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Programs & Services

Inclusive Health Services programs provide an affirming space for primary care tailored specifically to the LGBTQ+ community, including comprehensive transgender care, regardless of HIV status. As a designated AIDS Center, we offer specialized support for individuals living with or at risk for HIV.


Behavioral Health Program

The IHS Behavioral Health Team provides outpatient, mental health services to our patients at Inclusive Health Services. Our goal is to provide evidence-based treatment that is rooted in principles of trauma informed care, harm reduction, and recovery orientation. Patients can receive psychotherapy/counseling and medication management. We also offer evaluations for letters to support gender affirming treatments.

Person talking to therapist or social worker

Patient Concerns

Below are examples of concerns that patients often bring to us:

  • New HIV diagnosis
  • Struggling with an existing HIV diagnosis
  • Depression
  • Anxiety and/or panic
  • Suicide concerns that can include thoughts, behaviors, and surviving past attempts
  • Self-injurious behaviors
  • Psychological trauma
  • LGBTQ areas of concern
  • General life issue

Treatment Modalities

The following treatment modalities are available through our Behavioral Health program:

  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
  • Dynamic Deconstructive Psychotherapy
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (E.M.D.R.)
  • Motivational Interviewing for alcohol/substance use
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LGBTQ+ Affirming Care

We are closed to primary care patients at this time.

Funded by the New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute, Inclusive Health Services has been able to expand services to folks within the LGBTQ+ community to provide safe and affirming primary and specialty care. We acknowledge the disproportionate health disparities faced by folks within the LGBTQ community and seek to provide wrap around services to combat these in the upstate New York area.

IHS accepts all insurances with whom Upstate University Hospital participates with. That being said, although we are providing primary care services, some insurances have a carve out for "outpatient hospital billing." This means your copay may be a bit higher than your previous primary care provider. Please contact your insurance company or ask for a benefit check upon intake to determine what your out-of-pocket costs will be.

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Primary Care Services

We offer the following primary care services for LGBTQ+ community members:

  • Gender affirming hormones and care
  • Prep and HIV care
  • Mental health services and referrals
  • Substance use assessment
  • Hepatitis C treatment
  • GYN/pelvic exams
  • Additional support services

Inclusivity and Sensitivity Efforts

Some things we have done to upgrade our inclusivity and sensitivity includes:

  • Pronoun stickers available upon check in
  • Staff wearing pronoun pins
  • Waiting room personal pager system to increase confidentiality
  • Mandatory cultural sensitivity training for staff
  • Personalized new patient intakes with social work staff

We are always looking for more ways to best serve our patients, so please feel free to share any ideas you may have at your visit.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

PrEP is a great way to reduce your risk of acquiring HIV. We accept PrEP patients from all walks of life and all types of HIV risk. Our PrEP patients can also receive their primary care at Upstate, and have access to all the support services that IHS has to offer, such as pharmacy support, peer mentorship, behavioral health and social work.

There are various treatment options available for PrEP, including injectable therapy. You will collaborate with your healthcare provider to determine the best option for your needs.

Who Is PrEP for?

PrEP can help:

  • People with more than one sex partner
  • People with sex partners who have high HIV risk
  • People with sex partners known to have HIV
  • People who inject drugs or hormones and share needles or have high risk sex
  • Men who have sex with men

New York State offers an insurance, PrEP-AP, to assist those who do not have insurance or whose insurance does not adequately cover PrEP.

IHS accepts all insurances accepted through University Hospital. We will refer you to our PrEP case manager if you do not already have insurance.

Please call or text 315 464-5533 to set up an appointment for PrEP. We accept self-referrals or referrals from a provider.

People Aging with HIV Pilot Program (PAWH)

It has been identified that as patients with HIV are now living longer healthier lives, they are beginning to feel the effects of aging. New funding from New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute has allowed us to create a program for Patients Aging with HIV. We are implementing services that allow us to understand the various needs our patients have and build appropriate methods to meet those needs. 

PAWH offers training and education geared toward patient needs, including but not limited to one-on-one assessment, case management services and service referral, and support/education groups.


The Retention and Adherence Program (RAP)

RAP is a program funded by the New York State AIDS Institute, designed to assist patients living with HIV who are experiencing difficulties taking their medications consistently or attending their healthcare appointments.

Our RAP team will work with the patient to identify barriers that may affect adherence to medications or ability to attend appointments. The RAP Specialist and the patient will work together to design a plan of care to address those barriers. Continued follow up will occur to help the patient overcome their barriers and achieve their health goals.

The RAP team offers training and education geared toward patient needs, including but not limited to one on one assessment and education, case management services, and helpful adherence tools such as pill boxes, and planners.

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Family Focused Heath Care (FFHC)

FFHC helps people living with HIV who also are the primary care givers for children under age 18 and women who are planning to become pregnant or are pregnant. The FFHC Medical Case Manager will assess patient needs and refer for services to overcome barriers to care.

FFHC education geared toward patient needs, including but not limited to one-on-one assessment, case management services and service referral.

Clinical Trials

As part of Upstate's commitment to patient care, education, and research, Inclusive Health Services is participating in several research studies.

Our studies look at a range of aspects of HIV care and prevention, on topics such as PrEP, alcohol use, to how the immune system controls HIV, how HIV affects the brain, and new regimens for HIV treatment.

Some participants may be enrolled from clinic when they come to see their providers, and others may be enrolled at Upstate's Clinical Trials Unit at the Institute for Human Performance.

If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, please speak to your IHS provider about whether one of our trials might be a good fit for you.

 Clinical Trials


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