about me as a person, nor about my history of trauma. Running that device up and down my inner thigh took me back to a horrific incident that happened on an inky dark, cold night 12 years ago, when I was 42. Three men entered my home while I was asleep. I was held down, beaten, and raped. I suffered serious injury that has required a dozen years of physical therapy, surgery, and counseling. Thanks to perseverance, I’m happy to say I’m still here.

We Must Avoid Retraumatizing Patients

To this hospital employee, the ultrasound was no big deal. 

He performs these procedures routinely. I felt like just another statistic, and that this fellow was viewing it all from his perspective simply to finish his job. But for me, the touching of my inner thigh area triggered chilling, gruesome recollections. 

After the ultrasound was completed, the sonographer pointed me back to a room to await the examination results. I started gathering my items into my backpack. All I wanted was to leave. I had been retraumatized. I had lost trust in this hospital. But before exiting the building, I made one phone call, to my retired family physician. We chatted, and I explained all that was occurring. 

My former doctor said it sounded like it was a blood clot. He urged me to stay, wait for the results, and get treated if necessary. He knew all about my history, including that wickedly harrowing night long ago. I had trusted him for many years. I trusted him at this very moment. So, I stayed.

It’s a good thing I did. The ultrasound results came back. 

It was a blood clot in my leg. Additional testing revealed the clot had spread maliciously throughout my lungs, presenting as pulmonary emboli. It was life-threatening. I was immediately transported to the intensive care unit for a four-day hospitalization.

Had it not been for that fortuitous phone call to my retired physician, who had been expertly trained in trauma-informed care, I would have gone home. Given how pervasive the spread of the clots had become, I quite possibly would have died in my sleep that night.

The Core Principles

I felt I could trust that longtime medical friend of mine. He knew me and my trauma. He made me feel safe. He collaborated with me and spoke with me as an equal. He did not allow any biases to interfere with our discussion. He empowered me and reminded me of the resilience I had to overcome obstacles. He spoke with me as a peer advocate — someone who has survived trauma as well. 

My retired doctor used those six core principles of trauma-informed care in his engagement with me on that particular occasion. Trust. Safety. Collaboration. Removal of biases. Empowerment. Peer advocacy. Those are the very same principles DAP Health’s Dr. Gover and her colleagues use today. Every day.

The iconic novelist Ernest Hemingway said, “We are all broken, that’s how the light gets in.” DAP Health is dynamically combining that light and trauma-informed care to successfully guide patients to healing, health, and happiness.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Mon …

by Daniel Vaillancourt

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Here’s the 101 so that you can keep yourself and those you love safe.

Words by David Russo

 

“Colon cancer is the battle we can win with early detection and regular screening.”

                                                                                                               — Unknown

DAP Health’s Associate Chief Medical Officer Dr. Silas Gyimah is fond of that inspiring citation of unknown derivation. As the founder of the Palm Springs-based, queer-led nonprofit Cheeky Charity — whose mission is to facilitate colorectal and anal cancer prevention, early detection, and support, with a focus on the young and LGBTQ+ populations — so am I.

“At every visit, we verify records to see if a patient is due for a screening,” Gyimah says. “If they are, we schedule them, focusing on FIT [fecal immunochemical test] and colonoscopies as our primary screening methods. This is a true implementation of the quote above.” 

Let’s delve more deeply into this largely preventable and curable disease.

 

Colorectal Health: Understanding and Prevention

Colorectal cancer (CRC), once predominantly a concern for older adults, is now increasingly affecting younger individuals. This shift necessitates a renewed focus. Understanding the nuances of colorectal health is vital for individuals of all ages.

 

Understanding Colorectal Cancer

CRC originates in the colon or rectum, part of the digestive system. It usually begins as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called polyps that form on the inside of the colon. Over time, some of these polyps can become colon cancers.

 

Symptoms To Be Aware Of

CRC might not cause symptoms right away, but if they occur, they may include changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, persistent abdominal discomfort, a feeling that the bowel doesn’t empty completely, weakness or fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. It’s important to consult a health care provider if any of these symptoms are experienced.

 

Risk Factors

Certain factors increase the risk of developing CRC. These include older age, a personal or family history of CRC or colorectal polyps, inflammatory intestinal conditions, a low-fiber/high-fat diet, a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and alcohol use. Genetics also play a role, with some inherited genes increasing the risk.

 

Prevention Strategies

Prevention of CRC starts with lifestyle changes. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains — and low in red and processed meats — can reduce risk. Regular physical activity is crucial. Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and moderating alcohol consumption are also recommended.

 

The Importance of Screening

Screening for CRC is one of the most powerful weapons for preventing the disease. It’s generally recommended to begin screening at age 45. Screening can find precancerous polyps, which can be removed before they turn into cancer. For people at higher risk, such as those with a family history, screening may be recommended earlier.

 

Navigating the Rising Trend in Young Adults

The rising incidence of CRC among young adults is a complex issue that involves a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. It’s important for young adults to:

  • Be aware of their family history.
  • Minimize known risks.
  • Incorporate healthy preventative habits into their lifestyle.
  • Regularly check for symptoms.
  • Discuss screenings with their health care providers if they have risk factors.

