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STAMFORD RESIDENT JANINE D. BAHAR
NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
THE ORTHOPAEDIC FOUNDATION FOR ACTIVE LIFESTYLES
GREENWICH, CT - The Board of Directors of the Orthopaedic Foundation for Active Lifestyles (www.ofals.org) has appointed Stamford resident, Janine D. Bahar, its
Executive Director.
Based in Greenwich, Connecticut, OFALS is a prestigious not-for-profit foundation whose principal mission is to promote, support, develop and encourage research and
education concerning orthopaedic care and advancements in technologies and treatment of arthritis, orthopaedic injuries and musculoskeletal diseases. Focusing on
medical education for doctors and other health care professionals, research and community outreach, the Foundation was first developed by Kevin Plancher, MD, a resident
of Greenwich and one of the leading orthopaedic surgeons in the Northeast.
"The Foundation is literally changing the face of medicine through ongoing research and clinical trials," Janine D. Bahar states. "What we plan to do is to set a
strong and solid base so that we continue to move forward and have all the tools we need to succeed."
Ms. Bahar brings an extensive background of not-for-profit experience to OFALS. With over 15 years of management-level experience in the not-for-profit sector, her
experience is vast and varied and spans three continents. Born in London, Ms. Bahar moved to the United States at age 11, when her family settled in Stamford, CT.
After completing private school there and in New York, attained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton, graduating with a
triple major. She subsequently moved to Israel, where she remained for 10 years.
It was in Israel where Ms. Bahar began her career in the not-for-profit arena. While working toward her Master's degree at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, she served
as Director of Machon MASA, where she conducted educational and policy conferences for overseas students pursuing their studies in Israel. Ms. Bahar subsequently
assumed the post of Executive Director of the Association of Americans and Canadians in Jerusalem (AACI), an organization dedicated to providing a range of social,
cultural, legal aid and educational services for North Americans living in Israel.
Upon returning to the United States, Ms. Bahar served as Director of Community Development for United Jewish Appeal (UJA) in Greenwich, CT, a post she held for seven
years. In that position she invigorated the UJA's core mission of raising funds and supporting humanitarian work locally, regionally and around the world.
It was in the summer of 2008 when Ms. Bahar met Dr. Plancher and learned firsthand of his passion for OFALS and its mission of healing. "He is a very inspirational
person," Ms. Bahar explains. "He has somewhat of an aura around him. He said that he has been privileged to become a successful clinical provider, and believes his
work at the Foundation will truly be his mark on the world. And that was very moving to me."
As its new Executive Director, replacing Dianne Connelly, Ms. Bahar is taking a pragmatic approach to moving OFALS forward. "The Foundation has enormous potential to
be among the most successful in the country," Ms. Bahar states. "On a personal level, while living in Israel, I saw firsthand how lives are changed so dramatically
as a result of wartime injuries, and I've seen what Dr. Plancher is doing to help people. This is all very compelling as well."
Ms. Bahar points to the Foundation's Bioskills Laboratory facility as a primary area of focus in the days ahead. "This is truly an incredible facility," she points
out, where research is conducted using the most sophisticated equipment and procedures. "We plan to expand this in the coming years." The Bioskills Laboratory is
one of the premier physician training laboratories on the East Coast.
Additionally, the Foundation hosts two Fellows annually who work and study under the tutelage Dr. Plancher.
While admittedly these might be challenging times in the not-for-profit world, Ms. Bahar is optimistic about the future of the Foundation, and resolute in working to
see that its goals are attained. "The economy is being challenged," she says, "but medical needs do not go away. They go on, which makes our work all the more
relevant. Staying in the game for life is a phrase of the Foundation and I embrace it whole heartedly."
Ms. Bahar lives in Stamford, CT with her husband, Gidon Katz, and their two children.
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To Learn More About Us
Click On The Video Above
Click to View Our Foundation Brochure
Kevin Plancher, MD, Chairman of the Board
Janine D. Bahar, Executive Director
Duane Hill
George Kollitides II
Albert Nickel
Robert Plancher
Jonathan Scott
Kenneth M. Wisdom
Mary Ellen Yacura
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