EPIC News

National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) occurs every fall on October 15 in an effort to promote information about and access to HIV testing and treatment focused on the Hispanic and Latinx communities, who are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Tammy Ayala,...

Imagine a place where anyone could find the answers they need about their sexual health, free of judgment. Fortunately for the St. Petersburg community, the new Empath Partners in Care (EPIC) Sexual Health Center combines inclusive, safe sex education with treatment...

Florida will receive $10.61 million in funding to expand HIV infection prevention and treatment efforts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. EPIC’s Executive Director Joy Winheim is featured in a Tampa Bay Times story about the CDC’s new initiative...

Florida now leads the nation in new HIV cases, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Now, in the Tampa Bay area, non-profits are taking action to get people tested. In this interview with ABC Action News EPIC’s Executive...

Empath Partners in Care (EPIC) client Michael Tollar has lived with HIV since the 1980s. He has seen HIV and AIDS evolve from a new, perplexing condition to a manageable illness with plenty of treatment options and support. "After almost 40 years, you know the ropes,"...

Florida reported the most new HIV diagnoses of any state in 2019, according to the CDC’s latest HIV Surveillance Report. In this interview EPIC's Executive Director Joy Winheim shares with Bay News 9 some of the resources EPIC has available to help with prevention....

William Harper of AIDS Service Association of Pinellas (ASAP) will be stepping down as executive director as he approaches 20 years with the organization. Harper, who started with ASAP in May 1996, says that it has been a great opportunity for him to work for such an...

Dining Out for Life (DOFL) Tampa Bay will hold its 16th annual fundraiser April 29, returning closer to form in a benefit for Empath Partners in Care’s fight against HIV/AIDS. Read more.

Empath Partners in Care (EPIC) announced March 18 that the nonprofit will open a new sexual health center in early summer, a freestanding facility specializing in sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment. Read the full article.

EPIC Intensive Case Manager, Tammy Ayala, talked about women and HIV on Bloom Television.

EPIC's Executive Director Joy Winheim was recently on Bloom TV to talk about the I Run for Safe Sex Virtual 5K/10K AIDS Run Benefitting EPIC.

Dining Out For Life is an international event encompassing 60 cities’ restaurants that donate a portion of their proceeds in support of the fight against HIV/AIDS. For more than a decade Tampa Bay area restaurants have joined together in support of EPIC (Empath...

Keayea Lee, Prevention Outreach Coordinator talks with WFLA Gayle Guyardo about Empath Partner in Care's free at-home HIV testing.

Imagine being able to test yourself for HIV in the comfort of your own home. Empath Partners in Care (EPIC), a member of Empath Health, is making this possible through a free, at-home testing program for anyone living in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. These...

Within our community, HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be areas of concern for public health. According to the Florida Department of Health, the state continues to report some of the highest rates of new infections in the country, with...

On June 12, EPIC joined organizations throughout Central Florida and Tampa Bay to honor the 49 victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. The virtual memorial included a reading and ringing of bells to honor the beautiful lives that were cut short due to a senseless,...

EPIC will host a drive-in screening of “Mamma Mia!” May 23 at its St. Petersburg campus to raise funds for essential services. The movie will be broadcast on two mobile movie screens, with each car’s radio receiving the audio. EPIC will have individually-wrapped...

Keayea Lee, EPIC’s Prevention & Outreach Coordinator, joined Bloom TV to discuss the importance of practicing safe sex as we celebrate National Condom Month.

Congratulations to our May Impact Award winner, Galo Cruz, a medical case manager for EPIC (Empath Partners in Care). Cruz has been working with the Hispanic community for many years and dedicated his Master’s thesis to Latinos and HIV. He joined as a medical case...

Tampa Bay residents are invited to enjoy a night out at their favorite restaurants on Thursday while raising money for a worthy cause. For the 13th year, Tampa Bay restaurants have joined together to support the fight against HIV by participating in Dining Out For...

Gulfport restaurants are once again participating in high numbers for the 14th-annual Dining Out for Life fundraiser that will be held locally on Thursday, April 11. From 25 to 100 percent of the proceeds from participating restaurants will benefit a local HIV/AIDS...

HIV/AIDS still continue to threaten our health and world. In 2017, 39 million people were infected with HIV/AIDS globally, according to UNAIDS. The HIV virus is mainly spread through unprotected sex or sharing intravenous drug needles. It can turn fatal if left...

The late Bob Holm shared his gifts of compassion and support for individuals and families impacted by HIV through his longtime volunteer service with EPIC (Empath Partners in Care), a member of Empath Health. In recognition and celebration of Random Acts of Kindness...

This morning EPIC Executive Director Joy Winheim spoke about the rise in HIV infections in Tampa Bay, how you can protect yourself and the importance of getting tested. Listen to the radio segment.

Everyone can live better with support and care from the community, especially when aging. EPIC (Empath Partners in Care) Generations is a new program created to educate the community and respond to the unique challenges and needs of older LGBTQ residents in Pinellas...

