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Planning Your Next Visit to DAP Health

Planning Your Next Visit to DAP Health? 

Here's what you need to know about current construction projects

We Are Closing the Vista Chino Entrance

On July 10, construction on DAP Health’s Community Pavilion, provided by Desert Care Network, will start with the driveway realignment, which will close down the Vista Chino entrance and exit. This closure makes it necessary to move the Barbara Keller LOVE Building’s main entrance to the side of the building, an access point previously used to gain admittance to The Dock and the COVID Clinic. We will have DAP Health-branded flutter flags drawing your attention toward this new entrance.

Entering and Exiting the DAP Health Campus

Patients and visitors can enter via two southbound driveways off of North Sunrise Way. The first entrance is between the Barbara Keller LOVE Building (home to Walgreens Pharmacy, Urban Yoga, the Marc Byrd Behavioral Health Clinic, Client Wellness Services, Social Services, and Labcorp) and the Annette Bloch CARE Building (home to the Blue, Green, Yellow, and Orange Clinics). The second is between the Annette Bloch CARE Building and the new Vista Sunrise II affordable housing complex currently under construction.

Where to Park

The entire patient parking lot will remain open during construction, with the exception of spots directly off of Vista Chino. This area will be fenced-off for the duration of construction.

DAP Health Patient Shuttle

For those needing extra assistance, look for the patient shuttle vehicle circling campus. It will make its way from the parking lot to the entrances of both main buildings. If you do not see the shuttle, you can call the driver at 760-422-9528 for pickup.

Handicap Parking

There will be a total of 18 handicap spots reserved for patients in front of the Annette Bloch CARE Building.

Arriving by Bus

The bus stops on Vista Chino and North Sunrise Way will remain in operation during construction. Look for wayfinding signage directing you to the nearest entrance — plus additional information — at the bus stop and throughout campus.

The Chase 2023 – Big Ideas Build a …

The Chase 2023: Big Ideas Build a Legacy of Compassionate Care

Words by Barbara Kerr

 

Health equity is health care.

That visionary theme echoed across the Palm Springs Convention Center on March 25, as nearly 1,000 guests gathered for 2023’s The Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards (AKA The Chase), the annual gala and fundraiser — presented this year by Eisenhower Health — that has raised millions of dollars to support DAP Health and the people it serves.

From platinum sponsor Amazon’s Big Ideas Cocktail Party inside the convention center to the vibrant celebration in the outdoor plaza, gala co-chairs and DAP Health Board Members Kevin Bass, Lauri Kibby, and Scott Nevins created an evening to “inspire guests to think more boldly about the future of wellness throughout the Coachella Valley.”

The vision resonated in the humor and energy of Obie, Drama Desk, and Lucille Lortel Award winner Michael Urie (of the current Apple TV+ hit series “Shrinking”), returning for his second year as emcee, and in the dynamic headlining performance of Emmy and Golden Globe winner Darren Criss (of “Glee” and “The Assassination of Gianni Versace” TV fame).

Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk and Obie winner Saycon Sengbloh opened the evening with a stirring performance of “Rise Up.” Broadway and television performer Nick Adams inspired the crowd by reminding them that “This Is the Moment.”

When We See Lack, We Act

Throughout the evening, speakers noted the striking parallels between the challenges of 1984, when the organization originally known as Desert AIDS Project was founded, and the issues facing DAP Health, the region, and the country today.

DAP Health CEO David Brinkman said, “Despite our immense progress over the last 39 years, 2023 feels a helluva lot like 1984. There are currently 300 anti-LGBTQ bills in various stages of passage in this country — many of them attempting to prevent trans youth from living authentically.”

He then noted: “Of our 50 states, 35 restrict abortion to varying degrees, robbing women of the right to make decisions affecting their own body. And in our own back yard, 120,000 patients dependent on the Borrego Health system were on the verge of losing their access to health care.”

But, he added, “When we see lack, we act. It’s in our DNA. So DAP Health is again stepping up — forming an alliance with fellow health centers Innercare and Neighborhood Healthcare — to guarantee lifesaving continued access by acquiring Borrego Health.”

The new alliance will provide health care for 120,000 men, women, and children. From San Diego to the Salton Sea, 600 physicians and staff will care for patients in disciplines from obstetrics and gerontology to HIV prevention and treatment.

Honoring Visionary Partners

A leader in the fashion industry’s fight against HIV/AIDS, design icon and philanthropist Donna Karan was the recipient of the 2023 DAP Health Equity Award. She is the founder of Urban Zen, a lifestyle brand and philanthropic foundation that collaborates with existing organizations to enhance spiritual, emotional, and physical growth.

