Tim Young, CEO of Open Health Care Clinic and HIV/AIDS Alliance Region Two, Inc. (HAART), received the esteemed Louisiana Public Health Association’s Founders Award at their annual conference held in New Orleans. The award recognizes significant achievement in research or outstanding pioneering performance in public health by any resident of Louisiana.
Young has been the executive director of HAART for more than 20 years and has accomplished major achievements for people living with HIV (PLWH). In 1996, Young began working at HAART as their executive director and only employee. Since then, the agency has grown from an annual budget of $50,000 to serving as the second largest HIV service organization in Louisiana. Under his tenure, Young has established grant-funded programs to meet more needs of the HIV population, particularly in the areas of HUD-funded housing and insurance services.
Faced with a shortage of HIV providers in Baton Rouge, HAART opened a primary care clinic in 2007 to provide affordable, quality medical services alongside inclusive HIV management and treatment. “Through his leadership and the organization’s mission, he secured additional funding to expand HIV supportive and medical care services within community-based organizations. His efforts ultimately led to increased services and greater access,” said Jamie Roques, a member of LPHA.
In 2015, Young successfully converted HAART and its partner clinic to a Federally Qualified Health Center funded by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). Rebranded Open Health Care Clinic, the FQHC moved into a 22,000 square-foot facility to accommodate more than 5,000 patients seeking healthcare services for adults and children in primary care, dentistry, and behavioral health. Today, the organization generates more than $27 million dollars in revenue annually and has nearly 100 employees.
Young is a graduate of University of Louisiana at Lafeyette and the Johnson & Johnson-sponsored Health Care Executives program at the UCLA School of Management. He is on the board of directors of the Louisiana Primary Care Association and the Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless.