stephen stellenwerf, at Legacy Community Health

June 2025 - Thera Community Champion

For the past decade, Steve Stellenwerf has been a cornerstone of Legacy Community Health’s HIV prevention and education efforts. As a Patient Navigator and one of the founding members of Legacy’s first PrEP team, Steve has played a vital role in expanding access to HIV prevention, especially among underserved communities. He brings a unique blend of clinical knowledge, lived experience, and peer mentorship that has helped countless patients feel seen, supported, and empowered. At Legacy, Steve provides compassionate guidance to newly diagnosed patients with HIV, helping them navigate the emotional and logistical complexities of starting care. He also supports patients seeking hepatitis C treatment, ensuring that no one falls through the cracks. Certified in HIV, hepatitis C, syphilis, and pregnancy testing, Steve is known across Legacy’s clinics as a trusted educator, listener, and advocate. What makes Steve’s contributions truly remarkable is his personal connection to the work. Diagnosed with HIV in 1987, he has transformed his journey into a public health mission, offering others the very support he once needed. His legacy—pun intended—is one of resilience, dignity, and unwavering service to people living with and at risk for HIV.