*This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated. 1992.12.01 : Recognition -- Dedication to HIV and AIDS Care Contact: Anne Verano (202) 690-6145 December 1, 1992 The Health Care Financing Administration will recognize 19 individuals and organizations today for their dedication in the treatment and care of persons living with HIV and AIDS, it was announced here today. AIDS, a disease that breaks down the body's immune system, leaves it defenseless against life threatening illnesses that eventually cause death. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a forerunner to full-blown AIDS. Thirteen awards will be presented in Washington, while six others are to be presented at HCFA's regional offices. Selectees come from 16 cities throughout the country. "The AIDS epidemic continues to challenge the best of the nation's health care system," said HCFA Acting Administrator William Toby Jr. "Helping people with HIV and AIDS is a high calling and I commend these awardees for the support and services they give to individuals living with this disease." Toby will make the presentations in Washington during HCFA's second annual awards ceremony. The program will take place Dec. l in Washington, D.C., in the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Room 800 at l p.m. HCFA's program is part of a government-wide observance of World AIDS Day and National AIDS Awareness Day. "HIV and AIDS impacts people across all social and economic lines, affecting all ethnic groups, and all ages regardless of - More - - 2 - sexual orientation," said Toby. "No segment of our society has escaped it. "Here and in the regions, we honor those who, in exemplary fashion, through outreach and advocacy efforts, specialized facilities and programs, and a variety of community services, have come forward, and have persevered to help people with HIV and AIDS." The individuals and organizations being recognized as donating their services or personal time to care for people with AIDS are: o John Fuller, M.D., Boston, Mass., has treated hundreds of HIV-infected individuals and educated colleagues on the treatment of HIV, thus expanding clinical care. o Margaret Heagarty, M.D., New York, N.Y., was among the first clinicians to recognize the multi-generation devastation caused by AIDS and provide pediatric care at Harlem Hospital. o Baltimore City Head Start Program, Baltimore, Md., provides integrated classroom and support center home educational services for more than 45 low-income HIV-infected children from birth to age 5. o Laurel Wood, Nashville, Tenn., helped develop a comprehensive statewide AIDS hotline to assist callers in gaining access to medical care, social services and dental care. o The KUPONA Network, Chicago, Ill., directly provides case management services to 250 persons living with HIV infection and AIDS in the African-American community. o Parkland Memorial Hospital AIDS Clinic, Dallas, Texas, an AIDS clinic which provides referrals to individuals for prompt access to an array of medical, psychological and spiritual services. o Brother John Spila, Eureka, Mo., instrumental in making a Medicaid provider the state's first long-term care facility for persons living with AIDS. o Ben-David Barr, Salt Lake City, Utah, an active fund-raiser, manager and consultant for grass-roots AIDS education and service activities with the Utah AIDS Foundation. o Gayle Cupp, R.N., Reno, Nev., working as a case manager and advocate, she intervenes on behalf of clients with the medical and pharmaceutical industries. - More - - 3 - o Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, HIV Day Center, Portland, Ore., provides persons living with HIV a wide range of services, including social support, medical services, respite care, education and living assistance. o Paul Brenner, Rockville, Md., provides hospice services, workshops, seminars and forums to improve the care, treatment, and management of patients with AIDS. o Randy Gorbette, Phoenix, Ariz., has created a centralized facility delivering a continuum of HIV/AIDS services including subacute nursing, home health, homeless shelters, out-patient clinics, training/education, counseling and case management. o AIDS Alliance of Howard County, Columbia, Md., provides transitional services to people who are HIV positive, while assisting persons in applying for Medicaid/Medicare. o Judith Babcock, LICSW, Boston, Mass., collaborating with the Family Center in Cambridge, Mass., has developed a model approach for treating families affected by the disease. o Highbridge-Woodycrest Center, New York, N.Y., a 99-bed non- profit nursing facility that maintains family integrity by allowing children to live on site with patients receiving HIV-related care. o Katherine Madden, R.N./B.S.N., Philadelphia, Pa., has worked with the state Medicaid program to implement targeted case management and home/community based services waiver programs for individuals. o The AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Chicago, Ill., a coalition of 108 community based organizations providing services waiver programs for persons living with HIV infection and AIDS. o Judy Moore-Nichols, Kansas City, Mo., organizes and convenes services and workshops for case managers and providers on behalf of persons living with AIDS. o Chuck Kuehn, Tampa, Fla., does extensive work with Medicaid and Social Security in expediting eligibility determinations of individuals with AIDS ### Editor's Note: The HCFA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, directs the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which help pay the medical bills of 62 million Americans. HCFA's estimated fiscal year 1993 expenditures are $230 billion, the 12th largest government budget of any kind in the world.