MHRI Researchers are Impacting Our Community in Beautiful Ways
Guest post by Katie
Carlin, Director, Research Development, Planning and Communications
What a night!
Last Saturday I was
able to attend MHRI and MedStar Washington Hospital Center’s HIV H.O.P.E. art
exhibit: “FACES: “Fearless Expression; Expresiones Sin Miedo”, held at the Gala
Hispanic Theater in Washington, DC. I can’t even begin to describe the pride,
courage and sense of accomplishment that emanated from the stage and walls that
night!
Like many, I attended
the event not exactly sure what I was about to see and experience – I knew that
the evening would showcase art work created by The Art and Peer Support Group
at MHRI and MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
The Group is part of “HIV H.O.P.E.” (HIV Homecare Outreach Patient
Engagement) a program made possible through a District of Columbia Department
of Health grant which has provided more than 450 home visits to HIV/AIDS
patients and approximately 75 percent of the enrolled, high-risk HIV patients
have been able to regain control of their infection.
Seeing the MHRI-
MWHC infectious disease group come together to support the courageous, brave
and artistic members of the MedStar community was just amazing to watch. The
night would not have been made possible without Antonio Pineda who literally
planned and hosted the entire event! Antonio is a MHRI Treatment Navigator at
the Infectious Disease Clinic at MedStar Health Research Institute at
Washington Hospital Center and coordinates the Art and Peer Support Group every
Saturday afternoon. Special thanks also go out to: Dr. Glenn Wortman, Ron Migues, Patricia Tanjutco, Cortlen H. Yarbrough, Cleo
Johnson, Elya Nassaj Christina Costalas, James Page, and to Stefan Lopatkiewicz,
who served as the master of ceremonies.
Walking into the
Gala Hispanic Theatre, I was immediately taken back by the beautiful full-color
“masks” on the walls, each created by members of the Art and Peer Support group
which empowers the members to express their various emotions and struggles, as
well as learn techniques for overcoming depression, isolation, and finding ways
to combat the stigma encountered by those who are living with HIV/AIDS.
What I didn’t
expect that evening was to be escorted into the main theater to take part in a
live artistic show!
Members of the Art
and Peer Support Group performed moving dance routines including an originally
choreographed work, “Be Strong, ... Carry On”. In addition, they shared
personal stories of their life living with HIV/AIDS and the support MHRI and
the HIV H.O.P.E program has given them every week. Guests were also treated to
outside performances by the Tribal Remix group, Maru Montero Dance Company and
professional musicians Stephen Czarkowski, Dr. Scott Beard and tenor singer, Jesus
Daniel Hernandez – which by the way, if you have never seen a professional
tenor perform live, add it to the list!
Members of the Art and Peer Support Group |
Congratulations to
Antonio and the entire MHRI infectious disease group for bringing the voices
and stories of our MedStar patients to light in such a powerful and special way!
Maru Montero Dance Company |
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