IHAN

When I went to high school in the late 1960s, my Aunt Fannie strongly suggested that I take typing. She thought I would be a great secretary and would need those skills.

What would she say if she knew I am Secretary of the International Health Awareness Network (IHAN)? “The International Health Awareness Network (IHAN) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, non-governmental organization in consultative status with Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and Department of Public Information (DPI) of the United Nations. All IHAN projects are funded through private donations.”

Aunt Fannie never would have imagined I would meet my second cousin, her uncle’s grandson, in 2025, on my way to an IHAN meeting in New York City. See Spur of the Moment Meeting Completes a Final Link to a Family Bond, dated April 29, 2025 at sharonmarkcohen.com.

Weeks later, on May 5, 2025, I received the following email from my original ob/gyn, who founded IHAN forty years ago.

“Dear Sharon

Greetings. I am asking you to be a board member of IHAN and serve as the Secretary please.

You are my trusted friend of so long, we have shared a lot together and you have been a loyal and committed supporter of IHAN. You also are a gifted writer... If you kindly accept my proposal, I will share it with the new administration. 

Gratefully,

Sorosh” 

Honored and humbled, I accepted the esteemed position on the IHAN board. I’m certain that my typing skills will come in handy.

IHAN MISSION STATEMENT

“To educate, empower and provide health care to women and children with a focus on underserved socioeconomic groups.
To develop, fund and implement health projects, i.e., mass immunization, primary health care screening, treatment and educational workshops.
To work with the United Nations and other organizations to
advocate and implement programs and policies that
improve women’s and children’s health and quality of life.
To participate in international and national health-related development
conferences.”

Excitingly, a project is underway to be the legacy of IHAN and be endorsed by the United Nations.

Sorosh Roshan, M.D. - right, speaks at 2024 IHAN meeting in New York City. Sharon is seated - center