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GREENSBORO -- A new facility hopes to improve care for people living with HIV, AIDS and other infectious diseases. Monday, the new Regional Center for Infectious Disease opened its doors to patients.

A number of organizations are teaming up to improve the quality of services for HIV and AIDS patients.

"I think that it's a huge opportunity for us," said medical director Dr. Jeffrey Hatcher. "It's really something that we can be proud of that way that we are all coming together and working together."

Moses Cone Health System, Triad Health Project, Central Carolina Health Network and Family Service of the Piedmont opened the new Regional Center for Infectious Disease. The center will offer multiple services in one location.

"I'm glad and flexible to be right there on the spot," said counselor Alisa Branch.

Case workers, counselors and physicians will provide expert care to people living with HIV, AIDS and other infective diseases.

"It's brought sort of this idea of a one-stop-shop," said Dr. Hatcher. "People can see us, the infectious disease providers and then will be able to easily access the case manager on the same day on the same office visit as well get counseling services if they need it."

There are 6,000 people in North Carolina living with HIV or AIDS, making the state sixth in the nation.

"There's this perception that we have it under control and there's a lot of folks working on it but it is still a public health crisis in our county," said Addison Orr, executive director with Triad Health.

Orr says the diseases often carry a stigma of shame that she hopes doctors, counselors and other health professionals will treat at the Regional Center.

The Regional Center will receive federal funding totaling more than $1.2 million, which represents 55 percent of the total budget. Non-government sources will provide almost $1 million to the Regional Center's budget. The Cone Foundation is also providing funding assistance.

The Regional Center for Infectious Disease is located in the Wendover Medical Center building in Greensboro.