Finding aid to the San Francisco General Hospital AIDS Ward 5B/5A Archives,
1983-2003
Finding aid prepared by C. Stephen Keith, R.N.; revised by Wendy Kramer
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
July 2003, revised 2012, 2018
Title: San Francisco General Hospital AIDS Ward 5B/5A Archives
Date (inclusive): 1983-2003
Collection Identifier: SFH 12
Creator:
San Francisco General Hospital (Calif.). AIDS Ward 5B/5A.
Physical Description:
10 vols., 12 boxes, 2 cartons, 1 flat box
(13.6 cubic feet)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: Scrapbooks, communication books, head nurses' files, correspondence, videotapes, publications, and memorabilia collected by
the nursing staff of AIDS Ward 5B/5A at San Francisco General Hospital, the first dedicated AIDS hospital ward in the U.S.
The collection documents daily life on the ward among patients, their families and friends, nurses, and volunteers. Of note
are the photos of public events and celebrations, minutes of nursing staff meetings, and copies of the "Best Hospitals" issues
of
US News and World Report, 1991-1997. The collection also reflects the changing role of nursing, as 5B/5A nurses were critical to the development of
the multidisciplinary model of AIDS care that came to be known as the "San Francisco model."
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
Access
The collection is open for research, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours.
Publication Rights
Copyright has been assigned to the San Francisco Public Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public
Library as the owner of the physical items and the copyright.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], San Francisco General Hospital AIDS Ward 5B/5A Archives, 1983-2003 (SFH 12), San Francisco History
Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Provenance
Gift from the AIDS Ward at San Francisco General Hospital, c/o Gillian Otway, Head Nurse, May 31, 2002, Accession number 2002-44.
Related Materials
Researchers are encouraged to view the following related books: Ronald Bayer and Gerald M. Oppenheimer.
AIDS Doctors: Voices from the Epidemic (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000); Carol Pogash.
As Real as it Gets (New York: Carol Publishing Group, 1992); and Randy Shilts,
And The Band Played On (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1987).
Separated Materials note
Some artwork, photos, memorabilia, a book listing patients who died, and an autograph book remain on the ward until transfer
to San Francisco Public Library.
Organizational History
San Francisco General Hospital's Ward 5B, the first dedicated AIDS hospital ward in the United States, opened with twelve
beds on July 25, 1983 and included both AIDS and hospice patients. Cliff Morrison, a former Clinical Nurse Specialist in psychiatry,
was the first nurse manager. Capacity quickly proved to be inadequate, so on Jan. 17, 1986, the ward was moved to the 20-bed
Ward 5A. In the mid-1990s, with the availability of new drugs called protease inhibitors, the number of AIDS patients decreased
sufficiently that the ward began admitting non-AIDS-related oncology patients. With its interdisciplinary approach, Ward 5B/5A
set a new standard in AIDS-related medical care.
5B The First AIDS Ward
Ward 5B at San Francisco General Hospital opened on July 25, 1983, as the new staff moved equipment into an area that had
previously been used as residents' sleeping quarters. The next day, the first few patients were transferred from other units.
They included both AIDS and hospice patients.
Prior to the opening of 5B, most AIDS patients were treated on wards 5C and 5D, which were general medical units. Throughout
1982, as the numbers of patients began to rise and the level of fear about the contagiousness of this new disease began to
rise-- both in the general public and in hospital staff-- a decision was made by the Nursing Department, the Department of
Medicine, and hospital administration to open a separate, special-care unit for the treatment of AIDS and hospice patients.
Notices were posted throughout the hospital in early 1983 soliciting interested staff. Interviews were held in the spring.
Eleven nurses and two unit clerks were selected by Cliff Morrison, a former Clinical Nurse Specialist in psychiatry, who was
the first nurse manager.
From the beginning, psychological support of patients, friends, and families was included in the treatment plan with the help
of three counselors on staff through a grant to the Shanti organization. A hospital psychiatrist facilitated regular staff
support groups.
