The mission of AIM Fund is to create and maintain innovative health care programs in Armenia and be the health care provider of choice in the Caucasus.
Based on the health care needs of the people of Armenia, AIM Fund will establish world class services with dedicated multidisciplinary professionals and cutting edge technology, including the Armenian International Ear Center, Otology Fellowship Program, state of the art simulated e-learning center, Neurosurgery Services and a Medical Student Exchange program.
Since 2004, 44 children and young adults have undergone successful cochlear implant surgeries. As a result Armenia has become the Regional Center for cochlear implants in Caucasus and is second only to Russia in providing these services. In June 2008, Armenia’s government recognized this project as one of the innovative government supported health care programs in the country. AIM Fund is operated solely by volunteers from the United States and Armenia. In 2010, International Ear Center was opened and began Otology Fellowship Program under the medical direction of Dr. Akira Ishiyama (USA) and Dr. Arthur Shukuryan (Armenia).
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AIM Fund History
1999 |
| March |
Consultation for a child referred by ARS (Sevak Avagyan, MD) Salpy met with UCLA team about the ARS referral |
| May |
Dr. Ishiyama received the invitation letter from Erebouni MC
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2002 |
| March |
Support letter to Dr. Ishiyama from MoH of Armenia (Mkertchian) |
| May |
Met with Janet Aslanian Memorial Scholarship Fund director-Vram Aslanian (First financial supporter) |
| August |
Started receiving reports/tests from Armenia on ENT patients
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2003 |
| March |
2 Armenian MDs received training at UCLA: Drs. Artur Shukuryan and Vigen Bagkshinyan
First formal meeting with Consul General and his wife for the cochlear project (UCLA, community, Armenia representative, news media) |
| May |
Dr. Shukuryan received $5,000 from President of Armenia
Armenian International Medical Fund was formed-suggested by Sam Madikians-Major Donor |
| May 28 |
The first AIM Fund board meeting |
| June |
US Ambassador and USAID Mission director were informed about the project during their visit to UCLA MC and fully supportive.
Auditory Brain Response (ABR) machine was purchased and taken to Armenia-the first in Armenia.
Met with First Lady of Armenia-Dr. Bella Kocharyan and informed her about the project TV interviews about the project in Armenia |
| August |
First fund raising-Miele showroom
By-Laws drafted for AIM fund
First article about AIM fund published |
| September |
First visit to Armenia by Stanton Jones, MS (audiologist at UCLA)
First TV appearance for the AIM fund in LA
TV appearance in Armenia (Stanton Jones, Armenia MDs)
Wine and Cheese-Fund Raising Event |
| October |
8 hearing aides were sent to Armenia |
| November |
Invitation letter from Minister of Health of Armenia (Davidian) to begin the project in Armenia.
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2004 |
March |
Purchased one crucial piece of equip: Neurofacial monitor
Provided hearing aids for a better price
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March 14-16
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Performed cochlear implant surgeries- first time in Armenia
Three children had surgeries: 2, 3 and 4 year olds
Paid for the 2 year old’s cochlear implant device-$12,000
Armenia became the Regional Center for Cochlear Implant Surgeries.
1st Medical Mission-3 young children were implanted
Medical Team
Dr. Akira Ishiyama (US)
Dr. Denise Parker (US)
Stanton Jones, MS (US)
Diane Sennott, RN (US)
Salpy Akaragian, RN-BC, MN, FIAN (US)
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| April 5 |
“Switch on” took place in Armenia. –all three children are hearing and began saying words. |
| May 23 |
First Gala Dinner Fund Raising Event.
Medical Team was honored. Received recognitions from Armenian & American dignitaries and organizations.
