Archive for category: In the News

This week, March 20th–24th, 2023, Radiant Health Centers will join together with thousands of individuals, organizations and media outlets to recognize National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week. As the largest LGBTQ+ medical clinic in Orange County, raising awareness of the physical and mental health challenges faced by many in the community is close to our hearts. As always, this period provides a unique opportunity to impact the health of a great number of LGBTQ+ people across Orange County.

National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week Is Here

Each year, National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week is a chance to reach a broad audience to discuss LGBTQ+ health issues. With many people in the community struggling to access inclusive, compassionate and affirming healthcare services, this week helps shine a light on the persistent challenges.

There are many ways you can support LGBTQ+ health equity in Orange County, but spreading the word to a wider audience takes a united effort. With issues ranging from accessibility of HIV care and a lack of youth services to mental health and trans health issues, National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week is a further opportunity to end the stigma and promote healthy living for all.

The Importance of National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week

Last year’s 20th National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week broke records, and really highlighted the power of collaboration within the community. In total, 13.3 million people were reached through social media channels. Forty media outlets reported on the many events as thousands of participants contributed to valuable conversations on LGBTQ+ health.

How Radiant Health Centers Contributes to Improving LGBTQ+ Health

At Radiant Health Centers, we have been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ healthcare in Orange County for more than 30 years. Many of the goals of this vital week align perfectly with our mission of delivering compassionate, stigma-free healthcare.

We have significantly expanded our services from our beginnings as a volunteer-led organization providing support during the AIDS epidemic. Patients can now visit our Irvine medical clinic for HIV testing and treatment, family planning, hormone replacement therapy and STD testing. These services are offered in a confidential, knowledgeable and LGBTQ+-friendly environment where we are committed to improving the health of our clients.

Over the years we have also grown our primary medical care services to better provide for Orange County’s LGBTQ+ community. Our services include everything from health screenings to chronic disease management. And during National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week we will continue to work towards improving health outcomes for now, and long into the future.

Orange County’s Leading LGBTQ+ Primary Care and Medical Clinic

Radiant Health Centers provides safe and reliable healthcare services from our Irvine medical clinic. For access to patient-focused HIV treatment, STD testing, primary care services and counseling, contact us today. Call (949) 809-5700 or request an appointment now.

Image Credit – Oxana Bazarova/Shutterstock.com

Radiant Health Centers is pleased to announce the opening of our LGBTQ+ youth drop-in center. Along with our LGBTQ+ youth and mentorship program, sexual health education groups and gender affirming closet, the drop-in center provides further opportunities to improve the physical and mental health of young people in Orange County. Visitors to the center are assured of a safe space to relax and unwind, engage with their peers and access valuable services.

Orange County’s LGBTQ+ Youth Drop-In Center

Our youth drop-in center is open on Mondays and Fridays from 4–7 p.m. for anyone who is 12–26 years old. Featuring snacks, games, self-care items, career coaching, a gender affirming wardrobe and many more fun activities, the center is an accepting and supportive environment where attendees are free to be themselves.

Many in the LGBTQ+ community feel isolated and lack a supportive network of friends and family they can turn to. An inability to connect and communicate with others reduces a person’s quality of life – the results are clear to see with LGBTQ+ youth facing mental health disparities.

We are committed to helping young people feel empowered and confident by providing a safe space, resources, advocacy and community. With the opening of our youth drop-in center we actively play a role in addressing many issues. The benefits of this sense of community and belonging can be seen in higher self-esteem, improved mental health and better overall well-being.

How to Attend the LGBTQ+ Youth Drop-In Center

To learn more and get the center’s address, please get in touch with Toni Collard at (949) 809-5788 or by email.

You can also learn more about Radiant Health Centers’ youth programs in the latest edition of The Voice.

Why Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth Matter

Safe spaces like our youth drop-in center play a vital role in young people’s physical and emotional well-being. At its core, the center is a place for young people to socialize and relax in a friendly environment free from discrimination. However, visitors can also address their individual needs through mentoring and other services.