Social workers, dieticians, physical and occupational therapists, and chaplains were included in the interdisciplinary team
that provided care.
5A
With the number of AIDS cases in San Francisco rising dramatically, 5B (with only 12 beds) was deemed inadequate and, on January
17, 1986, the hospital moved its AIDS ward to the 20-bed 5A. At the height of the epidemic (late 1980s - early 1990s), there
were often as many patients with AIDS off of 5A as there were patients on the ward, all waiting for available beds. Throughout
this period, 5A remained the preeminent center of excellence in AIDS care in the country, recognized in the U.S. News and
World Report "Best Hospitals" issues 1991-1997. Visitors, students, and the media were welcomed as others tried to implement
the "San Francisco model" in their areas.
5B/5A was self-labeled a "ward without walls," inviting community groups to help furnish a more comfortable space. A large
group of loving volunteers provided weekly assistance for the staff and patients. Actors and politicians came by to show their
concern. Mother Theresa’s signature is probably the most cherished in the ward's guestbook.
In the mid-1990s, with protease inhibitors reducing the numbers of AIDS inpatients, 5A had empty beds. Because the staff had
already been treating AIDS-related cancers, a decision was made to open the ward to the treatment of other oncology patients.
By 2002, the number of AIDS inpatients had dropped to the point where the average census of 5A was one-third AIDS patients,
one-third oncology patients, and one-third general medical patients from the emergency room. On the day of the ward's twentieth
anniversary, there were four patients with HIV on 5A.
Scope and Contents
This collection documents memorabilia collected by the nursing staff of AIDS wards 5B/5A at San Francisco General Hospital
from 1983 to 2003. Current materials continue to be collected by staff and are periodically added to this collection.
This archive reflects the evolution of thought that the nurses put into the saving of their history. It starts with what quickly
became a tattered old, red scrapbook and became the collection that is documented in these pages. Because the culture of 5B/5A
was created by the nurses, this archive reflects what was primarily of interest to them. Therefore, the contributions of the
Shanti counselors, social workers, chaplains, and others get brief mention. Their archives are yet to be collected. The contributions
of the many volunteers over the years are documented well because their program was created and overseen by the nursing staff.
Strongly represented in the photo collection are the public events and celebrations that staff and volunteers were part of
-- parades, union demonstrations, holiday parties, nursing awards dinners, etc. There are several photo groups by professionals
who came to the ward and photographed staff and patients.
The written records are strongest in the day-to-day details of communication books and the monthly concerns of staff meetings.
Extensive Head Nurse files were primarily saved by the first three nurse managers.
George Jalbert, Bill Walker, and Steve Keith organized the early 5B/5A archives. After Walker's departure, Steve Keith and
Adrienne Kernan were primary contributors to the photo archive and Steve became Nurse/Archivist for the ward.
Arrangement
This material has been arranged into six series: Series 1: Scrapbooks; Series 2: Communication Books; Series 3: Head Nurse
Files; Series 4: Correspondence; Series 5: Videotapes; and Series 6: Publications/Articles.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
AIDS (Disease)--Patients--Care--California--San Francisco
Hospitals--California--San Francisco
Public health nursing--California--San Francisco
Series 1
Scrapbooks,
1983-2003
Physical Description:
11.0 volumes
General Physical Description note: Vol. 1 is the original red volume with the necrology. Volumes 2-11 are in individual green archival boxes.
Scope and Contents
This series represents the heart of the first AIDS ward, while the communication books, staff meeting minutes, and head nurse
files may represent the brains. In these photos, letters, articles, and drawings, we can get a visual sense of important moments
in the life of 5B/5A. This series also shows a recognition by the staff that their contribution to medical/nursing history
needed to be documented and preserved.
