ANPA 20th Anniversary Convention Brochure by TBG London

Greetings from the office of the President

Distinguished guests-ladies and gentleman- after three days of rich, scientific activities and other optional activities, I welcome you on behalf of the Association of Nigerian Physicians of the Americas (ANPA) to our 2014 Gala Banquet Night which coincides with our 20th anniversary. In addition to a night of celebration and elaborate colors, you will be seeing a brief documentary as to the journey we have taken so far. The Southern California Chapter of ANPA have worked diligently to make this a memorable night and I thank them for all of their efforts. I also thank our Secretariat, headed by Nonie Lowry, and the Sheraton Park Hotel for their contributions to the success of this evening. Special acknowledgement to our many partners some of who are here with us tonight. We look forward to our ongoing relationship with you. To our distinguished guests from Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States of America, I say a heartfelt thank you and wish you safe travels to your various destinations. Enjoy the evening filled with entertainment by our various artists and begin your preparations for our 21st convention in Orlando, Florida.

My Best Regards,

Michael Etomi, MD, MPH, FASN President and Chairman of the Board Association of Nigerian Physicians of the Americas

On behalf of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA),Southern California Chapter, I welcome our distinguished members and guests to Disneyland, the happiest place on earth, to ANPA?s 2014 Gala Banquet Night. Tonight, we celebrate the 20thanniversary of our great organization.

contributions which give hope to thousands who otherwise would be hopeless or who might continue to suffer unnecessarily-or even die- from simple curable diseases.

We especially thank the ANPA leadership for their dedication and persistency, and our members for their Thanks to the visions of some of our founding support. members, some of them originating locally from Southern California, who 20 years ago founded this To our distinguished guests, partners, and supporters, non-profit organization by unifying Nigerian-born we heartily thank you for your various contributions. physicians from the Americas, Canada, and the Caribbean, for the purpose of improving the health We cannot give enough thanks to our ANPA and well-being of our countrymen/women and secretariat, headed by Nonie Lowry, for their relentless creating a healthier Nigeria in a healthier world. Since efforts to make this convention a success. then, through hard work, dedication, and persistency, ANPA has been in the forefront of change in the The action needed now is continuous support for the healthcare delivery systems in Nigeria. underprivileged in our country of birth, Nigeria. I hope you can continue to support ANPA in order to We have come together this evening to celebrate after meet these goals. a successful three days of stimulating and informative sessions put together by our excellent faculty led by Professor Scott Emuakpor. We are here with one mind, one purpose, and one vision of understanding the Happy 20th Anniversary ANPA. plight of the less fortunate amongst us, and empathize with them. We are also here as a family, though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand to help those who need our assistance. Dapo Popoola, M.D. Our sincere gratitude goes to everyone for gracing this Interim Caretaker Committee occasion with your presence and generous ANPA, Southern California Chapter

Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas Executive Council Michael Etomi, MD President

Nkem Chukwumerije, MD, FACP President Elect

Fiemu Nwariaku, MD, FACS, FWACS Immediate Past President

Johnson Adeyanju, MD, FACP, Author Treasurer

Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas, Southern California Caretaker Committee Julius Kpaduwa, MD Chair

Dapo Popola, MD Co- Chair

Nkem Chukwumerije, MD, FACP President Elect, ANPA

Ifeanyi Amuzie,MD Treasurer

ANPA History & Goals Our Vision is "A Healthier Nigeria in a Healthier World." Our Mission: • To foster personal and professional growth of its members through camaraderie and unselfish exchange of ideas. • To promote altruism, professionalism and scholarship among its members • To identify and stimulate interest in all matters affecting the health of Nigerians and provide the forum for debating evolving health issues • To encourage the development of practical solutions to Nigerian health care problems through strategic initiative and field activities inside Nigeria • To seek collaborative research opportunities in the international medical community and contribute to improved health care in the Americas and worldwide Our Vision and Mission is achieved through the following activities: • The Annual ANPA Conventions - We address current issues of healthcare in Africa, such as HIV, women’s health, child health, environmental health, health care financing in Africa, mental health, capacity building, education and training of physicians and other health workers. • Our Medical Missions offer us the opportunity to provide free healthcare to the medically indigent, in rural parts of Nigeria, Africa, the Caribbean, and other needy regions of the world. We get firsthand experience of the issues and the nature of health problems of the local communities. It enables us to

exchange views, share experience and participate in collaborative care with our local counterparts. We are able to educate local health institutions, governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders on the best practices for improving the health of individuals and populations. • Capacity building – Through our training initiatives, advisory roles, and active engagement with health workers and institutions, we help to develop critical skills and infrastructure needed to run an effective health service in Nigeria and other countries in Africa and the Caribbean. • Internet Communication - ANPA was the first organization to provide internet connection to a number of major Nigerian Universities. We have also webcast our conventions and hope to facilitate internet links between African institutions and their U.S. counterparts. • Through this web site and our other online resources, such as the e-group, message forum, and blog, we engage in lively on-going discussions on current healthcare issues that are of interest to our community. • Directory - We publish a directory and maintain a database of Nigerian physicians in the US, Canada and the Caribbean with the specialty and location of their practices. Thus we are able to reach Nigerian physicians in general and when necessary, can call on the appropriate expertise of our members. • Networking - With over 4,000 Nigerian born or trained physicians in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, ANPA's Annual Conventions and local chapter activities provide forums to share our experiences and pool our expertise for a healthier

Nigeria in a healthier world. • Policy Advocacy - We meet with African leaders and officials in charge of Health Care, such as the President of Nigeria, the Minister of Health and other senior government officials to offer policy recommendation to the Government on issues such as HIV, medical education and health care financing.

• We collaborate with well-meaning groups and organizations providing specialized medical care in Nigeria, including other Nigerian born or trained physicians in Europe, Middle East and African countries outside Nigeria. • We participate in local health fairs in the U.S., Canada and the Americas providing education, information and health care to all. • Collaborate with other African Physician Other Activities • We participate in international forums and Communities to form regional associations. Extend our Medical Mission to all of Submeetings such as National Summit on Africa and • Grantmaker Conference, to educate participants such Saharan Africa and the Caribbean as U.S. policymakers, US businesses and other • Foster research and collaboration between organizations on the health system in Nigeria and the African researchers and their counterparts in the U.S., Canada and the West. healthcare needs of Nigerians and Africans.

Questions ANPA Secretariat Office Telephone: 913-402-7102 Fax: 913-273-1140 Email: nonie@anpa.org