School of Social Works Celebrates World AIDS Day

The University of Michigan School of Social Work celebrated World AIDS Day with talks on science and policy, personal testimonials--including words from Jeanne White-Ginder, the mother of Ryan White--awards to prominent local AIDS activists, including members of the Michigan HIV/AIDS Council, a social justice exhibit drawn from the School's fine art collection, and an impromptu AIDS "quilt," created by attendees (out of paper, not cloth).

The event, sponsored by the office of the Associate Dean for Research, also featured Dawn Lukomski of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, telling a generally optimistic story of the state of HIV/AIDS in southeast Michigan, but stressing the need for, among other things, wider acceptance and understanding of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to limit the spread of the disease. Associate Dean for Research Rogerio M. Pinto followed Ms. Lukomski and outlined an ambitious new research agenda around PrEP.

The day also featured words from Dean Lynn Videka and a performance by Unified Field Theory, a jazz combo from Ann Arbor's Community High School.