The last year has been an exciting one for the American Armenian Health Professionals Organization (AAHPO). The AAHPO Board of Directors recognized the need to facilitate communication with our membership, as well as the need to reach out to the Armenian community. Accordingly, the Board approved the development of this web site - aahpo.org. A place where all Armenians in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut areas will have access to medical resources, information and events provided by their fellow Armenians.
The year 2007 was an exciting one for AAHPO.
It is our organizations goal to expand the range of services we can offer to the Armenian community. AAHPO members and volunteers brought new ideas to our organization and in 2007, we initiated several projects that will help our brethren in Armenia. AAHPO members, working together, have accomplished more to help our community than any one individual could. We enter 2008 as a stronger organization, knowing we have much more to do.
We began the year in 2007 with notification from the IRS that AAHPO is now a 501c(3), tax exempt, charitable organization. This designation will now allow us to solicit individual donations, matching corporate donations, as well as corporate grants. Indeed, AAHPO received its first corporate grant in April from Pfizer Corporation ($9,500).
AAHPO’s ability to positively impact health care delivery in our community continues to depend on the spirit of our volunteers. We honor our volunteers and encourage everyone to bring us ideas and help us deliver on our promise to aid and assist the Armenian community. The Board appreciates the efforts of our volunteers and this year approved the development of the AAHPO Auxiliary to help facilitate our mission.
AAHPO recognizes that the cost of medical care to the uninsured is a deterrent to seeking appropriate, timely care. Accordingly, in 2007 we had additional members of our organization volunteer to support our program "Charity Care". AAHPO also initiated a Drug Discount Program to assist uninsured patients and allow our Member's the ability to provide more affordable healthcare to the uninsured.
AAHPO is currently in the process of submitting a grant proposal for the donation of vitamins to vulnerable populations in Armenia. The grant will initially target the pediatric population. It is our hope that the scope of the grant will be increased to provide pre-natal vitamins as well.
The board is currently discussing an invitation from our sister group, The Armenian American Medical Society of Southern California, to partner with them on a project to donate and build a medical clinic in Voskevan, a rural town on the border of Azerbajian. This project would help facilitate medical care delivery to an under-served community whose doctor and nurses are now working in a bombed-out, former kindergarten school building. This proposed project is compatible with a development plan for the area outlined by Armenia Fund, USA which is encouraging us to move forward with this project.
AAHPO also forged a relationship with Community Blood Bank Services to arrange health screening for all members of the Armenian community in the tri-state area who donate blood. This agreement helps fulfill AAHPO’s mission to increase health awareness in the Armenian community, as well as help to save lives through blood donation.
“AAHPO’s Corner,” a health column in the Armenian Reporter, continues being supported by our members that contribute articles for publication. These authors have also made radio appearances on the Armenian Radio Hour.
AAHPO is currently negotiating with several companies the purchase of Automatic Electronic Defibrillators. The goal is to negotiate the best purchase price for our member healthcare providers, as well as encourage any of these companies to donate several units to our churches. Automatic Electronic Defibrillators are available for individuals to donate to AAHPO as well.
In 2008, our goals include expanding on the activities discussed above, as well as host the Armenian Medical International Committee (AMIC) board meeting on May 1st and 2nd and prepare for the AAHPO Gala Banquet, a major fundraising event to be held on May 3rd.
AMIC has also honored AAHPO by selecting us to host the Tenth Armenian World Congress in New York City, July 2-5, 2009. Preparation for this meeting has already begun and the board invites all of our members and friends to participate in the planning of this event.
We are about to begin 2008 having achieved much success, enjoyed tremendous growth, and garnered considerable community support and recognition. AAHPO’s achievements are in no small part due to the hard work and dedication of our Board of Directors, valuable contributions of many volunteers, and the ideas and vitality our new members have brought to this organization. However, our responsibility to the Armenian community demands that we do more. I am confident that together, with our combined energies, AAHPO will be an integral part of the fabric of the Armenian community as we look forward to celebrating our 15th Anniversary in 2009!
Sincerely,
Lawrence V. Najarian, MD
President, AAHPO
