The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s The Andrea Tilbian Halejian Memorial Fund awarded a $10,000 grant to AAHPO..

The grant, in memory of Andrea Tilbian Halejian (see photo) promotes and advances the science and art of healing and educates and improves the health services of the Armenian community in the metropolitan area, as well as the community in Armenia.

“We are deeply grateful to the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation and The Andrea Tilbian Halejian Memorial Fund for this generous $10,000 grant,” said AAHPO President Lawrence V. Najarian, MD. “This meaningful support helps advance AAHPO’s mission to promote the science and art of healing while strengthening health education and services for the Armenian community both in the metropolitan area and in Armenia. We are honored to carry forward Andrea Tilbian Halejian’s legacy through initiatives that improve health, empower professionals, and uplift our community.”

Please DONATE DIRECTLY TO AAHPO to support our mission to assist Armenians here and in Armenia.

As snow blanketed the tri-state region last night and today, heart health experts have shared warnings of the physical strain shoveling can take — particularly for older adults.

A 2025 Mayo Clinic review found that just 10 minutes of heavy snow shoveling can push the heart to about 97% of its maximum rate. Exposure to cold air was also found to increase blood pressure and reduce coronary blood flow (see related article, below).

While there isn’t an official age that’s “too old” to shovel, some cardiologists recommend that individuals over 45 should exercise more caution to lower their chances of a cardiac event.

The impact of snow removal is especially concerning for those with existing cardiovascular risks and a history of heart attack or stroke, according to cardiologists.

LEARN MORE

Safety Tips from The Mayo Clinic News Network

Shoveling snow can mean taking on more than your body can handle. And ignoring signs that you need to take a break from shoveling may prove to be harmful. Here are some tips for safe snow shoveling:

• Be heart conscious.
• If you have a history of heart problems and are currently inactive, it’s best to speak with your health care provider before shoveling. Additionally, don’t shovel while smoking, eating or after consuming caffeine; this may place extra stress on your heart.
• Dress Warm.
• Wear several layers of clothing. You can always remove a layer if needed.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Remaining hydrated during cold-weather months is just as important as during warm-weather months.
• Warm up your arms and legs.
• Stretch your arms and legs before beginning to shovel. You are less likely to injure muscles when they are warm.
• Take it slow.
• Pace yourself and take breaks if you need to. Safety is more important than speed.Protect your back.
• Bend at the knees, not the back. Lift with your legs bent, stand with your feet hip-width apart for balance and keep the shovel close to your body. Also, don’t pick up too much snow at once; use a small shovel or fill up a large shovel no more than half way.
• Shovel while snow is fresh.Freshly fallen snow is lighter than snow that has started melting.
• Listen to your body.
• This is the most important snow shoveling tip. If something feels abnormal, or if you’re tired, it’s time to stop.
• If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 immediately.

1. Keep your family members safe and comfortable
Make sure your family members know what to do when the power goes out. Family members are at risk of extreme cold or heat and storm dangers. Gather everyone into the part of your home that is most comfortable; in winter that is an inside room with few windows or doors that let in drafts. Dress appropriately, drink plenty of water and eat carefully to avoid foodborne illnesses. Give extra consideration to infants, toddlers, older people and those with medical conditions.

2. Use flashlights for lighting
If your power goes out at night, you will likely want some source of light quickly. Candles are a traditional choice, but they introduce the risk of fire. Flashlights and battery-operated lights and lanterns are a safer alternative.

3. Turn off or unplug your appliances
In prioritizing what to do in a power outage, start with protecting your expensive appliances and electronics. It doesn’t matter if the power is out for minutes or days, the risk of damage is the same.

4. Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed
The next thing in considering what to do in a power outage is to protect your perishable food. Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed.

READ MORE TIPS

This week, February 8-14, is Cardiac Rehabilitation Week.

Cardiac rehabilitation is crucial for improving heart health, enhancing recovery after heart events, and preventing future heart problems.

Cardiac rehabilitation involves exercise training, emotional support and education about a heart-healthy lifestyle. Healthy lifestyle habits include eating a nutritious diet, managing weight and quitting smoking.

Cardiac rehab is done to improve health in those with a heart condition or a history of heart surgery. The goals of cardiac rehab are to:

• Improve recovery after a heart attack or heart surgery.
• Reduce the risk of future heart trouble.
• Prevent the heart condition from worsening.
• Improve quality of life.

