AccolAIDS 2009 Winners!

On Sunday, April 19th, the 8th annual AccolAIDS awards gala took place in the elegant Pacific Ballroom at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. This recognition and fundraising event honoured outstanding achievements of individuals and organizations working in the BC AIDS movement.

And the winners are...

Social/Political/Community Action:
PHS Community Services Society

Unsung Heroes:
Andrew Johnson

Philanthropy:
Kim Osborne

Kevin Brown PWA Hero Award:
Kath Webster

Health Promotion and Harm Reduction:
MAT Program

Science/Research/Technology:
Dr. Mark Tydall

Media Award:
Xtra! West

Innovative Programs and Services:
Boys 'R' Us

PHS Community Services Society – Social/Political/Community Action

Created in 1993, PHS Community Services Society is a non-profit association that provides professional support and permanent accommodation (semi-private single-occupancy units) for “hard-to-house” adults; individuals afflicted with mental illnesses, addictions etc. PHS accepts all residents as they understand themselves and operates on a no-eviction policy.

Currently operating out of four housing facilities in the Downtown Eastside, residents receive round-the-clock care from a team of mental health workers with doctors and nurses visiting on a regular schedule. In addition, residents have access to a wealth of services including: at home support; nutritional counseling; general counseling; and art classes from local artists.

Few organizations demonstrate the degree of tenacity and creativity in advocating for those on the margins of society. Over the last 16 years, PHS Community Services Society has been on the frontlines, lending dignity and stability to the lives of people living in the Downtown Eastside.

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Andrew Johnson – Unsung Heroes

Andrew was involved in the HIV/AIDS movement from the very beginning. He began as a volunteer with the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT), where his passion for care giving led him to become a Registered Nurse. Andrew wrote the manual “Living with Dying, Dying at Home” for ACT to provide support for friends, families and loved ones who were trying to cope with the daily reality of care giving.
As Executive Director of AIDS Vancouver, Andrew was able to eventually focus his commitment to community development and was proud to have contributed to strengthening and growing both the Case Management and Gay Men’s Health programs.
Nationally, Andrew was a founding member of CANAC (the Canadian Association of Nurses in AIDS Care). A board member of ICAD (Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development) and the Canadian AIDS Society, Andrew served on the Federal Government Ministerial Council for HIV/AIDS. Andrew was also the Community Liaison for International AIDS conferences in Vancouver, Durban, and Barcelona.

Returning to frontline nursing and teaching, Andrew worked at the Dr Peter Centre, Vancouver Community College, and at Vancouver’s St Paul’s Hospital on the HIV/AIDS Unit 10C, in IV Therapy and at the John Ruedy Immunodeficiency Clinic.

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Kim Osborne – Philanthropy

Kim Osborne is a woman with a vision and a passion for making a difference. As the founder and coordinator of Chefs for Life; a culinary extravaganza for food and wine aficionados from Vancouver to Whistler, this visionary restaurateur has raised more than $700.000 for the Friends for Life Society.

Chefs for Life benefits the Vancouver Friends for Life Society, a not-for-profit wellness centre that provides complementary and alternative health and support services for individuals living with life-threatening illnesses, primarily HIV/AIDS.

Each year, Kim begins working months in advance to singlehandedly coordinate participating chefs, wineries, corporate sponsors and media to produce THE MOST spectacular and reveled event on the Vancouver dining and social circuit.

With her energy, enthusiasm, community spirit, and tireless dedication to making Chefs for Life bigger and better every year, Kim Osborne is the epitome of someone with heart and soul!

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Kath Webster– Kevin Brown PWA Hero Award

For over a decade Kath has worked in numerous ways to address the issues facing people living with HIV, particularly women. An inspiring role model and leader, she currently Chairs the Board of Directors for the Positive Women’s Network.

As part of BCPWA’s Treatment Information Program, Kath has developed HIV treatment education materials and presented countless workshops. Kath uses her personal experience living with HIV to educate, support and advocate for others.

Kath has shown great commitment to the AIDS Walk for Life by volunteering for the past 10 years as a team leader for the event.

In the words of her nominators: “Kath is a truly remarkable woman, who has worked quietly, but with courage, strength and perseverance, to help improve the lives of positive people. She has become a treasured volunteer in the women’s HIV community as well as the HIV community as a whole.”

