FIGHT was an organization moving in the right direction when I came on board. We were spawning a pilot program to provide care to HIV infected patients with the vision of case management, nutrition and alternative therapies all under one roof. It was an exciting time to start working at FIGHT. We’ve grown 5 fold (since then).

As the human resources director and person in charge of benefits, I interact with our staff all the time. I do some training and look for ways to make the atmosphere where we work one that is pleasant and condusive to production.

Dr. Jonathan Mann had come to Philadelphia to head the Public Health Department at Hahnemann. We invited him to speak at a FIGHT event. He was so inspirational, talking about finding a vaccine and providing all of us with a sense of hope with his simple, strong message. He died in an airplane crash a few months later and it seemed like a bright light had suddenly burnt out.

Whenever I do feel a sense of losing energy or spirit I think of the patients and clients who we serve. Their tenacity and perseverance lift me up. They are my heroes.