Files worked with a program at Birmingham AIDS Outreach called BFED (BAO Food and Education Delivery). This program works in collaboration with the 1917 HIV Clinic at UAB to provide food boxes to hundreds of food insecure HIV+ people within the Birmingham area. Files expanded the current program by providing more options for 17 clients who were also living with diabetes in addition to having HIV.

After bi-weekly calls over the course of several months, many of the clients started reporting healthy lifestyle changes as a result of his program. In addition, Files made a series of educational videos on diabetes that will be used for other clients and patients at BAO and the 1917 Clinic for years to come.

As a result of the program:

• 100% of the clients self-reported learning more about diabetes.
• 100% of the clients self-reported making healthy lifestyle changes as a result of the program.
• YouTube videos that were created have been viewed 65 times and counting!

BAO and the 1917 Clinic will build upon his project by continuing to share the educational YouTube videos. In addition, BAO and BFED hopes to offer diabetic food boxes in the near future in order to offer healthier options for their diabetic clients.

“As a result of my participation in the Schweitzer Fellowship, I have gained a deeper respect for the HIV+ clients here in the Birmingham area and the challenges that they face on a daily basis. It is my hope as a future healthcare professional that I will be able to positively impact patients such as these and make their lives less challenging.”