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History of THF
The seeds of Tibetan Healing Fund are traced back to Dr. Kunchok Gyaltsen’s work in early 1990s. Particularly, in 1994, Dr. Gyaltsen used his personal living money to support children at his village’s primary school, Serkya Village Primary School. Then he was able to expand the Serkya Village Primary School from grades one to three to include grades four to six. This project was well received by the villagers, but many students were still not able to attend the school due to lack of resources.
While studying in the United States from 1996 to 2001, Dr. Gyaltsen was able to raise money from his public lectures and teachings for a scholarship program to ensure that all village children in Serkya could attend school. In 2001, prior to Dr. Gyaltsen’s graduation from School for International Training (SIT), Vermont, USA and Mahidol University Thailand, Dr. Gyaltsen presented his vision of creating an international humanitarian organization to his graduate school colleagues and a professor to establish Tibetan Healing Fund. The initial supporters who helped establish Tibetan Healing Fund were Professor Paul Ventura, Jessica Ravetz, Daniel Dodd, Jennie Quan, Angela Vuagniaux, Meredith Aikman, Kerry and Jon Secrest and Chris Moore. Meantime, Tashi Rinpoche, one of the highest lamas at Kumbum Monastery and a well-known Tibetan physician, was the main mentor of Dr. Gyaltsen’s work. The founding board members glimpsed a tremendous opportunity for positive change in the Tibetan areas, especially because of Dr. Gyaltsen’s close connection to the people in the Tibetan regions, his knowledge of health, education and international development and because of his position as director of the local Tibetan medical hospital.
On July 30, 2001, THF was formally certified as a non-profit organization under the State of Washington, USA. THF partnered with Kumbum Tibetan Medical Hospital in Tso-Ngon Province (ch: Qinghai), P. R. China to implement both health and education projects in three counties in the Tibetan areas. THF was established by a dedicated team of volunteers both in the USA and P.R. China. In the USA, there have been many friends, families, communities, and organizations that deeply cared about the urgent needs of education and primary health care for rural Tibetan women and children. Similarly, a group of well educated and passionate local Tibetan teachers, doctors, administrators, students, farmers, and herders have been involved to implement the projects.
From the beginning of the organization up to now, there have been so many people who have contributed their time, resources and donations over the years to help in the developmental process of this organization; the list is endless with names and THF is grateful.
Since the founding of THF in 2001, the following people have served or are currently serving as a THF Board Member:
Kunchok Gyaltsen, DTM, MIIM, MPH, PhD (c)
2001: Founding Board Member
2001-2003: Board President
2006- Present: Board President
Ziling, Amdo.
Jessica Ravetz, MIIM
2001: Founding Board Member
2001-2002: Vice President and Treasurer
2003-2004: Vice President and interim-Secretary
2004-2006: Executive Director
Seattle, Washington.
Daniel Dodd, MIIM
2001: Founding Board Member
2001-2003: Secretary and Board Member
Savannah, Georgia.
Paul Ventura, PhD, Professor
2001: Founding Board Member
2001-2002: Board Member
Newfane, Vermont.
Kerry Secrest, MIIM
2002-2003: Board Member
Brattleboro, Vermont.
Jon Secrest, Attorney
2002-2003: Board Member
Brattleboro, Vermont.
Meredith Aikman, MPH
2003-2007: Secretary and Board Member
2008-Present: Board Member
Dallas, Texas.
Nortso Gyaltsong, MS
2003-2004: Board Member
2004-2006: Board President
Seattle, Washington.
Kelly Sparks, MA
2003-2004: Treasure
2005: Board Member
Baindridge Island, Washington.
Thinley Gyatso, Tibetan Scholar
2003-2006: Board Member
2007-Present: Vice President
Seattle, Washington.
Tenzing Thinley, PE
2004-2005: Secretary
2005, 2007-Present: Treasurer
Kirkland, Washington.
Heather Greenlee, ND, PhD, Professor
2003-2005: Board Member
New York City, New York.
Gelep Kyarsip
2006-2007: Treasure and Board Member
Seattle, Washington.
Lhobsang Dargey
2006-2007: Board Member
Seattle, Washington.
Marge Mansfield, LM, CPM
2006-Present: Vice President, Secretary and Board Member
Seattle, Washington.
Julie Tokashiki
2006-2008: Treasure, Secretary and Board Member
Seattle, Washington.
Ellen Wilcox, MPH,
2006-2008: Secretary and Board Member
Seattle, Washington.
In-Country Advisors (2001-present):
Dr. Lhusham Gyal
Dr. Kunchok Gyaltsen
Mr. Tsegong Thar
Dr.Gyaltsen Palsang
Dr. Damchoe Tsetrim
Dr. Tenpie Junnie
Mr. Lhaze Gyal
Mr. Dundrup Tsering
Dr. Dorjie Choedron
Mr. Kalsang Nornu
Mr. Tashi
Dr. Yangkyab Tsering
Dr. Dolkar Kyab
Ms. Yangmo Tso
Dr. Palchen Sangdok
Dr. Pakmo Tso
Dr. Osang Tso
Ms. Choeyang Dolma
Mr. Rinchen Dundrup
Mr. Doku