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MAT Program – Health Promotion and Harm Reduction

Vancouver's Maximally Assisted Therapy (MAT) Program opened its doors 10 years ago to improve access and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ARV) for HIV-positive participants with complex social and medical challenges.

Located in the Downtown Community Health Centre, the MAT Program consists of a multidisciplinary team who support adherence to ARV’s in an encouraging, non-judgmental, drop-in location, as well as provide assistance navigating government bureaucracy, locating affordable housing and accessing social services.

The patient-centered model and dedicated staff have made it possible to develop bonds with marginalized, mentally ill and difficult to engage clients. The staff delivers all of these services in difficult conditions continuously working to lower the barriers that clients face every day.

Despite the challenges MAT clients face, as of Jan. 09 the median six-month adherence rate was 99.5% and viral loads were undetectable in 90% of patients.

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Dr Mark Tyndall – Science/Research/Technology

Dr Mark Tyndall’s research into HIV care for injection drug users and marginalized populations has been recognized both nationally and internationally. The winner of the Science/Research/Technology Award his research, clinical work, and inspiring leadership have improved our understanding of the challenges faced by the DTES. Further, Mark’s presence and commitment to the residents of the DTES, as well as his advocacy efforts, have led to the implementation of innovative programs and improvements in access and care.

As a researcher, Dr Tyndall is the foremost expert on HIV. His leadership and involvement on the VIDUS Study, MAKA Project, CHASE Project, Insite, Vancouver Native Health and the Merck Vaccine Study have been instrumental. A supporter of VANdoc, Mark has worked in Africa as a clinician, researcher and epidemiologist.

While Mark’s achievements and contributions are magnificent and impact the lives of many, the grace, humanity and humility in which he carries out his work is an inspiration to others.

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Xtra! West – Media Award

Since 1993 Xtra! West has been at the forefront of Vancouver’s Gay Community. With a bi-monthly readership of 54,000 readers, Xtra West has its finger on the pulse of the community.

Xtra! West is a leader in delivering consistent, well-researched coverage of HIV related issues. While the mainstream media chooses to focus on the criminalization of HIV, Xtra! West delivers a more balanced approach; bringing readers’ articles about transmission and health issues, and the global fight against HIV/AIDS. Xtra! West’s work with positive columnists also provides readers a unique and personal account of living with HIV.

A true community partner and reliable information source for HIV-positive persons, Xtra! West provides support to AIDS Service Organizations through Event sponsorship, discounted advertising rates and educational support.

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Boys ‘R’ Us – Innovative Programs and Services

Boys‘R’Us was started in 1997 through a partnership between the then Vancouver Richmond Health Board, and several community based AIDS Service Organizations when a lack of services for male and transgender sex workers working in the Yaletown neighbourhood of Vancouver was identified.

The Original program objectives for Boys’R’Us:
To promote the health and well being of the male sex worker population through outreach and referrals to appropriate services;
To provide a safe, anonymous and supportive environment;
To prevent the spread of diseases, particularly HIV and HepA, through education, vaccination and distribution of condoms, lube and clean needles; and
To work collaboratively with community agencies working with this population.

The program’s goal is to provide a safe, respectful place for male and transgendered sex workers. The program provides participants with a way to connect with others, gain valuable harm reduction skills and a feeling of safety for a few hours. It also creates a safe setting for participants to relax, talk about their lives and discuss the issues that they face. All of this is delivered in a nonjudgmental and supportive fashion. Boys ‘R’ Us has become an example of a successful population specific program developed and delivered collaboratively with community partners.

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The 2009 AccolAIDS Nominations and Advisory Committee:
David Byres, VP Clinical Programs & Chief Professional Practice & Nursing, Providence Health Care
Wayne Campbell, Long Time Community AIDS Activist
Dr Joss de Wet, HIV Primary Care Physician, Spectrum Health Authority
Anna Machala, Professional Product Specialist, Tibotec
David Swan, Executive Director, AIDS Vancouver
Jason Pires, Sportscaster, CTV

Supporting Sponsors:

Mystery Garden:

Nominee Host Award:

Award Sponsors:

Philanthropy – Abbott Virology

Science/Research/Technology – Bristol Myers Squibb


Other – Merck Frosst

Social/Political/Community Action – HEU


Innovative Programs and Services – Providence Health Care


Media – Schering-Plough


Health Promotion and Harm Reduction – Tibotec