A farewell message.

One thing I have learned in my time working at The Center for AIDS (CFA) is that nothing is permanent. Perhaps change is the only constant. Research continues to advance, thoughts and ideas evolve, and treatments are replaced or improved. People, too, are transient. They come in and out of our lives through so many different channels.

That is why this piece is particularly difficult to write. After more than 6 years with The CFA, I have stepped down as Executive Director and Senior Editor (effective July 21, 2006) to move back to my native Connecticut so that I can be closer to my family. I would never have dreamed in 1994, when I moved to Texas to attend graduate school, that Houston would become my beloved home for 12 years. I also never would have dreamed that HIV would become such an important force in my life. To me, being part of The CFA has meant the opportunity to share in the dream of a cure for AIDS and to take part in the work we all must do to make sure that happens.

In my work here, I have been inspired and disheartened, angered and overjoyed. Yet I never lost hope, nor will I ever, that I will live to see an end of AIDS. Perhaps hope is also permanent.

Although this message is about my departure and an end to my current role at The CFA, it is also about a new beginning. The CFA remains a strong and focused organization with unique HIV/AIDS information, education, and advocacy roles both locally and nationally. A new leader will be hired to guide the organization to the next level of excellence in fulfilling The CFA's mission until there's a cure.

Over the past several years, CFA publications have benefited from the talents of our editor, Jennifer Newcomb-Fernandez, who will continue in her role to write for and produce The CFA's quality publications. She has been contract editor with The CFA since 2003 and will now assume full responsibility for creating and producing publications. Jennifer and all the wonderful staff at The CFA have been my friends and allies both within and outside of the office. I will miss everyone dearly, but never plan to stray too far from this inspiring and vital work.

In closing, I wish you well and thank you, as always, for your readership and support.