Volume 1 was begun by George Jalbert, a member of the original staff who solicited the red scrapbook as a donation from Mendel's
Art Supply in the Haight. From the first week, he encouraged the staff to write the names of patients who died in the front
of this book along with comments about them. One of the most moving parts of this collection is the necrology that fills the
beginning pages of this book. After several years of use, this scrapbook was retired because it was starting to show significant
wear. The necrology was transferred to separate books and that tradition continues to this day. A local bookbinder donated
the recovering of the book in the early 1990s.
Volumes 2 - 11 represent a heightened awareness of archival preservation needs brought to the staff by Bill Walker, a nurse,
archivist, historian, and librarian who joined the staff in the 80s. Housed in archival-quality, individually-boxed albums,
they were assembled by Walker and Steve Keith, one of the original nurses, from a central photo/archive box that was kept
on the ward.
Volume 11 remains on 5A and is periodically updated.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Volume 3
Volume 3,
1985-1986
[Diane Jones and colleagues share food]: [ca. 1989]
[Diane Jones]: [ca. 1986]
[Diane Jones with patient]: [198-?]
Volume 4
Volume 4,
1987-1988
[San Francisco General Hospital AIDS Ward staff in Gay Pride Parade on Market Street]: [1988]
Volume 5
Volume 5,
1988
Scope and Contents
Fifth anniversary event.
Volume 8
Volume 8,
1993-1994
Related Materials
See also folder #23.
Series 2
Communication Books,
1983-1999
Physical Description:
16.0 volumes
Scope and Contents
This series, more than any other, reveals the day-to-day life of the ward. These books were used to pass messages to other
staff or volunteers. They record thoughts, feelings, changes in policy, heartfelt moments, and angry tirades. They chronicle
births, deaths, weddings, babies, as well as frustrations over administrative mandates and the bedside commode that never
got emptied.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically into four subseries: Subseries 2.1: Nursing; Subseries 2.2: Volunteers; Subseries 2.3: Interdisciplinary;
and Subseries 2.4: Nursing/AIDS Consult Team.
Box 2, Volume 1
July 7, 1983 - July 13, 1987
Box 2, Volume 2
July 13, 1987 - March 3, 1989
Box 2, Volume 3
March 3, 1989 - July 12, 1990
Box 2, Volume 4
July 4, 1990 - August 4, 1991
Box 2, Volume 5
August 5, 1991 - November 3, 1992
Box 2, Volume 6
November 11, 1992 - October 14, 1994
Box 2, Volume 7
October 17, 1994 - February 2, 1997
Box 2, Volume 8
January 31, 1997 - February 25, 1999
Box 2, Volume 9
March 1, 1999 - June 21, 2001
Subseries 2.2
Volunteers
Related Materials
See also Series 3, folders #116-118.
Box 3, Volume 1
May 20, 1985 - January 20, 1988
Box 3, Volume 2
January 21, 1988 - March 31, 1990
Box 3, Volume 3
March 2, 1990 - December 17, 1992
Box 3, Volume 4
December 31, 1992 - April 10, 1993
Box 3, Volume 5
April 23, 1993 - December 6, 1996
General Physical Description note: Binder.
Box 3
Subseries 2.3
Interdisciplinary - All staff, volunteers,
January 31, 1991 - November 9, 1998
Box 3
Subseries 2.4
Nursing/AIDS Consult Team,
September 21, 1989 - December 19, 1990
Series 3
Head Nurse Files,
1983-1999
Physical Description:
118.0 folders
Scope and Contents
Most of these folders were saved and labeled by the first three nurse managers: Cliff Morrison, Alison Moed, and Diane Jones.
Several of the folders were grouped and labeled by Steve Keith, the nurse/archivist who organized this collection, from loose
material in the archive box on the ward.
Of note are folders #70-77. The minutes of nursing staff meetings give a topical overview of the items of most concern to
the group in these monthly sessions.
