By Paul Natinsky

For many Chaldean Americans, public service is a natural fit; a blend of traditional values that includes a strong sense of community and a tireless work ethic.

“Everything I do is about helping others,” said Rony Foumia, a pharmacy director with Ascension.

Foumia was appointed to the Michigan Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in October of 2019. The Committee manages the Michigan Medicaid Formulary, which determines which prescription drugs are used in the state’s Medicaid program, including HMOs servicing Medicaid patients. The Committee also provides recommendations on some over-the-counter medications. All told, the Committee’s decisions affect millions of Michiganders.

Originally appointed to the Committee by then-Governor Rick Snyder in 2017, Foumia also serves on a number of other panels, including the Board of Directors of the Oakland County Pharmacists Association and the Michigan Community Pharmacy Association Board.

On The Front Lines

Foumia’s passion for public service continues to build. With more than 20 years of experience as a pharmacist and administrator, he has experienced the evolution of his profession. According to Foumia, 20 years ago pharmacists were not administering immunizations, but are now going to be on the front lines of the nation’s COVID-19 inoculation efforts.

With exciting and consequential times ahead for his profession, Foumia would like to serve on the state’s top regulatory panel for pharmacists, the Michigan Board of Pharmacy.

If Foumia is appointed to the state board, he will join Grace Sesi at the table. Sesi was appointed to the 11-member panel in July of 2019.

Sesi, who is Lebanese but married to a Chaldean, has worked with CVS for more than 17 years and felt it was time to give back to her profession and the community.

“In my professional career I have worked on the front lines providing direct patient care as a pharmacist, managed teams of pharmacists with a goal of improving patient experience and access to quality pharmacy care,” said Sesi. “I currently work as an innovator in the transformation of health care. As a member of the Michigan Board of Pharmacy, I am able to leverage my experiences to facilitate the development of policies aimed at the preservation of public safety and overall access to care.”

In addition to preserving public safety and access to pharmacy care, the board creates rules and reviews matters of professional conduct and judgment concerning licensed pharmacists.

A Strong Bench

At the end of 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed attorney Yasmine Poles to the Oakland County Circuit Court, filling an opening created when another Chaldean American, Judge Hala Jarbou, moved from Circuit Court to a slot on the federal bench representing the Western District of Michigan.

Poles’ career began 16 years ago with decade-long stint in the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office. Serving as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney from January 2005 until February 2017, she tried and convicted some of the worst offenders in the county, focusing on criminal sexual misconduct, child abuse, domestic violence and homicide. These crimes are enough to harden the heart of any individual, but Poles developed a reputation for professionalism as she handled misdemeanor and felony dockets throughout the district and the Circuit Court.

She later practiced corporate law and founded her own practice, before being tapped for the bench.

Poles gives credit to the Chaldean community for her appointment. “I am humbled and honored to represent the community from the Bench,” she said in a communique to the Chaldean American Chamber. “I appreciate everyone’s continued support and well wishes as I begin this new chapter and feel that this accomplishment is not only mine, but one that belongs to the entire community.”

Described as compassionate and caring, Judge Poles now has a higher platform to make a bigger impact. Salam Elia of Elia Law had been Poles’ office neighbor for years. When asked about the appointment, Elia said, “Her tireless years of dedication in serving the public and clients in and out of the courtroom, coupled with her bold courage, passion, dedication, work ethic, wisdom and strength has got her to this point, and will serve her well in this next chapter of her career. Her appointment is a giant step towards the pursuit of justice and equality for us all.” That’s high praise, but Elia knows Poles well. She adds, “She is one of the most remarkable attorneys in our legal profession and will truly do the bench justice.”

A Cultural Advisor

Nadine Kalasho was recently appointed to a term on the Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs. The Commission is housed in the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic. Kalasho is one of 15 members, including Chaldean American Chamber President Martin Manna, who advise the department on “issues relating to the Arab and Chaldean communities in Michigan and promote awareness of their culture and history,” according to the Commission’s webpage.

Kalasho is President of CODE Legal Aid, which she co-founded in response to the influx of refugees coming from the Middle-East in 2014. She graduated from Wayne State University Law School and has worked in advocacy positions since, including serving as co-counsel on the federal case: Hamama v. Adducci, which halted the deportations of 1,400 Iraqi nationals.

Regulation And Safety

Ed Toma, who served for a decade as a State Investigator & Regulation Agent for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, was named a Commissioner in October. “I was interested in becoming a Commissioner because I could apply my 12 years of enforcement experience with the MLCC to ensure that licensees follow the codes, rules and statutes of the state and that they would be operating a business that did not pose a danger to the health, safety and welfare of the public,” said Toma in a statement to the CN.

“As a Commissioner my responsibilities primarily involve hearing violation cases against licensees,” Toma explained. “The Assistant Attorney General’s Office (representing the MLCC) and the licensee would provide evidence and witnesses during the hearing and I would render a decision by way of sanctions against the licensee if needed.”

“It is important for Chaldeans to participate in state government in order for us to have a voice and be represented,” said Toma. “It also give us the ability to make a positive impact. Everyone should have a seat at the table where important decisions are being made, especially when the Chaldean community is so actively involved in a wide variety of businesses across the state.”

Giving Back

Despite disparate backgrounds, these professionals share a commitment to community, an urge to give back and encouragement for others considering community service.

“Serving the public is an honor and a privilege. One should always keep the public’s best interest in mind when taking a public position,” said Sesi. “The decisions made and work performed can be challenging, so if you are seeking a public position it is imperative that you are doing so out of a passion and drive to help others.

“All Chaldeans, like any diverse group, should find ways to contribute to the greater good of our society. Government may not be something that all wish to take part in, but we all can find a way to serve our neighbors and find ways to improve our overall wellbeing,” she added.

“Our community is comprised of a lot of super-talented people. You want to be represented. You want your voice to be heard, you want to make a difference—that’s the key thing,” said Foumia. “You could be talented, but if you are not becoming an advocate for whatever your specialty is, you’re missing out. It’s a great opportunity for us to have a voice that’s heard and to make a difference, not just for our community, but for the surrounding community.”

In a message to future generations, Poles said in a statement last year, “My hope for my children and all our children is to give them the tools necessary to reach their highest potential,” she shared. “It is imperative that our sons and daughters know that they can accomplish whatever they set their mind to and that their opportunities are endless.”

For an opportunity to serve on state boards, please visit Michigan.gov/appointments.

Chaldeans Ascend: Paying Forward a Legacy

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