“Nobody gets away without being sick,” Karan said, accepting the award. “Each and every one of us will be that person one day. The question is: Who’s going to take care of us?” She added: “Those people who care for us are the most important people in the world. We need the ‘care’ in health care. And this organization understands that.”

Dr. Raul Ruiz, the U.S. Representative for California’s 25th District, presented the 2023 DAP Health Humanitarian Award to Desert Healthcare District & Foundation CEO Dr. Conrado E. Bárzaga and the organization’s board of directors. He praised Dr. Bárzaga for his “innovative thinking and inspiring leadership.”

Ruiz told The Chase audience: “Dr. Bárzaga believes health care requires thinking outside the box. He believes in taking a patient-centered approach to address the social determinants of health and to create 21st-century solutions for 21st-century problems.”

Dr. Bárzaga praised DAP Health for “advancing the notion that health care is not only human care, but a human right.” He then noted that “DAP implemented a wonderful equity framework when no one knew what equity was.” Finally, he observed, “Equity in health care is giving everyone a fair chance at being healthy, and we do this by removing barriers. By making access to health care possible. Because this is what DAP Health does and that is what we at the Desert Healthcare District are doing.”

As Dr. Bárzaga reminded the audience: “We are working to dismantle systems that have neglected the people upon whose backs the wealth of the Coachella Valley is created. We are working toward building a health care infrastructure and a health care workforce that are inclusive. That uplift those who have historically been at a disadvantage: the sexual, racial, and ethnic minorities. We are working toward a Coachella Valley we all can call home — not because we are included — but because we belong.”

Health Care Is...

“There are so many factors that affect a person’s health — starting with housing, mental health, food insecurity,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of presenting sponsor Eisenhower Health Ken Wheat. “DAP Health has been and continues to be critical to our community in addressing health care on all of these levels.”

Gala Co-Chair and DAP Health Board Member Scott Nevins noted he is also a patient at DAP Health. “When I was in my 20s, living in New York City, just starting out in show business, I couldn’t afford health insurance, and my options for health care were free clinics and programs that were often bleak and unsettling,” he said. “So, when I discovered DAP Health, and saw firsthand the quality of the services that were provided within an inviting, friendly, and stigma-free environment, I felt like I was home.”

A Life-changing Journey

Born in El Salvador, Marcela Quintanilla was raised in Palm Springs. Being gay, she said, “It was hard to fit in.” She added: “I did not know how to deal with it, how to cope with life. I found drugs and alcohol. And it really, really took me into a deep, dark place.”

A friend told her about DAP Health. “He told me that you will get help and not be judged,” she said. At DAP Health, she found support and a new life. “I attended the substance abuse groups that really set the ground for my recovery.” Quintanilla also received treatment for HIV, and attended substance abuse groups. DAP Health staff members helped her obtain food vouchers and medical insurance.

And they helped her through her transition.

“I think they saw the real person in me, and they really wanted me to be happy,” she said. “They wanted me to be who I always wanted to be.”

Today, with a growing career as a hairdresser, she says she has a good life. “It was because a lot of people believed in me,” she said.

Turning a Mess Into a Message

Damian Calmett is also a patient at DAP Health. A former entertainer — “a gorgeous girl with wigs and lashes, singing in clubs” — he once upon a time helped raise money for Desert AIDS Project.

“I had hidden the fact that I was HIV-positive for almost three decades,” he told The Chase guests. “I kept that a secret because of the shame, the stigma. When I came to DAP Health, I had spiraled out of control. I was homeless. I had lost everything. But because of the compassionate care, I was able to take a mess and turn it into a message of hope, a message of strength.

Today, he is Rev. Dr. Damian Calmett, senior minister of Innerfaith Ministries Worldwide, located in Palm Springs. He is also the front desk coordinator at DAP Health. “I want people to know that they’re valuable,” he said. “That when you walk in the doors, you are important.” He added: “When I touch somebody and their life has changed — and they’re able to turn their life around — you’re the ones that have been able to do that because you invested in me.”

The experiences of Quintanilla and Calmett reminded guests this was the moment to demonstrate their belief in supporting life-changing journeys.

The Chase 2023 raised $1.4 million to invest in DAP Health and its clients.

Community With a Capital C

DAP Health CEO David Brinkman has noted that “I work with so many people who were not born and raised in this community, and came here from larger towns, and one of the things they really cherish is the small size of this community and how, when we all work together, we can solve social issues.”

As he told the audience at The Chase 2023, “You are very special to all of us at DAP Health, and particularly to the thousands of people we care for. Because without you, there would be no Chase. Without you, there would be no DAP Health. This organization is — always has been, and always will be — very much about community with a capital C.”

