Hrant Jamgochian Announces for District 16 Delegate

Hrant Jamgochian, the Director of Health Policy for United Way Worldwide, has announced his candidacy for the House in District 16. Following is his statement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2010
Contact: Hrant Jamgochian
info@FriendsofHrant.org

Health at Heart of Hrant Jamgochian's Candidacy

United Way Worldwide Director of Health Policy Enters District 16 Delegate Race

BETHESDA, Maryland – Hrant Jamgochian today announced his candidacy for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 16, highlighting his extensive experience and expertise while pledging to advance strongpublic policies that further improve Maryland’s health, education,environment and financial stability.

"I have spent my entire professional career, more than 15 years,working to make a difference at the state and national levels. Now, rather than advocate for change, I want to help shape it as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates," said Hrant, 37, who was joined by his Campaign Chair Judy Fan-Hsu, Treasurer Gwen Majette, and wife Lenna Israbian-Jamgochian.

Jamgochian is the Director of Health Policy for United Way Worldwide, where he serves as the lead health expert on its public policy team,working with its more than 1,200 state and local affiliates to help improve the health of all Americans. He previously served as the Director of Congressional and State Relations at the American Pharmacists Association working to expand patient access to pharmaceutical care services. He also worked tirelessly to help enactmental health parity legislation during his tenure at the American Psychological Association.

Campaign Chair Fan-Hsu, D.D.S. said, "I am backing Hrant because, as a health-care provider, my priority is to help improve the health of our children. Much of the new federal health law will be implemented at the state level, and I know Hrant will make sure Maryland takes advantage of every opportunity available to help advance the health ofour families."

Campaign Treasurer Majette added, "Hrant was one of the most passionate and effective advocates I worked with during my tenure on Capitol Hill. I know he will do even more for Maryland as a Delegate and urge you to work with us to ensure his election."

Jamgochian began his professional career working on a wide range of environmental and consumer protection campaigns including: promoting ballot initiatives in Florida to save the Everglades, advocating for clean water in New Jersey, working for environmental defense in Georgia and protecting our parks here in Maryland. Hrant continues to work to protect the environment in our community as a member of the Montgomery County Sierra Club Executive Committee, having also served on its Political Committee.

Jamgochian is an active member of the Maryland Mayflower Society, 13th in descent from William Bradford and 8th in descent from Revolutionary War Veteran Samuel Wheat. At the same time, both Jamgochian’s father and wife Lenna are immigrants of Armenian descent. "I am very proud of my diverse background and strongly believe that our diversity is what helps make our country great," added Hrant. If elected,Jamgochian will be the first-ever candidate of Armenian descent to serve in the Maryland General Assembly.

Jamgochian received his Juris Doctor from the Catholic University, Columbus School of Law and a Master of Laws in Global Health Law fromthe Georgetown University Law Center. Raised in Washington, DC, Jamgochian moved to Bethesda almost 10 years ago to start his family. Hrant's wife, Lenna Israbian-Jamgochian, is a Regional Pharmacy Manager for Safeway. She also serves on the Maryland Board of Pharmacy, where she was appointed by Governor Martin O’Malley.

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Authorized by: Friends of Hrant Jamgochian;Judy Fan-Hsu, Chair; Gwen Majette, Treasurer