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AIDS Community Health Center (ACHC)* is a non-profit, Article 28-licensed diagnostic and treatment center for people with HIV/AIDS, located at 87 North Clinton Avenue in downtown Rochester. ACHC's mission is "To provide early and aggressive, comprehensive, community-based health care in an effort to achieve the highest possible quality of life for persons living with or affected by HIV/AIDS." AIDS Community Health Center accepts all patients and clients, regardless of their ability to pay. AIDS Community Health Center was founded as Community Health Network (CHN) in 1989 under the leadership of two University of Rochester infectious disease physicians with significant training and expertise in providing HIV care. One of the agency founders, Dr. William Valenti, continues to be actively involved in patient care and the development of aggressive HIV treatment innovations. The formation of CHN was inspired by the frustration of its founders and patients in dealing with a fragmented system of health care delivery for chronic illness. The vision for CHN was to improve the care of people with HIV by bringing all the needed services under one roof. The development of CHN's structure, which includes employees, contracted staff, and on-site affiliates has resulted in the creation of a comprehensive treatment approach that includes: both primary and specialty medical care, case management, nutrition, adherence and mental health counseling, laboratory, infusion, eye and gynecological care. This multi-dimensional approach to treatment of HIV/AIDS at a single site has resulted in an interactive and aggressive health care environment for our patients, which has greatly enhanced their lives. Through the years, Community Health Network's innovative approach to HIV/AIDS care continued to help an ever-increasing number of patients. When CHN opened its doors in 1989, 76 patients came to receive care. Today, the agency's expert clinical and social work staff serve more than 725 people, with significant increases in racially and ethnically diverse patients. And despite medical advances in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, the numbers of HIV infected people continue to rise. In 2002, it became clear that CHN could not reach out to new patients, or even continue to provide the same excellent level of care to current patients in the building that had been its home for 12 years. After completing extensive renovations to the fourth floor of the Michaels Stern Building in the heart of downtown Rochester, the organization moved to its current location at 87 North Clinton Avenue in the spring of 2003. This beautiful, state-of-the-art facility provides easy accessibility, expanded clinical capacity, additional space to accommodate new programs and services, and an excellent environment for patient care. Along with the move to an updated facility, CHN Board Members felt it was time to consider changing the name of the organization in order to more clearly reflect its missions and goals. At the grand opening celebration of its new facility, the new name, AIDS Community Health Center was announced. This new name emphasizes the organization's critical role in HIV/AIDS research and leading edge treatment for those affected by this complex disease, as well as being more accessible in the community, more visible to those who need HIV/AIDS care, and more easily recognized by funders. The change to AIDS Community Health Center (ACHC), which is accompanied by the line It's a Matter of Life, became official in 2004. Most recently, AIDS Community Health Center has expanded its wide range of on-site services by opening Pleasant Street Apothecary, which is located downstairs from ACHC. Offering HIV-specialty pharmaceuticals, as well as non-HIV medicines, and select over-the-counter items, the pharmacy has convenient hours and delivery services available. AIDS Community Health Center is continually seeking to enhance and expand services for its patients, as well as reaching out to people who need care, and is committed to continuing to improve the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS.