UHS Creates New AIDS Clinic

University Health Services (UHS) has formed a specialty medical clinic to offer consultative services to those who have AIDS and those concerned with issues surrounding the disease.

The clinic, open to members of the Harvard community and funded by UHS, will complement treatment by UHS physicians by providing specifics on the disease and about its relevance to patients' lives.

The clinic was formed at the suggestion of members of the AIDS support group at UHS and the Harvard community who thought it would benefit students and patients.

'Something The Community Needs'

"It's something the community needs," said Dimitri Kountourogiannis '93, a member of Harvard-Radcliffe AIDS Education & Outreach. "The subject is very complicated."

The clinic differs from an existing UHS AIDS support group in its increased medical focus, according to Dr. Peter Zuromskis '66, a UHS physician who helped to organize the program.

The purpose of the clinic, Zuromskis said, is "to serve people who have HIV infection in any stage and to provide a reference point for people [without AIDS] who have questions."

The clinic is comprised of UHS specialists who will offer advice in their respective fields. Current members include Zuromskis, clinical social worker Nadja B. Gould, who specializes in psychiatry, clinical dietician Charles Smigelski Jr., who will discuss nutritional issues and patient advocate Kathleen Dias, who will address social and financial problems.

The clinic is designed to provide a convenient information source to those already begin treated at UHS as well as to "drop-ins" who have unanswered questions.

"As a convenience to [people who attend the clinic] we thought it would be appropriate to consolidate resources," Zuromskis said. Patients will be referred to the specialty clinic through their regular physician.

In addition to providing information about AIDS, Zuromskis said, the clinic will provide patients, doctors and others with information about newly-developed treatment and drugs.

Open Once Every Two Weeks

Although there is as yet no definite schedule, Zuromskis said he expects the clinic will be open every two weeks for two-hour sessions.

"I think it's a wonderful idea," Kountourogiannis said. "It's very good there's someplace people can go."