Friends For All Clinic in Memphis to Expand HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Whole-Person Care Through Mission-Aligned Transition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2026
Friends For All Clinic in Memphis to Expand HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Whole-Person Care Through Mission-Aligned Transition
Photo ID (L-R): Nashville CARES Medical Director Kassem Bourgi, M.D., Friends For All Chief Operations Officer Mia Cotton, Nashville CARES Chief Executive Officer Amna Osman, MPA, Friends For All CEO, President Diane Duke, Friends For All Chief Finance Officer, Jasmine Thornton
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Nashville CARES
Memphis, TN — Friends For All today announced a clinic transition designed to expand access to HIV prevention and treatment, strengthen continuity of care, and ensure the long-term sustainability of high-quality clinical services for the Memphis community at a time of rising need. This decision reflects Friends For All’s proactive leadership in responding to growing HIV-related needs in the Memphis community and its commitment to ensuring continuity of high-quality care for patients.
In recent years, Shelby County has seen a concerning increase in HIV cases, particularly among young people aged 15–34, highlighting persistent disparities and the critical importance of accessible medical care and preventive services. Data from public health reporting show HIV rates in Shelby County have risen significantly over the past five years, with notable increases among adolescents and young adults, reinforcing the urgency of collaborative and community-centered solutions.
“With Memphis experiencing one of the most significant public health needs in the nation, Friends For All reached out to a trusted partner with a shared mission and deep Tennessee roots to bring expanded access to trusted HIV care for our patients and families,” said Diane Duke, CEO and President of Friends For All.
The partnership between Friends For All and Nashville CARES dates back to the earliest years of the HIV epidemic in Tennessee in the 1980s. Drawing on this longstanding relationship, Friends For All approached Nashville CARES — which recently launched a comprehensive care clinic, CARES 360, in Nashville — to explore ways to bring world-class HIV care and expanded access to Memphis. Friends For All selected Nashville CARES because of its aligned mission, values, community understanding, and experience providing high-quality clinical care.
“This transition is about patients and access,” said Amna Osman, MPA, CEO. “Building on the good work the Friends For All team has done over the last 40 years, we agreed that to serve the expanded needs, Memphis deserves expanded clinical capacity, streamlined access to services, and a clinic model built around whole-person care. The Friends For All Clinic will now be CARES 360; it will remain open, and patients will continue receiving services from the team they know and trust without interruption.”
Friends For All provides stigma-free, coordinated care that integrates medical services and wraparound support. The transition will enable expanded capacity and strengthen pathways to care for people living with HIV, those at risk, and other underserved populations.
As part of this transition, Nashville CARES will operate the clinic through its CARES 360 model, which was launched to deliver world-class HIV prevention, treatment, and clinical care across Tennessee. CARES 360 is designed to expand access, streamline care delivery, and meet patients where they are. As the model has grown, Nashville CARES has remained focused on thoughtful, mission-aligned partnerships.
Partnering with Friends For All represents the next logical step — extending a proven clinical approach in close collaboration with a trusted Memphis-based organization, while prioritizing continuity of care and patient stability.
Nashville CARES and Friends For All have worked closely to optimize the retention of essential clinic roles that support continuity of care for patients. As part of this transition, there will be minimal reorganization aligned to clinic operations and service expansion. The transition is designed to enhance care access without disruption.
About Friends For All
For nearly 40 years, Friends For All has provided compassionate care to the Memphis community.
Originally focused on HIV and AIDS services, we now oƯer various low-to-no-cost health and social services, including free HIV and low-to-no-cost STI testing, behavioral health support, and living assistance. Through outreach and support services, Friends For All aims to address the social determinants of health aƯecting health and wellness in Memphis and the Mid-South.
About Nashville CARES
Nashville CARES is a leading nonprofit healthcare organization dedicated to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Tennessee. Through comprehensive education, advocacy, and compassionate healthcare services, Nashville CARES supports more than 20,000 individuals each year—whether they are at risk for or living with HIV. The organization offers culturally competent care, rapid access to treatment and prevention tools like PrEP, wraparound social services, and a fully staffed clinic specializing in whole-person HIV Prevention, Care, and Treatment with comprehensive, inclusive care, including robust case management and follow-up. For more information, visit www.nashvillecares.org.
Media Contacts:
Ailie Birchfield
The Roster
ab@thebirchfieldgroup.com
Debbie Barnett
Nashville CARES
dbarnett@nashvillecares.org
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