Vivent Health moves to larger clinic; expands HIV prevention, treatment services in Milwaukee

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee health care center focused on HIV prevention now has a bigger space.

Vivent Health has relocated from its clinic on Plankinton Avenue to a more than 46,000-sq. ft. facility near Milwaukee's Deer District.

The new clinic, located at 1311 N. 6th St., is 33% larger, with the capacity to serve 1,000 additional patients.

"We were maxed out at capacity at the last location. So, this allows us to grow and better serve our community," said Brandon Hill, Vivent's interim president and CEO.

The new clinic has medical, dental, behavioral, and pharmacy services all on one floor, as well as housing aid, a food pantry, and a needle exchange, which also provides naloxone and fentanyl testing strips.

"This is meant to be a collaborative, community engaged space," Hill said.

The move makes Vivent's focus of HIV treatment and prevention more accessible.

"The location is actually in an area where we are seeing a higher incidence of HIV," Hill said.

Although HIV rates are decreasing nationwide, Hill said there's an increase among racial and ethnic minority groups.

"HIV disparities map onto other economic disparities, housing and food instability disparities," Hill said.

Combining medical care with resources like food pantries and addiction treatment allows for a more targeted approach.

"This is really providing us an opportunity to be steps from where people who need access actually are," Hill said.

The new clinic in Milwaukee's Haymarket neighborhood officially opened to patients on Monday. They are always accepting new patients.