DAP Health Director of Specialty Programs Champions LGBTQ+ Community

Dr. Jason Halperin became an ally early on in his career and has never looked back.

Members of DAP Health’s Partners For Life major donor program recently toured the nonprofit’s soon-to-be-opened, on-campus affordable housing complex, known as Vista Sunrise II, in Palm Springs. Director of Specialty Programs Dr. Jason Halperin — an ally whose professional expertise and focus for the last two decades have lied in HIV care, and in gender health and wellness — addressed the group, delivering a stirring testament to DAP Health’s unwavering dedication to the LGBTQ+ community that echoed its deep-rooted commitment to transformative health care initiatives.

Reflecting on his own journey, Halperin shared, “Before joining DAP Health, I worked, collaborated, and had been inspired by DAP Health for the past decade.” He recounted his role as a technical advisor for the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Special Projects of National Significance Program, where he witnessed firsthand the innovative strides made by DAP Health in sexual wellness and HIV care.

Drawing from personal experience, Halperin revealed the driving force behind his career path. “I entered medicine because I wanted to work in the field of HIV,” he disclosed, citing the profound impact of the epidemic on his upbringing in South Florida. From activism with ACT UP to humanitarian efforts with Doctors Without Borders, his trajectory was guided by a singular purpose: to ensure universal access to HIV treatment.

Transitioning into his own medical practice, Halperin’s tenure at prominent institutions further solidified his commitment to HIV programming. “After an infectious disease fellowship at New York University, working at one of the largest HIV clinics in the country, I decided to oversee HIV programming at CrescentCare in New Orleans,” he recounted, underscoring his alignment with the mission of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs).

The acquisition of the Borrego Health system marked a pivotal moment for DAP Health, amplifying its reach and impact. Halperin articulated a bold vision for the organization’s future, envisioning the expansion of HIV testing, prevention services, and sexual wellness initiatives across all clinical sites.

“We have all the tools to end the HIV epidemic, and DAP Health must be the model of how to implement it,” he asserted with conviction, emphasizing the imperative of supporting individuals living with HIV to thrive.

Illustrating the work that lies ahead, Halperin explained that “recognizing social drivers of health and providing human rights-based solutions, such as developing affordable housing, are integral to our mission.”

Halperin’s speech epitomized the spirit of resilience and compassion driving DAP Health’s mission to care for the LGBTQ+ community, and reaffirmed his unwavering dedication to the cause, pledging to uphold the legacy of those who paved the way before him. “DAP Health will continue … I will continue … to make you proud of the work we are all doing together!”

For more information about DAP Health’s LGBTQ+ programs and services, visit daphealth.org/lgbtq-care.