AHF Together

AHF Together is Back

You might remember when COVID-19 hit, we created AHF Together to come together virtually to share resources, celebrate radical cooperation, and more.

We received positive feedback on the series and have brought it back as a part of the monthly Facts at a Glance email. This is still a space to keep up to date on employee information, resources, and to celebrate teams going above and beyond.

If you have stories or updates you'd like to share, please send them to [email protected]. In good times or bad, AHF staff shines.

Together, we are AHF.

AHF Staff Support Hollywood’s All Black Lives Matter March

AHF Wins the Fight Against Fort Lauderdale’s “No Camping” Law

Thanks to our staff, strategic partners, housing advocates, and legislative affairs team in the Southern Bureau, the City of Fort Lauderdale voted down an ordinance that would criminalize poverty.

May 2014, the City of Ft. Lauderdale passed one of many “no camping” laws across the country, which, in short, gives law enforcement the right to arrest anyone they see sleeping on the street. The law directly targets the homeless population; the consequences include a 500 dollar fine and up to 30 days in jail if they receive a citation from law enforcement.

Robert McKinzie, FL Commissioner, proposed to expand the measure into late 2019. This is where AHF kicked our advocacy into high gear. Our ongoing efforts included maintaining communication with local city officials, strengthening the relationship with strategic partners, and monitoring a similar ordinance showing up in the future. The final vote took place on May 5th, and the commission voted the extension down with a 3-2 “no” majority.

This is just one of the many examples of how AHF has been quick to adapt to the times and continued to let our advocacy shine in the best ways we see fit.

AHF Stands With “Flag for All” Coalition to Bring About Change

Sharon Brown, Director of Flag for All Mississippians Coalition stated, “Now Mississippi can embrace a new flag that represents unity and progress. It was humble beginnings back in 2015 when we joined in the fight with our many allies such as AIDS Healthcare Foundation, who knew the importance of joining in the fight to remove this divisive Confederate emblem. I am grateful and truly humbled to the many who spent countless hours with us in this endeavor.”

To read more on the victory click here.

You Can Get Involved in AHF Advocacy Virtually!

Advocacy is at the core of AHF’s mission and even though our ability to come together in person is still limited, we can still effect change virtually.

In the past months, AHF Advocacy developed the “AHF Cavalry” project, for all AHF staff to get involved and make a difference online. Instructions and guidelines for each advocacy campaign are available through the AHF Intranet website.

You can also join our teams weekly “Loop Up” calls where we discuss key issues and how we can amplify our messages to policymakers on housing, drug pricing, access to essential medicines, the 340B drug pricing program, social determinants of health and funding for the domestic and international response to HIV and COVID-19.

Click Here to Get Involved Today

Previous AHF Health & Fitness Livestreams:

Playlist: Work-In With Law

Playlist: Work-In With Raif

Playlist: Work-In With JD

With all 50 states now in some degree of re-opening AHF is transitioning from crisis mode to whatever degree of normalcy is possible. AHF as a whole has performed magnificently. Every division of AHF has earned and deserves high praise. Our core values - particularly being nimble - have really come in handy.

Under our Chief of Medicine Dr. Wohlfieler's direction one of our immediate adaptations was to convene the COVID Response Team. The responsibility of the team was to evaluate which of our domestic employees was infected or exposed to the virus and when it was safe for them to be at work. Through this process we were able to keep our facilities open while doing everything we could to maintain the safety of our staff. The results speak for themselves. All medical services have been sustained throughout; managers had a resource to consult; and workplace infections were averted.

The individual members of the committee met daily; adopted policy guidelines; spent long hours reviewing each and every case; and were readily available to reassure and consult. CRT was a primary reason that the AHF structure held up so well over the last two months.

So I take this occasion to extend my personal thanks for their hard work and dedication to keeping AHF staff and clients safe while assuring that as front line healthcare workers we continued to serve our clients and fulfill our mission.

