On Thursday, May 22, 2014, organizers and participants of the 2014 Unity National Community Health Worker Conference in Baltimore, Maryland honored the life and service of Zhilphia “Zee” Turner, an IPHI Community Health Worker (CHW) who passed away on New Year’s Eve last year. Zee was selected for an Esther M. Holderby CHW Special Recognition Award. As a CHW in the DC area for over 15 years, Zee helped people living with HIV/AIDS link to and stay engaged in life-saving medical care by offering education, encouragement, and support. Zee’s impact on the DC region was immeasurable and profound. Her most recent service as a CHW was on the Positive Pathways program, which is coordinated by IPHI and funded by Washington AIDS Partnership.
Zee was beloved by many family members, colleagues, co-workers and friends, and has been missed dearly. Those who had the good fortune of knowing Zee will always remember her for her humility, honest and candid nature, caring heart, and ability to connect with others. She overcame personal adversity with her health and equipped herself with the knowledge to support others to access care and to become a vocal advocate for increased health resources for her community.