Christine Frederick, RN MSN, Executive Director
Chris Frederick’s personal journey with HIV/AIDS began in 1987 when her best friend’s husband was diagnosed with the disease, having contracted it after treatment for Hemophilia. In 1989, Chris became a registered nurse and began to specialize her knowledge in medical/surgical, trauma/critical care, and rehabilitation nursing. Eight years later, she accepted a position in a multidisciplinary clinic that cared for people living with HIV/AIDS. It was about that time when Chris also expanded her professional experience by joining the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC). She’s been with this progressive organization ever since, currently serving in a consulting role for their International Nursing Committee.
In 1998, Chris earned her Masters of Science in Nursing Degree as an Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist in Michigan from Grand Valley State University. Soon after graduation, Chris concluded that her medical skills could be of immediate use in Honduras, working in a medical mission assisting those devastated by Hurricane Mitch.
When she returned home, her thoughts turned back to the wonderful people she met in Honduras. After some thoughtful prayer, Chris decided that she needed to use her skills and education to do whatever she could to help. She returned to Honduras, and between April 1999 and January 2005, she developed and managed a unique and desperately needed home and hospice that provided direct, on-going care for 30 HIV-positive children.
In 2005, Chris was presented with an opportunity to create another successful organization to assist children and their families living with HIV/AIDS in the heart of the capitol city of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. This new organization, aptly named “Caminando Con Niños” would implement a Case Management model, based upon emerging research showing it benefitted the child to continue living in the familial home if possible. This possibility was increasing, due in part to wider availability of antiretroviral medication permitting parents and their children to live longer, healthier lives with HIV, but it would take education, counseling and assistance. Caminando Con Niños would fill this gap through its Community Case Management Program by providing the necessary education, counseling and other assistance directly to the family unit to cope with the impact of HIV/AIDS on their lives.
Hoping to expand the reach of her services to HIV/AIDS affected children, not only in Honduras, but in other countries as well, in 2010 Christine Frederick took steps to create the U.S. based organization, Walking With Children, Inc., a U.S. 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. Chris’s unique experience in Honduras will allow Walking With Children, Inc. to form valuable partnerships with other NGOs and charitable organizations to provide a network of assistance in the most effective manner. Ms. Frederick’s successful past experiences in spearheading the creation of other organizations in the HIV/AIDS community is a valuable asset to Walking With Children, Inc.
