four different health centers, as well as
operating three specialty pharmacies.”
The organization also changed its name
from AIDS Arms, Inc. to Prism Health North
Texas in 2017 to recognize its much wider
array of services and specialized care.
Prism Health North Texas continues
to receive national recognition due to
its comprehensive, patient-centered
approach to care. It remains one of only
a few community-based health centers
in the country that is involved in National
Institutes of Health (NIH) funded research
studies under the prestigious AIDS Clinical
Trials Group. Prism has also recently
hosted two separate projects of national
significance and is now part of the NIHfunded
COVID-19 vaccine trials. Dr. Carlo
and the team are frequent presenters at
22 DALLAS MEDICAL JOURNAL • January 2021
national conferences and play a critical
role in the development of national
policy for HIV treatment. “We have grown
tremendously over this past decade
thanks to careful strategic planning,”
said Dr. Carlo about the amazing growth.
“However, it remains important to me that
we still provide highly individualized and
personalized healthcare for people in our
community.”
HIV continues to be a significant public
health problem in North Texas. However,
as effective treatment is now widely
available, the broader issues of healthcare
equity and social determinants of health
greatly influence these outcomes. “The HIV
community often has led the conversation
about health equity in this country,”
said Dr. Carlo. “Case management, care
coordination, integrated physical and
behavioral health services are just a
few of the effective programs that could
have a wider benefit beyond just the HIV
pandemic.” In order to provide effective
treatment, Prism Health North Texas often
has to address other issues like housing,
nutrition, education, or transportation. It
is through these many experiences that
Dr. Carlo feels could be of value for the
healthcare system at large.
All on the Same Team
Dr. Carlo is quick to recognize his peers
and mentors that have helped him develop
the career he has now. One of these
important figures is the late Dr. Don Read,
MD, former president of both the Texas
Medical Association and DCMS. “Don was
just an amazing person, always thanking
everyone for their work and always telling
everyone to act kind to one another,” Dr.
Carlo said.
With his immense dedication to positively
impacting healthcare systems, Dr. Carlo
is often inspired by those who have worked
and continue to work toward this same
goal. DCMS Immediate Past President Dr.
Mark Casanova, Dr. Kevin Klein, physicians
on the Community Emergency Response
Committee, and Dr. Robert Fine, who led
the work on developing “Crisis Standards
of Care” during a pandemic were just a
few of the people Dr. Carlo said are worth
recognition, especially right now during this
crisis. “I’m also honored to be in the same
program as this year’s DCMS other award
recipients, W. Stephen Love and Judge
Clay Jenkins,” says Dr. Carlo. “Steve and
Clay have both been amazing leaders and
are true champions for this community’s
health.”
As a whole, Dr. Carlo looks at his
involvement with the DCMS as a great
privilege. “The best thing about it is
getting to learn from some amazing
people,” Dr. Carlo said. “I definitely am
privileged to serve and be involved in the
medical society.”
Dr. Carlo remains aware that more work
is still to be done in order to tackle the
numerous health inequities and public
health vulnerabilities happening both every
day and during emergencies. His thoughts
go out to those who are working on the
front lines right now during the pandemic.
“I’m certainly reserved in celebrating,
knowing the amount of effort, risk, and
fatigue our colleagues are experiencing,”
Dr. Carlo said. “When we get it done, it will
be worth celebrating, but until then, we
are going to have to continue to work hard
to ensure our community can persevere
through this crisis.” DMJ
Dr. Carlo with (L to R) Dr. Lisa Swanson,
Rep. Toni Rose, and Dr. Sue Bornstein
at a First Tuesday event during the last
legislative session.