Background | Goals | Staff | Steering Commitee
Background:
The Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI) was established and funded
in Fiscal Year 2005 to help eliminate health disparities that exist between
Asian Americans and their non-Asian counterparts. It is
part of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services—Office
of Minority and Multicultural Health. The AAHI's purpose is to develop
appropriate health programs that meet the needs of a diverse group of
Asian Americans living in the County.
Goals:
- To conduct an in-depth data collection, analysis and reporting of
health status for the different ethnic groups in the Asian American
Community.
- To expand and improve the existing health services available to Asian
Americans.
- To ensure the availability of quality health care directed to
the specific needs of the different ethnic groups in the community.
- To provide outreach programs to inform and educate the different
ethnic groups about the accessibility and the availability of health
care services.
- To ensure that all ethnic groups in the Asian American Community
have their fair share of health care by eliminating barriers.
 |
|
 |
| AAHI staff with Governor
Martin O'Malley |
 |
County Executive Isaiah "Ike" Leggett
with AAHI Staff |
Staff:
Julie Bawa, MPH – Program Manager,
Asian American Health Initiative
Department of Health and Human Services
Montgomery County, Maryland
Julie Bawa spearheaded the efforts in the development of the Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI) of Montgomery County, Department of Health and Human Services. In her current position as the Program manager of AAHI, Ms Bawa develops and implements health programs that meet the needs of the Asian American community. She is responsible for planning, developing, directing and evaluating of all programs under AAHI as well as oversight of fiscal management. Formerly, Ms. Bawa coordinated and managed the Cancer Awareness, Education and Screening program for underserved, low-income Asian Americans in Montgomery County.
Ms. Bawa has extensive knowledge and experience working and collaborating with the diverse Asian American communities. She advocates for programs that aims to increase access quality healthcare services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for Limited - English Proficient communities. Ms Bawa also serves on numerous national, state, and local boards addressing minority health and elimination of health disparities. She completed her undergraduate studies with a dual Health and Business Administration and received her Master’s degree in Public Health (M.P.H) from Northern Illinois University.
Perry
Chan –Senior Program Coordinator,
Asian American Health Initiative
Perry Chan is Senior Program Coordinator for the Asian American Health
Initiative. He is responsible for the maintenance of the tobacco
control, diabetes, and osteoporosis program. He has a strong interest
in
promoting health among Asian Americans and reducing health disparity.
Perry received his Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health from
the University of Maryland.
Jamie Lok Weng–Program Specialist,
Asian American Health Initiative
Jamie Lok is the Program Specialist for the Asian American Health Initiative. She is responsible for strategic planning, evaluation design, and overall data management of AAHI’s programs. Before joining AAHI, Ms. Lok was a senior research program coordinator with the Center for Immunization Research at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health coordinating vaccine clinical trials. Her prior research with the University of Maryland’s Center for Health Behavior Research and Maryland Asian American Health Studies program focused on the cultural, physiological and behavioral factors of tobacco use. Ms. Lok has worked with NCI’s Tobacco Control Research Branch and the US DHHS on initiatives addressing barriers to appropriate healthcare for women of color with disabilities.
Ms. Lok obtained her MPH in community health education/behavioral science from the University of Maryland, where she received the President’s Ethnic Minority Achievement Award recognizing outstanding contributions to the University’s equity efforts. She currently serves on the executive board of the UMD Alumni Association’s Asian Pacific American Alumni Network (APAAN) and holds past leadership positions with the American Public Health Association’s Asian Pacific Islander Caucus and Student Assembly. The daughter of Cambodian refugees, Ms. Lok was born and raised in Montgomery County, MD.
Atyya Chaudhry – Program Coordinator,
Asian American Health Initiative
Atyya Chaudhry is the Program Coordinator of Health Education for the Asian American Health Initiative. She is responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating health education programs, designing culturally sensitive strategies, coordinating health education services and researching diseases that affect Asian Americans. Prior to working with AAHI, Atyya worked with the Washington Center for Psychiatry.
As an undergraduate student, Atyya was an active member of two health honor societies on her campus. She was involved with Eta Sigma Gamma, the National Professional Health Honorary Society and Phi Alpha Epsilon, the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health’s Honor Society. As a member of these honor societies, Atyya actively worked to promote health and well-being in her campus community. Atyya Chaudhry received her Bachelors of Science in Community Health and a minor in Spanish Languages & Culture from the University of Maryland College Park.
Sanjana Quasem – Program Coordinator,
Asian American Health Initiative
Sanjana Quasem is the Outreach Program Coordinator for the Asian American Health Initiative. Her main responsibilities include oversight of the Health Promoters Program, serving as a liaison between AAHI and community leaders to foster and enhance partnerships, and program and event planning. She is an active member of the Muslim American community and has experience in outreach, youth education, and event planning. In addition she has a strong interest in health disparities and community development. Sanjana received her Bachelor of Science in Community Health from the University of Maryland College Park.
AAHI Steering
Committee:
The AAHI Steering Committee is composed of stakeholders from various
ethnic groups in the Asian American community who advocate, recommend
and assist in the AAHI’s development to eliminate health disparities. The
dedicated members of the committee bring diverse expertise in health
care issues and/or their communities. Currently, there are approximately
16 members, and the AAHI is recruiting additional members who
can support the AAHI in achieving its mission and goals.
 |
|
 |
| Steering
Committee Meeting May 2, 2007 |
|
AAHI Steering Committee Annual Retreat FY 08 |
| STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS |
| Chairperson: |
Harry Kwon, PhD, MPH |
Montgomery County Resident |
| Vice Chairperson: |
Meng K. Lee |
Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) |
| |
Anis Ahmed |
Bangladeshi Community/Montgomery County Office of Human Rights |
| |
Lisa Canda |
Montgomery County Resident |
| |
Hoan Dang |
Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association |
| |
Nerita Estampador, MD |
Physician, Montgomery County DHHS |
| |
Wilbur Friedman Chapter |
Organization of Chinese Americans, Greater Washington D.C. Chapter (OCADC) |
| |
Lewis Hsu |
Montgomery County Resident |
| |
Felicitas Lacbawan, MD |
Montgomery County Resident |
| |
Michael Lin, PHD |
Asian American Political Alliance (AAPA) |
| |
Alvin Madarang, MD |
Philippine Medical Association |
| |
Thomas Mey |
Montgomery County Resident |
| |
Sam Mukherjee, PhD |
Asian Indians for Community Service, Inc (AICS) |
| |
Sovan Tun |
Cambodian Buddhist Society, Inc |
If you are interested in attending future meetings and/or becoming a
member of the committee, please contact the AAHI.
