Mission & History
The Center for Special Studies provides first class, HIV specialized care to people living with HIV/AIDS. We offer a very high standard of care in a welcoming and non-discriminatory setting. We have been a leader in HIV care since 1988. The Center was one of the first programs in New York to be recognized as a Designated AIDS Center by the Department of Health.
CSS was developed in response to the specific needs of the HIV infected community. We understand that people with HIV face many social and psychological issues beyond the physical ones that affect their overall health. Therefore, we offer a wide range of services to meet many of these needs.
The number of patients assigned to each staff member at the Center is fixed so that you receive as much attention as needed. Our structure enables staff to have manageable caseloads and the time necessary to provide individualized and thorough care. It allows allows the same clinical team to follow you throughout your care with us. This structure enables you and your team to build strong relationships over a long period of time. Treatment decisions and treatment plans are worked on together. If you need to be hospitalized, the same team that takes care of you during office visits will be with you in the hospital as well. At a time when you are the most vulnerable and in need of a familiar face, you will have the consistency of care from people who know you. Because of these long relationships, many of our patients refer to us as family.
Based on the success of our programs and the desire to be more convenient
for more people, in 1997 we opened a second clinic in Chelsea. Located
on the first floor of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis building,
we have a unique relationship with the cities oldest and largest AIDS service
organization. If you choose to receive care in this location, you
have convenient access to all of the programs offered by Gay Men’s
Health Crisis. The broad array of care and research services offered
by a team of HIV specialized professionals uptown is replicated in our Chelsea location.
The Center works closely with other HIV programs at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
- In order to provide care for the whole family in one convenient location with the same high standards of care, the Family Center for Special Studies is a multidisciplinary program that cares for children and adolescents, both infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS. The KISS program does community outreach with adolescents and offers free counseling and testing.
- In order to remain current and up to date with the latest treatment options and disease progression models, we combine care and research in one location. The Cornell Clinical Trials Unit is located in both of our clinical settings and works closely with our team. Patients who are interested and qualify for studies can take advantage of these services.
- As the epidemic has shifted, our program has grown and changed to meet these new demands. Understanding the global challenges our community is facing, back in 2000, we started a collaborative program with two teaching hospitals in Nigeria. The Starfish Project provides training, education, support and medications to healthcare professionals in Nigeria.
- As healthcare financing has changed, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is responding by pioneering a new model for healthcare coverage for Medicaid patients. Select Health is a Special Needs Plan that provides coverage for people with HIV and AIDS eligible for Medicaid.