East Coast Armenians Gather in Lexington, Mass., to Support AECP
Dr. John Hovanesian (left, standing) and Tanya Hovanesian (right, seated) with event attendees
More than two dozen supporters of the Armenian EyeCare Project gathered at the Lexington home of Mr. and Mrs. Harry and Katrina Glorikian on June 3 for an event highlighting the organization’s ongoing project. The guests enjoyed traditional Armenian cuisine and wine donated by the Khachen Wines before hearing a a presentation from AECP Vice President, Dr. John Hovanesian.
The evening opened with a video from AECP Founder and President Dr. Roger Ohanesian, who welcomed the guests and paid tribute to longtime supporter Leon Semonian, who is celebrating his 95th birthday this year. Dr. Hovanesian noted that he and the host Harry Glorikian belong to the “exclusive club of BABE: Bald Armenians with Blue Eyes.”
In his remarks, Dr. Hovanesian reflected on the organization’s 33-year journey, beginning with volunteer physicians traveling to Armenia at their own expense to provide urgently needed care. Over time, AECP’s work evolved into a comprehensive, capacity‑building model that has trained Armenia’s ophthalmologists.
He highlighted several milestones, including:
- The Mobile Eye Hospital, which has delivered free, high‑quality care to rural and underserved communities for more than two decades.
- The near‑elimination of retinopathy of prematurity in Armenia under the leadership of Dr. Tom Lee.
- The establishment of ten regional eye clinics and diagnostic centers, bringing advanced ophthalmic services closer to patients who previously traveled long distances for specialty care.
- A sustainable financial model in which regional centers are operated by local physicians, allowing revenue from paying patients to support care for those who cannot afford it.
The evening concluded with a video featuring one of AECP’s young patients whose sight and future were restored through timely intervention. The story served as a reminder of the human impact behind AECP’s mission to fight blindness and deliver compassionate, sight‑saving care across Armenia.
AECP extends its gratitude to Harry and Katrina Glorikian for opening their home for this gathering, and to Khachen Wine for their donation of wine.
For more information about AECP’s programs or to support its mission, visit the website.
