Press Release

June 22, 2006
Contact: Tom Capezzuto
(973) 972-3000
capezzta@umdnj.edu

UMDNJ Mobile Unit to Offer 20-Minute Rapid Results
HIV Test to Newark Residents Through June 30

NEWARK — Medical personnel from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey will visit a variety of Newark neighborhoods through the end of June to offer residents free rapid HIV tests with results available in 20 minutes.

The Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine (DAYAM), a department developed and implemented by the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School in Newark, will travel to various locations through June 30 to offer residents the HIV tests and counseling, both free of charge.

Health professionals will venture into areas of Newark to offer counseling and guidance, advice and a finger-prick HIV blood test to determine if someone is HIV positive. Through rapid laboratory tests completed in the van, the outcomes of these rapid HIV blood exams take about 20 minutes, said Dr. Paulette D. Stanford, medical director of the DAYAM program and principal investigator of the rapid HIV test conducted at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School.

The following locations, with dates and times, will be visited by the DAYAM mobile unit:

· Thursday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Baxter Terrace, Summer Ave., and Victoria Housing.
· Friday, June 23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Columbia and 18th Ave. West Park; Clinton Ave. and Ellis.
· Monday, June 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Fabbiano Place and Nye Ave., Seth Boyden Housing.
· Tuesday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Chancellor Ave. and Leslie Ave., Bergen St. and Hawthorne Ave.
· Wednesday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Military Park.
· Thursday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Central Ave. and South 9th St., and 12th Ave. and South 7th St.
· Friday, June 30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at health fair on Lafayette St.

To arrange an interview with Dr. Stanford, call Tom Capezzuto at (973) 972-7273.