PRESS OFFICE
Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
June 6, 2008
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FAR VICE CHAIR ANNETTE CHOOLFAIAN RECEIVES ELLIS ISLAND MEDAL OF HONOR
Healthcare Expert and Humanitarian Recognized for Lasting Contribution
for America and Armenia
NEW YORK, NY — Annette Choolfaian R.N., M.P.H., a respected medical
professional and Vice Chair of the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR)
board was awarded the 2008 Ellis Island Medal of Honor in recognition
of her contribution to the American healthcare system and her
significant humanitarian efforts to build a better future for the
people of Armenia.
Established in 1986 by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations
(NECO), the Ellis Island Medals of Honor pay tribute to American
citizens of diverse ethnic origins for their outstanding contributions
to their communities, their nation and the world.
"I am deeply honored to receive this award and accept it in honor of
my parents who struggled to come to this country and worked so hard to
build a good life for their family. They instilled in me the
importance of helping others and encouraged me to give back in
whatever way possible. If I have been able to make a difference, it is
because of their love, nurturing and support."
Ms. Choolfaian, who resides in Fort Lee, New Jersey and East Hampton,
New York, has made her mark in healthcare as a nurse, health policy
expert and hospital administrator over the course of a meaningful
40-year career. Currently, she serves as professor and chair of the
Health Policy and Management Department at the New York Medical
College School of Public Health.
A main focus of her career has been to improve access and quality of
health care for all Americans, particularly the underserved. It is a
passion she has taken to Armenia, where through more than a decade of
volunteer service with FAR, she has developed numerous programs to
improve the quality of the healthcare and medical education in this
nascent independent country.
"Annette is one of the greatest leaders of FAR," said FAR Chairman
Randy Sapah-Gulian. "Her role as an experienced professional and
public health manager has been instrumental in designing and seeing
through almost every FAR project, especially healthcare-related
projects. Throughout both her professional life and her volunteer
work with FAR, she has shown a commitment to help others lead
healthier, happier lives."
Ms. Choolfaian was instrumental in conceiving and building FAR’s
Homeless Children’s Center in Armenia. Under her leadership, the
Homeless Children’s Center has grown to become the leading child
protection institution in Armenia – offering a modern foster care
system and providing programs that enable at-risk families to remain
together. Ms. Choolfaian also has designed and implemented fellowship
programs for senior members of the Armenian Ministry of Health and
other healthcare managers, allowing them to gain access to the latest
medical practices and techniques.
"She is truly a visionary, who can see the importance of FAR’s
evolving mission in providing assistance to the people of Armenia,"
said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America and President of FAR. "She is, indeed,
a highly respected healthcare professional, but, more importantly, a
selfless giver of her time, talent, and treasure. She is a loyal to
the FAR family and I know that with committed volunteer leaders such
as Annette Choolfaian, Armenia will grow stronger."
"After the earthquake in Armenia I realized that the preservation of
Armenia’s people, language, culture and history was critical," said
Ms. Choolfaian. "Our brothers and sisters were struggling to maintain
their independence and I felt a responsibility to help them achieve a
strong and healthy society. FAR was an organization that was doing
this and it had leadership and vision that I respected. I joined them
in their efforts with great pride and admiration."
In addition to working with FAR, Ms. Choolfaian serves as a member of
the international advisory committee for Yerevan State Medical
University and also been an advisor to The Armenia Fund USA on the
development of a primary care clinic in Ngorno – Karabagh as well as
an advisor and reviewer for several USAID projects in Armenia.
Each year the Ellis Island Medal of Honor ceremony celebrates the
immigrant experience on Ellis Island, through which millions of
immigrants passed on their way to a new life in America. This year’s
event took place on May 10 amid pomp and circumstance that included
fireworks, military musical groups and presentation of the colors. To
date, approximately 1,000 American citizens have received Ellis Island
Medals of Honor, including six U.S. Presidents, U.S. Supreme Court
Justices, members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of
Representatives, Nobel Prize winners, military heroes, athletes,
artists and leaders of industry. Other prominent recipients include
Muhammad Ali, Bob Hope and Rosa Parks.
For more information about the Fund for Armenian Relief visit
For more information about the Ellis Island Medal of Honor visit
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Email photo available on request.
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) Board Member
Annette Choolfaian honored with Ellis Island Medal of Honor for work
in helping Armenia.