As more than 100 supporters, reporters and airline personnel gathered on the tarmac at the Tashkent Airport, an Uzbek official welcomed the Physicians With Heart delegation and its shipment worth $5.2 million (U.S. wholesale value).
"When the Pilgrims came to America, they received help to survive and celebrated that with Thanksgiving Day," said Hamidulla Karamatov, Uzbekistan's deputy prime minister. "Today, we receive this shipment from America and have our own Thanksgiving Day."
Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Declares Thanksgiving Day
Film crews and reporters crowd close to Hamidulla Karamatov, Uzbekistan's deputy prime minister.
Karamatov recognized there is joy in giving as well as receiving. "We are happy to prolong the Thanksgiving Day tradition here, happy that we have this holiday here today," he said.
Joseph Presel, U.S. ambassador to Uzbekistan, said, "This exchange of pharmaceutical and other medical supplies is a partnership between Americans and the Uzbek people."
Joseph Presel, U.S. ambassador to Uzbekistan, said, "This exchange of pharmaceutical and other medical supplies is a partnership between Americans and the Uzbek people."
AAFP Board Chair Lanny Copeland, M.D., expresses appreciation for the presence of several Uzbek officials to welcome the Physicians With Heart shipment.
Physicians With Heart leaders enthusiastically described the partnership. "We look forward to working with you this week, getting to know you and sharing with you the family practice model that has worked so well for us in the United States," said AAFP Board Chair Lanny Copeland, M.D., of Albany, Ga.
AAFP Foundation President Gerald Keller, M.D., of Mandeville, La., said the supplies would go to four regions of Uzbekistan tomorrow and that delegation members would meet with health providers there.
Family physician Gary Morsch, M.D., founder and president of Heart to Heart International, explained, "We bring more than medicine. We also bring our hearts — that's why our organization is called Heart to Heart."
Morsch added, "I've only learned one word in Uzbek since I arrived here today, and I want to say it to you: rakhmad, thank you!"
AAFP Foundation President Gerald Keller, M.D., of Mandeville, La., said the supplies would go to four regions of Uzbekistan tomorrow and that delegation members would meet with health providers there.
Family physician Gary Morsch, M.D., founder and president of Heart to Heart International, explained, "We bring more than medicine. We also bring our hearts — that's why our organization is called Heart to Heart."
Morsch added, "I've only learned one word in Uzbek since I arrived here today, and I want to say it to you: rakhmad, thank you!"
Physicians With Heart delegation members stand at the bay of the cargo plane containing the donated materials.
