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Date: Monday, Dec. 2, 1996 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: HCFA Press Office (202) 690-6145
"These are the heroes," said HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala to those being recognized. "These are the people who bring hope and light into the lives of those who are living with AIDS and those who love them."
"These are the people who have taken action to assure that individuals living with HIV or AIDS receive appropriate and compassionate health care," said HCFA Administrator Bruce C. Vladeck.
HCFA works with state Medicaid agencies and other federal agencies to ensure that Medicaid and Medicare resources are fully available to people with HIV and AIDS. Together, Medicaid and Medicare serve well over half of those living with AIDS. Combined federal AIDS-related spending under the two programs is estimated at approximately $2.5 billion for FY 1996, with states spending an additional $1.7 billion under Medicaid.
Sally K. Richardson, HCFA's Acting Deputy Administrator, will make the presentations during HCFA's sixth annual awards ceremony on Dec. 2 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. at the agency's headquarters in Baltimore, Md.
"With these awards we want to convey our deepest appreciation to the remarkable people being recognized today. They provide a variety of vital services to people with HIV and AIDS," said Richardson.
Individuals and organizations being recognized for donating their services or personal time to care for people with HIV and AIDS are:
1. Ms. Donna M. Gallagher, Director/Co-Principle Investigator, New England AIDS Education and Training Center -- Brookline, Mass.
For directing projects providing education and training for health professionals throughout New England and dedication to the HIV community in Brookline, Mass.
2. Ms. Gloria Cuccurullo Maki, Acting Executive Deputy Director AIDS Institute, New York State Department of Health -- Albany, N.Y. For leadership in development of innovative programs for persons with AIDS in New York.
3. Mr. Julio Bellber, President and CEO Ryan Community Health Network -- New York, N.Y. For leadership of the Airbridge Network to coordinate care for HIV positive individuals in New York and Puerto Rico.
4. Ms. Milagros Mayoral, Site Coordinator Playa de Ponce Migrant Community Health Center -- Playa Ponce, Puerto Rico For coordinating the health care of HIV positive individuals in Puerto Rico and New York.
5. James C. Welch, R.N., AIDS Activities Coordinator Delaware Department of Health and Social Services -- Dover, Del. For dedication and creativity in developing and implementing the maternal AIDS consumer information outreach campaign in Delaware.
6. Jo Ann Baker, R.N., Family Planning Program Administrator Delaware Department of Health and Social Services -- Dover, Del. For dedication and creativity in developing and implementing the maternal AIDS consumer information outreach campaign in Delaware.
7. Ms. Nancy Kling, Social Services Administrator Delaware Department of Health and Social Services -- New Castle, Del. For dedication and creativity in developing and implementing the Delaware Maternal AIDS Consumer Information Outreach Campaign.
8. Ms. Emma Curtiss, Social Services Administrator Delaware Department of Health and Social Services --New Castle, Del. For dedication and creativity in developing and implementing the Delaware Maternal AIDS Consumer Information Outreach Campaign.
9. Ms. Jeanne Pruyn Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Medicaid Program Development (Waivers) -- Tallahassee, Fla. For outstanding accomplishment in coordination and implementation of the Maternal AIDS Consumer Information Project in the Florida area.
10. Mr. Robert Lowery, Director of Ryan White Programs Mississippi State Department of Health -- Jackson, Miss. For continuous, outstanding effort in coordinating services for persons living with HIV infection and AIDS in Mississippi.
11. The Children's Place Association Cathy Krieger, Executive Director -- Chicago, Ill. For developing and providing a unique residential and treatment service program for HIV positive and AIDS affected children in Chicago.
12. Unit 22 of the Texas DDS, Texas Rehabilitation Commission Disability Determination Division -- Austin, Texas For creatively providing individualized, compassionate, and efficient service to disability applicants living with HIV infection and AIDS in Texas.
13. AIDS Outreach Center Daune Littlefield, Ph.D., LP. -- Fort Worth, Texas For educating the public about the HIV epidemic and advocating sound HIV public policy in Tarrant County, Texas.
14. Ms. Judy Crane, Director North Winds Living Center -- Oklahoma City, Okla. For efforts in obtaining much needed services to improve the lives of AIDS patients in Oklahoma City.
15. Brenda Patrick, Program Director Northside AIDS Outreach -- St. Louis, Mo. For efforts to reduce the incidence of perinatal transmission of HIV infection in the St. Louis area.
16. Ms. Marnee Morgan, Health Program Representative III Eastern District Health Office, WIC Program -- St. Louis, Mo. For efforts to reduce the incidences of perinatal transmission of HIV infection in the St. Louis area.
17. Gail M. Rink, M.S.W. Santa Barbara Visiting Nurse Association -- Santa Barbara, Calif. For outstanding hospice care for AIDS patients and for leadership in supporting other professional health care givers to AIDS patients in Santa Barbara.
18. James H. Sampson, M.D., Executive Director The Research & Education Group -- Portland, Ore. For the persistent quest to identify and promote new approaches to HIV care in Oregon.
19. Mr. Joe Stewart Maryland Swim for Life -- Baltimore, Md. For organizing the Maryland Swim for Life to benefit people with AIDS living in Maryland.
20. Robert J. Master, M.D., President and Medical Director Community Medical Alliance -- Boston, Mass. For recognition of exemplary work in developing innovative health care systems for persons with AIDS in Boston.
21. Mr. John J. Mahoney, President National Hospice Organization -- Arlington, Va. For creative and dynamic provision of services to persons with HIV infection, AIDS and terminal illnesses in Arlington.
22. Ms. Pat Gibbons, Nurse Manager Beacon Place -- Greensboro, N.C. For creative and dynamic provision of services to persons with HIV infection, AIDS and terminal illnesses in Greensboro.