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Written by admin
Oct 19, 2011
Doug Nelson
Doug Nelson, who has headed the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin since 1988, is retiring as the organization’s president and CEO.
Michael J. Gifford, ARCW’s chief operating officer, will assume Nelson’s position beginning April 2012. Nelson will remain as a consultant to ARCW through the end of next year to ensure a smooth transition, according to a press release.
Under Nelson’s leadership, ARCW evolved from a small social service agency with an annual budget of $266,000 to a major provider of HIV medical, dental, mental health, pharmacy and social services. The organization’s annual operating budget grew to $31 million.
“I am so fortunate to have had this leadership role in the fight against AIDS and have thrived on every challenge of this historic epidemic,” Nelson said in the press release.
Gifford has worked at ARCW for 18 years. Originally hired as director of government relations, he was promoted to chief operating officer in 1998. He’s credited with establishing the ARCW Medical Center in Milwaukee and expanding it into Kenosha and Green Bay.
In 2010, Gifford led the creation of the ARCW Pharmacy, Wisconsin’s only HIV-dedicated pharmacy.
“The AIDS epidemic is one of the most serious health crises the world has seen. One in five Americans with HIV does not know they are infected and more than 600,000 people living with HIV in our country cannot access HIV health care,” Gifford said. “At stake are the lives of thousands of people throughout Wisconsin. I am honored to lead ARCW as we overcome these challenges and achieve results – early HIV diagnosis, treatment for all, excellence in clinical care and long and healthy lives for people with HIV.”
