 
New AIDS Course to Explore
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Dr. Daniel Gentry, assistant professor of health administration and policy and director of the Center for HIV/STD Policy Studies, developed the course.
"It was clear we were surrounded by a wealth of resources, including faculty from various fields within SLU who have worked on the issue of AIDS," Gentry said. "And, in addition to SLU faculty, we've invited Washington University faculty members, government officials and local non-profit AIDS organizations to participate as guest speakers and discussants."
Topics will include the natural history of the virus, epidemiology of HIV/AIDS, transmission and disease progression, medical treatment, vaccine and behavioral prevention issues, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS politics and policy, legal and ethical issues, and mental health and social services, such as housing, nutrition and social support.
Consideration of the communities disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS will be emphasized.
"AIDS is a complicated disease often, but not only, affecting already vulnerable populations -- such as racial and ethnic minorities, sexual minorities and those with substance abuse problems," Gentry said. "These people already suffer some discrimination, and the added issues for these populations will be addressed in the course," Gentry said.
Why is an interdisciplinary approach to this course so important? "It's essential that students pursuing a career in health care see a patient from a holistic perspective," Gentry said. "In addition to living with an HIV or AIDS diagnosis, what other challenges does the individual face? Is there a support system to help the patient adhere to the complicated drug regimen often required with AIDS treatment? Does the client have access to transportation and proper nutrition? What type of emotional support is he or she getting? These factors are not only applicable to people with HIV/AIDS, but those with any chronic disease. The course will examine all of these elements, as well as specifics of the disease itself."
The course was made possible by a generous donation from the Jody Clark Memorial AIDS Research Fund. Clark, daughter of Kenneth Smith Jr., M.D., director of the division of neurosurgery, died of AIDS in 1991. Smith and his wife, Marjorie, founded the research fund in Clark's memory to help in the fight against the disease. Smith is pleased the fund can contribute resources to the course.
"This multi-disciplinary approach will offer a survey of all aspects of AIDS to help in the prevention and treatment of the disease -- exactly the reason we created the research fund," Smith said.
Marjorie Smith adds that although there have been important strides in treatment and in fighting misperceptions of the disease, the battle is far from over.
"We need to keep AIDS in the forefront, to stem the tide of complacency that seems to have developed," she said. "People with AIDS are living much longer now, but we need to continue on the path of prevention. I'm thrilled that this class also will discuss the spiritual and psychological needs of people with AIDS, the importance of which cannot be overestimated."
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