HIV in Boulder and LGBTQ+ Health Equity

Description

As the HIV epidemic surged in the 1980s, the Boulder community responded with urgency, compassion, and innovation. HIV in Boulder and LGBTQ+ Health Equity explores how local action helped shape national conversations around public health and LGBTQ+ rights. Learn how Boulder County Public Health launched one of the nation’s first needle exchange programs, and how CU Boulder took proactive steps, like installing condom vending machines, to protect student health. Discover the origins of the Boulder County AIDS Project, founded in 1985, and the powerful grassroots efforts that brought services, support, and dignity to those affected by HIV. This event highlights a pivotal chapter in Boulder’s public health history - one where activism, equity, and resilience came together to change lives. Panelists: Neil Fishman has been involved in a variety of volunteer activities for over 40 years. He was both Treasurer and President of the board of the Boulder County AIDS Project between 1985 and 1990, where he helped to broaden support and programs for the growing needs of HIV services. He also served, from 1998-2000, on the organizing committee to develop and implement the City of Boulder’s Program Valuing Diversity: Education on Homophobia and Heterosexism, which was designed to provide anti-bias trainings to persons and groups in Boulder, then in 2006 on the University of Colorado’s Blue-Ribbon Commission on Diversity to evaluate and develop a plan to enhance diversity on all four campuses. Sarah Annecone began volunteering with Boulder County AIDS Project (BCAP) in 1991, after her brother Matthew died at age 34, of infections and diseases associated with AIDS. Over the past three decades, she has served in the roles of BCAP volunteer, Education Coordinator, Diversity Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, and Development Director. Sarah and her contributions to local HIV services were celebrated last fall when she received BCAP’s 2024 Local Legend Award, at the agency’s Local Legends Bubbly Brunch. Robin Bohannan is the Department Director for Boulder County Community Services. Robin began her career at the Boulder County AIDS Project as a volunteer, then in 1991 was hired full-time as a case manager, and later became the Executive Director. She was elected to Boulder City Council from 2004-2008. Heather Pujet, MD has been the medical director for Boulder Community Health's HIV program since 2003, which provides comprehensive, compassionate and multidisciplinary care to those living with HIV/AIDS in Boulder and neighboring counties including Northern Colorado. The daughter of a Peruvian, Dr. Pujet speaks fluent Spanish, and tremendously values her close relationship with the Hispanic community. She has been working closely with Alicia Maltzman for the past 20 years now. Alicia Maltzman is a board-certified nurse practitioner. She has been a provider at the Beacon Center for Infectious Disease since April 2003. Her primary interest is caring for patients living with HIV and she also loves talking to anyone and everyone about HIV prevention. Alicia is a member of the American Academy of HIV Medicine and is ACRN certified by the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board. This program is part of the 'Bending the Arc' exhibit at the Museum of Boulder and is sponsored by Boulder County Health.