Dear AHF Colleagues,

We have been living now with global knowledge of this virus for four months. Not withstanding the delays; cover-ups; and misinformation coming from governments and international agencies we have tried our best to adapt to extreme but necessary measures to control the spread. We understand some but not very much more about this virus now than we did in January. Big questions remain about transmission; prevention; immunity; or a vaccine. The financial crisis that this pandemic has unleashed is already having devastating impacts across the globe which are unlikely to be short lived. In addition, their is an enormous emotional toll on people based on their fear of the virus as well as its consequences.

There is some good news. Our best information is that the risk of death from COVID 19 is primarily among people with existing underlying medical conditions and methods to treat the symptoms of the disease are improving. It is also becoming clear that most people who become infected are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. And, we also know that quarantines and social distancing do work to flatten the curve of the disease and can take pressure off of healthcare systems.

Re-opening of some sort is or soon will be upon us in most places. Despite all the precautions that will be taken, cases and deaths will rise again. New lock downs are likely.

Timelines about vaccine or treatments are guesses. An unprecedented level of research and development is happening across the world but there is no guarantee what the outcomes will be or when they will come.

How much immunity antibodies will give us is unclear. If they are effective then herd immunity, which is based on a large number of people being infected, may kick-in before a vaccine is discovered or available. We have no choice but to live with these uncertainties. Thoughtful responses are all about balancing risk vs. needs.

The normal healthcare system must be restored. Their are other deadly diseases that are not being prioritized at the moment. People need to work to support themselves and their loved ones. Commerce, governance; travel; even culture; faith and sport are important in order to nourish people.

As a result of your commitment AHF been on the cutting edge of responding to this virus and we will be a leader in re-opening. Our priorities will remain serving patients and protecting staff. We will need your help in custom designing and implementing precautions tailored to each of our services and departments.

Radical COoperation has served us incredibly well - so keep it up. I have no doubt that this period will be a legendary moment in AHF's history.

Stay safe and sane. We will get through this together.

Michael Weinstein

Dear colleagues,

All of humanity is coming to terms with COVID 19 - a biologic attacker. But, even now as new infections are still skyrocketing, the question on everyone's mind is reopening. When is it time? When will it be safe? Will there be a second wave? There are no pat answers because the situation like the virus is novel.

The good news for AHF is that we have adapted to the situation seamlessly:

Only minor glitches, anywhere.
Beyond commendable efforts.
Excellent leadership exhibited from top to bottom.
Radical COoperation at its best.

As the British would say "we stayed calm, and carried on" and we will continue to do so.

I am incredibly proud of the entire team. I thank you on behalf of the 1.4 million people we serve.

During April our goal is to utilize any down time people may have to catch up on vital projects that may be overlooked when we are at full tilt. Even if these seem like chores they are necessary to our smooth operation in the future.

When the lock-downs do begin to ease AHF will gradually restart more of our operation in accordance with government directives. Our highest priority is the protection of our staff while fulfilling our mission. Our medical leadership will continue to evaluate risks. Operations will develop contingency plans. Regardless, no employees will be laid off.

It is a testament to the strengths that AHF has honed over our 33 year history that we can continue to deliver at this level for humanity's sake.

Through this crisis you - our staff, management, board of directors, affiliates and affinity groups have kept faith with AHF. As senior management we can only hope that we have and will continue to keep faith with you.

Lastly, the developing world is going to be very hard hit by the economic shock waves from this pandemic. For the most disadvantaged it will be a matter of life and death not just from the virus but from hunger. Since we cannot know how long and how deep this recession will be it is critical that the bureaus consider how to support and advocate for our patients.

Take care.

Dear AHF Colleagues,

It is as if we are trapped in a science fiction movie. We are trying to fathom the unfathomable. Many of us are in virtual solitary confinement. Only a few months ago we were (and still are) very worried about a locust plague on the horn of Africa - not a global pandemic. And, yet here we are and we must persevere.

