Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Miami Herald (MH) - Saturday August 3, 1991
David Hancock; Herald Staff Writer
When Dr. White's illness became known earlier this year, it sparked panic among his patients. Workers from the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services stepped in and began making arrangements for patients to have a free blood screening for AIDS.
As of last week, more than 100 patients had done so, although HRS officials refused to say whether any of the patients had tested positive.
Medical officials say it would not be unusual for some of Dr. White's patients to test positive for the HIV virus, given the statistical prevalence of AIDS in South Florida. Any patients testing positive will undergo more intricate testing to determine if their AIDS virus is genetically similar to the virus that killed Dr. White.
To date, the case of Kimberly Bergalis is believed to be the only case in this country of a patient who contracted AIDS from a health care worker. Bergalis is dying of the disease. Her dentist, Dr. David J. Acer of Stuart, has already died.
Ill health forced Dr. White to close his practice at 4800 NW Seventh Ave. five months ago. During the final stages of the disease, he was cared for by Hospice Inc., a health-care facility for terminally-ill patients located within North Shore Medical Center.
Dr. White was divorced from his wife of many years, Berthenia White. Mrs. White has helped HRS workers identify the late dentist's patients. The couple has one surviving son.
Funeral services were pending.
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