At the CARE Center, we provide comprehensive healthcare services that are designed to meet the unique needs of our LGBTQ+ community members and now all of our services are in one convenient location.
We’ve been hard at work, preparing a place just for you! Whether you need STI testing or treatments, prevention education, prescriptions, dental work, social services, food services, or behavioral health support, we’re here for you. And that’s true, regardless of your ability to pay.
Our beautiful new location is still on the St. Mary Medical Center campus but all of our services are now offered in one convenient setting that has been designed with your comfort and privacy in mind. We offer the same great set of comprehensive services and want to help you live your healthiest, most authentic life possible.
CARE is recognized by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors as a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Center of Excellence.
PrEP is a once-daily pill or a bi-monthly injection that can prevent you from contracting HIV. Longer-lasting bi-monthly injections for PrEP also offer the same protection without a daily pill. PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) can prevent HIV infection if you’ve had recent exposure to HIV and are not currently on PrEP. PEP is an emergency medicine that must be taken within 3 days of HIV exposure.
The CARE Center also offers Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)* testing and treatment including DoxyPEP. Dozens of STIs are spread through sexual contact (cdc.gov/std). While some are curable, other STIs like herpes, HIV, and HPV are not although there are treatment options.
We offer testing and healthcare for the following:
CARE Dental Services include comprehensive dental care (hygiene, white fillings, crowns, bridges, partial and full dentures and more). CARE has a multi-lingual staff, 2 full time dentists, 1 hygienist and multiple treatment rooms.
The CARE Program offers individual, partner and relational therapy for you and your loved ones. Your behavioral health is a very important part of staying healthy. It affects how you think, feel and behave.
It also can determine how you handle stress, relate to others, and make important choices. You are not alone. We also offer various support groups where you can receive compassionate care.
Our food pantry is part of the non-profit organization that distributes food to CARE Center patients lacking adequate food to sustain good health. Patients can see the CARE Center Registered Dietitian for more information regarding enrolling for this service.
*CARE Center Clients must see the CARE Center Dietitian before attending the pantry.
At Dignity Health, all patients should expect to be treated with courtesy and respect and receive the highest level of care. We support the health of all patients regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.
We understand the unique health needs of the LGBTQ community, and we work hard to ensure that patients receive quality, inclusive, culturally competent care.
The CARE Center at Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center was founded at the rise of the AIDS crisis in 1986. CARE provides comprehensive services unique to the LGBTQ+ community and includes HIV treatment, PrEP & PEP, social services, dental care, health education, and housing assistance to our community, regardless of ability to pay.
LGBTQ+ care is important to us. Our CARE center is supported by generous donations from individuals, the community, grants and government funding. These donations are crucial to our mission and allows us to provide these services to anyone who needs them, regardless of their ability to pay. To learn more about LGBTQ+ inclusive care across Dignity Health, visit foreverycalifornian.org/lgbtq/.
New Client Intake, Medical Clinic
(562) 624-4999
Social Services, Benefits Counseling, Home-Based Case Management, Behavioral Health
(562) 624-4900
Dental Services
(562) 624-4949
Email us at [email protected].
CARE Clinic
1040 Elm Avenue, Suite 200
Long Beach, CA 90813
