State-of-the-art, Client-Centered Treatment

The Jonathan Lax Treatment Center practices primary-care HIV medicine in a “one-stop shop.” If you have HIV, our mission is to serve you for life, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. If you have a simple cold or a complicated HIV-related opportunistic infection, our team of talented medical providers knows the up-to-the-minute treatment recommendations. The Lax Center deeply believes in client choice and client-centered treatment. Beyond being a specialty medical clinic, we strive to combat social injustice by caring about the individual needs and unique circumstances of each and every client. We show our caring by being culturally-competent, having a variety of integrated services on-site, and being located in the heart of Center City Philadelphia.

Team Approach

A multidisciplinary team approach is essential to the comprehensive care that we provide. Our providers are assisted by an experienced team of physicians, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, social workers, adherence counselors, case managers, care outreach workers, and peer educators. We seek to provide a client-friendly environment where patients are full partners in the development and implementation of their treatment plan.

Comprehensive HIV Primary Care

We respect your dignity as an individual. When you come to the Lax Center you will be seen by a provider experienced in HIV care.  Your total healthcare emphasizes monitoring of your HIV disease with close attention paid to the immune system. Our experienced providers will also help you manage your high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, depression and any other problems where a primary care provider is needed. For example, we also offer screening for sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis, vaccinations, cholesterol monitoring, overall women's health monitoring such as pap smears and breast exams, and timely referrals to appropriate specialists. 

The Lax Center houses two sub-clinics. The Hepatitis Clinic is a special program for those living with HIV and Hepatitis B and/or C. The MDR Clinic (multi-drug resistance) is for those who have exhausted first line treatment, and need assistance in finding alternatives. You do not have to be a Lax Center patient to access these sub-clinics. For more information, or to make an appointment, please call Rebecca Barnebey, nurse manager at 215-790-1788 ext. 117.

In almost all cases, no referral will be needed to see our providers.  We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and numerous private insurances.   We also see people who have no insurance, so do not hesitate to call us if you are in this position. We also have found that many people are not aware of their eligibility for Medicaid or other patient assistance programs and our  Client Services department will help you fill out the appropriate paperwork to obtain health coverage. 

We also have well established referral networks for numerous other social services such as legal aid, substance abuse treatment and detox programs, and housing and food assistance programs. The Diana Baldwin Clinic provides mental health services and works as part of the Lax Center Treatment Team. Culturally-competent individual and group therapy is offered.

Of course, as a patient at our center, you have to do your part. If you choose us as your provider, it is important that you keep your appointments, discuss your needs openly, and work with the members of our team in order for us to provide the best course of treatment for you.

Convenient Hours

Early morning and evening sessions are available. Everything possible is done to accommodate the needs of working adults in order to access care in a convenient and confidential manner.

We are open Monday through Friday from 9am -- 5pm, and until 7pm on Tuesdays. We close for lunch between 12-1pm daily.

A provider is available on call when the center is closed.

Please call 215-780-1788 to make an appointment.

Laboratory Services

Blood work will be done on site by our experienced and friendly laboratory technician. Laboratory hours are Monday through Friday 9am – 5pm. The lab is open until 6pm on Tuesdays.

Rapid testing for HIV is available to partners of our clients; results are available in 20 minutes.

Access to Research

This is an extremely hopeful time in the development of new therapeutic options for HIV infection. The Jonathan Lax Treatment Center assures that all of our clients have access to cutting-edge research studies, which, combined with state-of-the-art care, allows access to best possible therapeutic interventions available. Please speak to your provider about a study that may be appropriate for you.

Pharmacy services

There is more to HIV care than simply prescribing pills to be taken every day. The team of providers at the Jonathan Lax Treatment Center understands the complexities that people living with HIV face. A doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) specializing in HIV care assists our clients in understanding prescribed medications and their side effects. Our pharmacist and medication adherence team help clients to sets up their pill boxes, provides medication refills and preauthorization for various prescribed medications when needed.

Education

There are peer educators present on site to assist clients with questions they might have, explain treatment options and assist in making an informed decision. There are also regular education classes and support groups connected with the Center.

In the early years of the AIDS epidemic many lost their friends and significant others to the deadly virus. However, by the mid 1990s powerful new medications became available and the era of HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) had began. While there is still no cure, HIV is a manageable disease with many medications available to treat it. The Lax Center integrates our wide variety of services to assist you to live a fulfilling, normal life.