Global Department CTA Block
The IDEA Exchange opened its doors on December 1, 2016, on World AIDS Day, as the first pilot Syringe Services Program in Florida.
Hansel Tookes, M.D., M.P.H., professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Miller School and medical director of IDEA., spearheaded the years-long effort for state approval of the Infectious Disease Elimination Act, for which the center is named.
Operating within the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the IDEA Exchange provides:
- Anonymous exchange of new syringes for used ones
- Increased access to harm reduction services to reduce the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other blood-borne diseases
- Substance use disorder treatment
- HIV prevention, testing, and treatment
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and treatment
- Wound care
- Medication management
- Appointment reminders
- Peer navigation for care and social services such as housing and health insurance