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1992.12.01 :  Awards -- National AIDS Awareness Day

Contact: Rayford Kytle (202) 690-6867 (Office)  (202) 232-4363
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December 1, 1992

       The U.S. Public Health Service today presented its highest
award to 13 "true American heroes" for work assisting HIV-
infected people including migrants and homeless people from New
York, California and Florida to Washington state and rural
Tennessee.
       Three advocates, three physicians (including a
Philadelphia health administrator), a nurse and a nurses
association, two business groups and three community
organizations received the Assistant Secretary for Health Awards
on National AIDS Awareness Day, America's response to the World
Health Organization's designation of Dec. 1 as World AIDS Day.
       "These are true American heroes," said James Mason, M.D.,
assistant secretary for health and head of the Public Health
Service.  "They have improved health services in their
communities, promoted understanding and compassion among the
uninformed and uncaring, and fought this dread illness with
respect for the men, women and children who are ill.
       "These are the front-line troops in a desperate war which 
has already taken the lives of twice as many Americans as died in
Vietnam." 
       This year, WHO selected the theme, "AIDS: A Community
Commitment," to emphasize the important role that communities
play in caring for AIDS patients as well as preventing further
spread of the virus.
       Audrey Manley, M.D., deputy assistant secretary for
health, presenting the awards to the recipients in a ceremony in
the Hubert H. Humphrey Building in Washington, said the awards
"reflect the variety of contributions needed in the AIDS fight. 
All of us must join together, respectful of our diversity, to
create healthy and supportive communities which reinforce the
commitment individuals must make to choose healthy and
responsible behaviors."
       Honorees were selected by a committee of PHS officials
from nominations sent from all over the country.  This year's
recipients are:
BUSINESS AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS

1.   To:  The Center for Corporate Public Involvement, in
          Washington, D.C.
     For: outstanding leadership in organizing the private sector
          to respond to the AIDS crisis.

2.   To:  The New York Business Group on Health, Inc.
     For: continued leadership in sensitizing and helping
          employers in the New York area to address the
          significant problems of HIV infection and AIDS in the
          workplace.
3.   To:  The California Nurses Association
     For: outstanding educational efforts in helping health-care
          workers to address the challenge of AIDS.

COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS

1.   To:  Beth Israel Medical Center
     For: dedicated comprehensive care and service to people in
     the New York City community with HIV infection and AIDS.

2.   To:  Safe Haven Outreach Ministry
     For: its unique community contribution in acquiring housing
          for homeless people with HIV disease in Washington,
          D.C.

3.   To:  Peekskill Area Health Center
     For: dedicated efforts to detect and deter HIV among a
          multi-lingual and multi-cultural population of migrant
          and seasonal farm workers in the Hudson Valley area of
          New York.

HEALTH-CARE WORKERS

1.   To:  Mary Jo O'Sullivan, M.D.
     For: devoted service through her commitment to care,
          research and education of health-care professionals on
          behalf of minority women with HIV infection and AIDS in
          the Miami area.
     
2.   To:  Barbara Fassbinder, R.N.
     For: her ongoing advocacy for better protection and
          education of health-care providers serving people with
          HIV infection and AIDS in Iowa.

3.   To:  Peggy A. Alsup, M.D.
     For: outstanding leadership and commitment in developing
          comprehensive treatment services for people with HIV
          infection in rural Tennessee.

INDIVIDUALS

1.   To:  Thomas A. Valverde
     For: steadfast advocacy for a more comprehensive and
          compassionate community-based AIDS service network in
          the Kansas City area.

2.   To:  Paula Van Ness
     For: dedicated and compassionate leadership at the 
          community, federal government and national non-profit 
          level, centered in Washington, D.C., on behalf of      
               people with AIDS.
 
3.   To:  Carolyn Hiebert Bajema
     For: compassionate and supportive community service on     
          behalf of people with AIDS in Kitsap County,
          Washington.

SPECIAL AWARD TO HEALTH ADMINISTRATOR

     To:  Marla J. Gold, M.D., Philadelphia Department of Public
          Health
     For: consistent, tireless leadership and cultural
          sensitivity in the pursuit of research, study,
          education and treatment for people who have HIV
          infection and AIDS in Philadelphia.

       PHS regional health administrators observed National AIDS
Awareness Day by presenting an additional 68 awards.  These
public health service awards went to individuals and groups who
have made outstanding contributions to their communities in the
fight against AIDS.

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