He added: “You’ve shown us your heart and your commitment. No matter the call, you step forward when you hear it. No matter who’s being targeted, scapegoated, left behind, or denied, you shout: ‘Not in my community!’”

Brinkman reminded guests that everyone is welcome at DAP Health.

“We know that y’all means all,” he said. “We know that women’s rights are not negotiable. We know that Black lives matter. And we say gay!”

“Quite simply,” he concluded, “we firmly believe no one is disposable in our community.”

And he thanked the crowd for their unwavering support. “When you give to DAP Health, you give not only to this community, but to yourself,” he said. “Because you are this community. And, as a thriving member of it, taking care of your neighbor is in your DNA as well.”

Thanks with a Capital T

The Chase 2023 was made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsor Eisenhower Health, platinum sponsor Amazon, Bobbi Lampros, AEG, Desert Care Network, The Desert Sun/Local IQ, DAP Health Board Chair Patrick Jordan, Barry Manilow and Garry Kief, Harold Matzner, NBC Palm Springs, and Steve Tobin and Johnny Krupa of the Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation.

Brad and Lynne Toles of Savoury’s, alongside their kitchen and front-of-house staff, provided the delicious food, beverages, and service. DJ Modgirl (aka Kellee McQuinn) amped up the excitement at the Big Ideas Cocktail Party and the afterparty.

The Chase 2023 was Proudly Sponsored by:

Some Enchanted Evening – The Chase …

Some Enchanted Evening 

Broadway alights in the desert for one night to enthrall “The Chase” audience and help DAP Health raise funds for those most in need 

By Daniel Vaillancourt 

After an absence of more than 24 months, DAP Health presented its big annual benefit gala, The Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards — rebranded “The Chase” for 2022 — set against the dramatic backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains outside the Palm Springs Convention Center on Saturday, April 9. 

With a promise that attendees would “gala like never before,” the evening was indeed a departure from the usual such soirée held during the desert’s high season, starting with a cocktail reception featuring hot and cold hors-d’oeuvres provided by Lynn Toles’s Savoury’s Catering from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., during which more than 1,000 guests mingled with one another — some catching up with friends and acquaintances they’d not seen since the social circuit was abruptly shut down due to COVID in early 2020. All the while, acclaimed trumpeter, songwriter, producer and musical director Spencer Ludwig (a Latin Grammy winner who has performed with Dua Lipa and Harry Styles, but to name two musical megastars) DJ’d on the sun-dappled stage. 

Broadway in the Desert

The entirely al fresco affair kicked off in earnest with a short set of show tunes performed by Tony-nominated actor and singer Max von Essen, accompanied on piano by actor, writer, producer, and radio host Seth Rudetsky, affectionately known in theatre circles as the “Mayor of Broadway.” 

That dynamic duo was followed by the trio of gala co-chairs, DAP Health board vice chair Lauri Kibby and fellow board members Kevin Bass and Scott Nevins. Before thanking presenting sponsor Amazon and producing sponsor Eisenhower Health, Bass expressed how overjoyed everyone seemed to be back together again, likening the community to “a tribe, a village.” 

Host Michael Urie — the beloved, award-winning television and stage actor perhaps best known for co-starring in ABC’s “Ugly Betty” from 2006 to 2010 — then took helm of the evening, telling the jubilant crowd how happy he was to “celebrate the invaluable, vital services DAP offers” before revealing his fervent desire to soon serve as someone’s Palm Springs pool boy, a running joke he’d revisit, to hilarious effect, several times throughout the evening.  

CEO David Brinkman appeared next, delivering an impassioned speech in support of the organization’s “Vision Forward: Building for a Healthier Tomorrow” campaign. “So here we are, two years into devastating loss and isolation,” said Brinkman. “It can be exhausting. But it can also remind us of what matters most. It can clarify our vision of how we want to spend our time and resources in the future. Loss can erode our foundation, leaving us teetering, or it can motivate us to build a better and stronger community. I can assure you it’s done the latter for DAP Health.” 

Urging attendees to join the philanthropic effort, he likened DAP’s work to that of weaving a net that’s held up by all for the benefit of those less fortunate. “Getting the care you need and deserve can be out of reach on the best of days,” he continued. “Imagine the added challenges for someone experiencing homelessness, struggling with a mental health challenge, fighting an addiction, facing discrimination, or simply living with the daily stress of poverty. Most of the people we serve face two or more barriers to care at the same time.” 

After underscoring that Vision Forward will enable DAP to go from caring for 10,000 to 25,000 people annually, regardless of HIV status or ability to pay, Brinkman introduced the first of a series of videos highlighting the contributions of the myriad individuals who sustain DAP: its donors, volunteers, and staff members. 

