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

As snow blanketed the tri-state region and the Northeastern U.S. this week, 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.

This Friday, November 21, please join AAHPO for a Medical Forum on Dental and Orthodontic Care for Women and Children at 7:00 PM at St. Thomas Armenian Church, Tenafly, NJ. Meet the AAHPO Experts who will provide presentations and answer your questions.

Dr. Natalie Capan has been an ABO-Board Certified Orthodontist for the last 25 years in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. She received her education at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School and Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Capan completed Orthodontic Residency at Columbia University School of Dental Medicine. She is passionate about orthodontic treatment in children and adults with a special focus in benefits of early treatment to modify growth in order to provide more esthetic, stable and functional results at the end of orthodontic treatment. She has been a part of the St. Thomas Armenian Church community since her family moved into the area in 1976. She met her husband at St. Thomas and has raised her 3 boys – Shant, Garo and Saro in this church community. She will speak on:
“The Importance of Early Orthodontic Treatment in Children Ages 7-11.”

Dr. Gary Dadaian is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, the Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dentistry and the Medical/Dental Residency Program at Overlook Hospital in Summit, N.J. He was appointed as a clinical professor at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and is a member of the Medical Staff at Englewood Hospital. Locally he is the past president of the Cresskill Board of Health where he still maintains a private practice. His lectures have been presented to dental students and dental hospital residents here and in Europe and is a proud member of the Armenian community. Dr. Dadian will speak on:
“Medicine and Dentistry for Women for the Expecting Mother through Adulthood.”

Many thanks to AAHPO’s partner, Englewood Hospital, and our host, the St. Thomas Church Cultural Committee. Go to EVENT PAGE for more details and to reserve your spot.

Graduate students matriculating in any healthcare discipline are invited to apply for the AAHPO Najarian Family Scholarship. Established in 2019 by the Lawrence and Magda Najarian Family, the scholarship honors their parents, Mary and Vahan Najarian and Freda and Gagiuk Hovakimian, MD, PhD. The scholarship benefits students matriculating in a graduate program related to the healthcare sciences with an award of $2,500. The deadline for application is December 1, 2025 and the scholarship recipient will be announced on January 18, 2026 at the AAHPO Service Awards.

CONTACT AAHPO TO APPLY

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Meet an AAHPO Najarian Family Scholarship Winner

Christopher Markosian, PhD was awarded the 2024 AAHPO Najarian Family Scholarship. He is a matriculating medical student at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (highest honors, summa cum laude) from Rutgers University, Christopher served as an English instructor at Yerevan State Medical University in Armenia as part of the Fulbright US Student Program.

Following his return to the United States in 2019, he began his graduate studies in the MD-PhD program at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Christopher recently earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences in 2024 after defending his thesis, entitled “Target Discovery in Non-Human Primates with Hereditary Colon Cancer.” His work has been featured in over 30 publications in several prestigious journals.

Persisting Pandemics was authored by Powel H. Kazanjian, MD, PhD, a professor emeritus at the University of Michigan Medical School and School of Public Health. The book explores the history of syphilis and AIDS to provide insights into the limits of biomedicine and our experience with epidemics today. The need for a public health approach to address mistrust in science, government indifference, and racial inequalities is relevant for strategies to eliminate COVID-19 today.

To learn more or to order the book

“Soul on Fire” is a movie to be released nationwide on October 10. This is based on a remarkable and true story involving a famous plastic surgeon, Dr. Vatche Aivazian, a graduate of American University of Beirut Medical School.

“Dr. Aivazian was a dear classmate of my late husband, Dr. Raffy Hovanessian,” noted Vicki Shoghag Hovanessian, who serves as Cultural Advisor to the Embassy if Republic if Armenia to the United States. The late, great Dr. Hovanessian founded the AAHPO – Dr. Raffy Hovanessian Medical Education Program.

In “Soul on Fire,” Dr. Aivazian’s name is changed to Dr. Kendrick Khachikian, and he portrays an Armenian-American plastic surgeon who is living in Lebanon

The true story happened in 2006. While working in a makeshift clinic in Lebanon, Dr. Aivazian treated John O’Leary, an American photojournalist who had been severely burned in a roadside bombing during a conflict. The burns were incredibly extensive and complex, requiring a level of skill and dedication that was rarely seen.

The burns were deeply embedded and required. multiple surgeries, complex skin grafting, and constant immaculate care to prevent infection

Dr. Aivazian and his team worked tirelessly, often operating over 24 hours at a time, to save O’Leary’s life. The situation was very difficult, with limited resources and at high risk for complications.