 

Conclusion

As our understanding of colorectal health evolves, it becomes clear that CRC is not just a concern for the elderly. The increase in cases among younger adults emphasizes the importance of awareness and proactive health measures across all age groups. Through lifestyle modifications, regular screening, and early detection, the impact of CRC can be significantly reduced.

 

Resources

Colorectal Cancer Alliance, colorectalcancer.org

American Cancer Society, cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal

Cheeky Charity, cheekycharity.org

 

In a partnership between DAP Health and Cheeky Charity — and in honor of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month — 50 eye-catching banners will be flown throughout downtown Palm Springs during March to help raise awareness and reduce stigma.

A Prescription for Positive Change

by suelowe
Manny Muro

A Prescription for Positive Change

By adding wellness programs to conventional medicine, DAP Health elevates patient care.

Words by Ellen Bluestein • Photo by Zach Ivey

As seen in Issue 4 of DAP Health magazine.

Integrative Healthcare at DAP Health

At DAP Health, health care means more than just a routine physical or a sick visit. It means treatment that addresses the whole person and extends beyond conventional medicine to include complementary wellness programs and services.

Tailored Wellness Approach

“It’s all-encompassing, it’s collaborative, and it goes beyond the physical well-being,” says DAP Health Chief Academic and Medical Service Officer Carol Wood, who previously served for six years as the organization’s chief of clinical operations. “It really includes emotional, social, and financial aspects of the patient’s life situation, and each patient is different.”

The Role of Mental Health Integration

This integrative approach focuses on body, mind, and soul, and is tailored to an individual’s needs. “We try to address the patient where they are,” continues Wood. “What issues are affecting them that may be making it more difficult for them to be well. It might not be the medical side of things — that might not be the biggest issue.”

Complementary Services Offered

DAP Health Director of Behavioral Health Sharareh Gandy, Psy.D. agrees. “I’ve seen a lot of health care shifting toward this integrative model. It’s considering the different parts of ourselves, the different things kind of going on in our lives that impact our overall well-being, including our physical well-being, our emotional well-being, our spiritual well-being. And so, it’s been wonderful to see health care acknowledge that and bring in multiple different services to work as one in helping people integrate not only their health care but integrate the different parts of themselves.”

Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness

For mental health practitioners like Dr. Gandy, the shift has had tremendous impact. “I’ve been really excited for mental health to be integrated into the medical model,” she says. “Historically it’s been [that mental health care] has been that thing that’s over there, that’s super private. But now, it’s like, ‘Well, it’s here!’ It’s in our day-to-day lives, it’s part of who we are, it’s a part of our health care, and it’s really reduced a lot of stigma for people. Over the years — with that integrative model and with telehealth — that it’s just increased access to care…and people are a lot more involved and engaged in seeking out services.”

Personal Development Opportunities

By implementing complementary services, DAP Health acknowledges the importance of alternative therapies as part of routine medical care. “In the wellness department, we offer services like acupuncture, massage, yoga — all those things that aren’t really considered conventional health care,” says DAP Health’s Wellness Center Manager Cory Lujan. “Wellness itself is complementary. We’re to be used in conjunction with, or are married to, the medical side.”

Enriching Programs Beyond Medical Care

From reducing pain and combating loneliness to addressing addiction and recovery, DAP Health’s wellness department offers a robust slate of programs and services — all of which are free to clients and designed to supplement medical care. These include:

Mind and body wellness modalities, including acupuncture, chair massage, chiropractic care, Reiki, Transcendental Meditation, and yoga, which can help with pain management.

Artistic expression, including clay sculpting, knitting, and quilting groups that bring together those with similar interests, alleviating social isolation and creating friendships. It also serves as a means of self-expression and encourages creativity, bolstering mental health.

Social support groups on topics such as HIV and aging, recovery, stress management, healthy relationships, intimacy, liver health, smoking cessation, and diabetes prevention, all of which impart important information and best practices, help clients navigate their health journeys, and decrease social alienation by encouraging conversation.

Personal development, including stylist and barber services, employment services, and computer proficiency classes that help clients acquire the skills necessary to be gainfully employed and move toward financial stability.

A monthly mobile market from FIND Food Bank, which provides free, healthy food — including fresh fruits and vegetables — ensuring access to the nutrition clients need. Located on the DAP Health Sunrise campus in Palm Springs, the mobile market is open to the public.

Various other programs and services, including a trending topics speaker series, lunch-and-learn presentations, and a book club that spark conversation and enrich lives by engaging clients’ minds and reducing social isolation.

Philosophy of Holistic Health

“It’s our philosophy, and we know it to be true, that housing is health care, food and nutrition are health care, spiritual wellness is health care,” concludes Wood. “It’s not all about just going to the doctor and getting a prescription. There are a lot of mental and spiritual things we can provide for our patients that are going to also impact their health outcomes in a positive way. That’s why we do these things. And if more interventions pop up on the radar that we believe might also help our patients, we at DAP Health are probably going to be the first ones to try them."