Amida Care Recognized for Service in LGBTQ Community with PRIDE Award
July 26 2017
New York, NY (July 26, 2017)—Amida Care, a not-for-profit, Medicaid Special Needs health Plan (SNP) that provides comprehensive medical, behavioral, and psychosocial support to over 6,000 New Yorkers, has received the City & State and New York Nonprofit Media PRIDE Award. Honored along with 10 other organizations and individuals, Amida Care was recognized for its unwavering commitment to providing quality health care to the LGBTQ community.
Doug Wirth, President and CEO of Amida Care, accepted the award on behalf of the organization at the breakfast award ceremony on July 26, 2017 at Manhattan Penthouse. Speakers included State Senator Daniel Squadron and Christine Marinoni, Senior Advisor for Community Partnerships, Office of the Deputy Mayor.
“The Amida Care team has proudly stood with the LGBTQ community since our inception in 2003,” said Doug Wirth. “Ending AIDS in New York hinges on supporting the LGBTQ community. As they continue to bear an undue burden of HIV diagnoses, we are steadfast in our mission of providing them with high-quality health care. LGBTQ New Yorkers deserve to have the resources they need to live their most authentic, healthiest lives.”
Amida Care’s model of care takes a holistic approach that prioritizes physical, mental, and emotional health. In addition to providing comprehensive health coverage and coordinated care, Amida Care also offers programs that provide individualized support and best practices for fitness and wellness. Through its successful care model, Amida Care has seen a 74 percent reduction in hospitalizations and a 64 percent decline in emergency room visits, resulting in over $110 million in savings to New York State between 2008-2015.
Amida Care was nominated for the award by Cynthia Dames, Vice President, not-for-profits of Kasirer. “It is more important than ever to recognize the individuals and organizations that are dedicated to serving the LGBTQ community,” said Cynthia Dames. “As strong advocates for New York State’s goal to End the HIV/AIDS Epidemic by the year 2020, the Amida Care team conducts outreach to populations with higher rates of HIV, including the transgender community and young men of color who have sex with men. Through targeted outreach, personalized models of care, and wide-reaching advocacy, Amida Care helps ensure that the needs of LGBTQ people are met.”