The title “Soul on Fire” reflects the immense emotional and physical toll the operation took on Dr. Aivazian – the intensity of his dedication and the personal sacrifice he made. It’s also a reference to the intense physical suffering of John O’Leary.

Learn more about “Soul on Fire”

AAHPO extends sincere congratulations to Dr. Ara Tekian, PhD, MHPE for his upcoming investiture as the Dr. Georges Bordage Professor of Medical Education at University of Illinois College of Medicine.

Dr. Ara Tekian

Dr. Tekian is collaborating with AAHPO Board Members John Bilezikian, MD, PhD and Samuel Badalian, MD, PhD to renew the directive of the AAHPO-Dr. Raffy Hovanessian Medical Education Program.

Dr. Tekian is an internationally recognized scholar and leader in health professions education. He organized and conducted over 300 workshops in more than 45 countries and 60 cities, as well as presented over 250 keynote addresses nationally and internationally. He has over 150 peer-reviewed publications and is the Principal Investigator of 15 research and training grants totaling over 5 million U.S. Dollars. His consultations and workshops have focused on curriculum development, assessment, program evaluation, simulations, and international medical education. His scholarship in health professions education is reflection in publications in the premiere medical education journals.

Currently, Dr. Tekian is Professor at University of Illinois College of Medicine, as well as Director of International Affairs at the Department of Medical Education (DME), and the Associate Dean for the Office of International Education. He joined DME in 1992 and is involved in both teaching courses offered in the Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE) program and advising graduate students.

Prior to joining DME, he was the founding Director of the first Medical Education Department in Saudi Arabia, at King Saud University, College of Medicine in Riyadh (1983 – 1990). He served during the 80s and 90s as a consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) for projects in the Division of Development of Human Resources for Health. He also served as consultant to the Ministries of Health and Education in most of the Eastern Mediterranean countries. Dr. Tekian established several medical education departments/ units in the Eastern Mediterranean countries.

A donation of more than 32,000 toothbrushes has reached Armenia and is being distributed to Armenians through a number of charities, including Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), Armenian International Dental Association, Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), Children of Armenia Fund (CAF), Fund for Armenia Relief (FAR), and Knights of Vartan (see photo of a child in Armenia displaying some of the donated toothbrushes). The donation was received by AAHPO through President Lawrence V. Najarian, MD, and AAHPO facilitated the shipment of the donation.

“AAHPO will be forever indebted for this gift, which will have a positive impact on Armenian people through needed, improved dental hygiene,” Dr. Najarian said.

“Oral health and dental care is directly linked to overall general health and well being. The link between periodontal health (gum disease) and heart disease has been known for years. Inflammation has been recognized as a common denominator in many diseases. There is a link between inflammation in the oral cavity and Cardiovascular disease, Stroke, Diabetes, Endocarditis, GI health, Rheumatoid arthritis as well as Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia,” noted AAHPO Treasurer Joyce Kurdian, DMD, who owns a private practice, Ridge Family Dentistry in Basking Ridge, NJ.

Dr. Kurdian added: “Oral care including toothbrushing is a simple way to help reduce inflammation in the mouth. In many areas of rural Armenia access to simple tools such as toothbrushes or floss is limited, which makes this donation so much more impactful. We are grateful for this very thoughtful donation.”

The donors of the toothbrushes are patients of Dr. Najarian, and have asked to remain anonymous. The toothbrush manufacturer intended to discard the toothbrushes because the packaging was mislabeled. The toothbrushes themselves are not defective.

When Dr. Najarian agreed to receive the donation on behalf of AAHPO, the donors made multiple trips in the sweltering summer weather to Dr. Najarian’s Bedminster office to deliver 111 cases of toothbrushes.

“I want to personally thank these anonymous donors for impacting the health trajectory of Armenian people, and making the world a healthier place,” Dr. Najarian said.

The donors were aware of Dr. Najarian’s connection to AAHPO. Dr. Najarian observed that any person who is involved with a charitable cause should make this connection known to others, as donations can come from unexpected places; “The funny thing about philanthropy is that it inspires more philanthropy. You never know when you might become part of a larger cycle of giving that impacts many people far beyond your immediate circle of influence. Helping others who are less fortunate is very rewarding.”

