POZ, the well-known HIV magazine, has unveiled its annual “The POZ 100” — a top 100 list of things, people and ideas from the past year.

And, lo and behold, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago made the list three times.

In alphabetical order, Julie Davids (no. 27), David Ernesto Munar (no. 68) and Jim Pickett (no. 74) were all recognized for their leadership in the field.

In its introduction, POZ wrote: “We would need tens of thousands of pages to celebrate all the wonderful people and organizations bravely and effectively fighting the virus. The purpose of the POZ 100 is to highlight some of those who are making big splashes right now.  … Please know that each and every person living with HIV/AIDS is always on our list. As is every one of you working out there in the field, as a counselor, an HIV tester, a doctor, nurse, research scientist, fund-raiser, artist, activist, journalist, support group leader, donor, friend, partner or lover.”

On Davids, POZ wrote:  “In her role as national advocacy and mobilization director for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Davids brings her experience, integrity and vision to a variety of U.S.-based prevention and social justice organizations such as Project UNSHACKLE and the HIV Prevention Justice Alliance. She’s a veteran of ACT UP Philadelphia and Health Gap, and where she leads, we will follow.”

Munar “rose through the ranks” before becoming president/CEO of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, POZ wrote, and has since used his HIV-positive status to motivate and to serve as a strong advocate for those underserved: African-Americans, Latinos and gay men.

“Did we mention he also regularly runs 26.2 mile marathons to raise money to end AIDS?,” POZ said.

(Munar has run nine marathons since his 1994 diagnosis, in case anyone was wondering.)

And Pickett, director of prevention advocacy and gay men’s health at AFC, is known for his “frank advocacy” as chair for the International Rectal Microbicides Advocates, aka IRMA.The IRMA listerv is apparently not something to miss out on. Join up and learn more about IRMA at www.rectalmicrobicides.org

Pickett’s also heavily involved in Mapping Pathways, a two-year multinational study is researching the efficacy and perceptions of various HIV prevention tools.

To view the full list, go to the POZ website or pick up a copy of the December magazine.