Wurzweiler & AECOM Sponsor HIV/AIDS Conference

Wurzweiler School of Social Work, in collaboration with Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the AIDS Research Center at Montefiore, held a conference, "Twenty Five Years of the HIV Epidemic: An Interdisciplinary Symposium" on Friday, November 17th at The New York Academy of Medicine. The conference featured three internationally renowned pioneers in the field of HIV/AIDS: Dr. Arye Rubenstein, Chief of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at YU's Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Katherine Anastos, Associate Professor of Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Executive Director for Clinical and Scientific Programs of WE-ACTx (Women's Equity in Access to Care and Treatment), and Chief Social Worker, Dr. Lori Wiener, of the National Cancer Institute in Washington, DC. The symposium was generously underwritten by Robert Schwalbe, Chair of the Wurzweiler's Board of Governors, and hs wife Janie.

The afternoon workshops included a range of topics such as: HIV and Family Issues, Older populations affected by HIV, HIV and cultural competency, HIV and substance Abuse, and issues concerning spirituality. WSSW faculty who presented their work in these workshops included Professor Rozetta Wilmore- Schaeffer, Academic Associate Dean Carmen Ortiz-Hendricks, and Professor Gary Stein. Each workshop was moderated by WSSW faculty.

The conference was well attended and the audience was deeply moved and inspired by the day's events. Many reported being reignited in their commitment to provide effective and compassionate care to clients affected by HIV/AIDS.
(The CyberProf thanks Nancy Beckerman for reporting this event).