Posted: 5/20/2014
For more than two decades, Sylvia Moreno, RN, Director of Nursing for the
HIV Department at Parkland Health & Hospital System has been on the frontlines of the battle against HIV/AIDS.
On May 17, Moreno was among three recipients of 2014 Crystal Hope Award presented by
AIDS Interfaith Network (AIN) of Dallas at its annual Bloomin’ Ball, “Sowing the Seeds of Hope.”
“Presenting the award to Sylvia is recognition of the work she had been doing in this community for more than 27 years,” said AIDS Interfaith Executive Director Steven Pace. “She has been the driving force behind the HIV/AIDS services and care that clients receive at Parkland’s Amelia Court facility. We wanted to celebrate the special relationship we have with Parkland and the great work that Sylvia has done there.”
Moreno said she was honored to be among this year’s recipients.
“As a nurse my focus has always been on the protection, optimization of health and alleviation of suffering for this patient population,” she said. “I accepted the many unknown challenges, besides medical care.”
Moreno has seen AIDS evolve from a death sentence to a more chronic disease, spurring developments in fields from medical, to political to social.
“In this epidemic, Parkland has been true to its mission for the citizens of Dallas County and all the counties that make up the North Texas Regional Ryan White HIV service area,” Moreno said. Parkland cares for almost 7,000 HIV patients, and countless others are helped through the
Parkland Emergency Department.
In addition, Parkland’s LGBT + Employee Network Group, Parkland Pride, served as chair of the Bloomin’ Ball, the first time a group has served in that role. The co-founders and co-chairs of Parkland Pride are Dallas County Hospital District Police Captain Kristi Tillery; Sam Bowers, Director of Quality and Safety Operations; and Senior Leadership Sponsor Ron Laxton, RN, Parkland’s Chief Operating and Nursing Officer.
“We are here to show our support for all people with HIV/AIDS and to help AIDS Interfaith Network by supporting this event,” Bowers said. “All of Parkland is appreciative of the mission of AIN.”
Parkland’s HIV services include
five HIV clinics, an HIV Prevention Program, the
TX/OK AIDS Education and Training Center, an HIV Consumer Advisory Board, and an HIV Research Unit operated by The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. It also provides support services for families and friends of HIV/AIDS patients.
For more information about
Parkland’s HIV services, call 214.590.7055.