Our center offers a wealth of resources, including sexual health supplies, coaching and resume-building advice. In addition, we can provide referrals and guidance, with access to LGBTQ+ counseling and mental health support. And whether you are looking for a friendly place full of fun and activities or you require a greater level of support and assistance, the drop-in center is a sanctuary free from judgment and harassment for the young LGBTQ+ community of Orange County.

Contact Us for LGBTQ+ Youth Counseling, Medical Care and Mentorship

Radiant Health Centers is the home of LGBTQ+ health and HIV care in Orange County. For primary care services, HIV and STD testing, counseling and other vital services, contact us today. For assistance, call (949) 809-5700  or request an appointment now.

Image Credit – Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com

Thursday December 1st marked World AIDS Day, as people worldwide joined together to spread awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. With our daily work focused on HIV testing services, medical treatment and care and counseling programs in Orange County, this cause is significant for everyone at Radiant Health Centers. We also observed the occasion with our own event, joining together to remember the people who lost their lives to the disease.

Radiant Health Centers’ World AIDS Day 2022 Event

The Radiant Health Centers’ World AIDS Day event took place at The 5th Rooftop in Anaheim, Ca. Guests were treated to cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and fireworks on a night that will live long in the memory of our participants. But above all else, the gathering was distinguished by the remembrance of the impact of HIV/AIDS on individuals and families in Orange County and across the world.

The commemoration of those who have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS was symbolized by our Remembrance Tree. Guests were given the opportunity to write the name of a loved one they would like to remember on a tag. The tags were then hung on a red crane on the Remembrance Tree. This striking symbol of remembrance will sit in the Radiant Health Centers offices throughout the year.

The Importance of Remembering Loved Ones

As people across the world united in support of World AIDS Day, the opportunity to memorialize loved ones was a key theme. The Remembrance Tree provided a chance to show grief, find healing and inspire others in the fight to end the AIDS epidemic. We encourage others to find a way to commemorate a loved one in a similarly meaningful way.

We also heard stories from guests who lost friends, family members and significant others. People like Fernando Martinez, who was faced with a lack of adequate services and compassion after his diagnosis, found a voice within the Orange County community, and he strives to help others through his story and wisdom.

As Fernando shared in his speech at the event:

COVID taught me how the Latin community can be left out and dismissed when it comes to services. I decided to keep the community connected with phone calls, visits when possible and accessing information for those that were isolated… My goal is to live fearlessly, to stay grounded – and to help grow the community that we have built and see others use it like I have. My dream is to live my life open and free and show others how to live their authentic lives.

To anyone living with HIV in Orange County, make Radiant Health Centers your healthcare home. We would be honored to share our love, compassion and support for you.

Building on the Progress of World AIDS Day

As the end of the year moves closer, we naturally reflect on events from the past. But it’s also important to consider the progress made in the fight against AIDS-related diseases. At Radiant Health Centers, we continue to improve our services, delivering stigma-free, private consultations, HIV Life Skills Workshops – and reliable treatments for many of the most vulnerable individuals in the Orange County community.

Contact Us for LGBTQ+ Medical Care and Social Services in Orange County

Radiant Health Centers is the leading LGBTQ+ healthcare provider in Irvine. For help with STD testing, HIV treatment, counseling and care programs, contact us today. Call (949) 809-5700 for general inquiries.

On December 1, 2022, Radiant Health Centers will join millions of people across the world for World AIDS Day. As Orange County’s leading provider of HIV prevention, education and outreach services, the annual event is close to our hearts. Once again, we welcome the chance to offer our support to people living with HIV, and pay tribute to those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses.

What Is World AIDS Day?

World AIDS Day is held each year on the first day of December. This global event is a chance to spread awareness of the continued fight against HIV/AIDS, show solidarity with the people living with HIV – and commemorate the lives lost to this disease. With a history dating back to 1988, the day encourages people from all parts of the world to unite around a common theme.

The World AIDS Day 2022 Theme Is Equalize

Each World AIDS Day is characterized by a specific theme that drives the events and conversations of the day. The theme chosen for 2022 is “Equalize.” This slogan highlights the inequalities standing in the way of progress in the fight against AIDS. With significant barriers to testing and treatment remaining, there is still much to be done to ensure that communities will have access to vital HIV/AIDS services.

