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About the Center
The University of Florida Center for HIV/AIDS Research, Education and Service (UF CARES) is a family-centered, comprehensive health care provider for HIV-infected or exposed infants, children, adolescents, women and their families, including their partners. Affiliated with the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, The UF Center provides a full array of patient care services, including screening, counseling, medical care, medical case management, health education, nutrition and dietary evaluation, pharmacist assistance and social services.
The mission of UF CARES is to enhance the quality of life of children, adolescents and families affected by HIV by providing compassionate, comprehensive care. In addition, The UF Center strives to increase awareness and understanding of HIV through leadership, service and education, with the ultimate goal of decreasing the transmission of HIV.
For additional information about UF CARES, please see our education, patient care and research pages.
History
The UF Center began providing medical care for children in 1988. Over the next two years the growing need for additional HIV/AIDS research became apparent. In 1990, The UF Center established a four-year partnership with the National Cancer Institute in order to participate in clinical research trials. During this partnership, the center explored the barriers children face in finding, receiving and maintaining health care. This led to the center's current comprehensive approach to care, providing "one stop" complete care for patients.
In 1993, the center became a National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trial Unit. In 1995 and again in 1999, the center received an "Excellence in Health Care Award" for its success as an HIV/AIDS program. The center continued to grow and in 1997 moved to the newly renovated clinic space it currently resides in at Shands Jacksonville. In this same year, the center expanded its scope to a family-centered, comprehensive health care provider for HIV/AIDS infected or exposed infants, children, adolescents, women and their families.