Whitman-Walker director resigns

A. Cornelius Baker, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Whitman-Walker Clinic, announced his resignation from the organization earlier this month, The Washington Post reports. Whitman-Walker is a nonprofit community-based health organization serving the gay and lesbian community in the Washington metropolitan area. The clinic also is one of the nation's leading providers of medical care for HIV-positive people and AIDS patients. Baker served as the clinic's director for five years. He told the Post that his years at the agency were "very difficult, challenging times," and in particular he cited the difficulty of raising money for the organization following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington. Roberta Geidner-Antoniotti, managing director of operations, will serve as interim director while a national search for Baker's replacement is conducted. "Cornelius has been instrumental in the fight for the GLBT community and against HIV/AIDS here in the nation's capital and has served the clinic and its clients with commitment, hard work, and integrity," said agency board of directors chairman Billy Cox. "Cornelius has been part of the Whitman-Walker Clinic and Washington, D.C., families for many years, and we wish him continued success, health, and happiness."