New York City HIV and AIDS service provider GMHC announced that Robert Guimento is its new interim CEO. Guimento recently served as president of the New York Presbyterian (NYP) Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and has led several other hospitals, outpatient clinics, medical staff and related health care teams.

“GMHC’s board of directors is so excited to welcome Rob to the GMHC family,” Jon Mallow, who has served as board chair since 2020, said in a February 28 GMHC press release. “As GMHC continues historic program growth in supportive housing, our 340b pharmacy, and other life-saving services, Rob’s experience and expertise adds even more transformative power to our executive team. In partnership with Kishani Chinniah-Moreno, our COO who has also served as interim CEO for the past 2.5 years, and Michael Hester, our CFO, Rob will focus on our core commitments to clients, staff and volunteers. He will also support the growth and development of the board while we continue the search for our next permanent CEO.”

“GMHC is a historic organization critical to the health and well-being of thousands of New Yorkers living with and affected by HIV and AIDS,” Guimento, MHA, said in a GMHC press release, “and I am honored to serve as its new interim CEO. Our leadership in the fight to end the HIV epidemic extends nationwide through advocacy in the media and at all levels of government. I look forward to supporting our inspirational staff and volunteers, donors and funders, and to serving our clients.”

At NYP Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Guimento led a 600-bed hospital and oversaw an operating budget of $1 billion, $900 million in capital projects, 3,800 staff, and 14 accredited residency and fellowship programs, according to the GMHC press release. He also has extensive consulting experience in capital financing, post-merger integration and financial turnarounds, with clients including national health care systems, payers and government agencies.

Officially established in 1982 as Gay Men’s Health Crisis, GMHC is the world’s oldest HIV and AIDS service provider. According to its website, “GMHC serves New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs: 39% live in Manhattan; 25% in Brooklyn; 22% in the Bronx; 14% in Queens, and 1% in Staten Island. The communities we serve are disproportionately affected by both the HIV and COVID-19 pandemics: Over 70% live below the Federal Poverty Line; 36% are Black; and 32% are Latino. Nearly half of clients are over the age of 50, and 53% are LGBTQ+.”

In other GMHC news, its annual AIDS Walk New York fundraiser is slated for Sunday, May 19, in Central Park. Registration is now open on AIDSWalkNY.org. Last year’s event drew over 11,000 participants and raised over $2.1 million.

Your steps matter! Join AIDS Walk New York on May 19, 2024 – a day of community, compassion, and change. Comment Below: What inspired you to walk with us? #AWNY New York City Gay Men’s Chorus

Posted by GMHC on Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Registering now gives walkers and teams and early start to their fundraising goals and offers folks an easy way to make donations.

“If you want to plan any fundraising events, like an Oscar watch…go ahead and create your fundraising page at AIDSWalkNY.org. That way, you have a donation link for sponsors,” advised Thom Medrano, GMHC’s development associate who coordinates all walkers and teams, in a press statement about the AIDS walk. “Take advantage of this time to recruit friends and colleagues. Use the calendar! Is your birthday coming up?

“The main thing is to get the word out,” he added. “People will be more receptive than you might think.”