Daytop's Medical division provides comprehensive primary medical care with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. Daytop employs Board Certified Physicians, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Registered Nurses, Certified Social Workers, and Registered Dieticians in our residential and outpatient centers.

All clients entering a Daytop program are given a detailed health assessment to identify past and potential health problems. Substance abuse often causes clients to neglect their health and develop medical problems secondary to their lifestyle. Early diagnosis, treatment, and education assist the client in developing and maintaining behaviors that are conducive to living a healthy lifestyle.

At Daytop, we believe it is important that clients learn and practice better personal health and food safety. A registered dietician makes seminar presentations to adolescent and adult clients about the basics of good nutrition and how to apply these principles. A doctor or nurse may refer an individual for a dietary consult based on medical findings or gastro-intestinal problems related to nutrition. The dietician schedules follow up visits to help the client understand and incorporate their special diet into their lifestyle.

Clients in residential treatment learn about proper kitchen assistance, food safety and sanitation from the cooks and dieticians. HIV-positive clients in our outpatients programs learn about nutrition, food safety, and get to sample healthy meals at weekly nutritional workshops.

Substance abusers, particularly those who injected drugs, and those who have had multiple sexual partners are at high risk for HIV. In response to the need for early diagnosis and treatment of HIV, Daytop provides culturally relevant HIV counseling, testing and partner notification. Comprehensive medical treatment including diagnostic testing, education, medication management, nutritional counseling, and acupuncture are offered to the HIV positive clients. Psychiatric counseling, treatment, support groups, and Spiritual Retreats specifically designed for our HIV population augment the medical treatment plan.

As is the case with the HIV epidemic, substance abusers who injected drugs and have had multiple sexual partners are also at high risk for HCV. Daytop provides education, counseling, testing, treatment and referrals for HCV.

The Ryan White Outpatient Medical Care Program enhances existing diagnostic and treatment services for individuals with HIV/AIDS and who are co-infected with HCV. Services include physician exams, bloodwork , and supplying medication, regardless of their insurance status. These services are provided at three Daytop facilities: in Manhattan at 500 Eighth Avenue; and in Queens at our Jamaica and Far Rockaway facilities.

Services under this program include:

• Physician's and nursing services
• Psychiatric evaluation and treatment
• Case management
• HIV treatment education
• Acupuncture
• Pharmacy
• Nutrition workshops and food pantry