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| November |
Salpy Akaragian met with Monika Leinhardt (Cochlear implant co. rep) & discussed future plans in Armenia & chose the potential candidates for implants. |
Nov. 11-18
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2nd Medical Mission- Implanted three young children and one 22 year old
Medical Team
Dr. Akira Ishiyama (US)
Dr. Jordan Miller (US)
Diane Sennott, RN (US)
Foundation paid (part) for the device of 1 child & a community member paid for the second child’s implant. |
| December. 11 |
Fund Raising at “W” Hotel
Speaker: Dr. Garo Kassabian-Plastic Surgeon |
| December. 16 |
“Switch on” took place for 3 children and one adult
Honorary Chair: Dr. Marina Kirakossian present
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2005 |
| Jan.16 |
Salpy Akaragian met with 7 cochlear implant candidates and
Families and discussed future plans.
Met with Nani Oskanyan, MD (wife of Minister of Foreign Relations)
& discussed a fund raising event in Armenia to take place in June 2005. |
June 27-19
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3rd Medical Mission- 5 children an 1 adolescent were implanted.
Medical Team
Dr. Akira Ishiyama (US)
Salpy Akaragian, RN-BC, MN, FIAN (US) |
| June 24 |
2nd Gala dinner raised funds for the implants, travel expenses & for
speech therapy |
| November. 20 |
Fund Raising Art Show Event
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2006 |
| January 8 |
Fund raising at Roubik Ovanessian Residence |
| June |
Meeting with Deputy MoH in Armenia-Salpy Akaragian
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2007 |
| April |
TV interview-Dr. Sarafian and Salpy Akaragian |
| November |
Fashion Show-Fund Raising Event
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2008 |
| January |
Neonatal Hearing Screening Started by Erebouni and Children’s Hospital in Yerevan, Armenia
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| June |
4th Medical Mission- 6 children were implanted
Medical Team
Dr. Akira Ishiyama (US)
Salpy Akaragian, RN-BC, MN, FIAN
(US)
Don Kawachi-Stryker contractor to UCLA (US)
Arthur Shukuryan, MD (Armenia)
Vigen Baghshinyan, MD (Armenia)
The Government of Armenia recognized the project as one of the innovative health care projects in Armenia.
Met with Prime Minister-Armen Sarkisyan (Dr. Ishiyama, Salpy
Akaragian, Minister of Health-Dr. Artum Kushkyan, Don Kawachi, Dr. Arthur
Shukuryan) Started National Neonatal Screening in Armenia |
| December |
5th Medical Mission- 8 children were implanted
Medical Team
Dr. Akira Ishiyama (US)
Salpy Akaragian, RN-BC, MN, FIAN (US)
Don Kawachi-Stryker contractor to UCLA (US)
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2009 |
| June |
3rd Gala Dinner-Fund Raising Event |
| November |
6th Medical Mission- 8 children were implanted
Medical Team
Dr. Akira Ishiyama (US)
Salpy Akaragian, RN-BC, MN, FIAN (US)
Don Kawachi-Stryker contractor to UCLA (US)
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2010 |
| March |
Tea Event-Fund Raising |
| June |
4th Gala Dinner-Fund Raising Event |
| November |
Fashion Show-Fund Raising Event |
| November |
7th Medical Mission-8 children were implanted & an additional Surgery
Medical Team
Dr. Akira Ishiyama (US)
Salpy Akaragian, RN-BC, MN, FIAN (US)
Don Kawachi-Stryker contractor to UCLA (US)
Alison Grimes(US)-Director for Audiology at UCLA
Opened Armenian International Ear Center at Erebouni MC
Major Donors
Minister of Health- Dr. Artium Kushkyan
Garo & Kathy Mardirossian
Esqs. & Stryker (Don Kawachi)
Future fellows were interviewed and tested
Audiology Conference was held: presentations by Salpy Akaragian, Alison Grimes and by Armenian Medical Team Members
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Establish Armenian National Ear Center |
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2011 |
| February |
8th Medical Mission-2 children were implanted & additional Surgery
Medical Team
Dr. Akira Ishiyama (US)
Salpy Akaragian, RN-BC, MN, FIAN (US)
The first Otology Fellow is selected: Dr. Gayane Sargsyan |
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