Rudetsky then returned to the stage, this time accompanied by Eden Espinosa — the original understudy for Idina Menzel’s Elphaba in the Broadway production of “Wicked,” who went on to play the role not only on Broadway but in San Francisco and Los Angeles. They brought the house down with their interpretations of “Imagine” and “Defying Gravity.” 

Following that powerful musical interlude, Urie — who pulled double duty by also serving as the offstage voice throughout the show — made a second appearance, bringing veteran auction host Dale Johannes onstage. Together they dispensed a trio of packages, including one that boasted a small fortune of diamonds courtesy of Raju and Jaishri Mehta’s El Paseo Jewelers, that raised a total of nearly $100,000 for DAP. 

Before introducing an Amazon-produced clip showcasing one of the online retailer’s trans employees, Kibby spoke forcefully about how DAP’s focus has shifted in recent years in order to provide an ever-greater umbrella of programs and services. “In fact, one of the groups the non-profit is most determined to bring under its wing is women,” stressed Kibby, “including trans women.” 

Arguably the most moving moment of the night occurred midway, when DAP’s Director of Behavioral Health Dr. Jill Gover introduced a stirring video focusing on David Jervis, a once-suicidal patient who found the will and strength to survive after coming under the care of DAP psychologist Dr. Ryan Halquist. The montage was followed by the surprise appearance of Halquist and Jervis, the latter of whom — through copious heartfelt tears — said, “I am proof positive that DAP doesn’t just change lives. It saves lives. The size of your gift tonight doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you make it — that you do give — because when you do, you help DAP and professionals like Ryan pull people on the brink of the abyss back into the real world, where all of us belong. And for that, we the clients of DAP could not be more eternally grateful.” 

When the “Fund the Need” portion of the evening arrived, Urie and Johannes — thanks to a matching gift of $250,000 from longtime desert philanthropist Mark Adams — raised more than $600,000. On. The. Spot. 

Inaugural DAP Health Equity Award

Next, presenting DAP’s inaugural Health Equity Award to Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz, Mayor of Palm Springs Lisa Middleton commented that the honoree made great strides in Washington not only to call out inequality in health care, but to rectify those injustices. “When COVID struck the Coachella Valley head-on more than two years ago, it was Dr. Ruiz who obtained much-needed monies for all local health centers,” continued Middleton. “DAP Health received more than $3 million in federal COVID grants thanks to his efforts. And our community benefited, with DAP caring for, testing, and vaccinating 8,000 of us free of charge.” 

In his acceptance speech, Ruiz acknowledged all the friends and familiar faces he has been honored to serve for the last decade in Congress. “In your eyes, I see the struggle for equality and an unparalleled dignity derived from hope,” he said. “In your smiles, I see the sea of change that we have achieved together. And in your stories, I see my story and our common path towards a brighter, healthier future for all.”  

The second and final award of the evening was bestowed upon every member of DAP’s army of nearly 400 valiant volunteers. In accepting on their behalf, Revivals Stores volunteer Barb Fairbairn — who retired a few years ago after a rewarding career in nursing at San Francisco General Hospital, where she worked during the height of the AIDS epidemic — said, “I think I can speak for all of us when I say that when we were told the organization’s volunteers would be honored at this year’s The Chase, our first thought was ‘Why us?’ We don’t do what we do because we want recognition … We do the work of volunteering because we feel we’ve been very fortunate in our own lives and we want to pay that forward. We do the work because it’s the right thing to do as human beings living in this world in these crazy times.” 

Dancing to Deborah Cox

Urie and Nevins closed out the evening by announcing that more than one million dollars had been raised for DAP over the last few hours. They then yielded the spotlight to Deborah Cox, a Grammy-nominated singer and actress best known not only for her Broadway turns in musicals such as “Aida,” “Jekyll & Hyde,” and “The Bodyguard” but for her chart-topping pop, dance, and R&B hits. The star capped her 30-minute set with a rousing rendering of her best-known smash, “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here,” which got virtually every member of the audience on their feet to dance the night away. As irresistible as its beat is, the song’s statement was somewhat misleading. In fact, everyone was absolutely supposed to be there, because DAP’s reimagining of “The Chase” for 2022 was — in a word, and in every possible way — triumphant. 

 

Full disclosure: Daniel Vaillancourt is the longtime scriptwriter of The Chase, having written the show since 2011. 

Amazon Presents The Chase 2022

DAP Health Announces Amazon as Presenting Sponsor of 'The Chase'   

A Fresh Mix of Entertainers will Perform at the Gala

When the 2022 Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards 'The Chase' returns as an all in-person event on April 9, outdoors, at the Palm Springs Convention Center it will be generously presented by Amazon. 

