*This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated. 1991.12.02 : Recognition Awards for AIDS Work Contact: Rayford Kytle (202) 245-6867 December 2, 1991 Agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services today presented awards to 75 individuals and organizations from 24 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for their outstanding contributions in the fight against AIDS. "We need to recognize the good and generous work that is being done by so many Americans on behalf of those who have AIDS, and by those who are working to stop the AIDS epidemic," said HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D. "This epidemic is indeed a challenge that we must share, and today's award winners are leaders in a national crusade against this disease." Awards were presented by the U.S. Public Health Service as well as the Social Security Administration and the Health Care Financing Administration. They are part of the government-wide observance of National AIDS Awareness Day, involving 14 federal agencies in addition to HHS. Fifteen states also undertook AIDS Awareness Day activities. The activities were coordinated with the World Health Organization, which designated Dec. 1 as World AIDS Day. The global theme of this year's World AIDS Day and National AIDS Awareness Day is "Sharing the Challenge," recognizing the importance of a partnership approach to fighting AIDS. "While expressing gratitude and admiration for those who have already made vital contributions, this year's theme is also a call to action on the part of individuals and groups who do not yet feel involved in this battle," Secretary Sullivan said in a memorandum to all HHS employees. U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE James O. Mason, M.D., HHS assistant secretary for health and head of the Public Health Service, presented 21 Assistant Secretary for Health Awards at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., marking the fifth year of the awards. Honorees were selected by a committee of PHS officials from over 100 nominated from across the country. This year's recipients and the award categories are as follows: 1. Health care professionals who have donated their services or personal time to care for people with AIDS. . Joel D. Weisman, D.O., Los Angeles, founding board member and now chairman of the board of directors of the American Foundation for AIDS Research. . Frederick Ifft, M.D., founder of the AIDS Task Force of Philadelphia. . John L. Turner, M.D., Philadelphia, honored for his work with AIDS patients, volunteer groups and research in the Delaware Valley. . Roberta J. Wong, Pharm. D., Los Angeles, whose work with the Foundation of Pharmacists and Corporate America for AIDS Education trains pharmacists to be AIDS educators. . David Rosenstein, D.D.S., for his efforts to meet the dental needs of AIDS patients in Oregon. . Howard L. Minkoff, M.D., professor of OB/GYN at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, for his scientific contributions. 2. Lay individuals who have volunteered their efforts to care for and assist persons with AIDS. . Juan Jose Garcia Rios, for his work in AIDS education to people in drug abuse rehabilitation programs in Puerto Rico. . Marisa Blay, for her work with children with AIDS in Puerto Rico. . Ray Hayes, for his work with the William J. Craig Foundation in Philadelphia, Pa., helping families dealing with AIDS. . Most Reverend Edmond L. Browning, New York City, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, for his leadership in the religious community in the AIDS fight. . Mike Lauber, president of Tusco Manufacturing in Gnadenhutten, Ohio, for his leadership in AIDS education in the workplace. 3. Businesses which have demonstrated effective leadership in challenging AIDS. . National Funeral Directors Association, Milwaukee, Wis., whose AIDS education in the workplace program has been adopted as a model for other trade associations. . Metropolitan Home, the national home design magazine, for its creative AIDS education and fundraising efforts, including the designer showhouse in New York City. . New England Corporate Consortium for AIDS Education, Boston, representing nearly two million workers worldwide, whose leadership has launched hundreds of businesses' AIDS education programs. . American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Washington, D.C., for its commitment to providing extensive AIDS training and technical assistance to labor educators, stewards and employees. . Ortho Biotech, Raritan, N.J., a pharmaceutical company which provided its drug Procit free to thousands of HIV-infected persons, while awaiting full marketing approval by the FDA. Procit helps patients taking AZT avoid costly, uncomfortable and risky blood transfusions. 