OUR HISTORY.

Visionary Nurses

Over 30 years ago, following Armenia’s devastating earthquake of 1988, Salpy Akaragian (RN-BC, MN, FIAN) approached two nurses of Armenian descent at UCLA to start an organization of Armenian nurses to be ready to respond to the call and assist the historical homeland. The first meeting of the visionary nurses was held by founder Salpy Akaragian in the Los Angeles in the February of 1989, and thus the association was formed and Salpy Akaragian was voted in as the first president of Armenian American Nurses Association (AANA).

For over three decades AANA members (now as members of the Armenian American Nurses & Allied Health Care Association, AANAHCA) have extended their services, time, and expertise to assist the community. They have collaborated with the members of the Armenian Medical Society of California and Armenian Dental Society of California and performed health-screening events in Armenian schools, screening students for lice, vision, dental health, and scoliosis. Moreover, they have assisted in community health fairs and offered services, consultation and education. They have staffed first aid booths in athletic and cultural events, taught CPR classes to teachers and scouts, educated school children about hygiene and various health related topics, and vaccinated the elderly by holding flu clinics in various church campuses and adult day care centers. Furthermore, the members have presented at local, national and international healthcare conferences.

Previously, AANA has partnered with the Office of Women’s Health and the Immunization Program Division of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services to facilitate health delivery services for the community. Currently, the AANAHCA has also established collaborative efforts with different healthcare organizations. The association serves diverse populations, as well as provides scholarships for nursing students.

AANAHCA is a tax-exempt non-profit organization and has over 70 members. The association holds regular business meetings where activities are planned; members network, and attend continuing education topics. AANAHCA is a member of the Armenian Medical International Committee and participates in the international world congresses.