The Influence of Spirituality in the Practice of HIV Medicine Malcolm Lewis Marler, DMin The International AIDS Society–USA ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

Slide #2 ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June “Evidence increasingly suggests that the attitude of medical caregivers toward their patients’ spirituality has serious ramifications for the level of trust and cooperation between patient and provider-- and even for the efficacy of medical care itself.” HRSA Care ACTION, February 2002.

Slide #3 ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June Spirituality 1.Three movements--self, others, divine. (Nouwen) 2.The heart connection. (Borg) 3.The sacredness of the moment. (Fox)

Slide #4 ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June Does God still love me? Will anybody ever love me again? Will anybody ever hug me again? Robin’s Story

Slide #5 ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June Prevention 2. Stigma Reduction 3. Compassionate Action Michael S. Saag, M.D. Malcolm L. Marler, D.Min. Spirituality-Based Initiative Birmingham, Alabama—

Slide #6 ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June GRACE Program Giving Receiving AIDS Compassionate Education A head, heart, and feet experience 1.Head—interactive sharing of factual information about HIV/AIDS (Prevention) 2.Heart—personal stories, faith stories (Stigma Reduction) 3.Feet—challenge to action, Support Teams (Compassionate Action)

Slide #7 ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June Support Teams for persons with HIV/AIDS expanded throughout Alabama State National Support Team Development Training (2-day train-the-trainer) Expanded for persons with heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory illness, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, HIV/AIDS, etc. National 2004 Over 25 trainings in 20 states, and Southern Africa. Thousands of Support Teams started. Training—Harare, Zimbabwe Visited Zambia, South Africa, and Botswana International Vision Prevention Stigma Reduction Compassionate Action 1993 Michael Saag 1994 Local Malcolm Marler GRACE program Support Teams for persons with HIV/AIDS began in Birmingham

Slide #8 ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June “A training and resource center for the development of Support Teams for persons with health concerns or other special needs.” The Support Team Network Mission

Slide #9 ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June Do what you can When you can In a coordinated way With a built-in support system The Team Approach Four Simple Principles

Slide #10 ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June STN Strategy 1.Teach persons how to develop Support Teams through annual community Initiatives. 2.Empower persons on the grassroots level to assume the responsibility for the Initiative. 3.Support the process; don’t try to control how people use it; develop trusting relationships.

Slide #11 ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June Common mission to care for the sick Significant influence in communities Common response of stigma, silence Why Focus on Faith Communities?

Slide #12 ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June “Creating Community--Wherever” Community Service groups Family, friends, neighbors Disease-specific groups Medical Centers and Universities Any group that utilizes volunteers to reach out to others in a community

Slide #13 ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June Recognizing the Spiritual 1.Thank you for what you are doing 2.Remembering the why 3.Making the heart connections

Slide #14 ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June "Do all you can, with what you have, in the time you have, in the place you are.” Nkosi Johnson, at the 13th International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa, 2000

Slide #15 ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June Acknowledgements The Support Team Network Staff Joe Elmore, M.Div. Kelly Ross-Davis, M.A. Christopher Hamlin, D.Min. Carol Padgett, Ph.D. Malcolm Marler, D.Min. L to R: Malcolm Marler, Kelly Ross- Davis, Christopher Hamlin, Carol Padgett, Joe Elmore

Slide #16 ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June Malcolm Lewis Marler, D.Min. Chaplain, The Center for AIDS Research at UAB The 1917 Clinic at UAB Toll-free: Web :