Wow! Delaware HIV Consortium Honors ChristianaCare Experts for Advocacy and Leadership
The Delaware HIV Consortium has honored two ChristianaCare providers — a pediatric infectious disease specialist, and a pharmacist with expertise in HIV medications — for their contributions to HIV and AIDS research and care.
Stephen Eppes, M.D., and Christopher James, Pharm.D., were among 10 Delaware individuals and groups honored in the fall at the Delaware HIV Consortium’s 30th anniversary celebration and 16th Annual WOW! Awards Gala.
Dr. Eppes, director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at ChristianaCare, received the Sister Delores Macklin Guardian Angel Award for excellence in service to the HIV/AIDS community, philanthropy, volunteerism and community leadership. He has served on the Delaware HIV Consortium Board of Directors since 2009.
“I’m honored to be recognized by the Delaware HIV Consortium as it marks its 30th year of leadership to eliminate HIV in Delaware,” Dr. Eppes said. “Even more, I am honored to have served alongside some of the most dedicated individuals who continue the fight against HIV and AIDS, including Sister Delores.”
As the first Delaware pediatric specialist to direct a pediatric HIV/AIDS outpatient clinic, Dr. Eppes has provided care for the majority of the state’s at-risk children diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. He was also instrumental in clinical research to determine the efficacy of the antiviral medication AZT to prevent and treat HIV in children.
“Dr. Eppes’ leadership in caring for the youngest among us will continue to have a profound impact on our community.” said David Paul, M.D., chair of the Department of Pediatrics for ChristianaCare.
ChristianaCare pharmacist Christopher James, of the William J. Holloway Community Program, received the Consortium’s Ryan White Red Ribbon Award. The award is named for the courageous teenager known for his advocacy against AIDS-related discrimination in the 1980s.
“I am humbled to help carry on the long-running mission of our program’s namesake, Dr. William J. Holloway — the grandfather of infectious diseases here in Delaware and a tireless and selfless researcher of new antimicrobials,” said James.
James is a published expert, three-time International AIDS Conference presenter on HIV treatment options and viral resistance, and co-chair of Delaware’s Ryan White AIDS Drug Assistance Program Formulary Subcommittee.
“Chris is a compassionate caregiver who has positively influenced the health of hundreds of patients through his comprehensive assessments and patient-centered counseling and support,” says Arlene Bincsik, MS, RN, CCRC, ACRN, director of the Holloway Community Program.
The Holloway Community Program is the only site in Delaware designated as a Ryan White Center. Part of a federal program for receiving and distributing antiretroviral medications that help people with HIV to manage their disease, it is often the sole source of treatment for patients without insurance.