While working for another HIV service provider in Chicago years ago, new Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) executive director Rick Bejlovec was taken aside by that agency’s E.D. after being seen taking his antiviral medication.
“We don’t do that here,” he was told. “It’s personal and it bothers others because it reminds them of their own HIV.”
Switch to TPAN. Upon joining TPA Network 10 years ago, Bejlovec saw several staff members gathered around the water cooler at lunch time on his first day at work. “What’s going on?” he asked. They said, “Oh, it’s pill time!”
“I realized I had found the right place to be, personally and professionally,” says Bejlovec (pronounced “bay lo vic”). “It’s all about acceptance instead of denial. It was heady. There’s no shame, no hiding in the washroom to take your pills.”
On March 23, the TPAN Board of Directors offered him the position of executive director, after a nationwide search in which he served as interim E.D. for eight months following the death of Charles E. Clifton of a pulmonary embolism on August 15.
Clifton was extremely well-liked by everyone he worked with. He was an outstanding manager and administrator, a passionate advocate and writer who also served as editor of Positively Aware, and a highly successful fundraiser. “The Board did not expect to replace Charles,” says Bejlovec. “He is irreplaceable.”
Clifton helped organize the agency to move to a larger, more beautiful space in an underserved community. He greatly increased the visibility of TPAN through work on national and international committees. He oversaw the expansion of the agency’s needle exchange program as well as the collaboration with Access healthcare. Today there is a clinic located in the agency, which also houses TPAN testing and counseling for HIV. Clifton also envisioned the creation of the TEAM project, an extensive education and self-advocacy program for people living with HIV, and hired volunteer Matt Sharp—a nationally known advocate who put the project together—as Director of Treatment Education.
Where to now? “I want to focus on what we do best—treatment education: the TEAM program [Treatment Education Advocacy Management], Positively Aware, our CTLs (Committed to Living forums, held once a month). I want to broaden that. We help people to take care of themselves, to understand their medications and talk to their healthcare providers. To live better and healthier—physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually, for that matter. (He is a trained Reiki energy worker as well.) It’s why we were founded. I want to fine-tune it while rolling with changing times and changing funding. But we’re not going to be pulled into things we don’t do best. There are other agencies (in Chicago) that do things that we don’t. Our position is unique.
“I think everyone [on staff] is here because we have a passion to help. And the agency still does that for me. It helps me be accepting of living with HIV.”
Before being named the executive director, Bejlovec served as Business Director. He was also named Associate Director last year, running the agency when the E.D. was away. He continued his outreach work as bartender for TPAN’s weekly social night at the popular club, Berlin. How does it feel to rise through the ranks to become executive director?
“It’s humbling,” says Bejlovec. “We have an embracing culture. It’s important to me that I keep that in the forefront of my mind. That’s who we are.”
Bejlovec, a native of Chicago, has worked in the HIV services community for more than 15 years. He has a Bachelors of Science in psychology and in Communications from Illinois State University, and a minor in Human Sexuality.
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