VOA Dari

On June 20th, the Ethiopian Community Development Council, Inc, on World Refugee Day, presented a movie screen and panel discussion about the Afghan refugee experience. AMPAA volunteers Mariam Barak and Waheeda Abbasi were part of a panel discussing their experience in Greece helping Afghan refugees.

Photos from Afghan Medical Professionals Association of America's post

Dr. Sayed Shinwari along with the Afghan Health Minister Dr. Feroz and USAID Administrator Larry Sampler took part in a panel discussion about the first ever Demographic and Health Survey. Video can be seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsYekNTr388

"In the days following the mass shooting in Orlando, we've worked to bring together over 30 Afghan organizations, groups and businesses to sign this official statement on the Orlando tragedy. I have never seen so much unity on one issue. If you would like your Afghan organization, business, or group to be listed as a signatory, please let us know. We can send you the letter that you can sign electronically. We would like the Mayor of Orlando and the rest of the world know that the Afghan-American community stands together with the LGBTQ community. Subject: AFGHAN-AMERICANS ON ORLANDO Date: JUNE 15, 2016 The Afghan-American community would like to extend its deepest condolences and sincere prayers for those affected by the recent attacks in Orlando, Florida. The attack on attendees of Pulse Nightclub was a reminder of the ubiquitous nature of evil, indiscriminate in its employment of violence. The Afghan community here in the United States unequivocally rejects the means of dehumanization and hate which informed the actions of the shooter. We maintain our steadfast resolve to oppose injustice, encourage understanding, and contribute to a society based on the foundations of empathy and respect for human life. Afghan-Americans are no strangers to the consequences of intolerance and terror. The same hate and misunderstanding tragically manifested in Orlando this weekend has long riddled Afghanistan and taken the lives of countless innocents. It is this pattern of perpetual violence, both here and abroad, that provides the backdrop for solidarity across all victimized communities. There is no single response that is going to suffice in responding to this heinous crime. Afghans are not a uniform and homogenous community, we share the same diversity of lifestyle and opinion found within any nation of people. We are a community of many different faiths and belief systems. Nonetheless, Afghan-Americans do all share two important things: our Afghan heritage and our American values. Therefore, we are here to affirm our support for the city of Orlando and the LGBTQ community, which includes Afghan-Americans as well. And most importantly, we would like to express our rejection of choosing hate and violence in lieu of dialogue and understanding. Our interwoven identities as Afghans and Americans are not paradoxical, but instead offer a nuanced understanding of what it means to be an American. A society only willing to see individuals as black or white, Muslim or non-Muslim, LGBTQ or straight, ignores the vast range of experiences that fills the space between those labels. As a country we must be willing to judge individuals based on their actions, not just on the basis of the connotations we personally assign to their faith or ethnicity. Afghan-Americans ask that our patriotism not be questioned on the basis of one man and that our ethnicity not be ridiculed and demonized. The same hysteria that led to such violence should instead inspire us all to stand together in solidarity with the victims of the LGBTQ community. Here is a list of some of our signatories: Alliance in Support of the Afghan People - ASAP, Afghan Arts and Culture Festival, Afghan Medical Professionals Association of America, Lapis, Women for Afghan Women, AfgHoops ForHope, HEEDA.org, Zam Zam Water, Homaira Rahman Foundation (HRF), The Children of War, Afghan Relief Fund, Afghan Coalition, GMU Afghan Student Union, Afghan Academy, TriVision, Afghan Support Center, Law Office of Spojmie Nasiri, Afghan American Youth Association of DC Metro, Pendar Education Network, Afghan-American Community Outreach Mustafa Center Afghan Education for a Better Tomorrow(AEBT) Afghan American Business Association"

A Good Diagnosis for Afghanistan: Strengthening Afghanistan’s Health Sector

Please join us on June 23rd at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, DC for a panel discussion of Afghanistan's health sector. Panelists include AMPAA's President Dr. Sayed Shinwari, Afghan Health Minister Ferozudin Feroz and USAID Administrator to Afghanistan & Pakistan Office Larry Sampler. For questions email ampaa.usa@gmail.com. RSVP at the site listed below https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/good-diagnosis-for-afghanistan-strengthening-afghanistans-health-sector

Kalyann

Dr. Zohal Hamidi presented AMPAA's medical trip in Greece to INOVA Fairfax Campus and to the School of Pharmacy students via teleconference located in Richmond, VA on April 21st, 2016.

Photos from Afghan Medical Professionals Association of America's post

14 AMPAA volunteers traveled to Lesvos, Greece from Washington, DC to provide care to thousands of patients from February 19th until March 5th, 2016. Over $13,000 was raised by generous donations from AMPAA members, family and friends. For questions regarding the trip email ampaa.usa@gmail.com

Afghan Medical professionals go to Greece to assist with the European refugee crisis » Humanity...

