Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of the Armenian International Medical Fund (AIM Fund)?
The purpose of the AIM Fund is to create, implement, and maintain innovative health care projects in Armenia with the intention of making the country the most important health care leader inthe Region.

What are the innovative projects AIM Fund has established in Armenia?
AIM Fund has been providing Cochlear implant surgeries, Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) surgeries (to correct hearing impairment), simulated temporal bone drilling, neonatal hearing screening, and a special UCLA-ArmGenia project.

What are Cochlear implants and BAHA surgeries, and who needs them?
Children and adults who are born with profound hearing loss (stage IV deafness) who can benefit from cochlear implant devices. BAHA is for children who have some hearing.

How many children/adults have received cochlear implants and BAHAs?
As of January 1, 2022, 180 children and young adults have received a cochlear implant or a BAHA device or are supported by the AIM Fund.

What is the cost of a cochlear implant device, surgery, and rehabilitation?
The special discounted price of an implant is about $18,000 and was negotiated only for AIM Fund in recognition of the volunteer professional services contributed by Drs. Akira Ishiyama and Dr. Salpy Akaragian. Pre- and post-operative expenses, one year of speech therapy and device programming, operating room and staff expenses, etc., are about $5,000. Families pay this directly to the hospital.

What is the success rate?
All of the recipients of our cochlear implants and BAHAs are able to hear and speak. We have a 100% success rate!!!

Does AIM Fund have overhead expenses?
No. Everyone is a volunteer and donates their time. We do not have expenses, such as an office, secretarial support, etc. Everyone pays for their travel expenses for the medical missions except for Dr. Akira Ishiyama, whose expenses are provided by the AIM Fund.

When was the AIM Fund founded and how is it funded?
AIM Fund was founded in 2003 with an extraordinary gift by the Vram Aslanian family in memory of Vram’s wife, Janet Aslanian, and from a generous gift by the Madikians family in memory of their father, Krikor Madikians. Since then, AIM Fund has received generous financial support from the UCLA Dream Fund, Chitjian Foundation and Harper/Harpoothian Fund. Furthermore, the following families/individuals have donated $10,000 and more: Dr. Salpy Akaragian Trust, Akarakian, Aslanian, Basmajian, Mark Baute, Esq. and Gigi Birchfield, Danielian, Karakarjian, Garo Mardirossian, Esq., Timmy Mardirossian, Dr. Massihi, Nelson, Sagherdjian, Sarkisyan and Youredjian. In addition, gala dinners and other fundraising activities provide funds to purchase the devices and equipment needed for the surgeries.

In What hospital are the surgeries being performed?
The surgeries are taking place at Erebouni Medical Center in Yerevan, Armenia.

What type of equipment and supplies are donated for the surgeries in Armenia?
A microscope, drill, facial nerve monitor, ABR machine, and several hearing screening machines, plus burrs used for each surgery, gel foams, antibiotics, and other essential supplies that Armenia cannot provide.

What about training surgeons and other professionals?
We have trained Drs. Arthur Shukuryan, Vigen Bakhshinyan, and Armine Martirosyan through UCLA Health. Training continues and Armenian surgeons operate on cases that do not pose complications.

What about the UCLA-ArmGenia project?
In 2016, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine and ArmGenia to map out Armenian human genomes. Forty-nine samples from Armenia were analyzed and the findings were presented at many conferences. Drs. Wayne Grody, Evgeni Sokurenko, Sevak Avagyan, and Salpy Akaragian are leading the project. We hope to raise funds to analyze additional 175 samples.

Is the AIM Fund assisting the wounded soldiers?
Yes.  In November of 2020, one-of-a-kind surgery (Repair of damaged facial nerve) in Armenia was done on a 21-year-old wounded soldier and many other soldiers have and continue benefiting from our work.

Are you a non-profit organization?
Yes, we have been a non-profit organization since 2003.
Our Tax Exempt Identification Number is 32-0078573.