David Stafford
In the early 1980’s the world was learning of the horrors of a new disease that seemed to target gay men exclusively. Then on the July long-weekend of 1984 Edmonton saw it first case of HIV/AIDS diagnosed and Ross Armstrong became face of a new era for the gay community.
Dr. Barbara Romanowski was just 11 years into her career as an Infectious Disease Doctor and one year into her new role as Director of STD Control for the Province of Alberta based in Edmonton. After spending a year in London learning of this new disease – called GRID at the time (Gay Related Immune Disease) – she had returned to Edmonton taking on her now position and became the leading expert on diagnosis and treatment of what was then called AIDS (Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome)
In this video interview conducted by David Stafford we hear how the disease impacted Edmonton, the challenges faced with the medical system and politicians. She shares how the general community reacted including medical staff and the toll that the many deaths took on Dr. Romanowski.
These days Dr. Barbara Romanowski lives in retirement in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island but she still continues to do some work with HIV/AIDS folks at the Dr. Peter Centre which provides care for people with HIV through supportive housing, day health program, and nursing care residence.
For additional reading:
Have You Met … Barbara? – The Quad, University of Alberta
U of A Alumni Awards- ‘I think back with horror’ by Susan Pratt
Edmonton’s Forgotten Epidemic – The Gateway Online
Barbara Romanowski’s research while affiliated with University of Alberta and other places
Funding for this story made possible by the Edmonton Heritage Council and the City of Edmonton
David Stafford
No Bio provided
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