Community Gathers at St. Mary Medical Center to Commemorate World AIDS Day with Art Display and Musical Performance

On Monday, December 2, more than 100 people filled the Health Enhancement Center at Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center, to enjoy a commemorative gathering in honor of everyone who has lost their battle with AIDS. The CARE Center at St. Mary works collaboratively with various community partners, including the City of Long Beach and the Long Beach Department of Health & Human Services, to increase awareness, provide resources and education, and raise necessary funds to combat HIV in our community.

This year’s World AIDS Day celebration included a prayer by Sister Celeste Trahan, CCVI, Vice President of Mission Integration, a personal story from Hospital President, Carolyn Caldwell, and a vocal performance by CARE supporter Nolan Samé-Weil. A powerful art display filled the back wall of the room illustrating the journey of HIV through the eyes of survivors, as dozens of names of those who have passed away in 2019 were read aloud for a moment of remembrance.

Long Beach Second District Councilwoman, Jeannine Pearce presented a certificate of recognition to the CARE Center for its continued efforts to make a difference in the lives of those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS throughout greater Long Beach. Jeannine shared that the services CARE provides is important to the city, as statistics reveal the Second District has the highest rate of HIV infections across Long Beach.

About Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center

Founded as a faith-based hospital in 1923 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center is a 389-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in Long Beach, California.   The hospital offers a full complement of services, including a Level II trauma center, cardiac and vascular center, surgical weight loss, maternity, and the CARE Center, which is a recognized PrEP Center of Excellence by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.  St. Mary is recognized by the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) as a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.  The hospital shares a legacy of humankindness with Dignity Health, one of the nation’s five largest health care systems.
Visit dignityhealth.org/stmarymedical for more information.