Dr. Stephen Tabet 1961 - 2004 
It is with great sorrow that we mourn the passing of a former HEPP Report Deputy Editor, an AIDS activist, a fellow physician, a colleague, and dear friend, Dr. Stephen Tabet, who died unexpectedly at his home on July 6 at age 42. Tabet, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Washington, physician at Harborview Medical Center's Madison Clinic, an educator at the Northwest AIDS Education Training Center, and researcher at the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, was a valued member of HEPP Report's editorial board for over five years, during which he authored countless case studies on the management of infectious diseases in the correctional setting. Dr. Tabet spent much of the last decade of his life working to educate others about the care of HIV-infected individuals. He had a special interest and passion for caring for those with HIV in the correctional setting. It was because of his dedication and hard work that he was able to change the delivery of healthcare at several correctional institutions in Washington state. Those who worked with him in this cause were touched by his gentle spirit, empowered by his compassion and knowledge, and will be forever indebted to him for the impact he made on their lives and on the lives of their patients. In perhaps one of his most significant contributions to those living with HIV, Tabet played a vital role as an expert witness in the Leatherwood v. Campbell case in which HIV-infected inmates at the Limestone Correctional Facility in Alabama filed a federal suit against prison officials concerning medical care. Tabet reviewed innumerable medical records, examined inmates, and finally issued a comprehensive 125-page report on the state of HIV care at the Limestone Facility. Thirty-eight HIV-infected inmates died at Limestone prior to Dr. Tabet's report; Tabet reviewed every death in detail. His findings elicited a nationwide response from legislators, healthcare providers, and advocates. Alabama settled the suit May 27, 2004, and Alabama prison officials have agreed to improve substantially the medical care and treatment of Alabama's HIV-infected inmate population. Indeed, Dr. Tabet's contribution has set a precedent for correctional HIV healthcare in the United States and has served as a beacon of hope for prison healthcare advocates. Unbeknownst to Dr. Tabet, HEPP Report had nominated him to receive the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network's Award for Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights for his selfless commitment to the HIV-infected patients at Limestone. We at HEPP Report know of few individuals who have given so much to improve the care of HIV-infected persons living inside and outside prisons. We plan to commemorate his life and work by awarding the first annual Steven Tabet Prison Medicine Advocacy Award to a deserving individual at the next NCCHC meeting in October 2004. All those who had the privilege of working with Dr. Tabet, and especially those who knew and loved him, will sorely miss him. The staff at HEPP Report would like to honor the memory of Dr. Tabet by continuing his vision of improving correctional healthcare. - Joe Bick, Annie De Groot, Beth Weaver, Julia Noguchi, and the members of the HEPP Report editorial board.