Welcome
Armenian International Medical Fund (AIM Fund) was formed in May of 2003 as a non-profit organization. Our mission is to create and maintain innovative health care programs in Armenia with the intention of making Armenia as the Regional Center in the Caucuses. One of the major endeavors of our organization is to provide free hearing screenings, hearing aids at minimum cost, perform Cochlear Implant and Bone Anchored Hearing Aid surgeries and train future otologists in Armenia.
ABOUT US
The mission of the Armenian International Medical Fund (AIM Fund) is to create and maintain the finest innovative health care programs in Armenia, and set the highest standards for the future of medicine in the Region. Since 2004, 248 children and young adults have received a cochlear implant or a BAHA device supported by the AIM Fund. As a result, Armenia is the regional center for cochlear implants in the Caucasus region, second only to Russia. In June 2008, the Armenian government recognized this project as one of the most innovative government health care programs in Armenia. AIM Fund continues to grow and now performs neonatal screening and BAHA surgeries, supports the Armenian Human Genome Study (a joint venture between UCLA and ArmGenia, February 2016), and excels in training future Otologists in Armenia. The Armenian International Ear Center opened at Erebouni Medical Center in 2010 to assist in the pursuit of these goals.
President & Founder
Salpy Akaragian, Ph.D., RN, NPD-BC, PHN, is the President and the Founder of the Armenian International Medical Fund (AIM Fund) and Director Emeritus of UCLA Health’s International Nursing Program and Nurse credentialing. She received a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Philosophy of Doctorate degrees in Nursing from UCLA School of Nursing. She was the US Partner Representative for USAID/AIHA grants from 1995-2004, directed multiple healthcare projects, and initiated reforms and development programs in Armenia. In 2003, she co-founded the cochlear implant program at Erebouni Medical Center, Yerevan, Armenia. She is the founder and the first president of the Armenian-American Nurses Association in California (1989) and, in 1996, facilitated the formation of the Armenian Nurses Association in Armenia. She has served on the California Board of Registered Nursing as a board member and as a Magnet Appraiser for American Nursing Credentialing Center. She is a national board-certified in nursing professional development. Salpy received Regional and National Gem awards from Nurse.com, and in 2014, she received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. She is a member of several professional organizations and has presented on various health-related topics at Local, National, and International Conferences.
Vice President & Co-founder
Dr. Akira Ishiyama was born in Tokyo, Japan. He received a B.S.degree in Mathematical Physics in 1983 and an M.S. degree in Physics in 1986 from M.I.T. He graduated from Northwestern University School of Medicine in 1990.Following his fellowship training, Dr. Ishiyama was appointed to the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at UCLA. His clinical and research focus is the study of hearing and balance disorders.
Dr. Ishiyama has focused his clinical efforts in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at UCLA to expand the section of Otology and Neurotology, one of his major accomplishments is the establishment of the UCLA Cochlear Implant Program in 1999. As director of the UCLA Cochlear Program, he is proud to help hearing-impaired children and adults hear for the first time or regain hearing. The Cochlear Implant Program at UCLA is one of the few Cochlear Implant Centers recognized as the Center for Excellence by the State of California.
Dr. Ishiyama is the Professor at David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine in the Head and Neck Surgery Department. He directs the Otology/Neurotology division and has been serving as Director of NIDCD (National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders) and National Temporal Bone Laboratory at UCLA.
Dr. Ishiyama’s professional contribution has expanded outside into the international arena. He is the co-founder of the cochlear implant program in Armenia and has completed 23 medical missions in Yerevan, Armenia. He is the lead surgeon for the cochlear implant surgeries and has implanted over 180 children and young adults at the Erebouni Medical Center. The cochlear implant recipients are able to hear, and speak and are in the mainstream of society. He is the main driving force in implementing neonatal hearing screening projects in Armenia, established the Armenian National Ear Institute, and continues to train the next generation of otologists.
Dr. Ishiyama’s work in Armenia was recognized by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and is the recipient of the Humanitarian Award. In Armenia, he has received Medals and recognitions from the Armenian Government, Ministry of Health, and the Armenian Ministry of Diaspora. Dr. Ishiyama’s humanitarian work in Armenia is driven by the spirit of volunteerism and his professional services are performed without any financial compensation.