Learn more from the Mayo Clinic

CLICK HERE to watch a video about cardiac rehab

The American Heart Association has set a goal of doubling the survival of cardiac arrest by 2030. We know that in order to save more lives from the 350,000 cardiac arrests that occur outside of the hospital every year, we must increase the number of people who respond to cardiac arrest by calling 911, delivering high-quality CPR and using an AED as soon as it is available.

In every cardiac emergency, the real first responder is not always a uniformed professional but often an everyday bystander. Cardiac arrest can strike anywhere – at the gym, in the grocery store, or during a child’s soccer game. However, bystanders only intervene about 40% of the time, often due to uncertainty or lack of training. You do not need medical credentials to save a life. What’s required is knowledge, courage, and the readiness to act. This reimagining of heroism challenges the community to see themselves as empowered agents of change – ordinary people with the extraordinary power to make every future moment possible for someone in crisis. Learn CPR today so you are ready and become a part of the Nation of Lifesavers.

Find a Heartsaver Training

CLICK HERE to watch a 60-second video

MEET THE AAHPO LIFESAVERS: CARDIOLOGY SPECIALISTS

Hrach Kasaryan, DO

Ani Nalbandian, MD, MS

Shant Manoushagian, MD

This past November, AAHPO hosted a successful fundraiser for the AAHPO, Dr. Raffy Hovanessian Medical Education Program. The AAHPO Board of Directors (BOD) issued this statement to donors regarding the program:

These are challenging times. The Armenian American Health Professionals Organization (AAHPO) has been providing hands-on and virtual training to Artsakh physicians since 2011. We are committed to continue to do so as these physicians transition to work in Armenia. The need for these physicians, particularly in rural areas of Armenia, has never been greater. Accordingly, it is vital that with your assistance, we work to retain their services within Armenia and reduce the risk of them leaving the country.

We stand in solidarity with their valiant, tireless efforts to provide medical care to our Artsakh brethren, often under difficult circumstances. It is with deep sadness that we view the magnitude of the humanitarian crises as the Artsakh population moves to Armenia.

We are grateful for their safe arrival to Armenia, and we will continue to work on their behalf, seeking solutions to the myriad of challenges posed by war, the blockade, and now the forced exodus from Artsakh. With the help of our donors, AAHPO’s proven expertise, the dedication of our members, and the special kinship we have developed with these refugee physicians over the last decade, our goal is to address their short- and long-term needs.

With your assistance, we will do all we can to maximize their opportunities to be successful in Armenia.

This is the time of our greatest need. Please give generously as we work together to give the gift of hope for a healthy future to those in need.

With gratitude for all you do to help our community.

Below are a few photos from the fundraising event.

TO SEE MORE PHOTOS, CLICK HERE AND SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW PHOTO GALLERY

There’s a winter storm brewing that promises to blanket the Northeast in heavy snow and dangerous amounts of ice. Preparing for the kinds of impacts we’re expecting isn’t just about stocking up on groceries and batteries. Here’s what you should (and shouldn’t) do.

Don’t just plan for power outages. Do plan for days of isolation
This storm is extreme, but even moderate winter storms can knock out electricity, especially when ice or heavy snow is involved. A battery-powered or hand-crank radio can provide weather updates if cell service and internet go down.

• Keep phones and power banks charged. Make sure flashlights, radios and extra batteries are easy to find.
• Refill prescriptions early. Make sure baby formula, diapers, pet food and medications are stocked. If anyone relies on powered medical equipment, have a backup plan in place before the storm.
• Pull out blankets, hats and warm layers now so you’re not scrambling later. Even short-lived storms can disrupt travel and services for days.

Don’t overfill your fridge. Do stock shelf-stable food and water
If the power goes out, refrigerated food won’t last long. Focus on pantry items that don’t require electricity, refrigeration or cooking.

You should aim for at least three days of food and water for everyone in your household, including pets. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends storing at least one gallon of water per day for each person in your household.

Your refrigerator will keep food safe for about four hours during a power outage, according to the US Department of Agriculture. A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours — but that time limit drops to 24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed.

Disposable plates, cups and flatware can be useful to have on hand, too, if you’re without power or water.

Read more preparation tips

Are You Too Old to Shovel Snow?

