Mazzoni pays tribute to women at Elixir

Mazzoni Center will celebrate the “leading ladies” in the LGBT health community at next week’s annual Elixir fundraiser. Elixir, which will take place from 5:30-10 p.m. May 18 at Loews Hotel Philadelphia, 1200 Market St., will include awards for Dr. Marla Gold, outgoing dean of the Drexel University School of Public Health, Philly AIDS Thrift co-founder Christina Kallas-Saritsoglou and LGBT activist Jaci Adams. Mazzoni Center executive director Nurit Shein said awardees were nominated through forms given out to the staff and board at the LGBT health agency. Shein, the Elixir co-chairs and the organization’s development director then made the selections from the nominees. Shein said the “Leading Ladies” theme was selected to observe the diverse work local women are doing for LGBT health. Shein said Gold, who is a lesbian, was a natural fit for the Peter Mazzoni Award. “Dr. Gold has been a physician involved with HIV/AIDS since the 1980s. She is now the dean of Public Health at Drexel and during her tenure, she started an LGBT-specific curriculum. She brings a lot to LGBT health and advanced our movement,” Shein said. Gold was humbled by the award. “I am excited and honored,” she said. “Regardless of how out we all are, in this day and age in health and wellness, Mazzoni Center fulfills a critical need. Being honored by them is both a personal and professional honor.” Shein said 2013 Ally awardee Kallas-Saritsoglou has been a pioneer in HIV/AIDS work and has helped raise funds for a number of HIV/AIDS organizations. “If it weren’t for her work, many of our organizations during tight times would not have been able to make it,” Shein said. “She is truly an ally to the community.” Kallas-Saritsoglou said the award was unexpected, yet appreciated. “I love what I do so much, I can’t imagine getting an award,” she said. “I was so taken by receiving an award. It is an honor to receive it from an organization that I respect so much. The work that the Mazzoni Center does is incredible, so to be recognized for the things that I have done is flattering.” Adams’ advocacy work has been inspiring, Shein said. “She’s worked in the trenches for the last 20 years and has been an outspoken advocate. She so greatly deserves this award.” Adams, who was recently diagnosed with stage-four cancer, said the tribute’s timing is especially meaningful. “Dealing with everything I am dealing with, this is a big thank-you and it is overwhelming,” Adams said. “It means the work that I do — be it with homelessness, HIV, incarceration, trans — is validated, and my body of work is not in vain.” For more information on Elixir, visit www.mazzonicenter.org/events/elixir-cure-common-gala-saturday-may-18.