Charlie Crist Ana M. Viamonte Ros, M.D.

, MPH
Governor State Surgeon General

For Immediate Release Contact: Candy Sims, Public Information Officer

March 10, 2009 (954) 467-4784

BROWARD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND LOCAL ARTIST

ANNOUNCE OPENING OF ART EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE
HIV AND HEPATITIS PREVENTION AWARENESS
The Art Exhibition Body: Art, Health and Community Awareness

BROWARD COUNTY – The Broward County Health Department in cooperation with the Broward
Community Planning Partnership (BCPP) Hispanic/Latino Committee -- “Latinos en Acción” and local
artist Mauricio Ferrer, announce the opening of the art exhibition: BODY: Art, Health and
Community Awareness, a collection of acrylic paintings by artist Mauricio Ferrer. An opening
reception is planned for Thursday, March 19, 2009 at the ArtServe Auditorium (1350 E. Sunrise Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, 33304) from 6PM to 9PM. The public is invited to attend.

The event will also have information on a variety of HIV and Hepatitis prevention programs offered by
the Broward County Health Department and a special presentation by the Reverend Father Alberto
R. Cutié, president and general director of PAX Catholic Communications, and a performance by the
musical -activist group “Los Doctores”. Free HIV testing will also be available to the public.

BODY is an exhibition born from the artist’s inspiration and intention to help raise awareness of the
problems the community faces with Hepatitis and HIV. “This exhibition is dedicated to the thousands
of men, women, transgender persons, youth and infants that have been infected or affected by these
devastating pandemics. My hope is that we can continue to search for more effective medical
treatments and eventually a cure,” said Mr. Ferrer about his exhibition. “I want to create projects that
help raise awareness and empower the community through knowledge and art,” he added.

“The Broward County Health Department is honored to collaborate with Mr. Ferrer,” said Manuel
Rodriguez, Assistant Director of Health Promotion. “We continue to look for innovative ways to reach
the community with HIV and Hepatitis prevention information and welcome joint efforts between the
artistic community and public health to accomplish this goal,” he added.

Father Alberto will present a speech entitled “The Human Body as a Temple” which promotes the
importance of health-conscience choices as well as provide an introduction to programs offered by
Catholic Charities and how individuals can take advantage of their services.

The ArtServe Auditorium is located in the Broward Public Library at 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd Fort
Lauderdale, Fl 33304. The exhibition starts Thursday, March 19, 2009 with a reception from 6
p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, March 20th and Saturday, March 21st, doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. For more information please contact Manuel Rodriguez , Broward County Health Department
(954) 467-4796 / manuel_rodriguez@doh.state.fl.us

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Broward County Health Department
780 South West 24th Street ● Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315-2643