Local artist Ryan Young created a series of handmade dresses using condoms to raise awareness about our HIV services and the stigma associated with HIV. He conceptualized each dress after discussing the fight against HIV and AIDS with those personally impacted. We're...

EPIC Generations was formed to educate the community and to respond to the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ elders. Thank you Watermark for helping us spread the word about this new program. Read the full story.

One population hit hard by HIV is African Americans. The CDC showed that while black people make up 12 percent of the population, they make up 44 percent of new HIV diagnoses. One in six African Americans do not know they have HIV. Out of all HIV diagnoses in the...

Balance Tampa Bay is an LGBTA volunteer organization that focuses on promoting fellowship, fun and philanthropy throughout the LGBTQ community. The organization’s annual masquerade ball has benefited EPIC since the event’s inception, with 2017’s gathering raising...

It’s normal to get regular check-ups for our health. But, why not necessarily HIV testing? We know that HIV is still out there. It can happen to males and females, young and old, including those who are having sex or sharing intravenous drug needles. Infections are...

Director of Medical and Educational Services Bridget Narvaez was on Newsradio 970 WFLA this morning to talk about our upcoming events and testing locations for National HIV Testing Day.

The City of Gulfport supports Dining Out For Life in its 15th year. Read the full Gulfport Gabber story.

Dining Out For Life Tampa Bay is this Thursday! Check out our Executive Director Joy Winheim and participating restaurant Community Cafe in this ABC Action News - WFTS - Tampa Bay segment talking about how you can give back.

Actress Pam Grier talks to Watermark about why you should get involved in Dining Out For Life Tampa Bay and the tremendous support it provides those living with HIV/AIDS. Read article.

Practicing safe sex is key to staying healthy. As sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) continue to rise and spread, condom use is more important than ever for protection. In part 2 of our blog series for National Condom Month...

Our Francis House campus has been honored to be part of the Seminole Heights community for over 25 years. We're committed to being a part of our neighborhood's healing, unity and hope. Watch the story: 10News WTSP.

Our EPIC Francis House campus has been honored to serve the Seminole Heights community for more than 25 years. Watch how one local artist is bringing hope, art and inspiration to this healing community. Watch the story:  ABC Action News.

Tampa Bay’s 14th annual AIDS Walk & 5k will be held Dec. 9 at the Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg, and the city is lacing up for the event benefiting EPIC (Empath Partners In Care) In its 14 years, the event has drawn thousands of walkers and runners, with even more...

According to the CDC Latinos make up 23% of HIV cases. InfoMás speaks with EPIC (Empath Partners in Care) Medical Case Supervisor Galo Cruz regarding barriers Latinos face and how EPIC can help. Watch video.

Balancing everyday life and personal wellness can be challenging for all women. When living with a lifelong illness like HIV, it can be even more of a struggle. We offer hope, encouragement and support for any women with HIV in our community at our Women’s Wellness...

Have you thought about getting tested for HIV? Did you know you can get tested for free? Today’s National HIV Testing Day and we join in encouraging individuals to get tested for HIV and other STDs (sexually-transmitted diseases). “More than 1.1 million people in the...

Denver designer Armando “Mondo” Guerra first made a splash with TV audiences in the eighth season of Lifetime’s Project Runway. Guerra not only wowed with his stylish designs but also with his openness and honesty as he revealed he was HIV-positive on the show. Read...

For more than a decade, Ann Nash served up meals to HIV and AIDS patients at the EPIC Francis House campus in Tampa. She found her way there as a volunteer after receiving a crushing medical blow. Ann was diagnosed with HIV in 1989. Learn how she has dedicated her...

Today, you may be hearing more about Hepatitis on TV and in the news. This serious infection includes many types, harms the liver and may lead to death. Anyone can contract Hepatitis, but the Baby Boomer generation and many other populations are more at risk. Most...

St. Petersburg – Bridget Narvaez, MBA, RN, has been named Director of Medical and Educational Services for EPIC (Empath Partners in Care), a member of Empath Health. Narvaez develops and coordinates programs on HIV risk reduction strategies and future HIV...

Ann Nash, 73, was diagnosed with HIV nearly three decades ago. For the last decade, she has dedicated her heart, time and talent volunteering at EPIC (Empath Partners in Care's) Francis House campus. She cooks and serves food to those with HIV and shares her...

What if you could give back just by eating out at your favorite restaurant? On Thursday, April 27, diners in Gulfport and throughout the Tampa Bay area can do just that by participating in Dining Out for Life (DOFL), one of the most anticipated outreach events of the...

73-year-old Ann Nash has been living HIV-positive for decades. While she says it's no longer a death sentence, Nash tells 10News that young people, especially, need to take it more seriously. While Ann couldn't protect herself, she's urging others to and working with...

Empath Partners in Care, a member of Empath Health, was formed by a recent merger of the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas and Francis House and has named new executives to its new leadership team. View coverage on Tampa Bay Times website.

Everyone can benefit from healthy eating. If you’re living with HIV, proper nutrition is especially important to your health. National Nutrition Month: Put Your Best Fork Forward challenges us all to make small steps toward healthier food choices. If you have HIV,...