This week, RWC-340B member Cempa Community Care was awarded the Times Free Press Champions of Health Care – Community Outreach Award.  Cempa is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee and offers a full range of services for individuals living with HIV, including free STD testing, free treatment and support to anyone over the of age 15, a syringe exchange program, and also provides transportation, housing and nutrition assistance.  Cempa recently participated in a video about the benefit of the 340B program and how it impacts the HIV community.

Since arriving in 2015, Cempa CEO and RWC-340B President Shannon Stephenson has been instrumental in expanding the programs and services offered at Cempa Community Care.  This year, Cempa launched its mobile clinic program, allowing staff to provide services to rural communities across Southeast Tennessee.  Cempa has also recently implemented a Faith-Based Health and Wellness Council to address health disparities, provides free workout sessions in underserved areas, and takes part in Chattanooga high schools’ career focused days, such as Medical Vision Day.

Shannon has also been instrumental in growing RWC-340B as a national advocacy organization.  On August 1, 2019, RWC-340B and Cempa hosted the inaugural Ryan White Clinics for 340B Access National Conference in Chattanooga.  This day-long conference brought together local and national 340B advocates to discuss important 340B program updates, and provided attendees with an invaluable opportunity to get together in one location to learn about the best practices being implemented in Ryan White clinics throughout the nation.  A description of the conference and a list of featured panelists can be found on our website.

This is the fourth year that the Times Free Press has selected individuals and organizations for the Chattanooga Champions of Health Care award.  This year, more than 200 individuals and groups from an array of health care roles were nominated as Champions by their patients, community members, and local medical professionals.  A panel of judges from Chattanooga’s major hospitals and the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Medical Society reviewed the nominations and selected eight categories of winners that best represent the diversity of talents and roles involved in delivering and supporting Chattanooga’s health care system.  Congratulations to the entire Cempa team for this achievement and for working so hard to provide important HIV services to patients in your community!  You can learn more about Cempa Community Care by visiting their website or contacting Shannon Stephenson at ceo@cempa.org.