Desert AIDS Project

I relocated from the bay area in September of 2015, I chose to seek medical care at DAP and I feel like this has been one of the worst experiences in my lifetime. First off let me say that I am a complicated case for sure with all the medical problems I have been experiencing in the past 10 years but that should not hinder just simply getting a return phone call or being able to seek medical treatment without feeling I am being judged for my life decisions.
Case at hand, first off they have the worst phone/​voicemail system that I have experienced (being that was my profession for 11 plus years with a major player in the telecommunications industry Installing and programming business phone systems and voice mail/​auto attendant systems) partly because no one answers the phone, cant even press 0 to reach an operator when you get to the options of trying to reach a department you cannot get anyone to answer the phone live, always directed to a voice mail box, that is fine if you can get someone to return your voice mail but that never happened, they state they are supposed to get back to you within 4 business hours if not that day then the next business day as stated in their message when calling in and leaving a message, after waiting for three days after leaving multiple messages I went to the DAP office and expressed my concerns with not getting a return phone call and was whisked into a back room of the facility with them stating that they have other patients also and was finally given extensions to dial for direct dialing through the auto attendant.
So then lets get to the doctor I was assigned, I always feel rushed when in consultation or follow up with said doctor, I was asked why I moved from SF being told that UCSF has the best medical care in the state which I wholeheartedly agreed with them but remaining in the bay area was not an option any longer as I had lost all of my support system in the bay area and needed to relocate somewhere that would have attentive, caring and compassionate medical care and teams. Being from the late 80’s early 90’s when the epidemic had hit so hard, when we were losing close friends or partners and attending funerals or memorial services on a daily or weekly basis to AIDS.
Most of the doctors from that time have either retired or have been exhausted from working and experiencing the loss and devastation from during that time and did so without judgement. Which is what happened, my doctor who I had seen there since early 2000 retired which led to me relocating down here to PS. It seems I have run into several people since being here in Palm Springs that have had similar interaction with DAP and not receiving return calls and such and being dissatisfied with the medical care being received from doctors at DAP. Seems we have become numbers in a healthcare system and all the doctors coming into the healthcare profession now, have never experienced what we did back then and will never know the devastation and loss that we experienced. Seems they are always caring for patients in a text book or class room manner. I know AIDS has become a chronic/​manageable disease and sometimes patients can be difficult in their own care but should be able to without fear of oppression or being judged by our healthcare professionals.
I have seen some change with the answering of calls recently but they still have bugs in their system. Not sure how much longer I will remain in the care of their doctors and facility but I have been seeking alternative/​backup treatment back at UCSF and in San Diego at UCSD until I determine where I will end up.

I had bronchitis last week and needed to see my doctor. he wasn’t in but they asked me to come in for triage. not many people there so i got in quickly. the nurse quickly understood by my coughing that i needed to be seen. i was escorted across the hall to The Dock. there i met a nice young nurse practitioner, i think his name is Rodney Wolf. he took a lot of time examining me. he even cleared the wax from my ears (which is a common problem for me). he was kind and gentle. he got me scripts for the infection and for pain. he spent time talking about my smoking (sorry kiddo). i left feeling very well cared for and in a better frame of mind than when i went in. thanks to all of you. cheers!

This place is no longer interested in the care and treatment of Aids Patients. A family member of mine with Aids was denied treatment in 2013 by DAP. They claim it was some Arrowcare loophole, but it was not. They took all the required information, diagnosis, residency and income… then gave him a nice tour and a welcome packet. The day before the first Doctor visit they called and cancelled his appointment over the phone. This is their MO. They get all the information they need to seek grants and hand-​out for a new client, then they deny that client teatment if he seems to be unfamiliar or out of the immediate area. DO NOT let them do this to you. It is against the law. Stand firm and demand treatment or better yet, just go somewhere else. These people are just money grabbers.

If you want to die, this place just might kill you.
If consistency in care is what you want, you won’t find it here Here you will find a revolving door of people with a medical degree. Of course the doctor they have hired may likely be a convicted felon, but that’s not the point, my friends. The main purpose of this, now Cancer Center, is to rake in cash, and in disgustingly gauche amounts that can change the name and focus to Cancer and put Aids second. Of course copious cash must be shoved to justify ones 300+k salary.

I went in for their complimentary HIV rapid test. I was checked in and waited a short time until the guy administering the test was ready for me (I forget his name but he was a volunteer). As we went through standard questions (I hate the one where they ask «how many sexual partners have you had in the last 12 months?» May as well ask how many times a day I breathe), we chit chatted and talked about the difference between taking the rapid test and blood testing. He really seemed to know what he was talking about and answered with confidence which I found impressive. After my results were ready and I was on my way, I dropped a donation into an envelope in support of this facility.

