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CARE Program Appoints New Executive Director

The C.A.R.E. Program at Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center has a well-known tradition of support for the LGBTQ community for over 30 years.

Only five years into awareness of the AIDS epidemic, the C.A.R.E. Program was founded in 1986 as a non-profit program that helps meet the needs of those affected by HIV by providing comprehensive specialized HIV treatment, prevention education and invaluable supportive services. 

C.A.R.E. is recognized, through the Healthcare Equality Index, as a provider of inclusive and affirming health care. St. Mary President Joel Yuhas stated, “Our goal at C.A.R.E. is to continue to fulfill the mission of the Hospital and our founding Sisters in providing the Long Beach community access to vital services including, medical and dental care, a family food bank, health education, housing assistance and much more.”

On Thursday, June 16, 2016, Ace Robinson was appointed Executive Director for the C.A.R.E. Program. Ace expressed, “I am extremely excited to serve the patients and loved ones of the C.A.R.E. Program. C.A.R.E. has been one of the leading entities nationally in the struggle to End AIDS and reduce HIV.” Ace comes to Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Duke University and a master’s degree of Public Health from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Ace has previously served as the AIDS Prevention Director at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, as well as, the Vice President of Community Health & Research, Public Policy, and Legal Advocacy at Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York City.

Long Beach is one of the most impacted communities by HIV in Los Angeles County. According to the LA County Department of Public Health, in 2012, Long Beach had more new infections than any other region in LA County. As St. Mary continues its leadership with HIV prevention, Ace is confident that the C.A.R.E. Program, together with residents, community-based organizations, and elected officials, will continue to lead the way to End AIDS and make new HIV infections rare through HIV vaccines, microbicides, PrEP, Treatment as Prevention (TasP) among other initiatives.    

The 30th anniversary of the C.A.R.E. Program was recently honored with the Paul Self President’s Special Recognition Award by The Lambda Democratic Club, whose purpose is to further the human and civil rights of all minorities, especially the LGBTQ community. Additional recognition was received from Vice Mayor Dr. Suja Lowenthal and Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga who noted the C.A.R.E. Program as a treasured asset in the City of Long Beach. St. Mary hospital administration and staff are appreciative of the recognition received for the 30th anniversary and the continued support from the community we serve. 

About Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center

Founded in 1923 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center is a highly-regarded 389-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital that offers a full range of inpatient, outpatient and related health and wellness services to the greater Long Beach area.  St. Mary is committed to providing a unique balance of high-quality, compassionate care that brings both healing and humanity to the body, mind and spirit of our patients.  We deliver care to the sick while providing direct services to the underserved and advocate on their behalf.     

Publish date: 

Monday, June 20, 2016

Media Contact


Christina Zicklin, Director of External Communications

p: (310) 922-8522

[email protected]