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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.

USAID Recognizes Lakeland, Florida Doctor for International Volunteer Efforts

WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
(202) 712-4320

2003-054

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2003

Contact: USAID Press Office

LAKELAND, FL - Dr. Gregory J. Spirakis received the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Outstanding Citizenship Achievement Award in a ceremony this evening in Lakeland, Florida. The award was presented to Dr. Spirakis by Dr. Kent R. Hill, USAID Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia.

Dr. Spirakis is President of the Moldovan Children's Audiology Foundation, Inc. and Audiology Program Director at the Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center. He is being recognized for his efforts to spearhead a community-based humanitarian campaign to provide medical services for the hearing-impaired in the Republic of Moldova, a former part of the Soviet Union located between Romania and Ukraine in Eastern Europe.

In 1997 Dr. Spirakis began traveling to Moldova to treat hearing-impaired children after meeting Dr. Iurii Lobeev, his Moldovan counterpart, in a medical exchange program in the United States. With financial support from the First Aviation Sertoma Club of Lakeland, Dr. Spirakis and his wife, both audiologists, have now made several visits to Moldova, consulting and treating more than 170 children. In 2001 Dr. Spirakis founded the Moldovan Children's Audiology Foundation (MCAF) and provided financial and technical support for the establishment of the Hearing Protection Center. The Center provides hearing and medical services for children with disabilities and operates a medical care unit fully equipped to solve children's hearing problems. Dr. Spirakis was also instrumental in establishing a sister-cities relationship between Lakeland, Florida and Balti (pronounced "belts"), Moldova, in cooperation with Counterpart International and Sister Cities International.

"When President Bush talks about the spirit of volunteerism in America, he's talking about people like Greg Spirakis," said Dr. Hill at the ceremony at the Lakeland Town Hall. "Greg exemplifies the core beliefs Americans have in working tirelessly to help those less fortunate. I have seen first hand the results of Dr. Spirakis's dedication when I look into the eyes of Moldova's youth and see a hopeful future."

USAID's Outstanding Citizen Achievement Award recognizes volunteerism in international development. USAID's goal with this award is to increase the public's awareness of individuals and organizations that are working to further the mission of USAID in the United States and abroad. Recipients of this award are recognized for achievements that have contributed to the realization of USAID's mission to provide economic, development and humanitarian assistance around the world.

The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.

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