Healthcare | Hospitals | Pharmacies
Relatively Close To: Stater Bros and Subway
Public Transportation: Yes.
Valet Service: No.
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes.
Service Pet Allowed: Yes.
Parking: Private and shared parking lots.
Popularity: It’s popular for those who live with the illness, they are the only HIV facility in Palm Springs.
Reason of Visit: Came to support a friend in HIV awareness and to take a class in CPR.
Cellular Reception: Yes.
Free Wifi: No.
Outdoor Space: Minimal.
Cleanliness: It’s fairly clean.
Lighting: Bright.
Presentation: Retro style with a twist of modernization.
Ownership: Desert Aids Project a partner of Ryan Wright
Items Ordered: None.
Check-​in Wait Time: 13 minutes.
Temperature: °76
Staffs knowledgement of business and or amenities: The receptionist Candy, was great, very helpful to a client I referred.
Overall Service: Good.
Staffs response on compliments: I did not give any.
Staffs response about complaints: I did not give any.
Recommendations:
Two ** stars or less dont consider.
Three *** stars be cautious.
Four **** stars or more highly recommended.
Quick Notes: Heavily liberal, anti anything from the conservative side. Unless it’s associated with a privacy act of some sort. Social workers come and go rather quickly and the clients I know aren’t very happy with thier doctors or the service this agency offers.
My reviews are structured and rated in many areas. I believe that my experiences will provide consumers satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity information.
I hope this particular review has helped you carefully decide whether or not to give this venue your business.
Enjoy, Jonathan

Rude and unprofessional staff. They are judgmental and say things loud enough to each other to make patients feel ashamed to be there.

Great place! Great staff, keep he good work

‘WHAT’S COOKIN GOOD LOOKIN?’
2^nd & 4^th Wednesday @ 2:00 pm
A new class at the DAP taught by the one and only Ray Robertson. A great idea for a class and fun way to learn basic kitchen skills. Not sure if the class will progress into more difficult culinary techniques, but Ray always has a plan to entertain, teach, get excited, and bring those who want to spice up their hump day along for the ride.
The first class was an absolute hit! Not only did we get to chomp down on some super yummy, scrumptious cook’n, but the ingredients of our afternoon feast came mostly from the Farmer’s Market bag that can be picked up at Desert AIDS Project on the 3^rd Wednesday of each month.
I highly recommend stopping by to check it out. DAP has many new classes this fall and I am extremely excited to visit them to see if which ones work for me. My nose and tummy are telling me that ‘WHAT’S COOKIN GOOD LOOKIN’ works for me just fine.
Hope to see you there,
William McKenzie

When I moved to Palm Springs in 2011 I went to DAP for services. I have been seen by SF Aids Foundation and APLA and received great service. DAP could use a lesson in customer service from these agencies. Here is a letter that I wrote right after my experience with DAP.
Dear Dr. Hamilton:
I am a new client at Desert Aids Project and want to take this opportunity to give you some insight to my experience in becoming a client.
When I moved to Palm Springs with my partner Feb 2011 I was in need of a medical doctor. I was told that D.A.P. could be a valuable resource and see a physician in the clinic. When I called I was told that I had to be a resident in Palm Springs for three months before I could become a client. I was given a list of doctors in the area that might be able to help me.
After a bad experience with a doctor that you recommended I decided to wait it out and get my meds from my medical doctor in LA until I could be seen at DAP.
By now I had been living in Palm Springs for 3 months and qualified for your services. I contacted Elena Rodriguez who was able to get me an appointment for intake. She explained what paperwork was needed in order to do intake. Being in the system for so long I managed to get most of the paperwork together in about a week.
I was sitting in the intake room with about 5 other people. There was a person there to make any necessary copies of documents that were needed. Another person came in the room and proceeded to explain the documents we were to sign. He explained what the document was and asked that we sign it. We were not given time to read most of the documents before he proceeded to the next document. Most of the documents made sense, but I had some concerns with a few of the documents. One was a release of medical information sheet. My question was who had access to my medical records. I was concerned that a volunteer or someone outside of the medical clinic can have access to my medical records. The person proceeds to explain what HIPAA was and that everyone at the facility was trained about HIPAA and that my records would be safe. I was also told that if I did not sign the document that I could not become a client of DAP. The next document of concern was who I wanted as an emergency contact person. It was my understanding, after reading the document, that I was giving DAP the right to discuss my case with my emergency contact. I was again told that I could not become a client of DAP without signing these documents. I found this to be a form of bullying and not very professional. Since DAP provided medical and mental health services this was a big concern for me. It seemed as though a doctor/​patient privilege was being thrown out the window. Not only with everyone in the facility, but any person that I assign as my emergency contact. I asked if I could get copies of the document that I was signing and was told that I could get a copy from my case manager. After the intake process, Elena told us that we should hear from a Chronic Case Manager within a week. Several weeks later I did receiving a call from Jim Fulton, my new case manager. He managed to get me an appointment with Dr. Hawthorne.
After some frustration with checking in I did see a nurse that checked my vitals and asked if I’ve had a TB test. He then informed me that every client at the clinic has to be tested and can I come back for a result reading on Friday. I explain to him that I was not available on Friday and that I will need to make an appointment. I did express frustration that I was just hearing about this. I explained to him that this could have been taken care of earlier in the week and read today. When Dr. Hawthorne came in, he proceeded to go hook his iPad into the computer and go over some medical history. He was jotting information down into his iPad. I am a bit concerned. Is the information going into his iPad or is he just using it as a vehicle to the server. If it is going into his iPad, he then has my medical information going out of the clinic. I remember being told at intake that everyone in the facility had training on HIPAA compliance.
Dr. Hawthorne did a basic exam, but not a physical. I was surprised because usually a full work up is in order when seeing a new doctor. He then proceeded to question my safe sex practices with my partner and lecture me on safe sex. I have managed to live for 22 years with this virus. I have been educated. I really feel that he was way off base with this conversation and should have focused on my current health situation.
I have been informed by a case worker that I do not qualify for dental services or many other services that are offered at DAP. He referred me to an outside dental clinic. I explained that I do not have dental insurance. This did not seem to be a concern for him. I don’t see any reason to return to DAP, since your organization cannot or will not provide the services that I need.