One of AMPAA's volunteers, Marjan, has been featured in an article regarding the Greece Medical Trip. AMPAA is proud to have young motivated Afghans taking part in such missions. Congrats Marjan!! http://www.humanityhelpingsudanproject.org/index.php?p=1_1&nid=25

Happy New Year to all AMPAA members and friends! On Behalf of AMPAA’s officers and Board of Directors, we wish you and your families a year full of joy and happiness. May the New Year bring you greater heights of success and prosperity.

Global Health Learning Opportunities (GHLO®) for Staff - Services - AAMC

Salaam AMPAA Members & Friends, Hope this email finds you well. The following are updates for February 2016: AMPAA Volunteer Medical Trip to Greece: Feburary 19, 2016 - March 5, 2016 AMPAA will lead a group of young professionals including Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses and Physician Assistants to help the refugees arriving in Greece. An estimated 40% of refugees arriving on rafts are Afghans. Volunteers are needed to not only translate but to provide medical assistance. 15 people have confirmed to go so far including Physicians, Nurses, Physician Assistant, and Pharmacist. Thank you to Dr. Homaira Behsudi and Dr. Haroon Azim for donating medical supplies for the trip. Please support the cause by visiting ampaa.org or using this link: Donate Here: https://www.gofundme.com/hqemvexk Afghan-American Conference: UCLA Law School March 25, 2016 - 27, 2016 AMPAA is proud to announce it will be the fiscal sponsor of the AAC Conference in Los Angelos, California. It is the largest gathering of the Afghan-American youth with over 300 people in attendance. The mission of the conference is to provide the diaspora a platform for discussion. Please visit afghanamericanconference.org for more information. Spaces are limited. Afghan Ministry of Public Health: AMPAA has signed an Agreement of collaboration with Afghan Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) on 23rd of August 2015. The agreement will allow AMPAA to conduct its projects and programs in collaboration and coordination with MoPH in Afghanistan. As a first step, the MoPH has provided a guesthouse in Jamhuriat Hospital in Kabul for Afghan and non-Afghan medical professionals who wish to travel temporarily to Afghanistan for the purpose of assisting the Afghan health sector. The guesthouse is free for medical professionals who wish to assist the Afghan Health System through direct health care delivery or educational programs. The guesthouse is located in the most secured area in the centre of Kabul. It is near the Ministry of Interior, old Prime Minister Office and Wolayat (the Governorate). The guesthouse is near the major shopping centers including some very fine restaurants. Please see flyer attached. First EVER Afghan Medical School Exchange Program: AMPAA has initiated a partnership with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). We met with the lead coordinator in the Washington DC headquarters. The Association has an international program called Global Health Learning Opportunities (GHLO). The program provides the opportunity for more than seventy countries throughout the world to exchange their medical students with each other. We have targeted 6 universities in Afghanistan as members of this program. AMPAA is thrilled to announce it has signed the first school to participate from Kandahar, Afghanistan with the great help and support from MoPH. This will be the first and only medical school exchange program in Afghanistan. For more information please visit the website: GHLO Link: https://www.aamc.org/services/ghlo/ Up-Coming Events: Annual Healthcare Law & Compliance Boot Camp of Great Washington DC: February 20, 2016 9am-3pm George Washington Law School Complimentary event for healthcare providers. Please see attached pdf. Kaplan Washington DC USMLE Free Events January & February: Register: http://www.formstack.com/forms/?1605704-HlQ9LJO3UQ International Association of Asian Studies (IAAS) presents Traditional Chinese Medicine Conference (June 10-19, 2016) and Traditional Indian Medicine Conference (July 16-27, 2016). Visit naaas.org for more information. AMPAA has mailed all tax receipts to members who have paid for 2015. If you have not received your tax receipt please email us. We are also currently seeking donations for our programs for the year. To donate, please visit our website and use the paypal link.

Click here to support Greece Refugee Fundraiser by Afghan Medical Professionals

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far! A group of 12 volunteers including Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacist, Physician's Assistant from the Washington, DC area will be traveling to Greece in the end of Feb to help in Lesvos. Please support our cause by donating to the campaign. https://www.gofundme.com/hqemvexk

Timeline Photos

On Tuesday January 19th, AMPAA had the honor of meeting with the Afghan Ambassador, His Excellency Dr. Mohib in Washington, DC. The purpose for the meeting was an introduction between the new ambassador and AMPAA's leadership. Representatives from AMPAA included AMPAA's president Dr. Sayed Alam Shinwari and AMPAA members of Board of Directors Dr. Ghulam Dastageer and Homaira Gardizi. After learning about AMPAA's achievements and current projects, Dr. Mohib expressed his full support from AMPAA and asked AMPAA to help the embassy with their future events/meetings where health related technical support is required.

Photos from Afghan Medical Professionals Association of America's post

On Thursday January 14th, AMPAA was able to help initiate a collaborative effort by the Afghan Ambassador, His Excellency Dr. Mohib and the Afghan Nonprofit Community in the Washington, DC area. More than 45 nonprofits and 150 people attended the event at the Afghan Embassy. One of the speakers included AMPAA's Board Member Zohal Hamidi. For more information or if you wish join the effort of unifying nonprofits in the Washington, DC area please email ampaa.usa@gmail.com