Vale Levinia Crooks
We constantly talk about the critical importance of a strategic and partnership approach to HIV policy and research, but we rarely discuss the impact of specific individuals.
Last week, the world lost a true champion of collaboration, compassion, courage and dedication when Levinia Crooks, AM, passed away.
Photo credit: ASHM
An HIV advocate from the early days of the epidemic, Levinia worked with and shaped many of Australia’s HIV community organisations and many leaders in HIV from the community, research and clinical sectors. She was the first executive officer of the National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA), president of the AIDS Council of New South Wales (ACON), and ended her career with an 18 year stretch as the Chief Executive of the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM).
As CEO of ASHM, Levinia was a huge supporter of cure research. She had an incredible sense of always knowing what was important in the HIV response and she sensed quickly that a cure was the next great challenge and needed to be embraced not just by the scientists, but clinicians, government and community.
Acknowledgements of Levinia’s death are littered with words of strength and respect. She befriended, encouraged, persuaded, inspired, challenged, was tireless and passionate, extraordinary, energetic, passionate and influential. For those who worked with her, her passing is intensely sad. For those who follow in her path, it is worth thinking of the incredible impact one person can have.
ASHM are collecting tributes and will co-ordinate a series of commemorative events across Australia. See their website for details.
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