If you are planning to move to Palm Springs and are HIV+, the social and medical support for HIV+ persons is the worst I’ve experience in California. DAP is not an APLA or the SF Aids Project. I moved here basically to retire and on the naïve assumption that having a high per-​captia rate of gay persons in the population, Palm Springs would be progressive and advanced in its approach to support for HIV+ persons and the gay population in general. I have found that is horribly not the case.
I am sad to report that the support is largely invisible, unless you are a socialite and want to take in one of the exclusive $ 450/​ticket high-​profile «fund-​raisers». There’s a certain hypocrisy, in my opinion, that DAP gives «Humanitarian» awards, when they treat prospective clients with no dignity or respect.
The person in charge of intake is rude and sarcastic. I am a person dealing with HIV for 25 years, and was treated like I was some kind of «taker» as though I had to prove my worth for their ‘elite’ service. In their defense, I guess they provide medical care, and are overextended. Whatever, they should be clear that they are not interested in newcomers, because that is their attitude on the phone. I’d rather die with my pride than beg DAP for help. No help at all, on the contrary, expect to be treated like dirt.

The Doctor, nurse, medical assistant, receptionist and every other person I came in contact with at DAP was so professional and friendly. This was my first Doctor visit since leaving Chicago in August and I couldn’t be more impressed. Dr. Somero physically went over every inch of my body, asked the BEST questions and created a level of trust I didn’t think I find after Dr. Andy in Chicago. Bravo DAP and thank you for being there for us.

dr joy hamilton is one in a million. the kindest, empathic, and skilled doctor i have EVER met!
i feel lucky to have her looking after me. what a blessing she is. keep up the good work. an honorable and equal mention to lisa farmer who works with joy hamilton. these two woman are a rare breath of fresh air to medical world. thank you thank you!

UPDATED 02/​14/​2014
The building is okay, kinda outdated. There’s nothing high tech about this place. Thier «budget» for new hires are very limited and they rely on volunteers. However, they do have activities that could be fun if your into BINGO. Almost every bar plays bingo in Palm Springs. They cant keep doctors around because, doctors didn’t go to school to get paid less than what they could be making at a more higher end Hospital. Hint hint, Eisenhower Medical Hospital. They are very liberal which means Fox NEWS is banned. (those liberals say thier fair and balanced, ha ha what a joke!) And, they get funded by the Gov. which means all your medical info is shared with other organizations for; as they say «to help you».
My suggestion:
Become a DAP client for the activities but, get your healthcare elsewhere. Eisenhower Medical Hospital is the best in the Coachella Valley. They may take your insurance, and if they dont. Research a new provider. It may be one of the best decisions, you’ll ever make.
My execution:
I got a post office box in LA County just so I could get better services health, eye, ears, throat and dental. Now, I see my awesome doctor «my hero» at Aids Healthcare Foundation aka AHF Westside. This proves you don’t have to get careless doctors and can actually get terrific providers in another county.
Need help getting a LA County services and still live in Riverside County? Just contact me by, sending a complimentary note. Have a great day and good luck.

This place changed my life. The caring staff & volunteers are like no other place I’ve been. I’m thankful for this community & DAP.