Folders #115 - 118 document the strong volunteer program that was created on 5B/5A.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Box 4, Folder 2
5A Grapevine (ward newsletter)
Box 4, Folder 3
5A Move and Later Expansion
1985–1996
Box 4, Folder 5
5B AIDS In-services
1983-1984
Box 4, Folder 6
5B AIDS Ward Proposals,
1983
Box 4, Folder 7
5B First Year Information,
1983-1984
Box 4, Folder 8
5B Interviews for New Nurses,
1983
Box 4, Folder 9
Admission/Discharge/Transfer Criteria
Box 4, Folder 11
AIDS/ARC Update Conferences
1985-1989
Box 4, Folder 12
AIDS Archive Project for 5A
Box 4, Folder 13
AIDS Archive- UCSF Project
Box 4, Folder 14
AIDS Case Definitions/Revisions, AIDS Case Definitions/Revisions
Box 4, Folder 16
AIDS Data Task Force,
1988-1989
Box 4, Folder 17
AIDS General Information,
1983-1984
Box 4, Folder 18
AIDS Foundation Photo Exhibit
Box 4, Folder 20
AIDS Prevention Program for San Francisco,
1983
Box 4, Folder 21
AIDS Statistics,
1983-1998
Box 5, Folder 22
Anniversary Event (3rd),
1986
Box 5, Folder 23
Anniversary Event (10th),
1993
Box 5, Folder 25
Art/Writing of Patients
Related Materials
See also Box #15.
Box 5, Folder 31
Census Statistics, Inpatient,
1988-1999
Box 5, Folder 32
Chaplaincy
Related Materials
See also Box #15.
Box 5, Folder 35
Death/Memorial Service Notices
Box 5, Folder 36
Desert AIDS Project Honors 5A,
1998
Box 5, Folder 37
Dementia Resources Committee,
1988-1999
Box 5, Folder 41
Giants in the Community Award
Box 5, Folder 42
Gladstone Institute,
1993
Box 6, Folder 44
Heterosexual Transmission, Press Release,
1984
Box 6, Folder 45
History of 5A, UCSF Class, Dr Risse
Box 6, Folder 47
HIV Coordinating Council, HIV Coordinating Council,
1994-1995
Box 6, Folder 48
HIV, Disclosure of Status
Box 6, Folder 50
HIV and Healthcare Workers
Box 6, Folder 51
HIV and Immigration Issues,
1992
Box 6, Folder 52
HIV Managed Care Committee,
1995
Box 6, Folder 53
HIV and Women, class,
1991
Box 6, Folder 55
Infection Control, early challenge to policy
Box 6, Folder 56
International AIDS Conference,
1990
Box 6, Folder 61
Nursing, AIDS Scholarship Fund
Box 6, Folder 62
Nursing, Clinical Nurse Specialist for AIDS
Box 6, Folder 63
Nursing, Clinical Practice Committee,
1992-1995
Box 6, Folder 64
Nursing, Continuity of Care Committee,
1990
Box 7, Folder 65
Nursing Committees, other
Box 7, Folder 66
Nursing Goals and Objectives
Box 7, Folder 67
Nursing Orientation,
1985
Box 7, Folder 68
Nursing Orientation,
1989
Box 7, Folder 69
Nursing, RN Job Description
Box 7, Folder 70
Nursing Staff Meeting Minutes,
1990
Box 7, Folder 71
Nursing Staff Meeting Minutes,
1991
Box 7, Folder 72
Nursing Staff Meeting Minutes,
1992
Box 7, Folder 73
Nursing Staff Meeting Minutes,
1993
Box 7, Folder 74
Nursing Staff Meeting Minutes,
1994
Box 7, Folder 75
Nursing Staff Meeting Minutes,
1995
Box 7, Folder 76
Nursing Staff Meeting Minutes,
1996
Box 7, Folder 77
Nursing Staff Meeting Minutes,
1997
Box 7, Folder 78
Nursing Staff Phone Rosters
Box 7, Folder 79
Nursing Staff Retreat,
1989
Box 7, Folder 80
Nursing Staff Retreat,
1991
Box 7, Folder 81
Nursing Staff Retreat,
1992
Box 8, Folder 82
Nursing Staff Retreat,
1995
Box 8, Folder 83
Nursing Staff Retreat,
1996
Box 8, Folder 84
Nursing Staff Retreat,
1998
Box 8, Folder 86
Papers by Students who Visited 5A
Box 8, Folder 92
Patient Satisfaction Survey,
1985
Box 8, Folder 94
