UMANA board proposes extending right to vote, hold office to all active members (03/24/02)

UMANA board proposes extending right to vote, hold office to all active members

CHICAGO - In its first meeting of 2002, the board of directors of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA) met on Saturday, February 2, to discuss the continuing revitalization of the largest health care professional organization in the Ukrainian American community.

President Ihor Voyevidka, M.D., (Northern California) presided over a gathering of representatives from many UMANA chapters in the United States and Canada. Present were Vice-President Ihor Fedoriw, O.D., (Pennsylvania), President-elect Bohdan Iwanetz, M.D. (Illinois), Secretary Arianda Nychka-Czartorysky, M.D., (New York Metro), Treasurer Andrij Iwach, M.D., (Northern California), Sponsorship Coordinator Roman Dykun, M.D., (Illinois), UMANA News Editor Adrian Baranetsky, M.D., (New York Metro), Archivist Maria Hrycelak, M.D., (Illinois), WFUMA Representative Roxolana Horbowij, M.D., (Maryland) and Luba Komar, M.D., (Toronto).

Dr. Iwanetz updated the body on early preparations for the scientific conference scheduled to take place in Chicago in June 2003. Attendees will hear speakers discussing the latest developments in the field of infectious diseases. New additions to this convention program will include a clinical poster presentation by medical/dental students and residents, and a judged "physician art show" for UMANA's budding artists.

Dr. Voyevidka presented a request for support from The Ukrainian Weekly for its "Copies for Congress" project. Since The Ukrainian Weekly thoroughly covers the activities of UMANA, the board felt that support of this project would expand the organization's contacts and influence in Congress. This support would be in keeping with the spirit of interaction with Washington started by UMANA's then-president Dr. Roman Goy at the "Synergy" conference in 1999. The board unanimously approved a donation of $1,000 to the "Copies for Congress" project.

In what may yet prove to be a far-reaching proposal, the board began discussions on the merit of expanding the right to vote and hold office to all members who currently fulfill the requirements to be active members. At present, only regular and emeritus members are entitled to vote at branch meetings or the Assembly of Delegates. These are health care professionals of Ukrainian descent, with an appropriate university degree, and licensed to practice in their area of health care in the United States or Canada.

There is, however, a growing segment of the UMANA membership that belongs to other categories of membership encompassing the health care profession. UMANA includes pharmacists, Ph.D.s and other science degrees, R.N.s, students, residents, fellows, and an expanding group of individuals trained in Ukraine and surrounding countries, who have yet not attained a U.S. or Canadian degree or license. According to the current by-laws, these groups cannot vote or be elected to office in UMANA.

The board of directors agreed to present changes to the by-laws to expand the right to vote and hold office to include all qualified members who show activity in the organization, including payments of dues. The board felt that, though there may have once been a reason for exclusivity, such reasoning is no longer valid. Furthermore, hosts of talented individuals were being denied the opportunity to participate in, change and improve the largest and oldest Ukrainian American health care organization in the Western world.

The board concluded that it was in the best interests of UMANA to open its arms to all qualified individuals and encourage even further organizational growth. The by-laws changes will be presented for discussion and vote at the upcoming UMANA Assembly of Delegates in June 2003.

After resolving several housekeeping issues, the meeting concluded for the day, to be reconvened at the Ukrainian Institute in New York City on April 6, under the gracious hosting of President Alexandra Kushnir and the New York Metro Chapter of UMANA. For further information readers may contact the UMANA national office at (773) 278-6262.

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