A Focus on Women's Health
••Winter 2005/Vol. 9, No. 1

Soul of the Healer

I was captivated by the Faces of AIDS photography exhibit when it was shown at the KP Oakland Regional Offices. Kaiser Permanente (KP) Northern California sponsored the display, and since 2002, the Faces of AIDS exhibit has traveled throughout the KP East Bay Service Area and Regional Offices. The hauntingly beautiful photos, and the individual stories with each photo, allow the viewer to relate to the people featured in a whole new light. Even though some of the people featured have passed on because of the disease, many are living with the disease, as are all their stories. Every December 1, World AIDS Day is celebrated and, in 2004, the event is appropriately focused on Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS as the theme of World AIDS Day. This population represents one of the fastest-growing number of new AIDS cases.

The Faces of AIDS exhibit was conceived by Judith Briggs-Marsh, one of the founding members of the East Bay AIDS Advocacy Foundation in 1994, according to Gloria Cox Crowell, current Board President. Ms Cox Crowell says the display is a "tool to inspire dialogue and to create different perceptions about the disease and the people who live with AIDS." The foundation also provides leadership development for people with AIDS, which supports advocacy that can influence policy. Patricia Rambo, curator of the exhibit, interviewed all the people photographed and helped them convey the messages they wanted viewers of the exhibit to have about living with AIDS. Ms Rambo has a son she describes as "living and thriving with HIV for 18 years."

The acclaimed photographer for the Faces of AIDS is Jim Dennis, native of San Francisco. His work spans more than 30 years and he has exhibits at a variety of art venues across the nation including: the Kodak Gallery in New York, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, and the Oakland Museum in Oakland, California. Mr Dennis learned early in life that he had a talent to capture elements that provoked thought and stirred emotion through his work.

The Faces of AIDS photography exhibit is available to travel to other KP Regions for the cost of shipping. Jim Dennis and the East Bay AIDS Advocacy Foundation are also looking for new faces to add to the display each year. Mr Dennis is available to come to different KP Regions to add "local faces" to the exhibit. If you have a patient living with AIDS who would like to be featured in the Faces of AIDS Exhibit, please contact either Jim Dennis Photography at jmdennis@dnai.com, Gloria Cox Crowell at croglo@pacbell.net or Patricia Rambo at pirambo@earthlink.net.

Piper [Hyland]: "Diagnosed at 16 forced her to mature faster. Piper feels the illness has brought her wisdom beyond her years."	Margaret [Grandara]: "I say to myself, you can live with this disease."
Denise [Rushing]: "Sharing information and love with people who are affected by HIV gives me purpose. If I had anything to tell anyone, it would be this: Life goes on."	Tracy [Davern]: "I would like more emphasis on teaching about safe sex, sexuality, and respect for self."
Christine and Rebecca [Burkhart twins] (only Christine acquired HIV from her mother): Their grandmother says: "With God, family, and friends, I have a lifeline. Giving with love and understanding is the best medicine. I know having dedicated doctors and more money for research to find a cure, Christine can have a future life."	Cynara [Dillon]: "I got HIV from my husband of 23 years. I am the mother of three children. Now I visit schools and encourage students about getting informed--for their own benefit."

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