--- title: "Helping Those with HIV/AIDS: Nurit Shein" date: 2009-04-03T01:14:28-04:00 author: OBOS Admin canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog/helping-those-with-hivaids-nurit-shein" section: Blog (Archive) --- [Donate](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/donate) [From the Archives of Our Bodies, Our Blog](/blog)# Helping Those with HIV/AIDS: Nurit Shein By Our Bodies Ourselves • April 3, 2009 Please note: This entry -- originally posted at [Our Bodies, Our Blog](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog) -- has not been updated since the publication date listed above. *From 2009 - 2011, Our Bodies Ourselves honored the work of women's health advocates worldwide by asking readers to nominate their favorite women's health hero. View all nominees by year:* [*2009*](/category/our-bodies-ourselves/womens-health-heroes-2009/)*,* [*2010*](/category/our-bodies-ourselves/womens-health-heroes-2010/)*,* [*2011*](/category/our-bodies-ourselves/womens-health-heroes-2011/) **Entrant:** Amy Levi **Nominee:** Nurit Shein, Executive Director, Mazzoni Center ![Nurit Shein](https://assets.ourbodiesourselves.org/images/blog-archive/amy.jpg)When Nurit Shein came to Philadelphia in 1993, the Mazzoni Clinic was a struggling nonprofit organization for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Fourteen years later, she presided over the ribbon-cutting of the [Mazzoni Center](http://www.mazzonicenter.org/), a family practice clinic serving not just those affected by HIV/AIDS, but the whole LGBTI community of Philadelphia. I can’t praise Nurit enough for the remarkable job she has done turning her organization into a leader in health care for all in Philadelphia. It might seem odd to have a women’s health hero whose organization first focused its resources on what was initially a health crisis affecting gay men. But Nurit quickly understood that HIV/AIDS was not just a gay men’s issue, and that sexual health needs of women were equally unattended by the health care community in Philadelphia. Nurit is well respected by peers and colleagues, and is a shining example of what can be accomplished when passion is combined with commitment, courage, and managerial magic. These paragraphs can hardly address her amazing accomplishment at transforming a besieged nonprofit into a national model for health care to an invisible and largely underserved population. A peek at [Mazzoni Center’s](http://www.mazzonicenter.org/) website (not to mention her infinite hits on Google!) speaks well to her role as the health care innovator I want to be when I grow up! --- #### 6 Responses Our Bodies Ourselves is no longer able to accept comments. **Judy** on Apr 27, 2009 Can't think of a more fitting candidate than Nurit Shein. **Candice** on Apr 27, 2009 Nurit's dedication, passion and enthusiasm are truly inspirational! I can not think of a more deserving candidate. Good luck! **Jane** on Apr 28, 2009 Very deserving candidate! **Rajnish** on Apr 30, 2009 This nomination validates Nurit's extraordinary effort and dedication to LGBT healthcare in Philadelphia. **Claire** on May 04, 2009 Nurit is truly a woman of valor! She has made it possible for a deserving, underserved population in the Philadelphia area to have the best possible testing, care and counseling. She is a real hero, and deserves this honor! **Tom McCoy** on May 07, 2009 I can't say enough about the amount of intelligence, compassion and leadership Nurit brings to the table surrounding HIV/AIDS issues in Philadelphia. As a 25 year survivor of this disease I am so thankful she has made Philadelphia her home and has turned the Mazzoni Center into a beacon for people of need in our community. ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics - [Our Bodies Ourselves - Women's Health Heroes 2009](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog/topic/our-bodies-ourselves-womens-health-heroes-2009) ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** - We rigorously evaluate all content - We embrace a reproductive justice framework - We don’t accept ads or sell products - We reject funding from the pharmaceutical industry - We counter misinformation and disinformation - We address the social, political, and economic factors that affect health and sexuality [read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us) Share [](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)