Quarterly Summaries, Quality Assurance,
1985
Box 8, Folder 95
Research, Linda Aiken Study,
1989-1992
Box 8, Folder 96
Research, Assisted Suicide Study,
1995
Box 8, Folder 97
Research, Healthworkers Study
Box 8, Folder 98
Research, Holzemer Study,
1990-1992
Box 8, Folder 99
Research, Holzemer/Henry Studies,
1991-1994
Box 8, Folder 100
Research, Medical Protocols
Box 8, Folder 101
Research, Gwen van Servellen Study,
1990
Box 8, Folder 102
Research, Holly Wilson, Quality of Life Study,
1993-1996
Box 8, Folder 103
Rita Rockett
Related Materials
See also folders #136,137.
Box 9, Folder 104
Screening Protocols, mid-80s
Box 9, Folder 105
SFGH Annual Reports,
1994-1996
Box 9, Folder 106
SFGH/UCSF AIDS Workshop,
1983
Box 9, Folder 109
Staff Meeting Minutes, Interdisciplinary,
1990-1997
Box 9, Folder 115
Volunteers,
1984-1997
Related Materials
See also Box #3 communication books.
Box 9, Folder 116
Volunteers, Individual Items
Box 9, Folder 118
Volunteer Orientation Handbooks,
1987, 1988, 1992
Series 4
Correspondence,
1983-1990s?
Physical Description:
22.0 folders
Scope and Contents
The six folders from patients, families, and friends are an outpouring of gratitude for the care received by them and their
loved ones. They document the many lives that were changed as a result of passing through 5B/5A.
The General Correspondence folders represent the ripple effect of 5B/5A as visitors, students, elected officials, and media
from around the world came to see "the San Francisco model." The last four folders document the response to two major media
pieces: Rita Rockett in a 1987
People magazine article and 5A nurses in a
60 Minutes segment in 1990.
Arrangement
Arranged in two subseries: Subseries 4.1: Correspondence from Patients, Families, and Friends; and Subseries 4.2: General
Correspondence.
Subseries 4.1
Correspondence from Patients, Families, and Friends
Box 10, Folder 122
Letters from Families, Friends
Box 10, Folder 123
Cards from Families, Friends #1
Box 10, Folder 124
Cards from Families, Friends #2
Subseries 4.2
General Correspondence
Box 11, Folder 125
Early Letters to 5B,
1983-1984
Box 11, Folder 127
Thank You Letters from 5A for Community Donations
Box 11, Folder 128
Letters from other Healthcare Settings
Box 11, Folder 129
Letters from Elected Officials
Box 11, Folder 130
Letters from School Groups
Box 11, Folder 131
Letters/Cards from Visitors/Students
Box 11, Folder 132
Letters/Cards from SFGH Staff
Box 11, Folder 133
Letters/Cards from 5A Staff
Box 11, Folder 134
Letters from Staff to Administration, Health Commission, Newspapers
Box 11, Folder 136
Letters from Others,
1987-1994
Box 11, Folder 137
Cards to Rita Rockett from 3/87
People article
Box 11, Folder 139
Preparations for
60 Minutes piece,
1989-1990
Box 11, Folder 140
Public Response to
60 Minutes piece,
1990-1991
Series 5
Videotapes,
1985-2003
Physical Description:
10.0 videotapes
Scope and Contents
Two of these tapes are copies of various local and national news programs and a San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH) educational
piece. Most important among these are the 1985 KRON piece, which gives an overview of the ward and includes an interesting
history of previous epidemics in San Francisco, and the 1990
60 Minutes piece. Six tapes document the 10th anniversary of the ward, which was celebrated in 1993 with a large event at City Hall.