Amazon currently employs more than 40,000 community members in the Inland Empire and the Coachella Valley. This donation to DAP Health signals an even deeper engagement with the community, illustrating the company's commitment to being a good neighbor. 

“This is our home” explains David Ambroz, Amazon’s head of community engagement in the Inland Empire, himself a former homeowner in Palm Springs. “We recently toured the DAP Health campus and saw firsthand how the organization was applying the lessons learned from the AIDS crisis to fill the gaps of today’s health care needs. We were impressed by their innovative solutions to provide comprehensive care to residents of the valley.” 

During that tour, Ambroz also recognized an alignment with one of DAP Health’s core values – inclusivity. Amazon’s ability to innovate on behalf of its customers relies on the perspectives and knowledge of people from all backgrounds. 

Amazon believes that building a culture that is welcoming and inclusive is integral to people doing their best work and is essential to what they can achieve as a company.  The company has 13 affinity groups (employee resource groups) with more than 87,000 employees across hundreds of chapters around the world.  

DAP Health CEO, David Brinkman is especially excited to include Amazon’s LGBTQ+ affinity group, the Glamazons as volunteers at the gala. The group became an official part of Amazon in 2005, adding itself to a list that includes other empowering groups. Amazon has a long history in supporting equality, affirming and including LGBTQ+ employees.”We’ve been serving the LGBTQ+ community and welcoming all people. Period. since 1984.” Brinkman says. “We are grateful that the Glamazons want to lend their support to The Chase this year.” 

Los Angeles events company JJLA has been tagged to lead that reinvention focusing on an evening filled with entertainment and experiential activations around the outdoor floorplan.   

“JJLA is thrilled to work with DAP Health in bringing back the acclaimed Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards in an exciting and reimagined new way as 'The Chase'. Guests will be welcomed to a lively cocktail and hors d'oeuvres experience with special photo opportunities before being seated in a multi-stage setting for the awards program. The evening will feature legendary performers and exciting up-and-coming talent sure to leave guests excited and thrilled to be back celebrating at one of the desert community's most iconic events.” says Jeff Consoletti, JJLA Founder, Principal & CEO. 

Attendees of The Chase can expect a fast-paced evening hosted by Michael Urie and featuring performances by Deborah Cox, Max von Essen, Eden Espinosa, Spencer Ludwig, and Seth Rudetksy  

Event host Michael Urie played the role of Marc St. James on “Ugly Betty” and was most recently seen in the Public Theatre’s revival of Tony Kushner’s A Bright Room Called Day, followed by the Broadway premiere of Bess Wohl’s Grand Horizons. Prior to that, he starred in the Tony Award-nominated Broadway revival of Harvey Fierstein Torch Song, following his critically acclaimed performance in the off-Broadway production at Second Stage, earning Lucille Lortel Award and Drama League Award nominations. Michael originated the role of Alex More in Jonathan Tolins’ Buyer & Cellar Off-Broadway, on tour, and in London, for which he received the Drama Desk Award, Clarence Derwent Award, the Lucille Lortel Award, LA Drama Critics Award, and nominations for the Drama League and Outer Critics Circle Awards. He has acted in and directed numerous films. 

Max von Essen is a Tony, Drama Desk, and Grammy-nominated singer and actor best known for his role as Henri in the award-winning production of An American in Paris on Broadway. Most recently, he completed a yearlong run in the Broadway production of Anastasia and then toured the country in Lincoln Center Theater's revival of Falsettos. . Max's concert work has brought him across North America, including The Kennedy Center, Birdland Jazz Club, and a recent solo debut at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops. 

Deborah Cox possesses one of the most powerful and versatile contemporary voices of our time. The Grammy Award-nominated, multi-platinum R & B/Pop recording artist and actress recently blew the roof off theatres as she starred in the Rachel Marron role originally played by Whitney Houston in the new musical “The Bodyguard”. She made her Broadway debut in the leading role in Elton John and Time Rice’s musical “Aida”, receiving rave reviews.  

Since beginning her career as a background singer for Celine Dion, Deborah has recorded six award-winning and critically acclaimed albums and has written for and been recorded on numerous soundtracks. As with Whitney Houston, Deborah’s first recording contract was with Clive Davis at Arista Records and that self-titled debut album went platinum, earning her an American Music Award nomination. The Canadian-born star has an impressive list of #1 Billboard hit records, including thirteen #1 songs on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart. 

Eden Espinosa is most recognized for her critically acclaimed portrayal of Elphaba in "Wicked" on Broadway and in Los Angeles and San Francisco. 

