National Hepatitis Day in San Diego

May 19, 2015 is the National Hepatitis Day around the country. For the first time in San Diego, the Asian
communities are joining forces to raise awareness of hepatitis B, a liver disease that affects
disproportionately the Asian populations. Nationwide, one among twelve Asian Americans has chronic
hepatitis B. The disease can be detected early by screening blood, and taking appropriate action before
the liver is harmed, leading to scarring and possibly cancer.
On Sunday, May 17, a Commemoration of the Day took place at 10 AM at the Vietnamese Federation of
San Diego (VFSD), a central location for most civic, educational and cultural activities for the Asian
organizations. The Asian Pacific Health Foundation (APHF) conducted hepatitis B and C screening via
blood tests, and osteoporosis screening using bone densitometry. UCSD student pharmacists provided
hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol screenings, as well as cervical cancer awareness, self-care and
safe meds education.
Mr. Liem Pham, President of the Federation, welcomed all the guests present, and Dr. Doan Dao, Chair of
the National Task Force on Hepatitis B with Focus on Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and Dr.
Robert Gish, Medical Director of APHF, spoke on seriousness of hepatitis, and concerted efforts to
prevent and control hepatitis B and C nationwide.
Mr. Nghiep Le, former President of the Federation, presented the Proclamations from San Diego Mayor
Kevin Faulconer and Congressman Scott Peters to Drs. Ton Tran and Binh Tran, co-founders of the
APHF.
Health screenings were performed until 1:30 PM.
We deeply thank the following organizations, members and volunteers:

Sponsors and supporters:

Greg Nolan, Gilead Sciences; Tuan T. Nguyen, MD; David Mier, UCSD Government and
Community Activities; Anthony George, City of San Diego Mayors office;
Howard Ou, Congressman Scott Peters office in San Diego;
Hep B Foundation; UCSD AntiViral Research Center.

National Task Force on Hepatitis B Focus on Asian and Pacific Islander

Americans:
Doan Dao, MD, Chairperson (2014-2016)

Asian Pacific Health Foundation:

Danh Truong, MD; Nghiep Le; Robert Gish, MD; James Hai Tran, DO; Nghiep Le; Ton
Tran, MD; Binh Tran, PharmD; Sandy Chong, PharmD; Randy Jimenez, PharmD;
Kristiana Nguyen; Jenny Nguyen; Karla Jorgensen-Ponce; Lisa Vuong; Esther Park;
Anh Phuong

UCSD Skaggs School of Pharmacy:

Elika Hefazi; Hannah Nguyen; Lindsay Ditmars; Tuyet Phan; Annie Phuong Nguyen;
Choi Brittney; Andrew Nguyen; Tuan Phan; Mike Pham; Quyen Nguyen; Althea Han,
Joy Shi, Hooree Amerkhanian, Zin Cheng Yang, Jamie Ta, Jane Lim, Josephine Vo,
Vi Nguyen, Thien Tran

Team HBV:
Andrew Tsun, Felicia Han

Vietnamese Federation San Diego:

Liem Pham, Hien Lam; Le Nguyen

San Diego Physicians:

Charles Liu, DO
Tayson Delengocky, MD

San Diego Vietnamese Pharmacists Association:

Viet Truong, PharmD; Lan Anh Mai; Tanya Nguyen, RPh; Dung Phan, RPh;
Tuan Nguyen, PharmD

San Diego County Department of Health and Human Services:

Winston Tilghman, MD; Elizabeth Rosenblum, MD; Amy Tao, MD

La Maestra Community Health Centers:

Javier Rodriguez, MD; Sonia Tucker

UCSD Department of Family Medicine and Public Health:

Wael Al-Delaimy, MD, PhD; Happy Araneta, PhD

UCSD Government and Community Affairs:

Andrea Thai

San Diego Vietnamese Elderly Association:

Dung Trang; John Tran; Giai Do; Quang Minh Nguyen

and many other volunteers.