2023 Andrew Paul Starke Warrior Award Acceptance Speech 

by Kimberly Curtin, Pharm.D., APh 

“Good evening. I stand before you tonight with a heart full of gratitude as the recipient of this special award.  When I was thinking about what I wanted to say tonight, so many things came flooding into my mind about my 25 years of work as a pharmacist specializing in HIV.  I would like to start by saying that I am a forever ally to the LGBTQ community and a clinical pharmacist who has made it my mission to contribute to ending the HIV epidemic.  

My introduction to the HIV/AIDS arena occurred during my pharmacy residency at the VA in Palo Alto, where my preceptor, who was deeply involved in the study of HIV treatment, entrusted me with a retrospective HIV treatment study.  Since then, my dedication to individuals living with HIV has been unwavering. In 1999, I began my professional journey at one of West Hollywood's pioneering HIV pharmacies, a setting that allowed me to expand my expertise and engage with people who were diagnosed in the 80’s and the 90’s.  

This pharmacy, located on Santa Monica Blvd., was opened in 1990 by a pharmacist named Loyd Tittle.  By the early 90’s, AIDS was the leading cause of death among Americans ages 25 to 44 and hit Los Angeles particularly hard.  Customers would come into the pharmacy and looked like they might not live for more than a few days.   Loyd worked with organizations like Being Alive and APLA to inform customers about experimental treatments and organized lectures with doctors presenting the latest options. 

Unfortunately, Loyd was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1988, and passed away in 1993 at the age of 42.  His sister Ruth moved to LA from Kentucky to care for Loyd during his final years. As Loyd lay close to death, his last words to his sister were “Ruth, take care of the stores, and I love you”.    

Ruth made it her mission to continue Loyd’s vision for the pharmacy and became the CEO and owner.  She was one of the founding board members for the Foundation for the AIDS monument. She served as a board member for the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and so many other impactful community services.   

This special person, Ruth Tittle, is the reason I am here today. Not only did she nominate me for this award, she inspired and motivated me to help patients with the same level of advocacy and compassion that she gave.  I will forever be grateful to her and to Loyd, who I sadly never had the chance to meet, but somehow, I feel like I knew him deeply. 

While working at this pharmacy, each face I met, each story I heard, became an indelible part of my soul. Each person carried a narrative that was both unique and universal.  Patients would come into the pharmacy and know if they needed extra help with their medications, or even a hug, I was there for them. I was privileged to be the first person to discuss HIV with some of those diagnosed way back then. Their stories are etched in my heart, a testament to the power of compassion in the face of adversity. 

As a pharmacist, not only would I dispense medications, but I was a patient advocate.  One day, in 1999, a man came into the pharmacy and introduced himself to me as Dr. Charles Farthing. For those who have not heard of the late Dr. Farthing, he was the Medical Director at AHF, and for me, it was like a star sighting because he was one of the most recognizable doctors in our field.  He came in to see me.  He wanted to tell me that I helped someone close to him by devising special ways to remember to take his HIV medications. At this time, Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy, also known as HAART, required patients to consume upwards of 20 pills per day. And this person was improving with my help.  Dr. Farthing invited me to his house for dinner, and we became buddies after that.  He inspired me to continue going above and beyond in our field. Shortly thereafter, one of my work friends started looking very thin and frail, and I asked him if he was okay.  He opened his mouth and showed me a huge tumor on his tongue so painful that he was unable to eat.  He was afraid to see a doctor because he lost his partner to AIDS due to AZT toxicity, and he did not want to incur the same fate.  I called Dr. Farthing and got my friend in for an appointment right away. With encouragement from Dr. Farthing and me, he was started on medications and the tumor gradually diminished and he was able to eat again. I then realized that my mission as a pharmacist transcended the conventional roles.

The era of HAART in the late 90’s/early 2000’s came with its challenges — numerous side effects and a significant pill burden (sometimes upwards of 20 pills per day), not to mention the protease inhibitor Norvir that was only available in an oral solution which tasted so horribly that pre-coating the mouth with peanut butter or even mixing with chocolate milk did not help. Not only did I dispense medications, I recommended alternative therapies, conducted comprehensive medication reviews, offered adherence techniques, and formed genuine connections with patients, their spouses, and their healthcare providers. Each patient became more than a case; they were individuals I knew and cared about deeply.  

During this time in my life, I had the pleasure to get to know a brilliant man named Dr. Anthony Mills, who is the reason I am still doing the work I set out to do. Dr. Mills is the driving force and visionary leader behind Men’s Health Foundation, where I began working in 2019.  MHF connects people at risk to comprehensive health care. The MHF pharmacy is a non-profit, accredited HIV specialty pharmacy. We've implemented a patient management program that supports hundreds of patients living with HIV. Our team ensures seamless medication delivery, monitors side effects, assesses adherence and quality of life through personalized care plans. We connect patients with their providers, facilitate appointments, and work with our benefits and Medical Care Coordination team which address broader aspects of their lives, including housing, food, substance use help and finances. Our non-profit pharmacy helps fund programs such as SoCal Club, a community center in South LA for LGBTQ youth of color ages 12-29.  I am so grateful to work with an amazing crew of intelligent and dedicated people at this wonderful organization.   

I’ve talked about some of the low times and the suffering I witnessed, but there were also some great joys and great successes as HIV medications improved. 

Over the years, my experience has evolved in tandem with the advancements in HIV treatment. The landscape has shifted, and today, most patients no longer endure the burden of multiple daily medications. We now have single tablet regimens and injectable HIV medications. No longer are the days of ingesting 20 pills leading to awful side effects. Those who were told that they were not going to live were able to live long and fulfilling lives, and that needs to be celebrated. 

In closing, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the City of West Hollywood for this incredible honor. I would like to thank Ruth Tittle and West Hollywood mayor pro tem, John Erickson, for nominating me, Dr. Mills for creating MHF, the fantastic MHF pharmacy team, Medical Care Coordination team, benefits, PrEP team, medical team and all supporting staff. I would also like to thank the other Warrior award recipients for their wonderful work as well as my sweet parents and amazing sons for their love and support.   

I dedicate this award in honor of Loyd Tittle.   

Let’s lead with love, kindness and understanding as we work together to bring an end to the HIV epidemic!”