Other credits include originating the title character in "Brooklyn the Musical", Flora in "Flora the Red Menace," and Maureen in the closing company of "Rent" on Broadway. Eden also originated the role of Sadie Thompson in the world premiere of "Rain", at the Old Globe Theater.  

Seth Rudetsky is the afternoon host on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio’s ON BROADWAY as well as the host of SETH SPEAKS on Sirius/XM Stars. As a pianist, Seth has played for more than a dozen Broadway shows including RAGTIME, LES MIZ, and PHANTOM. He was the Artistic Producer/Music Director for the first five annual Actors Fund Fall Concerts including DREAMGIRLS with Audra MacDonald (recorded on Nonesuch Records) and HAIR with Jennifer Hudson (recorded on Ghostlight Records, Grammy Nomination). In 2007 he made his Broadway acting debut playing Sheldon (singing “Magic to Do” in a devastating unitard) in THE RITZ directed by Joe Mantello for The Roundabout Theater.  

Spencer Ludwig is a Latin Grammy-winning and Grammy performing trumpeter, songwriter, producer, and musical director. Since being the original trumpeter in the multi-platinum band Capital Cities, the Los Angeles-born, half-Filipino vocalist-instrumentalist has gone rogue, adding a new dimension of possibility to not only his sonic weapon of choice but to pop music, overall and in 2019 he earned himself a Latin Grammy for co-writing and performing on Fonseca’s album “Agustin”. In 2016 he was signed as a solo artist to Warner Records who released his debut single “Diggy” and launched his career through a global Target campaign.  

To buy tickets for The Chase or learn more about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, go to www.daphealth.org/thechase   

Co-chairs Kevin Bass, Lauri Kibby, and Scott Nevins are leading a reinvention of the evening promising that "We’re going to gala like never before."   

This year's honorees will reflect the community of volunteers and donors that supported DAP Health during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

“The evening will be fashionable and glamorous as attendees have come to expect, but we want the entire experience to feel new and exciting” explains DAP Health CEO, David Brinkman.  “We’re going to be mission-centric with our program this year, sharing vital information about our plans for the future of health care.”   

Beginning at 5:00 p.m. and ending at 10:00 p.m. the evening will fund the ongoing mission of DAP Health (formerly Desert AIDS Project) and introduce attendees to the organizations' Vision Forward plan to expand its campus to serve more than 25,000 individuals. 

The Need is Great   

Most view and experience the Coachella Valley as a sublime oasis. But for many, that pristine picture is far from reality. Our neighbors—people of color, people living with HIV/AIDS, people living in poverty, and trans individuals, many of whom have yet found their way to DAP Health—wrestle daily here with pain, sadness, and desperation.   

Because a community can only be as strong as its weakest member—as healthy as its sickest—it is crucial that we join forces so that barriers to health and wellness are abolished.    

After all, is it not the duty of those standing tall to lift up those who have fallen?   

How DAP Health is Poised to Help   

Founded in 1984 by a group of community volunteers in the face of the AIDS crisis, DAP Health is an internationally renowned humanitarian healthcare organization. In 2013, the non-profit expanded its scope to care for all marginalized people, regardless of HIV status.   

Our goal is to improve the overall health of our entire community—especially the disenfranchised—by providing culturally competent, quality primary and preventative health care and social services on one campus. These include infectious disease care, dentistry, and programs related to mental health, substance use recovery, and sexual wellness.   

The expertise, infrastructure, reputation, and donor base atop which DAP Health’s considerable success stands was bolstered by our more recent involvement providing for all those devastated in countless ways by the COVID-19 pandemic.    

Thanks to 38 years of caring for people directly and indirectly affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and other public health emergencies, we have the physical and intellectual resources, the desire, and—most importantly—the imagination to effect even greater positive change in our beloved Coachella Valley community and beyond.   

The next epidemic has not yet been named. Just as DAP Health met HIV, HEP C, STIs, and COVID head-on, its team of infectious disease specialists stands ready to protect our community’s health and well-being. With 53% of our community not knowing their HIV status because they have never been tested, our commitment to ending the HIV epidemic and caring for individuals living with HIV will never waver.   

DAP Health Rises to Meet Core Challenges Today:   

Comprehensive health care access remains uneven. It’s estimated that 46% of our community lives below the federal poverty level. In communities of color, communities living in poverty, and in the LGBTQIA+ community, DAP Health is removing barriers to care to build a healthier tomorrow.   

The mental health crisis requires an intervention. DAP Health is doubling its capacity to deliver life-saving access to psychologists, therapists, and psychiatrists. We know mental health is health, but too many individuals experience shame in asking for the care they need and face challenges when they need it most.   

