The Blog of Death

I had not heard about this before this very minute. How heartbreaking. He was a true hero in the fight.

I hadn't heard about this until now. I didn't know Stephen very well, but the few times we'd met I'd sensed his incredible warmth towards others. We also shared a mutual admiration of animals -- he seemed to adore his two cats. I wish I had known him better.

wow...you were truly my hero what a great person you were. I hope you know how much we will miss you the world actually stopped for us. Your love and presence is eternal I miss you baby brother, and don't know how I will make it without you. Thanks for always loving me. You know how much I always have loved you it's so so much. I will always grieve for you. I can never thank God enough for choosing me to be your sister. Your big sis anna.

I cannot say how sad I am to learn of Stephen's death. I worked with him at the Washington Corrections Center for Women. In all my years of nursing I can honestly say he was the finest and most compassionate physician I ever had the privilege of knowing. I consider myself blessed that I was able to experience his goodness. If the Jewish belief that, at any given time, there must be thirty-two truly righteous men on the earth to ensure the survival of the human race, we have just lost one of them. I grieve for all of us. Stephen, know that my belief in goodness stems from having known you. I will mourn your passing forever.

I am still mourning Steven. Today, I am thinking about him because I am writing a journalist about the work that he did in corrections. I uncovered some of his old emails (what do we do with the pain that comes with reading emails from people who are now long gone).

Here is what we said about him in IDCR, the prison journal that he contributed to as advisor and reporter.

"One of Steven Tabet’s most important contributions to correctional health care was to serve as an expert witness in the Leatherwood v. Campbell case regarding the treatment of HIV infected inmates at the Limestone Correctional Facility in Alabama. Tabet reviewed innumerable medical records, examined inmates, and finally issued a detailed and comprehensive 125 page report on the state of HIV care at the Limestone Facility. Thirty eight HIV-infected inmates died at Limestone prior to Dr. Tabet’s review of their care; Dr. Tabet reviewed every death in detail. His report provides unflinching documentation of death by starvation, respiratory failure from untreated respiratory illnesses leading to death by suffocation, and complete inattention to clear clinical presentations of opportunistic infections such as CMV, TB and PCP. He concluded that "[I]n almost all instances death was preceded by a failure to provide proper medical care or treatment."

His findings provoked a nation-wide response from legislators, healthcare providers, and advocates. Alabama settled the suit May 27, 2004, and Alabama prison officials have agreed to substantially improve the medical care and treatment of Alabama’s HIV-infected inmate population. Dr. Tabet’s contribution to this case reset the standard for correctional HIV health care in the United States and served as a beacon of hope for prison health care advocates.

Dr. Tabet was also very active in the Northwest correctional health care, in international HIV treatment advocacy programs, and he had recently given up his HEPP editorship to join an international AIDS vaccine trial effort. We at HEPP Report know of few individuals who have given so much to improve the care of HIV infected persons living inside and outside prisons. We plan to commemorate his life and his work by awarding the first annual Steven Tabet Prison Medicine Advocacy Award to a deserving individual at the next NCCHC meeting, in October 2004.

Steve Tabet is was an tireless advocate, a caring physician, and a wonderful friend. We will do his memory justice by carrying on the task of improving prison health care. Joe Bick, Annie De Groot, Beth Weaver, Tamara Serwer, Julia Noguchi, and the members of the HEPP Report editorial board. "

This is all still true.
Let us never forget Stephen.

Annie

For a copy of Dr. Steven Tabet’s report on the conditions of HIV infected prisoners at the Limestone facility, go to:
http://www.schr.org/prisonsjails/press%20releases/limestone_report.8-26-03_web.doc

Details of his personal examination of numerous HIV infected prisoners, pleadings and photographs of the prison can be viewed on the website of the Southern Center for Human Rights at:
http://www.schr.org/prisonsjails/press%20releases/press_limestonereport.htm
OR
http://www.schr.org/prisonsjails/press%20releases/Limestone_Complaint-Amended.(1).rtf

Today, thinning files from a filing cabinet, I came across copies of the NW AETC Correctional Medicine newsletters that Stephen Tabet wrote. (Our AETC emailed these to correctional medical care providers out here in the Wild, Wild West.) All of a sudden I was hearing his soft-spoken voice and easy chuckle, and seeing the cherubic smile. Stephen's desire to make life better for people living in the complicated environment of corrections facilities was . . . "infectious". He introduced me to corrections issues. He encouraged my trips to Florida to learn about inmate peer education from the experts at the Central Florida Reception Center; he invited my participation in his newsletter and some of his correctional medicine education programs. The award that has been created in his name is wonderful, a beautiful legacy to a kind man.

In thinking back, did I say to Stephen how much I appreciated his confidence and encouragement? Stephen, if you can read this, thank you. I miss you. May you be remembered for good.

Kate

Rest in peace in Jesus name Amen

Stephen R. Tabet was really a good guy. He did great work for humanity and specially for the HIV and hepatitis C patients.Hepatitis is a general term that means inflammation of the liver. This inflammation can be caused by infection. Hepatitis can also be caused by exposure to alcohol, certain medications, chemicals, poisons, and other toxins, or by other diseases. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the many viruses that can cause inflammation of the liver.

Inflammation of the liver caused by infection with HCV is referred to as hepatitis C.Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) presents a complex knot for scientists to unravel. After initial contact and attachment to a cell of the immune system (e.g. lymphocytes, monocytes), there is a cascade of intracellular events. The endproduct of these events is the production of massive numbers of new viral particles, death of the infected cells, and ultimate devastation of the immune system.

I cannot say how sad I am to learn of Stephen's death I think he was a true hero in the fight.

I believe that Stephen Tabet was the last truly sincere person, that would not judge you for anything. My uncle was loving, kind, and generous. I know how much of an inpact he had on my life and those who he helped in their time of need. I love you uncle Stephen and I truly do miss you. I just want everyone to understand how important he was/is. He was my mentor and influence and I am greatful for everything he did for me and my family.

Honourable dead he has got.may his soul be with peace.

I think we need to reflect on the world’s response to an unprecedented tragedy, that is of coursed HIV/Aids are robbing communities and nations of their greatest asset to their people.

i love you. you are my everything. stephen, i can't handle life without you. but i am trying. you don't know how much of an impact you have on my life. you don't know how much you are missed. thank you for being you. thank you for being my brother.

I did not know Dr. Tabet but I am the daughter of one of the victims of the LimeStone Correctional Facility. I am beyond words at this moment. Something led me to the internet tonight to see if I could look him up so I could contact him, and I am so saddened to see this. God, this takes my breath away. I have often thought of Dr. Tabet. It was his reports that I found on the internet during my search to find out the truth about what happened to my father. If it had not been for his reports, I would never have known. My father died in 2003 and I found the reports in 2005. I sent a very long email to Dr. Tabet just thanking him for what he had done but there was a return message that I think said the email wasn't valid. I don't know why I didn't try to look him up at that time, but here I am now. I see there aren't any recent postings but I hope this message finds a friend or family member of Dr. Tabet's. I just want to say thank you to him for everything he did for those prisoners and especially my father. The way my father died haunts me to this day. I felt helpless then and there is a pain that I carry with me to this day because I literally had to watch my father die. There was so much anger and so many unanswered questions in my head and when I found those reports there was a peace that I found, just in knowing the truth. I pray for Dr. Tabet's spirit and for his family. Like my father, there are so many things I wish I could say to him, but I have no doubts that they have already had conversation and my daddy has told him all about me.

With love and deepest condolences.