Prominent Pittsburgh HIV Specialist Among Those Massacred

[left-of-center2012]

Among the eleven Jewish congregants of the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh was a family doctor who served as an erstwhile HIV specialist and treated his patients with respect.

His name was Jerry Rabinowitz.

Act-Up member Michael Kerr posted:

"My doctor Jerry Rabinowitz was among those killed in the Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting. He took care of me up until I left Pittsburgh for NYC in 2004.
In the old days for HIV patients in Pittsburgh he was to one to go to. Basically before there was effective treatment for fighting HIV itself, he was known in the community for keeping us alive the longest. He often held our hands (without rubber gloves) and always always hugged us as we left his office.

Thank you Dr. Rabinowitiz for having always been there during the most terrifying and frightening time of my life. You will be remembered by me always. You are one of my heroes just like the early ACT UP warriors - some of which I now call friend."

Rabbinowitz and ten others were murdered when suspected gunman Robert Bowers, 46, burst into the Synagogue, yelling "All Jews must die," killed 11 before himself being wounded and taken into custody.

https://www.hivplusmag.com/people/2018/10/28/prominent-pittsburgh-hiv-specialist-among-those-massacred

[still_one]

1. OP probably should also be posted in the GD forum to highlight what senseless waste that hatred and

bigotry have brought to America

[magicarpet]

2. .

[Haggis for Breakfast]

3. I am so sorry for your loss.

I worked in HIV/AIDS health care for the US PHS for a decade back when we were still calling it "trench warfare." Doctors like Jerry Rabbinowitz were out there, you just had to find them, usually on a recommendation from a patient. These MDs were like a bulwark against all of the hate, anger, fear, homophobia, paranoia and phony religious piety. I called them our Diamonds.