DR. SHANNON SCHRADER- HIV BEFORE, NOW AND FUTURE, Wednesday Program

Dr. Shannon Schrader will share information about HIV, Now and in the Future.

Dr. Shannon Schrader was honored by AIDS Foundation Houston at its Cabaret for a Cure gala on Jan 11. with a humanitarian award that will bear his name.

Even in 1989, when Dr. Shannon Schrader began his residency at Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, a prejudice persisted against the virus and the patients who contracted it.

But Schrader, who admits as a young man from Kentucky, "I had a fear of it," found compassion for the patients who showed strength and courage in their fight to live. Working with them, he found his mission.

"I get as much from these patients as they get from me," Schrader said.

In addition to medical care, his goal as a doctor is to provide human compassion.

"I don't wear a lab coat or a tie because I try to knock down all boundaries and barriers," he said. "I try to help create an environment and health plan for patients so they trust our relationship and have no fear when they come here and know they won't be ostracized or judged. "

Since meeting Edward, his first AIDS patient who, Schrader said, no one else would go near or touch, Schrader has devoted his career to AIDS care and research in addition to the family practice he maintains at 4101 Greenbriar. Edward later died from the virus.

"When he died, (I) had to realize (at 27) my own mortality," Schrader said. "His mother pulled me aside and referred to me as her son. She said I was the only human being who was willing to touch him. He was my start and I am very grateful to him for leading me down this path."

Volunteer work

In 1995, he began volunteering at the Montrose Clinic, now known as Legacy Community Health Services, 215 Westheimer. He still works there on Wednesday nights.

Seeking balance with his personal life, he has recently cut his private practice from 5,000 to 600 patients. The majority of his patients are HIV positive.

Schrader also serves on the clinical faculty at Baylor.

Schrader is one of the few doctors in Houston who focuses on HIV/AIDS, which he said is in part because of the stigma and in part to the low insurance payouts for treatment.

Schrader has been assisting with AIDS studies for several years. In 2006, he joined the Research Access Network, which he works with to perform multiple studies at once. He is involved with six studies.

"I give (my patients) the option if they qualify of being in the study," he said. "Many of my patients have early access (to new medications)."

Schrader said he has seen improvements in terms of medications and life expectancies.

"We don't have a cure and this virus is a very smart virus," he said.

He said he has seen patients who thought they were given a death sentence go back to work and not give up on their long-term goals.

Whenever someone asks how long they have left to live, Schrader said he replies, "for the rest of your life," adding there is not an average life expectancy and it depends on the patient.

"Faith is very important," he said. "It is actually my foundation, the strength that drives me daily."

He describes himself as a Christian and said he will share his faith with patients when the situation calls for it, but would never push his beliefs on others.

As he looks to the future of AIDS care, Schrader said he sees fewer doctors coming out of medical school who are interested in the practice. He wants to ensure there is AIDS care in Houston for generations to come.

"I still feel there are many doctors who may be prejudice to patients involved in this," he said.