Ethiopian Diaspora Physicians Action Group - EDPAG

09/08/2024

02/25/2024

The power of good will and technology

Dear friends, I am delighted that my organization EDPAG was able to organize educational cardiology conference (Echocardiogram Conference) to Jimma University and University of Massachusetts cardiology fellows on 2/23/24. My deepest gratitude goes to Dr. Mengistu, a JU graduate and now cardiologist in USA who selflessly prepared high quality cardiac images and gave two hours of his valuable time to teach the fellows. I myself attended the conference, and it was the best educational session I have ever attended. Watching Dr. Mengistu explain the ins and outs of the images and cases, the physiology, anatomy etc. was amazing experience. I felt it like listening to a great music. I also would like to appreciate the power of technology that made showing the images and distance learning possible.

11/01/2023

EDPAG coordinated a ZOOM cross country cardiology grand round between University of Massachusetts (UMASS) and Jimma University (JU) cardiovascular departments and fellowship programs this past Monday October 30th, 2023. It was a 2-hour lively discussion and exchange of experiences. Cardiologists and fellows from both sides participated and discussed about the case. Dr. Mengistu Alemayehu, a JU alumnus and currently cardiologist at University of Minnesota, moderated the discussion after case presentation by Dr. Kedir Negesso, JU cardiology fellow. Also, present were Dr. Naomi Botkin, UMASS cardiology fellowship director and Dr. Abay Taddesse, EDPAG chair. Dr. Jemal, the president of JU, joined briefly and made a speech. Overall, it was an interesting learning and collaborative event.

10/22/2023

A cardiology grand round is set to be held on 10/30/23 at 12:00 PM ET via ZOOM between Jimma University Cardiology Department and UMASS Cardiology Department. Cardiologists and cardiology fellows from both sides will participate. Dr. Mengistu Alemayehu Simegn, MD, a JU alumni and cardiologist at University of Minnesota, will attend the grand round. The grand round is organized and will be moderated by EDPAG. Interested physicians and other professionals can request zoom link by sending us text in the back channel or emailing @ info@edpag.org.

09/08/2023

In August 2023, I was in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia on vacation. While there, I took a trip to Yamlak Lijoch foundation facility where vulnerable and nursing mothers were being cared. The organization rescues homeless women who give birth on the streets or those who give birth as a result of r**e and provides compassionate care for up to 6 months at least. The care includes shelter, food, clothes and emotional support. I went to the facility with women in my family including my daughter Lucy, my sister Bizu and my cousin Meba. I met the facility nurse S/r Senait and the facility manager. They gave us a tour of the facility and an opportunity to meet the mothers with their children. We saw an infant who was just diagnosed with retinoblastoma and was in the process to have surgery. Apparently Yamlak Lijoch is responsible for covering the cost of the infant's medical care, at least in part. To learn more about the foundation, go to their website https://yeamlaklijoch.org/. You can make donations by going to EDPAG's website edpag.org and press the donation tab, and EDPAG will deliver it to Yamlak Lijoch.

Samson Hanka, MD
EDPAG's Secretary

07/19/2023

We support health care in Ethiopia by assisting medical schools and postgraduate training through knowledge transfer as well as assisting health care facilities financially and by donating medical supplies.

07/17/2023

ETHIOPIAN DIASPORA PHYSICIANS ACTION GROUP ( EDPAG) is on face book now.