As health care professionals, AAHPO leadership is focused on the health care needs created by this humanitarian crisis. Since 2011, AAHPO has had a special relationship with physicians from Artsakh, who have been trained within the AAHPO, Dr. Raffy Hovanessian Medical Education Program. As these same physicians have been forcibly displaced themselves, AAHPO pledges its support to these physicians. Below, we are sharing an update on AAHPO Team efforts to assist physicians in Artsakh and Artsakh refugees:

• AAHPO’s platform facilitated the identification of supplies needed by the burn center in Armenia, as well as their purchase, delivery, and fundraising for approximately $10,000 worth of supplies. Special thanks to Raffi Barsoumian, MD, who did this almost single-handedly. This is an amazing effort to which we are indebted.
• AAHPO Board Member Kim Hekimian, PhD, is organizing a triage effort to assist Artsakh refugee women who are pregnant. Dr. Hekimian estimates that we will need to raise approximately $10,000 for this project.
• We have initiated the process for AAHPO to become a tax-exempt vendor for the medical supply company, McKesson. This effort should enable AAHPO to facilitate the purchase of point of care Hemoglobin measures and possibly other urgently needed supplies as the Armenia situation unfolds.
• AAHPO’s letter of solidarity with the Artsakh health care provider refugees has been sent to them in both Armenian and English. A survey of their needs is to go out shortly. Special thanks to Dr. Hambardzum Simonyan, Program Director in Armenia, for his assistance in this effort.
• The AAHPO, Dr. Raffy Hovanessian Medical Education Program fundraising event is scheduled for November 4 (see article, below). Special thanks to our Co-chairs for contributing to this event. They include but are not limited to: Seta Nalbandian, Shoghag Hovanessian, Dr. Aram & Rima Cazazian, Dr. John & Dr. Sophie Bilezikian, Dr. Joyce Kurdian, and Dr. Lawrence V. and Magda Najarian.