Introduction
Mike Gifford Vivent Health was a well known figure in the field of public health, and at least in part through his work for and with Mike Gifford Vivent Health, a nonprofit organization that cares for and provides services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Throughout his career, he has forged passionate commitment to health equity, and attention to the comprehensive well being of underserved communities. Vivant Health has become more comprehensive in their reach, more targeted with their services, and more loudly propped up the voice for those who are traditionally absent from the conversations regarding healthcare.
In this article, we will look into Mike Gifford’s work at Vivent Health, his leadership style, and the bigger picture of just how much Vivent Health has contributed to the communities in which it serves because of HIV/AIDS. Gifford’s work has been nothing less than remarkable leadership for a nonprofit and advocacy.
The Early Involvement with Mike Gifford Vivent Health
In the early 2000s, Mike Gifford joined the group under the then Mike Gifford Vivent Health a.k.a. AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin. But back then the organization was already offering services to people who were living with and affected by HIV, and Gifford had a vision bigger than that — one where the organization could do even more.
When she started, Gifford’s early efforts were centered on uncovering the myriad of needs of people living with HIV. Gifford recognized that HIV affects more than someone’s physical health, and he helped steer the organization to a more comprehensive view of care. To add something more than the mere medical aspects of HIV treatment, this model was designed to address social service, mental health, legal assistance, among others for those who so require.
As Gifford started to pull these services together for Mike Gifford Vivent Health, she was building a more robust support system for clients. This approach placed the organization as a leader in comprehensive HIV care helping to posturally shape Vivent Health into the growth, learning and transformation that it later became.
Mike Gifford Vivent Health Rebranding.
By far one of the most important signs of progress during Mike Gifford Vivent Health tenure was the rebranding of the organization to Mike Gifford Vivent Health in 2019. What we’re talking about here is more than just a change in tone and a new name; it represents a new identity and new mission for the organization. The organization chose the new name Mike Gifford Vivent Health to represent the vibrancy and life affirming spirit of the organization’s work.
Yet, the organization’s roots were in HIV care and while the organization’s mission had grown far beyond simply serving those who were affected by HIV and AIDS, Gifford and his team recognized that the ORG needed to be rebuilt to reflect that mission. The goal was that this symbolizes this evolution. Mike Gifford Vivent Health more. The organization also increased its reach by reaching further into a broader geographic area, beyond Wisconsin and to many states.
Vivent Health was able to connect with a broader audience, raise additional funding and partnerships, from the rebranding. This also helped to break down the stigma that often surrounds HIV focused organizations, and placed Vivent Health as an industry leader in serving vulnerable populations in the region.
Expanding Access to Care
‘Access to healthcare has been a cornerstone of what Mike Gifford has done with Vivent Health.’ He has been a long time advocate for healthcare as a basic human right, with a focus on those who live with chronic conditions like HIV. Director of Vivent Health, under his leadership, Mike Gifford Vivent Health has made great strides in increasing people living with HIV have access to care and no one is turned away because of a lack of resources.
The key part of this effort has been Vivent Health’s commitment to delivering a range of services under one roof. The organization has combined medical care, mental health services and social support in order to streamline patient experience. It acts as a holistic approach in order to be able to proffer care to clients without putting them up under unwanted barriers or delays.
Gifford also has been a key player in securing the money needed to expand these services. Vilent Health has been able to help thousands of people per year get the high quality care needed through partnerships with federal, state and local governments, as well as private donors. But his ability to navigate the maze of nonprofit funding has been a large part of the organization’s success and growth.
Advocacy and Policy Work
In addition, Mike Gifford has been a strong voice for individuals living with HIV by supporting policy that promotes people living with HIV/AIDS. In his tireless work advancing legislation and policies that reduce barriers and improve the lives of those impacted by HIV, he has never lost sight who they are and why it’s important.
One of the main things has been to advocate for a greater funding for HIV prevention and treatment programs. Gifford has championed more investment in these critically where prevention is critical to end the HIV epidemic. He’s also championed policies that respond to the social determinants of health — housing and employment, for example, which have major implications for health outcomes of people living with HIV.
What Gifford is doing doesn’t just happen in the walls of Vivent Health. He has worked on a number of national and local initiatives to reduce HIV stigma and increase people’s access to care. He has helped to broaden public discourse around HIV and to create a system of compassionate, equitable healthcare for all.
Leadership in Times of Crisis: The COVID-19 Pandemic
In securing, Mike Gifford Vivent Health was no different, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of great uncertainty for health care organizations around the globe. But under Mike Gifford’s leadership the organization was able to quickly readapt and continue to provide its client with an essential service.
Gifford was aware of the unique risk COVID-19 poses to people living with HIV and made sure that Vivent Health took strong steps to keep everyone, staff and clients, safe. Clients were also being able to get care at a distance through this expansion of telehealth services. Vivent Health could not have operated during this crisis without Gifford’s leadership.
Additionally, Gifford took advantage of the pandemic to make the case for healthcare equity. He always reiterated that people living with HIV were among the most affected people in what was an overwhelming pandemic, and that they needed targeted support. His voice during that time emphasized the importance of inclusive and responsive healthcare systems to the healthcare needs of all patients, but especially to those most vulnerable patients.
Mike Gifford Vivent Health: Legacy
At Vivent Health, the legacy of Mike Gifford is that of courage, compassion, and an unflinching determination to close racial disparities in health. His work has catapulted Vivent Health to national leader in HIV care and has raised the bar on how healthcare organizations should provide comprehensive, patient centered care.
The organization’s mission, as shaped by his vision for a world where healthcare is something that’s universally available, without regard to income or background, has influenced the organization’s work, and continues to do so. With Mike Gifford Vivent Health, not only has its scope expanded but so has its voice: advocating for policies that help improve people living with the HIV, and that promote a better, more equitable health care system for all.
As Gifford nears the finish line of this journey, his legacy on Mike Gifford Vivent Health, and more broadly, the healthcare landscape will surely pervade. His leadership has forever changed the fight against HIV and the work to usher in a healthier, more just world for the whole.
Conclusion
One might call Mike Gifford Vivent Health transformative work. In addition to their contributions towards expanding access to care and rebranding the organization, Gifford has long been an advocate for policies that create a dent that results in health equity for people living with HIV. His leadership is a model for nonprofits and the whole healthcare sector of what can be done when compassion and vision come together to effect change. Gifford has led Vivent Health to be a beacon of hope for thousands and it is influence will be felt by people for decades to come.
