Ross Medical Education Center in Owensboro, Kentucky recently invited guest speaker Shelby Cole from Matthew 25 AIDS Services to campus. Shelby was thrilled to talk with morning students in the Medical Assistant program, Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration program, and the Dental Assistant program about AIDS/HIV Awareness. Campus Director LaTasha Shemwell stated, “I felt it would be fitting for this topic to be discussed with HIV/Aids awareness month approaching us.”
Although they are now found in 24 Kentucky counties, 11 Indiana counties, and five Illinois counties, Matthew 25 AIDS Services began in an office in the basement of Zion United Church of Christ in Owensboro, Kentucky in 1996. They have definitely grown, but Matthew 25’s mission has stayed the same. Their mission is “to support, educate, and treat those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.” They do that through a variety of means, many of which involve connecting their clients with supportive services and specialized medical care that can make a huge difference in their quality of life.
While speaking with students, staff, and faculty, Health Coordinator Shelby Cole shared, “it is essential that everyone know their HIV status. Matthew 25 offers free and confidential HIV testing with results in 15 minutes.” Shelby also added, “although HIV is not a curable disease it is 100% preventable and completely treatable with the advancement of medication.” Shelby continued to touch on topics such as the differences between HIV and AIDS, transmission, possible symptoms, treatment, and ways to prevent transmission.
Shelby completed her presentation by telling the classes that if anyone ever needed to be tested locally they could go the Henderson, KY office, the Evansville Clinic located on 420 Mulberry Street, or the Owensboro Clinic on 1907 Leitchfield road. It only takes 15 minutes and testing is completely free. This information is very valuable for those going into the healthcare field and the Owensboro campus is appreciative to Shelby Cole and Matthew 25 AIDS Services.