Press Release
November 28, 2007
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Jennifer Forbes
(732) 235-6356
jenn.forbes@umdnj.edu
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School observes
World AIDS Day: "Take the Lead, Stop AIDS"
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NEW BRUNSWICK—UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School will present "Take the Lead, Stop AIDS" as World AIDS Day is observed on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 from 10 am until 2:30 pm. The event will take place in the Arline and Henry Schwartzman Courtyard at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, 1 Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
This year's national observance focuses on leadership and how leadership must be demonstrated at every level - by individuals, in schools and within families. The event at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School follows the theme by having the program's clients "take the lead" throughout the day. The event will include an art show featuring work from local high school students and persons living with HIV/AIDS. A client and pastoral care discussion also will be held, after which guests may visit information booths to obtain literature and speak with providers and health experts. A special memorial service to honor those who have passed or are living with the disease will be held from noon to 1 p.m. and will include readings from clients and invited guests, including keynote speaker Cheryl D. Bryant, minister and director, H.O.P. E. Ministry from Eternal Life Christian Center.
Free Rapid HIV testing will be offered throughout the day. Trained counselors will be available to discuss the confidential test results, which are provided in 20 minutes. Free Rapid HIV testing and counseling also is available on an ongoing basis through the Robert Wood Johnson AIDS Program, which offers confidential, free HIV services for adults and children. For more information and appointments, call 732-235-6142.
World AIDS Day was established internationally in 1988 and is held annually in December to highlight HIV/AIDS, increase awareness of the epidemic and fight prejudice. The event is jointly sponsored by UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, the Robert Wood Johnson AIDS program and the "Our VOICES" Client Caucus of the Middlesex County Department of Human Services HIV Health Services Planning Council-Ryan White Part A Grant.
UMDNJ is the nation's largest free-standing public health sciences university with more than 5,700 students attending the state's three medical schools, its only dental school, a graduate school of biomedical sciences, a school of health related professions, a school of nursing and its only school of public health, on five campuses. Last year, there were more than two million patient visits to UMDNJ facilities and faculty at campuses in Newark, New Brunswick/Piscataway, Scotch Plains, Camden and Stratford. UMDNJ operates University Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center in Newark, and University Behavioral HealthCare, a mental health and addiction services network.
