Patient Care
The HIV program has provided clinical care to patients infected with HIV for more than 30 years.
The UNMC/Nebraska Medicine Specialty Care Center is the largest provider of comprehensive HIV care in Nebraska. The clinic provides:
- Age-friendly care
- Behavioral health
- Clinical pharmacy support
- Dermatology
- Gender-affirming care
- HIV prevention care
- Psychiatry
- Primary care
- Substance use counseling and treatment
- Telehealth
Learn more about what to expect as a patient
At the Specialty Care Center, we are continuously working to improve the care we provide. Our commitment to quality and innovation means that we don’t just meet standards — we strive to exceed them.
We believe great care starts with listening. That’s why we are constantly exploring new ways to:
- Make care more accessible (telehealth, long-acting injectables, rural clinics)
- Deliver personalized, affirming support (age-friendly visits, group programs, prevention services)
- Respond to what matters most to our patients
We welcome your ideas. If you have suggestions for how we can improve, let us know. You can share feedback through your provider or case manager or at this link.
Long-Acting Therapy Program
While oral medications remain the most common treatment for HIV, our team also offers a comprehensive long-acting injectable therapy program for patients who meet specific clinical criteria. If you’re interested in long-acting injectable therapy, we’ll work closely with you to assess whether it’s appropriate based on a thorough clinical review.
Under the direction of our physicians, our multidisciplinary team – including pharmacists, nurse practitioners, nurses, nursing assistants and client services staff – provides both the medication and the support needed to succeed with long-acting injectable therapy.
Because this treatment requires frequent visits to our clinic, we strive to make each visit as comfortable and convenient as possible. Currently, the HIV Program offers injections at two locations: the Specialty Care Center in Omaha and the Nebraska Medicine Grand Island Health Center.
Support services available to eligible patients may include:
- Comprehensive patient education
- Assistance with medication access through insurance or the Ryan White Part B program
- Enrollment in cost-savings programs
- Personalized nursing care
- Transportation assistance (for eligible patients enrolled in Ryan White services)
- Flexible scheduling
- Coordination of injections with routine HIV care
- Appointment reminders
- Customized outreach to prevent missed injections
- Dedicated support from our Client Services Team
HIV Prevention Services
Protecting your health is our priority.
- PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis): An oral pill or a long-acting injectable medication for people without HIV that significantly reduces the risk of acquiring HIV.
- PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis): An emergency medication taken within 72 hours after a potential HIV exposure to help prevent infection.
Our HIV Prevention Program at the Specialty Care Center is proudly led by a team of experienced clinical pharmacists with specialized training in HIV prevention and medication management.
They provide:
- Personalized Consultations: Assessing your individual risk factors and determining if PrEP or PEP is right for you.
- Medication Management: Guiding you through dosage, side effects, and adherence to ensure optimal effectiveness and fit.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Coordinating necessary lab tests and follow-up care to keep you safe and healthy.
- Comprehensive Support: Answering your questions and providing resources for a holistic approach to your sexual health.
- Cost Guidance: Assisting with the costs arising from HIV prevention services.
Clinical Quality Management Program
National Quality Improvement Initiatives
We proudly participate in projects through the Center for Quality Improvement and Innovation (CQII) — a national program that supports Ryan White-funded clinics like ours. One of our current focus areas is improving linkage to care and retention in care for people with HIV. This means:
- Helping patients get into care quickly after diagnosis or a gap
- Supporting you in staying engaged with your provider, your treatment, and your overall health
These efforts use data, community input, and real-world strategies to make HIV care more responsive, equitable, and effective.
See examples of other CQII success stories and resources at this link.
Ryan White Program Quality Projects
As a Ryan White–funded clinic, we regularly develop and test quality improvement (QI) projects. These projects focus on areas like:
- Ensuring patients receive regular labs, immunizations and other health screenings
- Reducing missed appointments
- Supporting medication adherence
- Promoting viral suppression
We use feedback from patients, data from our clinic, and collaboration with other HIV programs to guide our improvements.
Telehealth
We are proud to offer a robust telehealth program to help meet the diverse needs of our patients and offer several kinds of telehealth visits, depending on your location and needs:
Eligible patients can connect with their HIV care provider from home using a secure video platform. These visits can be used for:
- Routine HIV care
- Follow-up for lab results or medication questions
- Some acute care needs
Lab work may still be done at the Specialty Care Center or a local lab near you, depending on your care plan.
We partner with local clinics in Hastings and Grand Island to offer in-person telehealth visits for patients in central and western Nebraska.
At these visits, you:
- Go to a local clinic or hospital site
- Connect with your Specialty Care Center provider via secure video
- Receive labs, vitals, and support on-site
- Have access to the Client Services Team virtually or in-person
We are actively working to expand these partnerships across Nebraska and western Iowa.
Patients can connect with their therapist or psychiatric provider from home through secure video. These visits are confidential, convenient, and allow you to receive mental health care where you’re most comfortable.
Our expert HIV pharmacists are a key part of your care. You may be offered:
- Audio or video consultations for HIV medications or side effects
- Medication reviews and adherence support
- Help with other prescriptions related to primary care
Ask your provider or case manager if you're eligible for telehealth visits, or call us at 402-559-2666.
Age-Friendly HIV Care
As people with HIV live longer, healthier lives, we recognize that many of our patients are aging — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. The Specialty Care Center offers Age-Friendly Care visits tailored to the needs of adults aged 65 and older living with HIV. These visits are designed to support your health, independence and overall well-being as you age.
Our team follows the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Age-Friendly Health System 4Ms framework:
- What Matters: Your health goals and care preferences
- Mobility: Helping you move safely every day
- Mentation: Supporting memory, mood, and mental health
- Medications: Ensuring safe and effective treatment
With mentorship from the UNMC Home Instead Center for Successful Aging, we have earned recognition as a Level 2 Age-Friendly Health System, “Committed to Care Excellence."
In addition to your routine HIV care, these visits include:
- A review of all medications to reduce side effects and interactions
- Memory and mood screening
- Support for managing multiple health conditions
- Falls risk assessment and mobility check-in
- Help with advance care planning and health goals
- Referral to an Internal Medicine primary care provider at SCC, to complete Medicare Annual Wellness exams and spend extra time discussing other health concerns you may have
Older adults with HIV may experience certain health challenges earlier or more often. Our goal is to help you stay active, engaged and thriving — at every stage of life. Ask your provider or case manager to schedule your next Age-Friendly Care appointment or for more information about our Aging with HIV support group, the Golden Years. To learn more about aging with HIV, we recommend the following online resources: