Thursday, August 9, 2007
David Mariner Welcomes Dr. Shannon Lee Hader
Greetings Dr. Hader,
My name is David Mariner. A little more than a year ago, I started working for a local HIV/AIDS organization for the first time. That's when I really began to understand just how much work there is to do in the local fight against HIV. On my own time, I created www.fighthivindc.org with the hopes of fostering better communication about local efforts, better understanding of the issues we face locally, and more focused and strategic advocacy.
I hope that I've brought a few more voices into this discussion, and I hope that all of our voices, but particularly those living with HIV/AIDS in DC, are heard.
As someone who is engaged in the local effort, I realize you have taken on a huge undertaking, and that is something I think everyone here truly appreciates. On all areas including condom distribution, database management, and HIV testing, there is much work to be done. Of course where there are large challenges, there are also amazing opportunities. We have an HIV infection rate and an HIV death rate higher than any State in the Union. Just imagine what it would be like to turn that around and turn DC from the worst example to the best.
Clearly this is not going to happen without stepping on a few toes. The reality is, if we really want to move in a new direction, we have to be willing to change, and every aspect of how we tackle HIV in DC has to be subject to scrutiny and change. Whether we're talking about staff, or programs, evaluation, or even the CPG and Planning Council, we simply have to starting raising the standard.
It is my great hope that we are at a turning point. If that is the case, all of us have to be be open to constructive criticism, and open to change.
I hope your 'honeymoon' period lasts as long as possible. But I also hope that you're ready and willing to make those tough decisions that are needed to really turn things around. If you truly partner with the community, you can make those tough decisions knowing that we will have your back.
David Mariner created and maintains Fight HIV In DC He serves as the Public Relations Coordinator of DC Fights Back. He is aso the founder of the Capital Area Vaccine Effort, the local HIV vaccine research community advisory board. He serves on the Howard University Hospital Pediatric HIV/AIDS Community Advisory Board (part of IMPAACT) and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center HIV/AIDS Community Advisory Board (part of INSIGHT). He is an advocate for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community and currently serves on the LGBT Advisory Committee for the John Edwards Presidential Campaign.
My name is David Mariner. A little more than a year ago, I started working for a local HIV/AIDS organization for the first time. That's when I really began to understand just how much work there is to do in the local fight against HIV. On my own time, I created www.fighthivindc.org with the hopes of fostering better communication about local efforts, better understanding of the issues we face locally, and more focused and strategic advocacy.
I hope that I've brought a few more voices into this discussion, and I hope that all of our voices, but particularly those living with HIV/AIDS in DC, are heard.
As someone who is engaged in the local effort, I realize you have taken on a huge undertaking, and that is something I think everyone here truly appreciates. On all areas including condom distribution, database management, and HIV testing, there is much work to be done. Of course where there are large challenges, there are also amazing opportunities. We have an HIV infection rate and an HIV death rate higher than any State in the Union. Just imagine what it would be like to turn that around and turn DC from the worst example to the best.
Clearly this is not going to happen without stepping on a few toes. The reality is, if we really want to move in a new direction, we have to be willing to change, and every aspect of how we tackle HIV in DC has to be subject to scrutiny and change. Whether we're talking about staff, or programs, evaluation, or even the CPG and Planning Council, we simply have to starting raising the standard.
It is my great hope that we are at a turning point. If that is the case, all of us have to be be open to constructive criticism, and open to change.
I hope your 'honeymoon' period lasts as long as possible. But I also hope that you're ready and willing to make those tough decisions that are needed to really turn things around. If you truly partner with the community, you can make those tough decisions knowing that we will have your back.
David Mariner created and maintains Fight HIV In DC He serves as the Public Relations Coordinator of DC Fights Back. He is aso the founder of the Capital Area Vaccine Effort, the local HIV vaccine research community advisory board. He serves on the Howard University Hospital Pediatric HIV/AIDS Community Advisory Board (part of IMPAACT) and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center HIV/AIDS Community Advisory Board (part of INSIGHT). He is an advocate for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community and currently serves on the LGBT Advisory Committee for the John Edwards Presidential Campaign.
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