vivent health stands as a beacon of hope and health equity, offering top-tier HIV care, prevention, and wraparound support services. From its roots in Wisconsin, the organization has grown into a multi-state force—including key sites such as Vivent Health Austin, Vivent Health Denver, and Vivent Health St. Louis. Let’s explore how Vivent Health evolved, what it offers, its leadership under Mike Gifford Vivent Health, and what makes its model so impactful.
A Legacy of Growth and Integration
Vivent Health is the result of a rebranding from the former AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, formally launched on January 1, 2020. This change followed strategic mergers with Rocky Mountain CARES in Denver, St. Louis Effort for AIDS in Missouri, and AIDS Services of Austin in Texas.
Today, Vivent Health operates across multiple states, including facilities in Austin, Denver, St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, and Wisconsin. It is now one of the largest national HIV healthcare providers.
The HIV Medical Home: Patient-Centered Care That Delivers
At the heart of Vivent Health’s approach is the HIV Medical Home—a comprehensive care model integrating medical services, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, legal aid, housing support, food security, and more—all under one roof.
This holistic approach has yielded consistently strong outcomes: viral suppression rates reach about 95–96%, far exceeding national averages, making patients both healthier and non-infectious.
Clinic Highlights by Location
Vivent Health Austin
The Austin clinic, located at 104 E. Highland Mall Blvd, Unit 100, provides medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and social services. It offers flexible hours and unique initiatives like the “Women Rising” program for empowerment and community building among women living with HIV.
Vivent Health Denver
Through its merger with Rocky Mountain CARES and later the Liver Health Connection, Vivent Health Denver has strengthened its prevention, HIV care, and hepatitis C services, bolstering medical and social support systems.
Vivent Health St. Louis
The St. Louis location (Watson Rd. clinic) offers integrated HIV care, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, housing assistance, food pantry, legal services, and prevention programs including testing and syringe services.
Leadership: Mike Gifford’s Vision and Legacy
Mike Gifford Vivent Health served as the influential President and CEO who spearheaded Vivent Health’s transformation. Over his tenure, he guided its growth from a $2 million nonprofit to a $185–264 million national health organization, expanding services from fewer than 1,000 to over 14,000 patients annually.
Gifford pioneered the only HIV Medical Home model recognized by CMS, established Vivent Health Pharmacy, and led expansions into Denver, St. Louis, Austin, Kansas City, and Chicago—all central hubs in today’s Vivent network.
In 2022, Gifford stepped down amid internal concerns and was replaced by Brandon Hill, formerly Chief Operating Officer, who became President and CEO in 2023.
Table: Overview of Key Vivent Health Locations & Highlights
| Location | Key Services Offered | Noteworthy Features |
| Austin, TX | Medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, social services | “Women Rising” empowerment program for women with HIV |
| Denver, CO | HIV care + prevention, hepatitis C, medical and social support | Merged with Rocky Mountain CARES & Liver Health Connection |
| St. Louis, MO | Comprehensive care: medical, dental, housing, legal aid, food pantry, prevention | Strong integrated care plus syringe services and legal aid |
| Nationwide Network | HIV Medical Home model, integrated wraparound services | High viral suppression; national expansion strategy |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is Vivent Health’s mission?
Vivent Health strives to provide high-quality, integrated HIV care and prevention while addressing social determinants such as housing, food security, and legal needs—all aimed at health equity and helping individuals thrive. - Where are Vivent Health’s major clinic locations?
Vivent Health operates major clinics in Austin, Denver, St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, and across multiple cities in Wisconsin. - What is the HIV Medical Home model?
It’s an integrated, patient-focused model combining medical care with social support—such as behavioral health, pharmacy, legal, housing, and food assistance—to remove barriers and improve health outcomes. - How successful is Vivent Health in treating HIV?
Vivent’s model achieves viral suppression in approximately 95–96% of patients—making them healthy and unable to transmit HIV. - Who is Mike Gifford?
Mike Gifford was long-serving CEO of Vivent Health who expanded its footprint, transformed its operations, and developed the national HIV Medical Home model. He left in 2022 and was succeeded by Brandon Hill in 2023. - What services are offered at the St. Louis location?
At the Watson Rd. clinic, Vivent offers medical and dental care, behavioral health, housing and legal support, food pantry, pharmacy, prevention services, HIV/STI testing, and syringe access and training.
Conclusion: Why Vivent Health Matters
Vivent Health exemplifies how health care can be truly holistic—by not just treating HIV, but addressing the broader needs of individuals affected by it. Through its HIV Medical Home model, multi-state presence (including Austin, Denver, St. Louis), and its legacy under Mike Gifford, Vivent Health has redefined what comprehensive HIV care looks like in America.
From fighting stigma and inequity to offering wraparound services, Vivent Health’s success story is one of compassionate innovation, strategic expansion, and unwavering commitment—or as they’d say: helping people not just live, but thrive.
Read Also :
Everside Health: Transforming Healthcare Through Direct Primary Care