Addiction is a serious problem that requires a therapeutic solution. Substance use affects the individual and the family that loves them. DAP Health’s patient-centered model of care combines primary care, mental health, outpatient care, and traditional 12-step support groups that meet individuals where they are.   

Housing is health care. The housing and rental market have made shelter unaffordable for too many hard-working individuals. Some 2,300 of our neighbors experience homelessness on any given night. DAP Health is adding 61 additional affordable housing units to its campus, increasing its housing capacity by 75%.   

DAP Health has earned a national reputation as a one-of-a-kind advocacy-based health care organization. With an 11,000-square-mile service area – roughly the size of the state of Massachusetts – some clients travel from as far away as Blythe on the Arizona border, as well as from the cities, towns, and rural areas of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial Counties.   

DAP serves over 10,000 patients today. By 2025, we will serve 25,000 in our expanded medical, dental, and mental health clinics while bringing our total of on-campus housing units to 141. Every month, over 100 new patients walk through the doors of DAP Health seeking quality and comprehensive health care. Because of YOU, those doors are always open.   

Tradition Meets Health Care Access   

For 28 years, The Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards ‘The Chase’ has raised millions of dollars for direct patient services at DAP Health while honoring Humanitarians from all corners of the globe. They are people who radiate compassion – who seem to have been born for a higher purpose. Their ex­ample reminds us that everyone can make a positive difference in the lives of others. Since our very beginning, over 36 years ago, DAP Health has listened to the community we serve and taken its lead in solving tomorrow's challenges. This year’s honorees share DAP Health's vision of health equity and justice. They are people who have led and continue to inspire others.   

With over 15,000 people in need of medical care in our region, DAP Health needs your help today to expand our services. First organized by and named for famed interior designer Steve Chase — also a DAP Health donor, volunteer, and board member — ‘The Chase’ is a highlight of the desert community’s social season! Just a few of the honorees, award presenters, and entertainers in the past years have included Ann-Margret, Annette Bloch, Diahann Carroll, Carol Channing, Kristin Chenoweth, Joan Collins, Melissa Etheridge, Queen Latifah, Andy Linsky, Wynonna Judd, George Hamilton, Tom Hanks, Senator Ted Kennedy, Patti LaBelle, Angela Lansbury, Judith Light, Shirley MacLaine, Bob Mackie, Barry Manilow, Harold Matzner, Liza Minnelli, Prof. Luc Montagnier, Megan Mullally, Pauley Perrette, Debbie Reynolds, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Dionne Warwick   

Your presence at the 28th Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards, be­yond supporting our honorees, also signals your continued support for DAP Health’s patients and clients. Attendees are humanitarians helping remove roadblocks to access for quality care and supportive services that allow our patients, who are your neighbors and friends, to live their fullest poten­tial.    

Presenting Sponsor: Amazon

Producing Sponsor: Eisenhower Health           

Major Sponsors: Desert Care Network, Steven Anders\The Elizabeth Firth Wade Endowment, Kevin Bass & Brent Bloesser, Jim Burba & Bob Hayes, The Desert Sun\Local IQ, Patrick Jordan, NBC Palm Springs, Steve Tobin & Johnny Krupa\Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation

Star Sponsors: Neil Lane Couture, David Zippel & Michael Johnston

Supporting Sponsors: Bennion Deville, David Brinkman & Will Grimm, Jeff Consoletti & Rob Czechowicz, Eve Fromberg, Gilead Sciences, Inc, Lauri & Charles Kibby, Scott Nevins & Philip Hodges, Renaissance Palm Springs, Ann Sheffer & Bill Scheffler, Avita Pharmacy, Trina Turk, Walgreens, Western Wind Foundation, White Cross Pharmacy

Benefactor Sponsors: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Karen & Tony Barone, Chill Bar, Coachella Valley Health Personal, Diageo, Living Out - Palm Springs, Pure Health, Revive Wellness

Patron Sponsors: AbbVie, Donald R. Beck, Desert Insurance Solutions, Bill & Virginia Goldberg, Heffernan Insurance Brokers, Janssen Therapeutics, Reaction Marketing & Promotions Inc., Riverside County c/o V Manuel Perez, Jean-Guy Lechance & John Williams

Media Sponsors: CV Independent, Gay Desert Guide, Palm Springs Life, PromoHomo.TV,  The Hollywood Times, The Standard Magazine 

  

About DAP Health     
DAP Health is an advocacy-based health center in Palm Springs, CA serving over 10,000 patients, offering medical and mental healthcare, STI testing and treatment, dentistry, pharmacy, and lab services. A variety of wraparound services enable patients to experience optimal health, including social services, support groups, alternative therapies, and other wellness services. Excellent HIV care is provided by the largest team of specialized clinicians in the area.       

