The quiet sunrises, sunny days, and dark nights at the Atlantic ocean shore tell a simple story at the Kimberly Bergalis Memorial Park Beach in Fort Pierce, FL. The beach opened with the current name in the early 1990‘s with the purpose of remembering the life of Kimberly Bergalis. She was 23 at the time of her death in 1991.
A People Magazine article from Oct. 22, 1990 (vol. 34, no. 16) called , “A Life Stolen Early” By Bonnie Johnson told the young woman’s story. The article began with a description of Kimberly Bergalis, a shy young woman, terminally ill from the AIDS virus who was, “worn out from a trip to the beach,” that was just a short walk from her home.
How Did Bergalis Contract the AIDS Virus
In December of 1987, Kimberly had to have two of her teeth extracted. Like many employees in their area, the girl’s family was covered by a Dental Health Plan, which referred Kimberly to a dentist named Dr. David J. Acer, 40, who was a qualified, and successful dentist in Jensen Beach, FL.
She contracted the disease during the tooth extraction performed by the late Dr. Acer who was known to have the AIDS virus. Kimberly's situation with her dentist was suspected as the first case in which the disease was given to a patient by a health-care professional.
Contracting AIDS From a Health Care Professional
A People magazine article said that, “Some medical experts, including Dr. Sanford Kuvin, vice-chairman of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, believe it was eventually something that was going to happen. He said that, "There is blood and silt between the patient and the provider during invasive medical procedures. Common sense dictates that that blood can be exchanged both ways."
The passing of the AIDS virus to a patient and by the doctor created a debate between the American Dental Association and the American Medical Association against the United States' Centers For Disease Control with Kimberly’s Case at the center.
Several days after his death an open letter he had written to his patients was published in some Florida newspapers local to his business. In this letter he said that early in the course of his disease, he had consulted with medical experts about whether to continue his dental practice.
Acer said, "The experts advised me that as long as I followed the guidelines promulgated by the Centers for Disease Control for health-care providers who were infected with HIV (AIDS), that I could safely continue to practice as a dentist.” However, on Jan. 24, 1990, Kimberly received the news that she had contracted AIDS.
Patients Can Get AIDS From Their Dentist
Kimberly did not express anger toward the man she believed was responsible for her early death. In the People article she said, "I don't think he ever meant for this to happen," Kimberly said, "I don't want to let it happen to somebody else."
Unfortunately, other patients of Dr. Acer also contracted AIDS and are remembered in various ways. The memory of one patient, Kimberly Bergalis has blown along the sandy shore in St. Lucie County for over twenty years and will continue to stand as a memorial to Kimberly and the fight against HIV and AIDS.
The beachside park is a beautiful and inspirational place. Enjoy the opportunity to view boats on the horizon, birds soaring overhead and plentiful sea shells. The tropical blue water always invites visitors to experience peace, combined with warm sun and an ocean breeze. The shore of the Kimberly Bergalis Memorial Beach remains unaltered and pristine.
Angela Grogan-Henehan - Angela Grogan-Henehan
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