The Accidental Advocate
Stephen M. Arpadi
St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center & Beth Israel Medical Center, Associate Attending
(Also Columbia University College of Physicians And Surgeons, Assistant Professor Of Pediatrics & Public Health)
Pediatrics

Dr. Arpadi became an HIV/AIDS doctor by default. He intended to become a primary care pediatrician, but he began his medical career during the middle of the pediatric HIV/AIDS epidemic of the late 1980s. Though he launched into this field accidentally, he’s now been a hero for these patients for 25 years and counting.

Tell us about the joys and challenges of your specialty.
The unspeakable loss, sadness, and devastation that HIV has wreaked on so many people in our city is difficult to wrestle with, but the medical and public health achievements that we can manage are incredible and inspiring.

The early years were about keeping children with HIV/AIDS comfortable and living as “normally” as possible for as long as possible, which often translated to helping them die peacefully. It was the rare child who would survive to their 5th birthday, and only a truly lucky few made it to their 10th. These days, with the availability of effective medications that can control the virus, it’s about helping healthy adolescents and young adults make their way through life, discussing future plans, dating (and sex!) educational and career plans and parenting.

A number of those I treated during their childhood are in their 30s. This summer I think I did more pre-college physicals than summer camp ones…pretty unbelievable!

Is there a particular story that really stands out in your mind?
Yesterday, I saw an adorable and healthy 12-month-old for a routine checkup. To anyone else, this would appear to be a normal visit to the pediatrician, but what was special and apparent to me was that her mom was a survivor of pediatric HIV. When she was her daughter’s age, no one would dare to dream that she would survive her childhood, no less become a mother to a beautiful and healthy daughter.

During a visit last week, I was asking a handsome and charming 18-year-old to tell me about the college courses he was planning on taking during his first semester. He too was HIV positive, and, at the time of his birth, the encounter we had last week would have been considered a fantasy at best.

For more information, visit stlukeshospitalnyc.org

In this issue:

• Walking for my friends,
• What it means to be an advocate,
• Suggestion Box Responses,
• Let’s do our part,
• Robert’s interview with Social Worker Nedra Lewis,
• Fall Recipes… Simple, Tasty & Affordable,
• Online Resources.