Quick Access to UHS MyChart

Free and secure access to your UHS healthcare team and services.

UHS recognized for combating STDs

April 26, 2017

From left, UHS nurse practitioner Scott Rosman, Broome County
Executive Jason Garnar, and TeriAnn Montoya and Jesus Clarke of
UHS Binghamton Primary Care.

UHS is one of eight organizations in Broome County to be honored for their efforts in combating the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

At an April 24 news conference, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar commended the agencies for their work in STD education, prevention and treatment.

Said nurse practitioner Scott Rosman, clinical director of the HIV Program at UHS Binghamton Primary Care, who represented UHS at the news event: "UHS is committed to providing people in our community with the resources they need to avoid STDs and the often-devastating effects of these diseases. This includes steps to educate individuals about how to prevent the spread of conditions such as HIV, syphillis, chlamydia and gonorrhea."

In addition to UHS, the other agencies that were recognized are: Family Planning of South-Central New York, Broome County Health Department, New York State Department of Health, Lourdes Hospital, Southern Tier AIDS Program, Cornerstone Family Healthcare and the Decker Student Health Services Center at Binghamton University.

"I feel it's important that people know all the different types of healthcare organizations and the services they provide, where people can get STD testing and treatment," Mr. Garnar commented.

Some STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, are the on rise in Broome County, experts report.

The county Health Department's statistics show an increase from 185 gonorrhea cases reported in 2015 to 199 reported in 2016.

Chlamydia cases jumped from 646 in 2015 to 703 in 2016.

Cases of syphillis went from zero in 2012 to 36 during the period of 2013 to 2016.

Among UHS' signature efforts is its collaboration with New York State and Broome County to inform and educate the public about the availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis, a medication to prevent HIV; for more information, call the UHS PrEP navigator at 762-3300.

Offering the medication is one way UHS is working in tandem with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's three-point plan to halt the AIDS epidemic in the Empire State.