SL
Steven Lam
  • Class of 2020
  • San Jose, CA

Steven Lam of San Jose leads planning of The Commonwealth Medical College's World AIDS Day observation

2016 Nov 21

World AIDS Day, one of just eight official global public-health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization, has been celebrated every Dec. 1 since 1988. With the leadership of Steven Lam of San Jose, this year, for the first time, The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC) will also hold a ceremony. TCMC's student group, PRIDE (Physicians Representing Inclusivity, Diversity and Equality) is working with the NEPA Rainbow Alliance to plan the free, public event. The NEPA Rainbow Alliance has marked World AIDS Day in the past, but this will be the first year it will do so in partnership with TCMC.

The public is encouraged to submit names of people whom they wish to be remembered at the event's special memorial service for people who have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS. Sister Ruth Neely, C.R.N.P., of The Wright Center, will preside at this service. To submit a name or a message of hope and encouragement for those whose lives have been impacted by HIV/AIDS, please email tcmcpride@gmail.com, visit the link advertised on the NEPA Rainbow Alliance Facebook Page or on the poster advertising the event, or drop it off in person in the basket in the lobby at TCMC by the quilt, which will be on display the week of the event. All submissions will remain anonymous.

The NEPA AIDS quilt, a memorial which celebrates the lives of those who lost their battle with HIV/AIDS, will be on display at the event, which will include a reception in the lobby of TCMC's Medical Sciences Building on Pine Street in Scranton. Invited speakers include:

  • Paul Baloga, member of The Northeast Regional HIV Planning Coalition in charge of the NEPA AIDS Quilt;
  • Shubhra Shetty, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and regional associate dean and professor of medicine at TCMC. Dr. Shetty is also medical director of The Wright Center's Ryan White Infectious Disease Clinic; and
  • Infectious disease specialist, Stephen Pancoast, M.D., who devotes some of his time to seeing patients at The Wright Center clinic.
  • Helen Davis, Ph-D., Co-Chair of the NEPA Rainbow Alliance.

"This event is about recognizing those who are currently living with HIV/AIDS in our area, providing a message of hope to those whose lives and family members have been affected by the disease, as well as remembering those that we have lost." said Robert Parajon, a second-year medical student helping to organize the event. "While we have made tremendous progress in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of HIV, we still have a lot to work on in reducing the stigma attached to the disease, improving public education surrounding prevention strategies, and in researching an ultimate cure."

World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. The World AIDS Day event will be held at the college from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1.