When the Mahoning-Shenango Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals was selecting honorees for its 2023 National Philanthropy Day awards, individuals with strong connections to NEOMED ranked high among their choices.
Outstanding philanthropist
Chander Kohli, M.D., and his wife, Karen Kohli, were honored as 2023 Outstanding Philanthropist by the AFP chapter. Dr. Kohli served on the NEOMED Board of Trustees for 18 years and is Distinguished Professor of Neurosurgery in the College of Medicine.
The Kohli name will be familiar to anyone who has visited the NEOMED library, named the Aneal Mohan Kohli Academic and Information Technology Center in recognition of a gift from the Kohlis that honors their late son. The University also named its production studio as the Aneal Mohan Kohli Media Production Studio to honor the family for its generosity to NEOMED.
The Kohlis were recognized by AFP for their contributions to NEOMED and Youngstown State University, as well as several other Mahoning Valley organizations.
Outstanding volunteer fundraiser
Alumna Sergul Erzurum, M.D. (’88), professor of surgery, was honored as 2023 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser. As a pediatric ophthalmologist, Dr. Erzurum has provided eye care for children over the last 30 years. Her support of a school-based vision health initiative for K-12 students facilitated free in-school eye exams and prescription glasses for students in the Mahoning Valley. The initiative ultimately led to the creation of the nonprofit organization, Sight For All United.
According to the AFP announcement, “Dr. Erzurum demonstrates exceptional leadership skills in recruiting, coordinating, and motivating volunteers for fundraising projects. Dr. Erzurum recruited NEOMED and YSU students to start Students for Sight to support Sight for All United.”
Congratulations to Dr. and Mrs. Kohli and Dr. Erzurum!
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