REFUGEES SHAPE AMERICA
How those who have fled turmoil in their homelands have contributed to the United States
GA ACC member, Dr. Heval Kelli is profiled for World Refugee Day from the Voices of America News as a notable refugee. He is among a notable and impressive list of American refugees, including Madeline Albright, Albert Einstein, and Gloria Estefan.
A refugee from Syria, Kelli came to the United States in 2001, starting work as a dishwasher and later becoming a doctor. Refugees from the Middle East and South Asia sharply increased in 2008 with more than 20,000 from the region arriving during each of the 10 years beginning in 2008, according to U.S. State Department data.
Kelli is the founder of the Young Physicians Initiative, a nonprofit that provides a positive and engaging mentorship experience to prepare middle school, high school and undergraduate students in their journey toward becoming a doctor in the future. The participants will be provided with the necessary support and guidance to develop a structured plan and direction to achieve their goals.