He added that members of the Armenian community and the local community are invited to support improved health care by participating in the Seventh Annual Run/Walk for Charity on November 4. The event raises funds to assist AAHPO’s Mission to provide medical support and education to local communities and Armenia.

Please donate directly to AAHPO to support our mission to assist Armenians here and in Armenia.

Imagine that you are a 45-year-old pediatrician who has spent your life caring for children with warmth, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to their well-being. Now imagine being forced to flee your clinic and your home, abandoning the life you have so treasured, thankful just to be alive with your partner and children in a new country.

This is the reality of Dr. Margarita Hasratyan, who with hundreds of other physicians and more than 120,000 other ethnic Armenians were forced to flee Artsakh in September 2023 – literally with only the shirts on their backs. Although grateful to find safe harbor in Armenia, Dr. Hasratyan faced formidable challenges.

“After we were displaced, my family was living in a rented house, barely making ends meet. My husband and I had no income, and we had two children to support,” Dr. Hasratyan remembered.

Dr. Hasratyan was not able to work because she lacked the credentials required by the Ministry of Health of Armenia. Fortunately, Dr. Hasratyan had connected previously with the AAHPO-Dr. Raffy Hovanessian Medical Education Program (Med Ed Program) which stood ready to assist the Artsakh physicians as they resettled in Armenia.

Because the Med Ed Program had already worked with 80% of the physicians in Artsakh, it had on file the information physicians needed to apply for credentialing. The Med Ed Program team in Armenia, led by Hambardzum Simonyan, MD, MPH, also leapt into action to provide any additional training or networking that was needed to assimilate the Artsakh physicians into the Armenian health care system. Along with assisting the physicians, the Med Ed Program helped to prevent a ‘brain-drain’ of physicians leaving Armenia to find employment elsewhere

“When crisis forced physicians from Artsakh to leave everything behind, the Med Ed Program gave them a way forward—transforming despair into resilience and safeguarding Armenia’s future in health care,” said AAHPO Board Member and distinguished medical expert Samuel Badalian, MD, PhD.

Dr. Hasratyan is just one example of the 359 physicians who, while practicing in Artsakh, received grants to travel to Yerevan for Continuing Medical Education (CME) that updated their skills and enhanced their medical knowledge, which no doubt saved lives.

Since 2023, when the physicians were forced to flee Artsakh, the program has nimbly shifted its focus from providing CME to becoming a professional lifeline for these physicians in Armenia. The Med Ed Program enabled the physicians to work and reside in Armenia.

“If it weren’t for the Med Ed Program, I wouldn’t be working right now,” said Dr. Hasratyan. “The support came at a time when we desperately needed it. Without the Med Ed Program, I truly don’t know where my family would be.” She also expressed gratitude for being enabled to provide health care to Armenian children (photo at right with patient).

AAHPO Board Member, medical researcher and educator John P. Bilezikian, MD, PhD noted: “It is hard to imagine the reality of these physicians and their families forced to leave behind, literally at a moment’s notice, a lifetime of work and family life in Artsakh to a warmly welcoming but utterly new environment. How this transformation occurred so quickly and successfully is a testament to the ability of the AAHPO-Dr. Raffy Hovanessian Medical Education Program to make possible a brighter future for our colleagues.”

Due to the resounding success of this program and the assimilation of these physicians into the Armenian health care system, plans are under active consideration to expand the scope of their educational opportunities. These plans will be announced in November at a fundraiser for the AAHPO-Dr. Raffy Hovanessian Medical Education Program.

“We are so grateful to the late, great Dr. Raffy Hovanessian for conceiving this program that has taken on a life of its own to impact the Armenian community in ways never anticipated,” said AAHPO President Lawrence V. Najarian, MD. “It is a great collaboration of Armenian health care providers as well as donors who have supported the program for 14 years. The Med-Ed Program has exceeded all expectations.”

Click Here to Read Comprehensive Update on Med Ed Program

AAHPO wishes to thank all who attended the May 9 dinner and lecture by Archpriest Fr. Nareg Terterian, who spoke on “Empathy in Action: Counseling Techniques for Managing Depression & Anxiety.” Along with being the pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, Douglaston, NY, Fr. Tertrian holds a M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

Objectives for the lecture.

AAHPO Board Member Arthur Kubikian, DDS, introduces Archpriest Fr. Terterian.

Archpriest Fr. Terterian shares guidance with AAHPO health care professionals.

Archpriest Fr. Terterian (seated, third from left) with AAHPO Board Members, members and spouses who attended the event at Sevan Restaurant.