From struggle to strength: An afternoon of art in support of the Anita Rachlis Clinic
Years ago, on a canoe trip along the shores of Georgian Bay, Casey Wigg, a nurse practitioner in Sunnybrook's Anita Rachlis Clinic – Canada's first and oldest HIV clinic – came across a patch of trees hanging off a cliff. Despite growing in the cracks of rocks in rather inhospitable conditions, these trees seemed to be thriving.
These trees reminded Casey of her patients at the Anita Rachlis clinic. They stand as a reminder to her that all HIV patients are strong, resilient, adaptive, and tenacious. They are a testament to the fact that despite the challenges that can often accompany an HIV diagnosis, patients find a way to survive against all odds.
This year, in recognition of World AIDS Day and to honour the adversity and resilience of the HIV community, Sunnybrook is hosting An Afternoon of Art for Hope and Remembrance to auction off a triptych – a piece of art that includes three beautiful paintings of Georgian Bay pine trees – in honour of our brave and tenacious patients.
Inspired by the Anita Rachlis Clinic community, artist Flora Wigg has created a series of paintings titled Love, Courage, Resilience. Flora shares that this piece of art celebrates the strength it takes to choose hope, chase joy, and endure in the face of challenge.
Learn more about what inspired these pieces in Flora’s artist statement below:
The real stories of three clinic patients are reflected by the iconic windswept pines of the Georgian Bay, unrelentingly committed to survival in a difficult and demanding environment. They make their home on solid rock, taking root in the slightest footholds. They adapt and grow, collecting soil around their roots and actively creating the environment they need to thrive.
Each weather-beaten tree reflects the strength and beauty of their survival, every passing year shoring up a foundation of shelter and support for the next generation.
This courage, dedication, and community echo the subjects' journeys and the support that have driven the clinic's mission for over three decades. This piece honours the individual and collective experience of those living with HIV and pays respect to the memory of those who have died.
Learn how you can attend an Afternoon for Art of Hope and Remembrance or purchase cards inspired by these works of art at the Sunnybrook gift shop.
Discover more about the history of the Anita Rachlis clinic and hear from patients and staff about what the work of the clinic means to them
The following story contains themes of sexual violence that may be disturbing to some readers. If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual violence, the Ontario government has resources that can help.
Pioneering HIV care at Sunnybrook
Left: Ulysis Antoine (admin), Serene Rowlands (Social Worker), Casey Wigg (Nurse Practitioner), Dr. Adrienne Chan, Dr. Brooke Fraser, Maureen Bratkiw (Registered Nurse). Missing: Dr. Nisha Andany, Anja Mcneil (Registered Nurse), Nancy Vandenbergh (Nurse Practitioner)
In the mid-1980s, Dr. Anita Rachlis, an infectious diseases physician at Sunnybrook, noticed an increase in patients being admitted to the hospital with undiagnosed weight loss, shingles, diarrhea, and pneumonia. It wasn't long before the complete picture emerged: it was the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and internal medicine wards were filling up with very sick patients whose HIV infection had progressed to AIDS.
Sensing a need for more specialized care, Dr. Rachlis advocated for an outpatient clinic dedicated to treating people living with HIV. The Anita Rachlis Clinic opened its doors in 1989 and has continued to provide exceptional care to a diverse population for over 36 years. Today, the clinic has grown to include eight staff members who serve over 1,000 patients.
Patients at the clinic come from all over the world, spanning diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and racial and sexual identities. As part of the clinic, patients not only receive acute care for their HIV diagnosis, but also gain access to a variety of community organizations, helping them overcome housing, language, social and economic barriers.
Jane, a Somali refugee and patient with the clinic, contracted HIV after being raped during the Somalian civil war. Now a mom to a 12-year-old boy, Jane taught herself to speak English and she credits the clinic's support for helping her navigate such a difficult time in her life.
"Sunnybrook and the amazing staff at the clinic absolutely saved my life," she says, "They showed me that HIV was not a death sentence and that I could live a very full life despite my diagnosis.”
Other patients, like Natasha, say the clinic was there for them when others weren't.
"As a trans woman, it was hard to find a clinic that was willing to take me," she says. "The Anita Rachlis Clinic at Sunnybrook was the first clinic that didn't care about my sexuality – they simply saw me as human."
Maureen Bratkiw (Registered Nurse) working with a clinic patient.
In addition to providing patients with a variety of community support programs, the clinic plays a crucial role in helping patients navigate the emotional toll of HIV.
Andrew, an 82-year-old retired school teacher, credits the clinic’s social workers for helping him grieve the loss of his life partner.
"I can't understate how invaluable their support is," he says. "They have helped me through some of the hardest challenges in my life and continue to support me to this day."
Still more to do
Despite the positive work of the clinic, there remains a growing need to do more to support the HIV community across Canada. Currently, Canada is the only G7 country that continues to see an increase in HIV cases despite improvements in research and treatment.
Stigma and shame remain two significant barriers preventing members of specific communities from getting tested for HIV or attempting to access treatment in a health-care system they have historically been excluded from.
The Anita Rachlis Clinic is proud to play a role in supporting patients from all racial, social, and economic backgrounds, ensuring they have access not only to specialized HIV care, but to wrap-around community supports as well.
"Sunnybrook has always been a trusted partner, supporting patients from all walks of life," says Dr. Notisha Massaquoi, assistant professor in health education and promotion with the Department of Health and Society at the University of Toronto. "As service providers, we have the confidence of knowing Sunnybrook will always treat our clients with the utmost dignity and respect."
By employing an integrated care approach that combines hospital experts and community partners, the Anita Rachlis Clinic will continue to champion culturally and socially responsive care for all patients, ensuring that at every stage of their journey, they receive the care they need to live a healthy and prosperous life.
