ACQC Names Rosemary Lopez as Interim Executive Director;  Philip Glotzer Retiring after 20 Years Helming Queens AIDS Group

ACQC Names Rosemary Lopez as Interim Executive Director; Philip Glotzer Retiring after 20 Years Helming Queens AIDS Group

In News by AHF

Incumbent E.D. Glotzer is set to retire September 1st after 20 years as head of respected Queens AIDS organization, which seeks to improve delivery of lifesaving HIV/AIDS care and services throughout the borough of Queens, which has one of the highest prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS in New York City.

Glotzer will continue in an advisory capacity as a consulting executive director until December 31st to ensure a smooth transition.

JAMAICA, NY (September 1, 2017) AIDS Center of Queens County (ACQC), an affiliate organization of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), has named Rosemary Lopez as Interim Executive Director of the respected Queens AIDS organization as Philip Glotzer is set to retire after helming the respected Queens AIDS organization for the last 20 years.

The appointment of Lopez as Interim E.D. of the organization, which seeks to improve delivery of lifesaving HIV/AIDS care and services throughout the borough of Queens (which has one of the highest prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS in New York City) takes effect September 1st, when Glotzer formally retires.

However, Mr. Glotzer will continue in an advisory capacity as a consulting executive director until December 31st to ensure a smooth transition.

“It is a bit of a bittersweet moment for me today as I step down after 20 years at ACQC, and I must admit that I am leaving a part of my heart and soul with the organization, with peers who I have worked alongside over the years as well as with the patients and clients we serve daily,” said Philip Glotzer, outgoing Executive Director of ACQC. “That said, I have known and worked with Rosemary Lopez for many years, and I am thrilled that someone so qualified and so passionate is stepping up and into this crucial role. I am confident that ACQC is on solid footing and will be in very good hands under her stewardship.”

“Philip Glotzer set a high bar in his twenty-year tenure at ACQC, and it will be both a challenge—and a privilege—to follow in his footsteps as we continue our work and expand ACQC’s mission of service to the Queens community,” said Rosemary Lopez, who has been working as the Associate Executive Director of Programs and Compliance Officer at ACQC. “Aside from creating, managing and expanding many of our core services, Phil also oversaw our affiliation with AIDS Healthcare Foundation in 2015.This partnership has allowed AHF and ACQC to strengthen and expand our delivery of services. Together, we now offer a full circle of care with an AHF Healthcare Center and AHF Pharmacy along with programs which include case management, health education and prevention services, housing services, legal services, a licensed mental health clinic, a harm reduction and syringe exchange program and a food pantry program—all services which are provided at no charge to our clients. I wish Phil well in retirement and look forward to continue working on behalf of ACQC and the communities we serve.”

“AHF has long recognized the critical nature of supporting patients and clients with local grassroots community-based services that are crucial to ensuring better health care outcomes. We were honored to join in affiliation with ACQC under Phil Glotzer’s leadership, and note that he continued to be a talented and faithful steward of ACQC’s mission throughout our partnership over the past several years. I thank him for his decades of service in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and wish him well in retirement,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation.  “We also welcome Rosemary Lopez as she steps up at ACQC to safeguard the history and future of ACQC and its critical mission of service to the community.”

Backgrounds on ACQC and AHF

For almost 30 years and as the only AIDS Community Service Provider in the borough of Queens, ACQC provides critical services and advocacy for HIV-positive individuals. ACQC has served over 10,000 HIV-positive clients, and 30,000 community residents in five locations throughout the borough. AHF is a global organization that provides cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 805,000 people in 39 countries. It is also the largest provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the United States.

Background: Rosemary Lopez

Rosemary Lopez has over 30 years of experience in the field of Social Work. After graduating from Adelphi University School of Social Work, Lopez worked in many different areas of Social Work, but she is particularly bold and outspoken when it comes to issues on HIV/AIDS, LGBT and women’s rights issues.

Professionally, Lopez has worked with the mentally ill, substance users, and homeless populations. However, she is also still an activist at heart, and was part of the Board for the First Pride Parade on Long Island, and a member of many working committees in Queens. Lopez is a longtime community organizer, oftentimes organizing groups of clients, patients and providers to go to Albany to lobby on issues related to AIDS and HIV.

Currently, Lopez has been working as the Associate Executive Director of Programs and Compliance Officer at ACQC, which she also refers to as the Advocacy Center of Queens County. Her major role at ACQC has been developing and implementing all of ACQC programs and mentoring and overseeing five Program Directors. She is very proud to be a member of LOUD (Latinos Outreach & Understanding Division) and for bringing Luceros to the Latina Group in Queens.

Lopez is also a proud mother of two daughters.

Background: Philip Glotzer

Philip Glotzer has been the Executive Director of the AIDS Center of Queens County, Inc. (ACQC) for 20 years. ACQC became an affiliate of AHF on February 2, 2015.  ACQC is the largest provider of HIV/AIDS services in the borough of Queens in New York City, and has served over 10,000 unduplicated HIV clients since its inception in five sites throughout the borough.

Glotzer has been a leader in designing innovative programs for people living with HIV/AIDS.  For example, ACQC opened a Syringe Exchange Program in 2003 which serves over 2,100 IDU clients annually and is the only Syringe Exchange Program in the borough of Queens.  ACQC also operates an Article 31 Licensed Mental Health Clinic, Case Management programs, Harm Reduction Services, Health Education and Prevention, including HIV and HEP C testing and counseling, housing programs, including transitional housing and a Homeless Drop-in Center, legal services, and ACQC also operates one of the largest food pantries in New York City. Glotzer has a Master’s in Public Administration, and has lectured nationally on non-profit management.

About ACQC

The AIDS Center of Queens County (ACQC) is the largest provider of HIV/AIDS services in the borough of Queens, serving over 10,000 HIV+ clients, and 30,000 community residents in five sites throughout the borough. Our services include case management, harm reduction and syringe exchange program, health education and prevention services, housing services, legal services, a licensed mental health clinic, and a food pantry program. Our services are provided at no charge to our clients.

 

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