The most important of these includes the filmed stories or reminiscences of thirty-six staff members and volunteers. They
poignantly tell how lives were changed as a result of passing through 5B/5A. The final two tapes are memories recorded at
the 20th anniversary celebration on July 25, 2003 by Kirk Read.
Box 12, VHS_tape 1
KRON, San Francisco,
May 28, 1985
Physical Description:
28 minutes
Scope and Contents
Roz Abrams reporting general piece about 5B. "In the Midst of Life."
Box 12, VHS_tape 1
"AIDS: An Incredible Epidemic" by San Francisco General Hospital, Dept. Of Medicine,
1985
"AIDS: An Incredible Epidemic" by San Francisco General Hospital: 1985
Physical Description:
17 minutes
Box 12, VHS_tape 1
CBS News/
60 Minutes,
1990
Physical Description:
15 minutes
Scope and Contents
"Ward 5A"
Box 12, VHS_tape 1
Channel 2 News, San Francisco,
1995
Physical Description:
5 minutes
Scope and Contents
Bob McKenzie reporting general piece about 5A.
Box 12, VHS_tape 1
WB/Channel 20, San Francisco,
1999
Physical Description:
2 minutes
Scope and Contents
5A and Sojourn chaplains marching in LGBT Pride Parade.
Box 12, VHS_tape 2
ABC,
Good Morning America,
unknown year
Physical Description:
4 minutes
Scope and Contents
Piece about 5A former volunteer Jason Dilley and his Project Face to Face.
Box 12, VHS_tape 3
10th Anniversary event at San Francisco City Hall,
1993
Physical Description:
2 hours, 20 minutes
Scope and Contents
Filmed comments, stories from the following participants: Diane Jones, J.B. Mologhan, Connie Wofsy, Paul Volberding, Donald
Abrams, Mary Rathbun, Coralie Persse, Richard Locke, Alison Moed, Adrienne Kernan, Jan Boddie, Paul Shearer, Armand Kreft,
Rita Rockett, Alan Selby, Gary Carr, Mary McGee, Cheryl Stachan, Ed Wolf, Diana Hartman, Jay Egger, Gary Davis, James Kahn,
Roberto Garcia, Steve Keith, Sandy Ramadanoff, Ron Henderson, Joellen Sheerin, Tim Otto, Sandra Orr, Maggie Hallahan, Micaela
Salort, Mark Higgins, Lucky, and Rita Silverberg.
Box 12, VHS_tape 4
10th Anniversary Event,
1993
Physical Description:
30 minutes
Scope and Contents
Entertainment at beginning of event.
Box 12, VHS_tape 5
10th Anniversary Event,
1993
Physical Description:
60 minutes
Scope and Contents
Plenary program featuring J.B. Mologhan, Diane Jones, Connie Wofsy, Paul Volberding, Donald Abrams, Merv Silverman, Gayling
Gee, Cliff Morrison, and the original staffs of 5B and Ward 86.
Box 12, VHS_tape 6
10th Anniversary Event,
1993
Physical Description:
60 minutes
Scope and Contents
Plenary (cont.) featuring Shanti staff, massage volunteers, Brooks Linton, Ann Hughes, J.B. Mologhan, Marcy Fraser, Merle
Sande.
Box 12, VHS_tape 7
10th Anniversary Event,
1993
Physical Description:
60 minutes
Scope and Contents
Crowd shots, dancing.
Box 12, VHS_tape 8
10th Anniversary Event,
1993
Physical Description:
60 minutes
Scope and Contents
Performers.
