Callen-Lorde and Peter Krueger Clinic: Tailored Health Solutions for HIV and LGBTQ+ Communities

New York, N.Y. –– In New York City’s diverse healthcare landscape, two prominent institutions—Mount Sinai’s Peter Krueger Clinic and Callen-Lorde Community Health Center—stand out for their commitment to addressing the needs of underserved populations. While both clinics share a mission of inclusivity, they differ significantly in their focus areas, services offered, and approach to patient care.

Peter Krueger Clinic: A Legacy of HIV/AIDS Care

Established in 1989 during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the Peter Krueger Clinic is part of Mount Sinai Beth Israel’s Institute for Advanced Medicine. It specializes in managing HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases while integrating primary care and mental health services into its offerings. The clinic provides a wide range of services including HIV/STD testing and treatment, hepatitis C care, geriatric programs, and access to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) medications.

The clinic has earned a reputation for its expertise in infectious disease management and its contributions to clinical trials that have advanced HIV treatment options.

Its patient-centered approach ensures that individuals receive not only medical care but also psychological support through psychiatry and counseling services.

However, Peter Krueger’s LGBTQ+-specific offerings are limited compared to other institutions. While it serves many patients from the LGBTQ+ community due to its focus on HIV care, it does not provide comprehensive transgender health services such as hormone therapy or surgery coordination.

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center: A Hub for LGBTQ+ Care

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center is a pioneer in providing affirming healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals. With locations in Chelsea, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, it offers a wide array of services tailored to meet the unique needs of this community.

These include primary care, transgender hormone therapy, dental care, sexual health services, behavioral health support, and youth-specific programs like Health Outreach to Teens (HOTT).

Callen-Lorde is particularly known for
its leadership in transgender healthcare.

It provides hormone therapy and coordinates gender-affirming surgeries while offering mental health support tailored to the challenges faced by transgender individuals.

The center also addresses financial barriers by operating on a sliding-scale fee system that ensures patients receive care regardless of their ability to pay.

In addition to its clinical offerings, Callen-Lorde engages in community outreach and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Its holistic approach makes it a trusted resource for individuals seeking culturally competent care.

Key Differences

While both clinics aim to serve marginalized populations, their areas of focus distinguish them:

• Specialization: The Peter Krueger Clinic excels in HIV/AIDS treatment and infectious disease management but offers limited LGBTQ+-specific services beyond HIV care. In contrast, Callen-Lorde provides comprehensive LGBTQ+ healthcare with a strong emphasis on gender-affirming services.
• Mental Health Services: Both clinics integrate mental health into their offerings but differ in scope. Peter Krueger focuses on psychiatric support linked to infectious disease management. Callen-Lorde provides broader behavioral health services including individual therapy, group sessions, and crisis intervention.
• Transgender Health: Callen-Lorde leads in transgender healthcare with hormone therapy and surgery coordination as key components of its offerings. Peter Krueger does not offer these specialized services.
• Payment Options: While both clinics accept insurance plans, Callen-Lorde’s sliding-scale fee system ensures accessibility for uninsured or underinsured patients. This financial flexibility is less emphasized at Peter Krueger.

Shared Impact

Despite their differences, both clinics play vital roles in addressing healthcare disparities in New York City. The Peter Krueger Clinic’s expertise in HIV treatment has saved countless lives since its inception. Meanwhile, Callen-Lorde’s commitment to LGBTQ+ health equity has made it a lifeline for many who face discrimination or barriers to care elsewhere.

As New York City continues to evolve as a hub for inclusive healthcare, these institutions exemplify how specialized approaches can meet the diverse needs of their communities. Whether through advanced infectious disease treatment or holistic LGBTQ+ care, both clinics underscore the importance of patient-centered models that prioritize dignity and respect.

I have been a patient with both clinics over the last three-plus decades of my health care journey and strongly recommend them both. In an era where access to equitable healthcare remains a pressing issue nationwide, the work of these clinics serves as a reminder that tailored solutions can make a profound difference in people’s lives.

LGBTQ+ Healthcare in NYC: Peter Krueger Clinic and Callen-Lorde (March 20, 2025)

#NYCHealthcare #LGBTQHealth #HIVCare #CallenLorde
#PeterKruegerClinic #InclusiveCare #TransHealth

Tags: healthcare, LGBTQ+, HIV/AIDS, transgender health, NYC clinics, Mount Sinai, Callen-Lorde, mental health, PrEP/PEP