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About Us
How IOHPA started
In November 2016 a group of Oromo health professionals of various background met and discussed health problems of our community in Oromia and globally. Some Oromo health professionals have been providing first Aid at OSFNA soccer tournament for the last 3 years. Although the initiative of working with OSFNA is relatively small feat, this gesture has undoubtedly inspired young students and uplifted our community. In fact, it has propelled us to think about creating a formal organization and deliver more services using our talents and existing resources.This opportunity revealed we have vibrant and committed individuals in healthcare fields that support to formally organize at global scale with hopes of networking and giving back to our community. With dedication and hard work, an organizing committee of volunteers put together the first of many IOHPA conferences which took play in Chicago in May 2017.
MISSION
IOHPA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to address the health care needs of Oromo people and others in Oromia, diaspora and beyond, through need assessment, identification of areas of healthcare improvement and thereby contribute towards the promotion of quality healthcare including preventative care, transfer of knowledge, skills and appropriate technology.
VISION
IOHPA’s vision is to expand the base of our Oromo health professionals network and accelerate its efforts in alleviating the healthcare disparities that exist between Oromia and western nations.
History
August 2013: Informal discussions started among a group of Oromo health professionals in North America. After coordinating via email, the group held its first formal conference call on 8/22/2013. Cursory health assessments were made and the working group began to network and accelerate our efforts in alleviating the health care disparities in Oromia.
Summer 2014: A small group of Oromo health professionals and volunteers began providing first aid at the annual OSFNA soccer tournament. This endeavor broadened our network and inspired future healthcare students through community service.
November 2016: At the Oromo Leadership Convention in Atlanta, a sizeable number of Oromo health professionals met at a sideline meeting to discuss formally organizing on a global scale with the hopes of networking and giving back to our community. Various subcommittees were formed tasked with crafting bylaw and preparing the first convention.
May 2017: A successful inaugural conference was held in Chicago for two days. International Oromo Health Professional Association (IOHPA) was established as a non-profit, impartial, non-political organization whose mission is exclusively humanitarian and to address healthcare needs of Oromo people and others in Oromia and beyond. The bylaws were discussed and Board of Directors and Executive committee were formed.
September 2017: IOHPA partnered with Global Medical Libraries (GML) and USEmbassy in Ethiopia to deliver books to Arsi University Medical School.
November 2017: IOHPA is incorporated in the state of Minnesota.
December 2017: Partnered with HIRPHA International and East African Medical Relief Foundation to deliver medical supplies and services to internally displaced Oromo people Dire Dawa and Hammerresa camp in Eastern Oromia
February 2018: IOHPA registered as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of Internal Revenue code.
November: 2018: In collaboration with University of Minnesota Global Health Institute, IOHPA facilitated for a professor from University of Haramaya in Oromia, Ethiopia to participate in a symposium on Trauma, Addiction and Mental Health with focus on East Africa organized in Kampala Uganda.