On Maternal Health Awareness Day, We Salute the AAHPO Maternal Health Experts

Today is the fifth annual Maternal Health Awareness Day observed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG ). This year, the theme is Holding Ground on Maternal Health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 80% of deaths during and after pregnancy are preventable.

Maternal health is a high priority for the AAHPO Board of Directors. Four members of the BOD are obstetricians or maternal health researchers: Lucy Tovmasian, MD, Lena Merjanian, MD, Kim Hekimian, PhD and Samuel Badalian, MD, PhD.

Lucy Tovmasian, MD

Lena Merjanian, MD

Kim Hekimian, PhD

Samuel Badalian, MD, PhD

We also Salute these AAHPO OB/GYNs: Hasmik Stepanyan, MD, Marine Sahakyan, MD

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Maternal Health Q&A from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

Q. Why is it important to eat healthy during pregnancy?
A. Eating well is one of the best things you can do during pregnancy. Healthy eating helps your fetus grow and keeps your body healthy throughout all the changes that pregnancy brings.

Q. What does it mean to eat healthy during pregnancy?
A. The popular saying is that when you’re pregnant, you should “eat for two,” but that doesn’t mean that you should eat twice your usual amount of food during pregnancy. Instead, you should aim to eat twice as healthy.

Q. How do I know if I’m eating healthy?
A. Eat fresh, whole foods if you can. Eat a variety of foods from the five food groups. Eat fewer foods that are high in saturated fat or sugar. Focus on getting the right amount of nutrients to support your fetus’s growth and your health.

Learn more about healthy eating during pregnancy

Learn more about other ways to stay healthy during pregnancy

Khoren Nalbandian, RPh

Pharmacists have always been integral to AAHPO. One of our founders was the late, great Khoren Nalbandian, RPh (photo at right), who served AAHPO and the Armenian community for decades.

On National Pharmacist Day, observed annually on January 12th, we honor the nearly 350,000 pharmacists in the United States who promote patient health by dispensing medications, advising patients, and providing health information and guidance in pharmacies, hospitals, and retail locations as well as non-patient-facing positions.

We are especially grateful for the hard work and dedication of the pharmacists who are AAHPO members. These highly skilled professionals leverage their knowledge and experience in a variety of roles and make a difference in the Armenian community every day.

Thank you, pharmacists, for your exceptional contributions and for your unwavering commitment to safeguarding patient health.

We Salute the AAHPO Pharmacists

Christine Atlas Yinlanjian, RPh
Christine Getzoyan, PharmD, RPh
Gail Varjabedian, RPh
Laura Der Marderosian Torcomian, RPh
Robert Kevorkian, RPh
Sonia Mardinian, MS, RPh
Tanya Torosian, RPh
Vatche Demirjian, PharmD

Have a Healthy New Year Celebration:
CDC Says Don’t Eat Raw Oysters

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning against eating raw oysters, as a multi-state Salmonella outbreak has been reported linked to the consumption of raw oysters. The highest number of illnesses were reported in New York and Pennsylvania, with illness reported in New Jersey as well. A total of 64 cases have been reported in 22 states, resulting in 20 hospitalizations.

Source: CDC

The CDC noted that eating cooked oysters is safe, as cooking destroys the bacteria. CDC offered these tips for cooks:

• Do not let raw seafood, its drippings, or its juices contaminate other foods.
• You cannot tell if an oyster has germs by looking at it.
• Hot sauce and lemon juice do not kill germs.

Cooking methods include cooking oysters in the shells until they open (discard oysters that do not open) or outside the shells, to an internal temperature of 145 deg. F.

Symptoms of Salmonella

• Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
• Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.
• Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days.
• Some people—especially children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems—may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.

Read the CDC Warning

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Preventing Food Poisoning

Source: CDC

Some foods are more likely than others to contain germs that can make you sick.

To prevent food poisoning, follow the four steps to food safety: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. Keep hands and surfaces clean, keep risky foods separate from other foods, cook food properly, and refrigerate promptly. If a food is recalled, throw it away.

Some foods are more likely to contain harmful germs, including:

• Raw or undercooked poultry, meat, seafood, or eggs
• Raw or undercooked sprouts
• Unwashed fruits and vegetables
• Cut melon
• Unpasteurized milk, juice, cider, or soft cheese
• Raw dough or raw batter made with uncooked flour

Learn more from the CDC