COVID-19 information, vaccine registration, and visitation policies as of February 23, 2021.
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Our Services

The Wellness Program/HIV and AIDS

  • Hours

    Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

  • The Wellness Program|Ryan White Grant
    1101 Sam Perry Blvd.
    Suite 304
    Fredericksburg, VA 22401
    Get Directions
    P: 540.374.3279

Are you living with HIV? You may have questions and concerns about COVID-19 and how best to stay healthy, or perhaps you need to see a doctor who is qualified to treat both HIV and COVID-19. Mary Washington Healthcare is here for you. Please contact us at 540.374.3279 about getting your flu shot.


Mary Washington Infectious Diseases has five board-certified physicians who specialize in infectious disease treatment: Dr. Awol Ali, Dr. Norman Bernstein, Dr. Lauren Fiske, Dr. Rosemary Iwunze, and Dr. Lalita Chulamokha, as well as nurse practitioner Felicia Hall. They are available for in-person or virtual (telehealth) visits. Please call The Wellness Program at 540.374.3279 to schedule an appointment.

Read more about the physicians and practice here

Staying well and protecting yourself from COVID-19.

People who live with HIV should always protect themselves against viruses and infections.

  • Limit exposure to others by staying home unless absolutely necessary
  • Wash your hands often
  • Get adequate rest
  • Take all medications on a regular schedule
  • Eat well, with emphasis on colorful vegetables
  • Drink plenty of water – you are adequately hydrated if your urine is pale yellow

If you feel unwell, take your temperature every couple of hours. Call the office at 540.374.3279 if your temperature elevates.

MWHC COVID-19, Vaccine and FAQs Ryan White COVID-19 FAQs

  • Virtual visits (or telehealth) are a great way to stay in contact with your medical provider and stay safe at home. Our physicians use telephone and video visits to provide routine medical care to our patients. Some tips to get the most out of your virtual visit:

    • Expect to the visit to take at least 15 to 20 minutes.
    • Find a quiet private place to take your call. Your provider may ask you questions about your sexual health and sexual practices.
    • Ensure your phone or computer is charged so that you and the provider are able to complete the call.

      Read more about Virtual Visits on our Medical Group page

FREE At-Home Test Kits

If you are concerned about leaving your house for an HIV test, the Wellness Program has FREE at-home test kits available for Virginia residents to check their HIV status in just 20 minutes. If you would like to receive a free kit, please email your name and address to the Wellness Program at wellness.program@mwhc.com or call 540.374.3279. A discreetly packaged kit will be mailed directly to you for your convenience. En español*

As a reminder, we continue to offer free in-office HIV testing at 1101 Sam Perry Blvd, Suite 304; Fredericksburg, VA 22401.

FREE Condoms

If you are in need of condoms and can't visit the office, email your name and address to Wellness.Program@mwhc.com and the team will mail to you.

February is National Condom Month, highlighting awareness of condom use as an effective way to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). When used properly, condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV and other STIs. Part of effective use includes using a non-oil based lubricant to reduce breakage.

CDC Resource: Proper Condom Use

The Wellness Program|Ryan White Grant serves our community to help those living with HIV and Aids to navigate healthcare, understand medications, and assist in finding financial and emotional support options. Please visit the community calendar for upcoming community education and support events.

Wellness Program clients who are interested in understanding what assistance is available for them can come to the program office, located on the Mary Washington Hospital Campus. Our staff will assist clients in understanding eligibility requirements, general conditions and restrictions.

For more information, contact us at 540.374.3279 or email Wellness.Program@mwhc.com. The Wellness Program office is located on the Mary Washington Hospital campus in the Tompkins-Martin Medical Plaza, 1101 Sam Perry Blvd., Suite 304, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401. Transportation to this location is available on the local Fred Bus.

Do you know your status? Our staff can provide free and confidential HIV testing. Call us for an appointment 540.374.3279.

*Teniendo en cuenta la orden de Quedarse en Casa del Gobernador Northam, el Programa de Bienestar de MWHC cuenta con pruebas GRATIS de chequeo a los residentes de Virginia que deseen verificar su estado de VIH, para hacer en casa en tan solo 20 minutos. Si está interesado en recibir un paquete de prueba gratis, por favor envie por correo electrónico su nombre y dirección al Programa de Wellnes a wellness.program@mwhc.com o llame al teléfono 540.374.3279. Un discreto paquete de prueba le será enviado por correo directamente a usted.

Le recordamos que aún continuamos ofreciendo pruebas de HIV gratuitas en nuestra oficina en las siguientes direcciones:

  • 1101 Sam Perry Blvd, Suite 304; Fredericksburg, VA 22401
  • Mary Washington Urgent Care, 11131 Journal Parkway, Suite A, King George, VA 22485

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

Are you worried about contracting HIV? The Wellness Program team will help guide you through strategies to reduce the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted illnesses. The team is open minded and will allow you to ask any question you have regarding sexual practices.

If you would like to start Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis call the office at 540.374.3279. Our team will connect you with a caring physician to manage your health care and medications. The program has options to help with the cost of medical visits, labs and medications.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

Concerned you have been exposed to HIV? Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a medication you can take to reduce the risk of contraction after a possible exposure. Call as soon as possible to talk with our team. The medication must be started within 72 hours of an unprotected sexual experience. Let us help you with your concern. 540.374.3279.

HIV Medication

If you are not sure about your HIV and other medications, we can help you sort out what is current and needed. We can also help you optimize tining and administrion of the medications for the best absorption. Our goal is to help all clients reach an undetectable level.

U=U means Undetectable=Untransmittable.

We also have a way to help you dispose of the old and unwanted medications. Give us a call at 540.374.3279.

Wellness Program | Ryan White Client Paperwork

Ryan White Eligibility 6-Month Renewal paperwork

Understanding the Ryan White Grant

Unlike Medicare or Medicaid, Ryan White Grant programs are the “payer of last resort,” which fund treatment for HIV/AIDS positive patients when no other resources are available. The Ryan White program serves over half-a-million people each year across the nation. In 2016, 551,567 clients received services from close-to 3,000 funded grant recipients and subrecipients.

The US Congress created the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act. Named in honor of Ryan White, an Indiana teenager who contracted AIDS through a tainted hemophilia treatment in 1984, the Act sought funding to improve availability of care for low income, uninsured and under-insured victims of AIDS and their families. Ryan was expelled from school because of the disease and became a well-known advocate for AIDS research and awareness, until his death on April 8, 1990.

Virginia AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)

The Virginia AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) provides access to life-saving medications for the treatment of HIV and related illnesses for low-income clients through the provision of medications or through assistance with insurance premiums and medication co-payments.

The program is primarily supported with federal Ryan White (RW) Treatment Extension Act Part B grant funding, which is distributed by a formula based on living HIV and AIDS cases to all states and territories in the United States.

Resources

HIV Answers www.hivanswers.com/

Help Stop the Virus www.helpstopthevirus.com/

Greater Than www.greaterthan.org/virginia/

Let’s Stop HIV Together www.cdc.gov/together

A Guide to Talking About HIV (CDC fact sheet)

Safer-Sex Chat Cheat Sheet

Let's Stop HIV Together (CDC resource library)

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