Steps You Can Take on World AIDS Day 2022

You can do many things to support World AIDS Day this year.

• Get tested to know your status and help end the HIV epidemic.
• Wear a red ribbon to show solidarity with those living with HIV.
• Raise funds for organizations fighting to end HIV/AIDS.
• Spread awareness of AIDS-related issues across social media.

How Radiant Health Centers Is Supporting World AIDS Day

One clear goal of the Equalize theme is to increase the availability and quality of HIV treatment, testing and prevention services. At Radiant Health Centers, we remain committed to delivering the best and most accessible HIV services in Orange County. We offer free HIV testing at our Irvine clinic for those who are uninsured or underinsured. Plus, we ensure fast access to antiretroviral treatment after a positive diagnosis.

With education playing such a crucial role in prevention, our medical team also runs regular workshops for people living with HIV in Orange County. Our HIV Life Skills Workshops tackle important topics such as Trauma Informed Care and Medi-Cal/Medicare (in both English and Spanish). By raising awareness about the importance of HIV prevention and the need to know your status, combined with treatment availability, we can all play a part this World AIDS Day and throughout the year.

Contact Us for HIV Testing and Treatment in Orange County

Radiant Health Centers is a trusted LGBTQ+ medical clinic based in Irvine, Orange County. Our medical clinic offers HIV testing, Rapid ART treatment, primary medical care, family planning and other vital services. For general inquiries, call (949) 809-5700.

Radiant Health Centers strives to deliver safe, compassionate and inclusive medical care to the Orange County LGBTQ+ community. Each year, we highlight our continued push to offer dependable healthcare by releasing our annual reports. The latest 2021–2022 report gives a clear insight into our progress as an organization and shares some of the hard work contributed by those who continue to give selflessly to the community.

Welcoming Our New Medical Director

One of the most exciting developments this year was the hiring of our new Medical Director, Dr. Duy Nguyen. As a physician with a passion for LGBTQ+ medical care, Dr. Nguyen will be a valuable asset in our continued treatment efforts for mental health issues, PrEP and hepatitis C services. Dr. Nguyen specializes in hormone replacement therapy, and his expertise will enable us to deliver the very best transgender care.

Launching the Youth and Mentorship Program

The launch of the Youth and Mentorship Program is another of our most important developments. This program assists people ages 13–26 as they move into adulthood – and face many under-appreciated challenges. We have previously discussed the fact that Orange County LGBTQ+ youth face mental health disparities. With this new program, participants can access mental health counseling, sexual health advice, mentorship and other guidance that will benefit their ongoing development.

Serving the LGBTQ+ Community of Orange County

Also highlighted in the report is the sizable impact of the work performed at Radiant Health Centers. In total we served 1,260 patients through the medical clinic, and 2,980 individuals accessed support services. In addition, 6,649 people were reached as part of our education and outreach work. With these numbers rising from the previous year, our Radiant Health Centers team, our supporters, donors and the wider community have risen to the challenge of delivering first-class care to the most vulnerable patients.

Spreading Awareness With LGBTQ+ Events

As always, the Orange County LGBTQ+ community joined together to raise awareness and celebrate the work of people fighting to end the HIV epidemic. Two notable events in the calendar were AIDS Walk Orange County and World AIDS Day Reception.

Supported by Our Generous Sponsors

Of course, the important work carried out at our LGBTQ+ medical clinic, our innovative youth programs – and our many celebratory events – would not be possible without the support of our donors and funders. This year’s list of supporters is extensive, and the annual report shines a light on the organizations and individuals contributing to bettering the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Orange County.

Read the Latest Annual Report From Radiant Health Centers

For a comprehensive look at the statistics and updates from Radiant Health Centers, download the annual report here. We continue to provide LGBTQ+ people in Orange County with the best in primary care, testing services and HIV treatments at our medical center. For general inquiries call (949) 809-5700 or request an appointment now.