Heather Vaughan
October 2011

Heather Vaughan - October
Heather Vaughan is CEO for HIV/AIDS programs at Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida in Jacksonville, Florida.

She also receives referrals from other AIDS Service Organizations for clients they have on case management with Ryan White Care Act Benefits.

Heather has been working with the HIV/AIDS community for several years now. She is one of the rare examples of people working with the AIDS care who is truly caring from the heart. She is always the first one to defend the rights and dignity of people with HIV and AIDS. She also expects no less from those around her.

Heather is originally from Indiana but now lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband and child. She really enjoys the fact since moving to the South she does not have to worry about digging her way out out of the sunshine during the winter.

Heather is Chief Operating Officer of this organization and co-facilitates a support group for People with HIV and AIDS that meets at Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida in addition to her mental health work. With her great cooking that she brings to support group, it is amazing that we are not all obese.

Heather is also the type of person that gives 110 percent to her clients. She is cheerleade, confidant, red tape cutter, advocate, true friend and genuinely care about those trust to her care. Because of her determination, hard work and caring nature; many clients with HIV/AIDS in Jacksonville are alive with a roof over their head and food in their stomach because of Heather's hard work and never give up work ethics.

Heather is an inspiration to others in HIV/AIDS care with her winning personality, endless energy, positive role model and determination.

I, personally, and many other I know would not have made it this far without her help. We feel fortunate and blessed to have her working with this project and to call her friend and ally in HIV/AIDS education, awareness, prevention and health care.

For these and many more reasons, we are honored to announce Heather Vaughan as our Dab the AIDS Bear's Angel for October 2011.