I am so grateful for the solidarity and camaraderie of the entire AHF family. So much of what is lacking in global institutions is ever present at AHF. Our nimbleness has allowed us to adapt quickly to working from home; reducing congestion in many of our sites; making sure that our patients get their medications; and protecting our staff to the maximum amount that we can. We stay in frequent communication with our employees and the community and we adjust quickly to changing circumstances.

I know our core values of being patient centered and valuing employees are at play by the multitude of messages I have received and the high scores from our patients which is a testament to all of you. Team work has never been more important. We are seeing a visual display of radical COoperation with all of the different programs and departments supporting one another. As difficult as the last two months have been, the period ahead will be even more trying. This pandemic will not end soon. We and the world have to figure out how we sustain ourselves through the months and even years ahead without the benefit of knowing exactly where this pandemic is going to take us.

This current medical earthquake will be followed by an economic and social tsunami. It is inevitable that the poorest and most marginalized groups will suffer the most. At just the time when international cooperation is most needed it is failing on many levels. The time that was needed to prepare was largely squandered. It falls to us to be a beacon of hope.

As an international NGO with a global mission it is our sacred duty to sustain ourselves through this incredibly trying time. This we will certainly do. Even as the stresses and strains of fearing for ourselves and our loved ones plagues us all we will still do the most we can to protect the public health - this is an article of faith for us.

Under the rainbow that is AHF, which encompasses many faith traditions, I recognize that today is the Christian celebration of Easter - a celebration of resurrection. What better occasion to commit to being our highest and best selves as individuals and as humanity.

Michael Weinstein

AHF Colleagues,

It is undeniable that the world is at war with a ruthless attacker - a terrorist that strikes at will. In addition to attacking our bodies it affects our minds through looming dread or under the influence of fevered dreams. With the recent realization that there is no place to hide it is clear that the entire global community is in this together. Rich or poor; North or South; and across the generations we are all at risk. There is a collective call to duty that is needed to beat this enemy. In the absence of good preparation or of quality leadership it is left up to individuals and organizations to do the very best they can.

The world faced similar challenges in 1918 with the Spanish flu, since 1981 with the AIDS pandemic, plus malaria, TB, polio, H1N1, ZIKA, etc. We will survive COVID 19 and hopefully the world will now heed our calls to build a stronger global public health system. But, right now we as individuals and as AHF employees, clients, board members and partners must make it though and that we are doing in an inspiring fashion.

In accordance with government directives we have looked for the happy medium between protection and sustaining services. We are working from home; providing services over the phone; and minimizing face to face appointments. We are leveraging our internal medical expertise to minimize risk. Employees are volunteering to help out in other divisions. All essential services are being sustained. Plus we have put a command and control structure in place that can make quick well informed decisions.

The uncertainty about how long this will last is the most nerve-wracking part of this crisis. Our worries about the people we love and ourselves is a monkey on our back much of the time. But, intuitively we know that there will be a morning after the coronavirus and that we will look back with pride about how well we served our clients and each other.

Finally, we cannot help when we don't know what you need. We are scattered across the world in places big and small. In conjunction with your local leadership please let us know how we can help.

Take care and be well.
Michael Weinstein

Dear Colleagues,

Scientists agree that staying at home and social distancing are effective strategies for limiting the spread of coronavirus. But, how many hundreds of millions of people don't have proper homes or live in extremely overcrowded conditions. Those of us who are privileged enough to live in larger spaces; with running water; reliable electricity; good sewage; heating and air conditioning have some comfort in sheltering in place. If your home is a tent on the streets of Los Angeles; under a tin roof in an informal settlement in Africa; a refuge camp in many parts of the world; or a tiny hut where your whole family lives you are in even greater jeopardy from this virus.

If you are a migrant you are unlikely to have access to healthcare. If you live in a place that does not have ventilators or much of any public health system you may be out of luck. A global pandemic means we are all in this together - the virus doesn't discriminate - yet, those of us who live in wealthy countries with better health resources have a fighting chance that many others do not have.

