Earlier this week, news broke that Humberto Cruz, Director of the AIDS Institute, will be retiring effective April 26, 2013. Mr. Cruz has been with the AIDS Institute since 1989, just six years after the facility opened.
Humberto has been lauded as a true HIV/AIDS advocate and fearless administrator, and has been noted for fighting on behalf of the state’s most marginalized populations, including people of color, LGBT people, drug users, and at-risk women.
He has also received many awards and accolades, including being honored at the 2008 National HIV Testing Day Reception by National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA); appointment to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS in 2010; a Sol Awardee, and most recently, an honoree at the 2013 “Chef’s Secrets,” a charity event for people living with HIV/AIDS on Long Island.
Gus Birkhead, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Public Health, said of Humberto: “Humberto’s understanding of the prevention, health systems and community needs and his unique point of view, commitment and enthusiasm is irreplaceable and we will miss him in many ways.”
Dan O’Connell, Deputy Director for HIV, STD, HCV, Prevention and Epidemiology in the AIDS Institute, will assume the role of Acting Director of the AIDS Institute when Humberto retires.
