THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

HBHC issued a statement: "Joe Hollendoner, Vice President, Community Health Services, will be leaving HBHC on January 6, 2012 to pursue a personal development opportunity at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago [ AFC ] . … Since Joe joined Howard Brown Health Center as a young professional over 10 years ago, he has made an incredible impact on the services we delivery and the patients we serve in the LGBTQ community. But, he's spent his entire adult career at HBHC, and everyone earns and should take opportunities to grow. We look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role at AFC since our organizations work collaboratively on HIV/AIDS issues. Joe will stay linked to HBHC through a consultative relationship and as an advisory member of the Community Services Committee of our Board."

Hollendoner, who did not respond to Windy City Times, did have a statement issued through HBHC: "After 10 amazing years of service at Howard Brown Health Center, the time has come for me to pursue new professional opportunities. Although the decision to leave Howard Brown was not easy because I consider it to be a second home and my colleagues there an extended family, I'm thrilled to be joining the team at AIDS Foundation of Chicago."

According to the statement, "Hollendoner will donate the prize money he received as the 2010 recipient of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Health Leader Award to support the work of the Broadway Youth Center." The award was $125,000, of which Hollendoner received $20,000 as a personal award and $105,000 to enhance his work. Hollendoner, 30, began his career at 20 and was named among Windy City Times "30 under 30" in 2004 and in several subsequent years.

The statement also quoted David Ernesto Munar, AFC president and CEO as being "thrilled" to see Hollendoner join the organization: "He will be part of our service delivery team bringing his expertise serving LGBT youth to our work and deepening our bench in prevention, care, housing and research."

Hollendoner's departure comes a few weeks after the departure of Brad McLaughlin, who left as chief development officer. It also raises issues about programming at HBHC, where his presence has been strongly felt. HBHC has not indicated who his replacement might be. He is the latest in a line of eight senior level officers who have left this year alone. The others have included Robert Garofalo, chief research officer, and Editha Paras, chief financial officer.

Hollendoner's relocation to AFC also raises the question of what impact he will have upon that organization's programming, particularly in the area of LGBT youth health issues, which have not formed a separate area of focus for AFC.