John R. Senter, 43, director of social services and a licensed clinical social worker, passed away on June 29.
Senter, who was a resident of Hermitage, TN, was an employee of the Comprehensive Care Center and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He had worked at the clinic since it opened in 1994. He was a respected advocate for individuals living with HIV and AIDS and had been providing services to persons living with HIV/AIDS in Middle Tennessee since the late 80s.
"From the beginning, he had a strong commitment to excellence and professionalism which helped to improve our concept of service delivery," said Mark Hubbard, chair, Tennessee Association of People With AIDS
and liaison, Vanderbilt AIDS Clinical Trials Center Community Advisory Board. "John went on to become a statewide guru, recognized as having a vast reservoir of experience, knowledge and skill in medical care management."
Hubbard said Senter's death was a loss to the entire community, and that he often helped find solutions in the most difficult of circumstances.
"I regularly turned to John for advice whenever I encountered the most difficult cases and circumstances. He assisted me in the development of materials addressing major issues for Tennesseans living with HIV/AIDS, such as the TennCare disenrollment and the implementation of Medicare Part D," Hubbard added. "John's death is a huge loss to the community across the state."
He is survived by his mother, Mary Knox Williams and step father, Aubrey H. Williams; his sisters, Elaine Senter and Virginia Carson. Senter was pre-deceased by his father, James R. Senter Sr. and his brother, James Jr.
A memorial service honoring his life will be held at Christ Cathedral on the corner of 9th and Broadway at 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 3, 2007. A reception will be held in the reception hall following the service.
The family has requested no flowers, but donations in John's memory may be made to Comprehensive Care Center, 345 24th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37203.
