Southampton - The Southampton Hospital will host a celebration to benefit and commemorate the Hospital's new Rose Walton Care Services at David E. Rogers, MD Center on Saturday, June 18, at 4 p.m. at Guild Hall's John Drew Theatre in East Hampton.

Larry Kramer. (Courtesy Photo: Southampton Hospital)

A theatrical presentation will feature renowned playwright and author Larry Kramer, currently nominated for a Tony Award for the hit revival of "The Normal Heart," first produced in 1985 at The Public Theatre in New York City, in which he expressed his frustration with bureaucratic paralysis and the apathy of gay men to the AIDS crisis. He was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for "The Destiny of Me" (1992), an Academy Award Nominee for "Women in Love" (1969), and a two-time recipient of the Obie Award.

In 1981, he co-founded the Gay Men's Health Crisis, the largest private organization in the world assisting people living with AIDS. His political activism extended to the founding of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) in 1987, a protest organization widely credited with changing public health policy and widespread perception of people living with AIDS and awareness of HIV/AIDS.

Also appearing will be Terrence McNally, an Emmy winner and four-time recipient of the Tony Award, among numerous other accolades. McNally has dozens of writing credits for stage, musical theater, opera, film and television spanning more than four decades of work.

Terrence McNally. (Courtesy Photo: Southampton Hospital)

The first case of AIDS was diagnosed 30 years ago, and while significant gains have been made in the battle against this deadly disease, enabling many to live longer, we are still without a cure. The Hospital will commemorate this milestone by honoring Dr. Rose Walton's commitment and concern for those living with HIV/AIDS. Prior to her retirement, Dr. Walton trained healthcare workers as director of the SUNY Stony Brook's AIDS Education and Resource Center.

Rose Walton Care Services at the David E. Rogers, MD Center for HIV and AIDS provides comprehensive outpatient medical care, mental health and psychiatric services, and psychosocial support to people living with HIV and AIDS. The Center also provides HIV testing, support services, health education/risk reduction, prevention education and outreach to the East End community. Services are provided in association with Southampton Hospital and Stony Brook University Medical Center.