Remembering George and Juanita Shapen
(Chicago, Ill., September 9, 2021) – Howard Brown Health is saddened to learn of the passing of George Shapen on September 7, 2021, less than a year following the passing of his wife, Juanita Shapen. George and Juanita will be remembered for their kindness, generosity, and commitment to LGBTQ healthcare. By creating the Gregory Shapen Public Health Fellowship Endowment Fund in 2020, George and Juanita established a legacy that will improve the lives of LGBTQ people and people living with HIV for years to come.
Their son, Gregory Shapen, was a Howard Brown employee who died of AIDS-related complications. George and Juanita wanted to ensure that Greg’s contributions were remembered, and so established the endowment and fellowship to keep the memory of their son alive in perpetuity.
“Health education improves the lives of LGBTQ people in Chicago and beyond,” said Cec Hardacker, Director of Education, Howard Brown. “With the Shapen Fellowship, we are developing the next generation of LGBTQ health advocates and professionals.”
This past summer, Howard Brown welcomed the first cohort in the Gregory Shapen Public Health Fellowship.
“On behalf of Howard Brown, I would like to thank George and Juanita for their commitment to bettering the lives of LGBTQ people like their son Greg,” said David Ernesto Munar, President & CEO. “Howard Brown is excited to see the future impact of our Shapen fellows on LGBTQ health.”
By supporting paid internship opportunities for underrepresented LGBTQ undergraduates, the Shapen Fellowship encourages the professional development of future leaders with interests in LGBTQ health. For more information about the The Gregory Shapen Public Health Fellowship Endowment Fund, see the press release here.
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Howard Brown Health exists to eliminate the disparities in healthcare experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people through research, education and the provision of services that promote health and wellness. Howard Brown is the largest LGBTQ organization in the Midwest, providing primary and specialty healthcare, social services, and infectious disease screenings to more than 40,000 people each year. The 12 clinics and three resale stores span the City of Chicago, from Englewood to Rogers Park. For more information, visit howardbrown.org.