4. AIDS service organizations or voluntary organizations providing services or help to people with AIDS. . Women and AIDS Resources Network, which has been on the forefront in formulating social and health policies in response to the unique needs of women in New York City, and in filling the gap in HIV services for women. . Columbus AIDS Task Force, which serves as the primary provider of direct services to people with HIV illness in the Columbus, Ohio, community and contributes significantly to the AIDS education and prevention efforts. . Whitman Walker Clinic, in Washington, D.C., which is a private non-profit community-based organization meeting the full spectrum of medical and psychosocial needs of people living with HIV. . Community Consortium, in San Francisco, which promotes communication and cooperation between hospital-based physicians and community-based physicians. The consortium's integration of clinical research into primary medical care has greatly expanded access by HIV patients to experimental treatments. . AIDS Legal Referral Panel of San Francisco Bay Area, which works to ensure that all people with symptomatic HIV have access to legal services nationwide. Dr. Mason called the recipients "shining examples of volunteerism in America. Through them, the entire nation has learned a valuable lesson about selflessness and concern for others." SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Social Security Commissioner Gwendolyn S. King hosted an AIDS awards ceremony at SSA's Baltimore headquarters, with 37 awards for outstanding service given to individuals in each of HHS' 10 regional areas: . ATLANTA REGION Connie Buck, claims representative, Melbourne, Fla. Maria Duque, professional relations officer, Florida DDS. Larry Gaissert, claims representative, Wilson, N.C. Bruce Garner, field services specialist, Atlanta, Ga. Sandra Rothman, district manager, Miami, Fla. Joe Staiano, disability program administrator, Atlanta, Ga. . GROUP AWARD: Atlanta AIDS Task Force, Atlanta Regional Office Members: Gwendolyn Campbell, supervisor, social insurance specialist E. Bruce Garner, field services specialist Cindy Husson, social insurance program specialist Darryl Mull, regional public affairs officer Heriberto Sanabria, equal opportunity specialist Coy Short, deputy regional commissioner for communications (will accept the award in behalf of the group) Joseph Staiano, disability program administrator . BOSTON REGION Bernard Pont, field representative, Boston, Mass. Dennis Sousa, claims representative, Providence, R.I. . CHICAGO REGION Anton Kovacs, social insurance program specialist, Chicago, Ill. Kathleen Lane, professional relations officer, Wisconsin DDS Sue White, technical assistant, Cincinnati, Ohio . DALLAS REGION Jeanne Archuleta, operations supervisor, Albuquerque, N.M. Glenn Beasley, operations supervisor, Little Rock, Ark. Robert Garza, disability examiner, Texas DDS . DENVER REGION O'Dell Pickett, chief hearing officer, Colorado DDS . KANSAS CITY REGION Thomas Swain, supervisory disability specialist, Kansas City, Mo. . NEW YORK REGION Jane Zanca, deputy director of public affairs, New York, N.Y. GROUP AWARD, field representative unit, New York, N.Y. Members: Joseph Abounader, field representative (will accept the award in behalf of the group) Arthur Feldman, field representative Gary Schultz, field representative . PHILADELPHIA REGION Heath Kelly, teleservice representative, Baltimore, Md. Patricia Rusche, social insurance claims specialist, Washington, D.C. DDS Christopher Williams, metropolitan public affairs specialist, Washington, D.C. Mary Wilson, field representative, Wheaton, Md. . SAN FRANCISCO REGION Dr. James Krajeski, regional medical advisor, San Francisco, Calif. . SEATTLE REGION Sue Brown, claims representative, Everett, Wash. . CENTRAL OFFICE William Johnson-Bey, employee development specialist, DCO Lou Dean Moore, social insurance specialist, OD Edward Viereckt, social insurance specialist, DCPEA John Wilbur, planning analyst, OS HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION Awards to 15 individuals and groups were presented by HCFA Administrator Gail R. Wilensky, Ph.D., and HCFA regional administrators: . BOSTON REGION Reverend Thaddeus Bennett, executive director, AIDS Ministries Program of Connecticut, Hartford, Conn. Susan M. Adam, R.N., clinical coordinator of AIDS programs, Lowell Community Health Center, Lowell, Mass. . NEW YORK REGION AIDS Resource Foundation for Children, Newark, N.J. Village Nursing Home AIDS Day Treatment Program, New York, N.Y. Children's Hospital AIDS Program of New Jersey, Newark, N.J. . PHILADELPHIA REGION Dr. Michael Glick, Temple University School of Dentistry, Philadelphia, Pa. Whitman Walker Clinic, Washington, D.C. . ATLANTA REGION Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services, Columbia, S.C. . CHICAGO REGION Caracole House, Cincinnati, Ohio . DALLAS REGION James D. Waltner, M.D., F.A.A.P., physician administrator, New Mexico Human Services Department, Santa Fe, N.M. . KANSAS CITY REGION Missouri Department of Health, Care Coordination Staff, Jefferson City, Mo. . DENVER REGION Seton House, Denver, Colo. . SAN FRANCISCO REGION Susan J. Williams, benefit counselor, AIDS Benefits Counselors, San Francisco, Calif. AIDS Community Care Team, Honolulu, Hawaii . SEATTLE REGION The Northwest Family Center, Seattle, Wash. ###