ABOVE: Photo via CAN Community Health.
SARASOTA | CAN Community Health released its annual report for 2021 and 2022 Sept. 20, a first in the private, not-for-profit organization’s 30 years.
CAN is dedicated to the treatment and care of people living with HIV and other diseases, offering medical, dental and psychological care among other services. It operates over 30 medical clinics, including its Sarasota headquarters and locations throughout Tampa Bay and Central Florida.
The organization first previewed its report Sept. 10 during the return of CANDance, an event based off of “Dancing with the Stars” which has served as a fundraiser for CAN’s work since 1999. More than 300 supporters attended the gathering to highlight their more than three decades of work.
Attendees were each provided a copy of the report, which was detailed by CAN President and CEO Dr. Rishi Patel. He was appointed to the position in January, having previously served as interim president and CEO since July 2021 after joining the organization as chief pharmacy officer in 2015.
The report notes that in fiscal year 2022, CAN served 21,249 patients in its service area of Florida, Arizona, New Jersey, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. It also served others outside of its service area in Alabama, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New York and North Carolina.
CAN also reported substantial growth in its Patient Assistance Fund, which helps underserved patients with personal and medical expenses.
“Many times our patients do not have transportation, the ability to pay for utilities or money to buy food,” the report explains. “The Patient Assistance Fund is there to help patients who are facing extenuating circumstances that negatively impact their healthcare and other personal needs.”
The fund grew from $1.26 million in fiscal year 2021 to $2.9 million in 2022. CAN provided housing, medical, nutrition, utilities and transportation assistance.
“As evidenced in the information in the Annual Report, our CAN medical, testing, pharmacy and outreach teams have done a stellar job caring for patients diagnosed with HIV and Hepatitis C, those seeking preventative care through PrEP, dental care, pharmacy, and/or behavioral health services,” Dr. Patel says.
“The coronavirus pandemic has been uniquely challenging for healthcare providers here in the United States and around the world and a significant threat to the well-being of our largely immunocompromised patient population,” he continues. “However, we are proud that our staff met each challenge with enthusiasm, creativity and dedication to our mission. Their efforts resulted in innovations like our at-home HIV testing program and telehealth services, which 40 percent of our patients utilized in FY2021.”
For more information about CAN Community Health and its services, visit CANCommunityHealth.org. Read the report in full here.