It took us ten years to get ARVs available in most of the world and there are still 700,000 AIDS deaths per year mostly in the developing world. As we combat COVID 19 our guidelines must be sensitively tailored to the local living conditions. We must advocate aid to the world's neediest. If your income comes from scrounging from a garbage dump or selling trinkets on the street how will you eat during this crisis? And, even as the richest countries borrow trillions of dollars to prevent economic collapse at home they must continue to support medical and economic aid to the poorest countries.

Public health crises are a shared problem. We live on a small planet which we crisscross by air, sea and on land every moment of every day. This is not the first nor will it be the last pandemic in our lifetime. We didn't learn enough from AIDS, Ebola, Zika, TB, or Malaria. We refused to prepare for the current eventuality. Our current fragmented system is a Tower of Babel. It is our job to advocate for the most vulnerable and to fight to build a viable global public health system for the future.

The AHF coordinated response to the pandemic has been so impressive. Our values of being nimble; patient centered; and valuing employees have been on display across the globe. We will come out of this stronger than ever.

For our dedicated and brave doctors - BRAVO! Tomorrow is Doctors Day in the United States - thank you.

For all of our front line people - nurses, pharmacists, drivers, medical assistants; medics; front office staff; and everyone else my deepest appreciation.

Sincerely,
Michael Weinstein

AHF Colleagues,

We are all scared because there is so much we don't know and we will have to live with that for a while. Fortunately, we do know that the overwhelming majority of people will survive coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the death toll and the scale of the illness is expanding. It is no exaggeration to say that we are at war. And, it is a war that we can and must win. As a medical organization, that has a duty to our patients and the public health, we are in the middle of the battle. Nevertheless, as individuals we are concerned for our own health and that of our loved ones. I have observed first hand how magnificently the AHF family has performed. Collectively we have sustained the care of our patients and individually you have answered the call to contribute in whatever ways you can. Of course, we have the greatest concern for our front line staff. We are doing everything we can to get you the equipment you need to protect yourself and the clients; we are scaling back face-to-face contact wherever possible; and we continue to adjust as new information presents itself.

As things stand today all of our patients are receiving their medication timely and we are giving them an extra month just in case. The healthcare centers are open and staying in contact with their patients but moving to more telephonic contact. Wellness STD programs are open but only seeing symptomatic patients.

Skeleton staffs are maintaining the administrative functions. COVID 19 work groups are meeting daily and our systems are holding. We must lean on each other to get through this. This time is already one of AHF's greatest hours.

Thank you,
Michael Weinstein

Dear AHF Colleagues,

As we navigate through these terribly troubled waters, as usual, the AHF family is rising to the occasion.

We are mobilized in every department and at every level; our clients are being served; and we are protecting our employees as best we can. We are scouring for protective gear; we are scaling back non-essential services; and we are having some employees, where feasible, work from home. Direction from government is changing on a daily basis and we are adjusting to it appropriately.

The economic pain that this crisis is inflicting on individuals, families and industries is intense. I have already directed that there will be no layoffs, but additional actions are needed to cushion the blow on our staff. Therefore, the following actions are being taken:

All employees who cannot come to work or work from home will be given unlimited sick/vacation time to cover their absences but will be required to utilize their accumulated time to cover half of this time. If you are out for a ten day work period you will utilize five days of your accrued time. If that time is exhausted AHF will pick up 100% of your pay.
Considering the disproportionate impact of this crisis on lower income employees AHF will issue a one-time payment of $500 to these employees as part of their next pay check.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing the right thing.

We will get through this together.
Michael Weinstein

AHF Together is Back

AHF Staff Support Hollywood’s All Black Lives Matter March

AHF Wins the Fight Against Fort Lauderdale’s “No Camping” Law

You Can Get Involved in AHF Advocacy Virtually!

Previous AHF Health & Fitness Livestreams:

05/21/20

04/28/20

4/18/2020

04/13/20

4/5/20

3/29/20

3/21/20

03/17/20