Metro merges with Sarasota’s Comprehensive Care Center

Metro merges with Sarasota’s Comprehensive Care Center

St. Petersburg- The respective board of Metropolitan Charities (Metro Wellness and Community Centers) and Comprehensive Care Centers (Community AIDS Network) announced Feb. 14 that they will merge the two organizations as of July 1.

Community AIDS Network is a Sarasota-based nonprofit organization offering medical and dental care, mental health services and case management.

The move will create additional medical care services that only Community AIDS Network can provide, including a combined reach to at-risk communities while boosting visibility for HIV health care among a broader population.

“You won’t see a lot of change in Tampa Bay regarding the LGBT side of services,” said Chris Rudisill, director of LGBT Community Center Services with Metro. “The Centers will remain active in social and community programs and services, as well as the development of the state’s first LGBT Welcome Center in the Grand Central District.”

The merger will increase Metro’s reach into Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.

“We’ve been visionaries in this merger,” said Metro CEO Lorraine Langlois. “Our foresight through this process will provide comprehensive clinical care, support, prevention and LGBT health resources with a combined staff of more than 120 committed specialist in the field.”

Langlois has been a part of Metro Wellness and Community Center since it formed 20 years ago within the walls of King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church in St. Petersburg. Merging with Community AIDS Network just makes sense, she said.

“After 20 years, this is the next step in Metro’s evolution,” Langlois said.

Michael W. Cuffage of Community AIDS Network will remain as the chief executive of the merged organization, which will allow Langlois to minimize her day-to-day responsibilities and move to a more advisory and strategic role. Priya Rajkumar, VP of Client Health Services, will take over the leadership of the Metro Wellness and Community Centers’ operations. Both organizations are fiscally sound, according to a press release, and no staffing changes with either group are planned.

“Together, we’re creating an organization that is better prepared for the vast change currently taking shape in health care and we’re able to strengthen the bonds with needed populations in the areas we serve,” said Cuffage.

The merged organization will serve the majority of the West Central Florida coast including Hernando, Pasco,
Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. “We’re going to serve our communities even better, providing a full array of wrap-around services to many more in need,” Cuffage said.

For more information, visit MetroTampaBay.org.

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