Clifford Morrison is a proud graduate of Florida International University’s first Bachelor of Science in Nursing class in 1974. He went on to earn a Master of Science in Health Care Management from FIU in 1976 and a Master of Science in Community and Mental Health Nursing and Education from the University of Miami in 1979. Clifford holds multiple certifications, including in psychiatric/mental health nursing, HIV/AIDS nursing and healthcare administration.
A true pioneer in healthcare, Clifford made a lasting impact during his time at San Francisco General Hospital, where he established the world’s first Special Care Unit dedicated to patients with HIV/AIDS. As the AIDS epidemic unfolded, he brought innovative clinical practices to the forefront, developing policies and educating multidisciplinary teams in the compassionate care of those affected. His leadership extended to the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s AIDS Advisory Committee, where he worked alongside Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross to create groundbreaking educational programs.
In 1987, Clifford was appointed Deputy Director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation AIDS Health Services Program at the University of California’s School of Medicine. Over the course of his career, he has received numerous awards, recognitions, and accolades for his groundbreaking work, including his induction as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 1988, one of the profession’s highest honors.
Throughout his career, Clifford has been celebrated for his fearless patient advocacy, professional insight, passion for doing what is right and his enduring sense of humor. As one colleague shared, "Clifford continues to be acclaimed and revered for his work among nurses who provide care to the HIV-infected. His advocacy and wisdom remain a source of inspiration for me and countless others."
Although Clifford retired in 2022, his visionary leadership and compassionate approach have become the foundation for standard HIV/AIDS care practices around the world, leaving a legacy that continues to transform lives.