Remembering the Cedars-Sinai AIDS Unit Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print CS-Blog Cedars-Sinai Blog Looking Back on the Cedars-Sinai AIDS Unit Sep 25, 2018 Cedars-Sinai Staff Share Tweet Post Certified Nursing Assistant John Rios-Nuckles displays photos from his time on the Cedars-Sinai AIDS unit. On September 25, 2018, community members gathered at Cedars-Sinai for a screening of "The Unit: Lessons on Living and Dying," a documentary about the Cedars-Sinai AIDS unit. The film was created by the AIDS Monument Project in West Hollywood. All we had was hope In 1990, Cedars-Sinai opened a 22-bed AIDS and Immune Disorder Center. Each employee who worked on the unit—including physicians, nurses, a pharmacist, a dietician, and a social worker—volunteered for the assignment. At the time, treatments were still being studied and most people who got AIDS would die from it. AIDS patients faced discrimination in their day-to-day lives because the disease was associated with gay sex. Fear and uncertainty surrounded the disease and drew the patients and caregivers on the unit together. "From 1985 to 1995, all we had was hope," nurse and patient Peter Anderson says in the documentary. "My big takeaway from that time is that ignorance is at the root of hatred and intolerance. Patience is what leads to greatness, and I think we really demonstrated that." Looking back After the screening, 5 caregivers who worked in the unit participated in a panel discussion, sharing memories and talking about how the unique opportunity to care for AIDS patients during the crisis has shaped their lives. "My big takeaway from that time is that ignorance is at the root of hatred and intolerance. Patience is what leads to greatness, and I think we really demonstrated that," said nurse Dee Dee Klute-Evans. "I would not be the same woman today if I didn't have those experiences." Nurse Jennifer White-Geller was only 21 when she joined the AIDS unit."Working in the unit really helped me develop my sense of community and stewardship," she said. "I would not be the same woman today if I didn't have those experiences. My husband and I joined the foster care system and adopted 3 children, and the fellowship of our team steered me toward that lifetime commitment of service for others." Watch the full documentary "The Unit: Lessons on Living and Dying " at aidsmonument.org. Tags Behind the Scenes at Cedars-Sinai In Our Community Share Tweet Post Popular Categories Health + Wellness Science + Innovation Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Popular Topics Cancer Women's Health Heart Expert Advice Patient Stories Brain Make an Appointment Find a Doctor Schedule a Callback Call us 24 hours a day 1-800-CEDARS-1 Support Cedars-Sinai Make a Gift Volunteer Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility