Southwest Center Staff: Driven by a passion to meet clients’ needs
Pamela D. Schembs, Chair, Southwest Center Board of Directors
Reflecting on the transformative year the Southwest Center has navigated, it is the staff that is the foundational element upon which the Center builds towards the future.
Through the ongoing efforts of staff, Southwest Center has developed into a well-integrated and inclusive wellness center meeting the needs of thousands of members of the LGBTQIA2S+ communities and Queer+ individuals we serve annually. Whether they seek gender affirming healthcare, PrEP/PEP, testing services, behavioral health, nutrition services, case management, or programs that educate and foster empowerment, our staff is there to serve.
Resilience and innovation have been hallmarks of how the strong and dedicated staff, driven by a passion to serve the community and to meet clients’ needs, has approached the dual challenges of rapid growth and change. They have been led by a leadership team focused on staff support and person-centered care while also setting ambitious goals.
Staff has participated fully with the Board of Directors in a Strategic Planning process the outcome of which will guide us through the next 5+ years. Additionally, staff has been integral in the behind-the-scenes initiatives whose goals are to strengthen our ability to support staff including a comprehensive HR assessment and DEI audit. Results of these efforts saw the establishment of the Center for Transparency, Accountability, Anti-Racism and Visibility (CTAAV) to ensure high Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) standards.
Thank you, Staff, for your experience, your work and the passion that drives your dedication. We appreciate you!
Staff Spotlight:
Stephen, Bilingual PrEP Navigator
This month, we shine a spotlight on Stephen (he/him), who joined the Southwest Center in 2018 to continue working in nonprofits and use his Spanish skills to assist others. As our bilingual PrEP Navigator, he has helped thousands of individuals across our community access HIV prevention treatment by offering person-centered support and coordination. He has also helped many clients through our in-house and outreach testing as well as through linkage to care for individuals living with HIV, among other services. Stephen says his favorite part of his job is interacting with a variety of people.
Some fun facts about Stephen: he was born and raised in Colorado, loves gardening, makes his own pizza dough and used to dislike cats but now has two!
Thank you, Stephen, for our hard work and dedication!
Wellness Center Update
By Casey Simon, Senior Director of Wellness
The Southwest Center’s Wellness Center continues to grow and expand our ability to serve the community with the addition of additional clinicians in our Health Clinic and in Behavioral Health. We have also identified that accessibility in our hours of operation can sometimes be a barrier for patients to receive care. We have responded with extending our hours for appointments until 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting in August.
We have also seen great community response to and usage of our newly offered Title X Services, now available through our work with Arizona Family Health Partnership. The Southwest Center can now offer a broader service for sexual and reproductive health, and we can treat our patients on-site and same-day for STI’s.
Overall, the Wellness Center continues to gain momentum and have a larger positive impact on the overall mental and physical health of the community. As we look to the future, we are excited to maintain this momentum and continuously expand services based on the needs of those we serve by providing a culturally competent and medically appropriate approach to care.
Be a Wellness Champion - Support Us at Work!
Join people from across the Valley in helping ensure barrier-free access to healthcare, wellness and HIV prevention and treatment services by making a gift through your company’s workplace giving program.
Every gift has an impact, no matter the size! Even just a dollar a paycheck can make a difference.
You can designate your support to the Southwest Center through any number of workplace giving platforms, including the Valley of the Sun United Way, Mesa United Way, America’s Charities, Benevity, Charities Aid Foundation of America, Cybergrants, Frontstream and more.
Did you know that many companies will match contributions from their staff or even their retirees? For details on how your employer might double the impact of your gift, contact your human resources department, or click on the Donate button on our website, scroll down to Employer Matching Gifts and type the company name in the search bar. You will see information on eligibility and how to submit a matching gift request.