Box 12, VHS_tape 9
20th Anniversary Event,
July 25, 2003
Box 12, VHS_tape 10
20th Anniversary Event,
July 25, 2003
Series 6
Publications / Articles
Physical Description:
15.0 folders
Arrangement
Arranged by subject.
Scope and Contents
These folders comprise newspaper and magazine articles about 5B/5A and the staff, patients, and volunteers. Of note is the
file for the "Best Hospitals" issues of US
News and World Report which listed San Francisco General Hospital as best in the AIDS category for 1991-1997.
There are three folders about book projects about 5B/5A.
Box 13, Folder 142
Family Research Institute, Inflammatory Articles,
1985-1987
Box 13, Folder 143
Newspaper/Magazine Articles about 5A
Box 13, Folder 144
General Articles with References/Photos about 5A
Box 13, Folder 145
Articles about 5A Volunteers
Related Materials
See also folders #116, 117.
Box 13, Folder 146
Articles/Papers by 5A Staff
Box 14, Folder 148
5A Patient "Daisy Chainsaw"
Box 14, Folder 149
5A Patient Warren Johnston
Box 14, Folder 152
Carol Pogash's book
As Real as it Gets,
1989
Box 14, Folder 153
US News Best Hospitals Issues,
1991-1997
Box 14, Folder 154
Rebecca Ransom Book Project,
1984-1986
Box 14, Folder 155
Cecilia Worth Book Project
Oversize Items,
mid-1980s-2003
Nurseweek,
April 27, 1992
Desert Sun, Palm Springs,
February 14, 1998
San Francisco Chronicle,
June 27, 2000
San Francisco Chronicle Magazine,
August 12, 2001
Box 15
Oversize photo of unidentified 5A patient
Box 15
Working copy of 10th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet
Box 15
Tarot Deck Designed by 5A Patient Michael Goepferd
Box 15
Rita Rockett Brunch Bunch cabinet sign
Box 15
Additions File - Articles, etc. collected post-7/25/03
Items Remaining on Ward 5A
Scope and Contents
The following items of archival significance remain on 5A. In the event that the ward is disbanded at some point in the future
or if the historical preservation of these items is deemed in jeopardy, they should be delivered to the San Francisco History
Center at the Main Library.
Plaque from National Association of Health Care Recruiters,
1991
City and County of San Francisco Award of Merit, signed by Mayor Jordan,
1992
Certificate from Neighbors for Neighborhoods, signed by Mayor Jordan,
1992
Saints Alive plaque from Metropolitan Community Church,
1994
Certificate commemorating 5A workday at AIDS Memorial Grove,
1995
Bronze heart sculpture from Desert AIDS Project, Palm Springs,
1998
Standing glass award from Godfather Service Fund,
1995-1999
Group photos,
1983-2002
Physical Description:
14.0 images
Three poster-sized enlargements used at 10th anniversary celebration,
1993
5th Anniversary group photo,
1988
Steve Keith, RN and patient
Photo of Jess McVey, volunteer, and patient
Photo of Noreen Dunleavy, RN and patient
Artwork By/About Former 5A Patients
Print of two men embracing by Richard Roesner
Painting of cowboy by Daniel Ross
Collage of tarot cards designed by Michael Goepferd
Medicine Stick sculpture By Kevin Cada
Two still-life prints by Edwin Meyer
Abstract ink drawing by Bruce Logan
Large plexiglass-framed portrait of former patient
Seventeen framed 5A/5B T-shirts
Memorial Plaque - 4-part wood, brass commemorating staff/volunteer deaths
The Thousand Cranes - plexiglass-framed origami donation with letter from creator and response from 5A volunteer
San Francisco Giants jersey - signed by 5A staff
Rita Rockett Lounge signs - two, carved wood
First anniversary tribute - framed comic art with signatures of employees of local restaurant
Necrology - book where names of 5B/5A patients who have died are written by staff
Autograph Book - visiting dignitaries are encouraged to sign