DAP Health opened one of California’s first COVID clinics and hotlines to offer screening, testing, and treatment. DAP Health is also working to address social determinants of health that are causing negative health outcomes during this pandemic, like food and housing insecurity, joblessness, isolation, and access to ongoing healthcare.    

DAP Health's sexual health clinic offers judgment-free STI testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and HIV and HCV testing. DAP Health has earned Charity Navigator’s highest rating for the twelfth consecutive year – landing DAP Health in the top 6% of nonprofits rated. The distinction recognizes that DAP Health exceeds industry standards in terms of financial health, accountability, and transparency.        

Visit www.daphealth.org to learn more.    

 

 

Dr. Christopher Foltz Moving to Cedars-S …

Dr. Christopher Foltz Moving to Cedars-Sinai in L.A.  

After five years of providing culturally competent care for patients at DAP Health, Dr. Christopher Foltz is joining the Infectious Disease Department at Cedars-Sinai Medical Group in Los Angeles. He will be remembered for opening the COVID Clinic and for inspiring many to thrive with HIV in the Coachella Valley.  

At Cedars-Sinai, he will provide outpatient infectious disease care. He will also work part-time in the hospital seeing patients with complicated infectious diseases, specifically working with organ transplant patients. Additionally, he will teach Residents and Fellows in the Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease programs. This move is effective February 1.  

Dr. Foltz spearheaded opening DAP Health’s COVID Clinic and COVID Hotline as soon as the pandemic emerged in March 2020.  He inspired a team of healthcare professionals to join him as frontline responders at a time when little was known about how to protect oneself. He also managed validation testing for the antibody test, an important step in those days to establish reliability, as clinicians everywhere grappled with unproven testing products.  

“I honestly feel like he made that clinic,” says Kimmie Miller, LVN and Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist at DAP Health. “He needed the rest of us, but he was the brains behind it.”  

Created to alleviate overcrowding at area emergency rooms, the DAP Health COVID Clinic offered care and advice at a time when little was understood about the COVID virus; supplies were scarce, and fear ran high everywhere, even with DAP Health staff.  

“He taught us a new way to think, and he made sure that we were as up to date as possible,” Kimmie says. “He made sure that we were trained properly and would do a daily rundown of what happened and how we could do it better the next day.” 

As always, the proof was in the community feedback.   

“The patients were so appreciative and attentive to what he was telling them,” She says. “We got many calls about how much they wanted to thank him for all his caring and dedication.” 

Dr. Foltz believes the uniqueness of the Coachella Valley, known for its charity and sense of community, had a lot to do with the clinic’s success.  

“The outpouring of help from the community was something I never expected,” he says. “From the donations to just every day “thanks” we received; it was very rewarding.” 

Opening the COVID Clinic was in line with the Infectious Disease training he has devoted his life to. It also groomed him for this next chapter in an already impressive career.  

“All the expertise I was able to provide during the early COVID period really gave me the thirst to diversify what type of medicine I am able to practice,” he says. “This new position will allow me to see more Infectious Disease patients, both in and out of the hospital.” 

He wants his DAP Health patients to retain their focus on staying healthy in the time of COVID.  

“Stay engaged in your health,” he says. “As always, you are your own best advocate.” 

Dr. Foltz has a reputation for asking his patients questions and getting to know them, rather than just talking “at” them during care.  

“A patient-clinician relationship is just that—a relationship,” he says. “It takes time to build the trust to allow someone into your life to manage your healthcare.”   

“I always try to approach it with communication and understanding.” 

That is exactly how it has been for Pete, an established patient of Dr. Foltz.  

“He took the time to try and figure me out, and I could tell he actually cared,” says Pete. “He always took anything I said into account.” 

This encouraged Pete to ask questions about his care, and together they would explore different approaches. 

“This made me feel safe,” Pete says. “And it made me realize that I can really be healthy.” 

For Dr. Foltz, this is part of his strategy for helping patients thrive. 

“I strive to educate my patients with as much information as appropriate so they can ultimately make the best decisions in their own healthcare,” Dr. Foltz says. “I also try to do my best to provide a safe and respectful atmosphere where they feel listened to, and their concerns acknowledged.” “I hope to always remain part of the DAP Health family,” he says.  

To read more about Dr. Foltz’s training in the Midwest and opening the COVID Clinic, visit: https://www.daphealth.org/greater-kansas-city-or-coachella-valley-dr-foltz-lives-to-heal-his-community/