In 1988, several Boston-area acupuncturists began to talk about the fact that they were treating an increasing number of people living with HIV/AIDS. Out of these discussions developed a modest volunteer organization called the AIDS Care Project (ACP). Clients spread the word about the effectiveness of acupuncture in dealing with HIV/AIDS-related symptoms, and ACP grew quickly. Firmly based in its commitment to provide equal access to the highest quality traditional East Asian medicine, this small grass-roots clinic flourished, and by 1997 was providing over 5,000 treatments per year.

As the demographics of the disease changed ACP changed with it. We opened satellite clinics in neighborhoods where the population would otherwise not be able to access acupuncture services. We added an "at risk component" to our client base by building education and prevention into our outreach efforts, targeting women, youth at risk, and communities of color. By 1999, ACP had grown from one small clinic to one large main clinic and eleven satellite locations throughout Massachusetts and was providing over 9,000 treatments per year. Many of our sites were placed in medical settings, allowing clients to more easily integrate acupuncture into their healthcare regimen.

Although the vast majority of our clients are uninsured or underinsured, ACP has never turned a client away because of inability to pay. Since 1990 ACP has provided over 80,000 acupuncture and herbal treatments to people living with HIV/AIDS in Massachusetts, and now provides over 10,000 treatments a year, never forgetting our mission.

After 12 years of growth, the AIDS Care Project expanded its mission in 2000 and opened its doors to all individuals under the name Pathways to Complementary Medicine. In 2004 we moved our main clinic to Berkeley Street in the Back Bay under the new name Pathways to Wellness. In 2006 we began a new partnership with the South End Community Health Center, and moved our practice to new offices at 1601 Washington Street, in Boston's South End.

Pathways remains a nonprofit agency, and continues to operate the AIDS Care Project. By providing care to all individuals, we effectively de-stigmatize point of entry to care and provide a venue where all people can access affordable, appropriate, comprehensive therapy.

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