Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 37, Number 1, 1 January 2020 — Alejo Receives 2019 Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Alejo Receives 2019 Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award

The Hawai'i State Department of Health (DOH) recently announced Raymond Alejo as the recipient of the 2019 Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award for his outstanding contributions in providing HIV/AIDS services in Hawai'i. The award was presented on December 1 at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, during the World AIDS Day ceremony. "For the past 19 years, Raymond has dedicated his life to working with people living with HIV in Hawai'i," said Peter Whiticar, Chief of the DOH's HIV/AIDS program. "His advocacy and loving care for people living with HIV has helped reduce the stigma, fear and unknowns that ean keep vulnerable

patients from receiving care." Alejo serves as an HIV registered nurse case manager and community HIV educator at the Hawai'i Heahh & Harm Reduction Center (fka the Life Foundation). Alejo offers presentations on prevention and treatment, and has developed eultural competency trainings to help healthcare providers better service the Native Hawaiian community.

Raymond Alejo with Governor Ige