UNMC’s strong relationship with the Nebraska AIDS Project (NAP) is important to the university in several ways, the medical director of the UNMC HIV Clinic says.
“Our relationship with the Nebraska AIDS Project is mutually beneficial,” said Susan Swindells, M.D., the Terry K. Watanabe Chair of HIV Research at UNMC. “Certainly, NAP refers people to us for medical care, and we refer patients to NAP for services that it provides exclusively. Ultimately, the patients who need both of our services get the best treatment and support.”
NAP is the beneficiary of the annual “Night of a Thousand Stars” celebration. This year’s 11th annual celebration will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6. A UNMC-sponsored pre-party reception and cocktail supper will take place at the Omaha Woman’s Club, 518 38th St., beginning at 7 p.m. This year’s pre-party reception will feature a piano player, beverages, hors d’oeuvres, a party favor and valet parking.
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Those attending the UNMC-sponsored event will be admitted to the main event, which will begin at 9 p.m. at the new Qwest Center Omaha. The featured entertainers at the Qwest Center event are pop star Lionel Richie, former lead singer of the Commadores and current singles artist, and comedian and TV personality, Jay Leno. The requested minimum donation to attend the UNMC event is $30 per person, which will benefit the Nebraska AIDS Project. For tickets, contact Deanna Hansen at 559-5392 or dmhansen@unmc.edu, or Jayme Nekuda at 559-8448 or jnekuda@unmc.edu.
Dr. Swindells said that the NAP relationship has benefited UNMC not only clinically, but in research grants as well. NAP services extend across Nebraska, and UNMC’s affiliation with a statewide HIV/AIDS organization is attractive to research grantors.
“As the only two dedicated AIDS service organizations in the region, it makes sense that NAP and the UNMC HIV Clinic work together,” Dr. Swindells said. “Happily, we have a very close and productive working relationship.”
The Nebraska AIDS Project works to eliminate the spread of HIV/AIDS through education and prevention programs targeted to those at risk. NAP provides professional services and compassionate support to people living with HIV/AIDS, their families and loved ones.