History

Islands Medical Assistance Society (IMAS) began as an effort to help the people of the Cres-Losinj archipelago in Croatia. Immigrants from the islands of Cres, Losinj, Ilovik, Susak, Unije, Male and Vele Srakane from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut gathered in reaction to alarming news articles regarding deteriorating conditions of the main Medical Centre in Mali Losinj, the “Dr. Dinko Kozulic Dom Zdravlja”. The difficult plight of dialysis patients was particularly alarming to many. Local advocate Mr. Zivko Zuber spoke of how he, a dialysis patient, and others traveled for hours to the mainland over a sometimes-stormy Adriatic Sea many times a week for treatment. From the start we decided to support the dialysis patients with our words and actions.

In 2002 representatives from the existing 11 New York/New Jersey area charity societies formed the founding Board of Directors of IMAS. Mrs. Liliana Muskardin* contacted Mrs. Anita Pagan+ (Lussingrande Society) and Mrs. Maris Cividini ( Cunski American Social Club ) who sprang into action to help and called others who shared their love of their birthplace. Anton Benvin and Antonio Coglievina+ ( Chersina Society ), Peter Budinich ( Ilovik Society ), Ines Kucich ( Anchora Society ), Rose Maracic* ( Unije Women’s Club) , Nikola Morin+ ( Susak Klapa ), Marko Pinezich ( St Francis Society of Neresine ), Mr. Klaudio Simicic ( Lussingrande Society ), joined Mr. Mario Dumicic+*, Mrs. Dusanka Marusic, Mr. & Mrs. Miroslav* and Ivanka Eror, Ms. Jasna Dobrila,  Mr. and Mrs. Ed and Jean Brumgnach, Mrs. Marie Urem, Ms. Melissa Muskardin, Mario Picinich (Susak Klapa), Mrs. Adriana Mikicic Gladitz, and Ms. Nives Mattiasich to form the first founding Board of Directors. The group quickly realized the need to promote support of all the 7 islands with its some more distant islands and hamlets from existing medical care.

Our main function as an organization is to host fundraising events to support our mission statement: a not-for-profit humanitarian foundation founded in the USA to help support health services for the people on the islands of Cres, Losinj, Ilovik, Susak, Male & Vele Srakane, and Unije in Croatia. Our goal is to improve the medical service experience of the islanders in their communities. 

Mrs. Anita Pagan provided our very first funds with her own TV raffle to get things started. Initiated by Mrs. Liliana Muskardin* (president from 2006-2008), and Mrs. Dusanka Marusic (president from 2020) plans for our first large fundraiser quickly followed; the “Golf Outing at The Rockaway Hunting Club” in Lawrence, Long Island, New York, and was held on October 15, 2002. During the presidency of Mrs. Rose Maracic* (president from 2008-2012), Mr. Miroslav Eror* (president from 2012-2014 ), and Mr. Zdenko Beg* (president from 2014-2020 ) the annual golf outing, later chaired by Mr. Justin Calabrese, grew and became our most productive one day fundraiser.

Our first president, the late Mr. Mario Dumicic+* (president from 2002-2006) embarked on an ambitious Goal to raise funds for an X-Ray System the Bucky Diagnostic CS2 by Philips, valued at $83,000.00. Thanks to our Board and the support of all the societies 437 guests attended the next major fundraiser, our “First Annual Dinner Dance” at La Fortuna in Fairview, New Jersey, on February 2, 2003. Collections from the Golf Outing, Dinner Dance and the Direct Appeal enabled us to donate the X-Ray system to renovated rooms in the Medical Center in Mali Losinj on July 15, 2003, in less than two years.

On February 11, 2005, IMAS was approved by the IRS in the State of New York as a tax-exempt organization under the 501(c)3 status. It enables our donors in the USA to make tax exempt donations.

The annual Direct Appeal continues and is mailed out along with our Newsletter sharing stories of the islands, and our activities. We collect direct donations from friends and family year round. Look for the link of the current Newsletter copy on this website. We are great full to friends who have never been to our islands and have generously made donations throughout our 21 years of existence.

It is our goal to include support for all the hamlets. We have donated equipment for several “Ambulante”, the outpatient clinics in Cres, Ilovik, Susak, Unije, Cunski, Nerezine, Martinscica and Belej. We have also made donations to the “Ljeciliste” Wellness Center in Veli Losinj and the Senior care.

Facilities in Cres, Veli Losinj, Mali Losinj, and Susak “Angelike Casne Sestre,” as well as the Susak Volunteer Fire Department. New Emergency Services were created by the county for Mali Losinj and Cres and are administered independently from Rijeka.

Our Board of Directors continues to meet with hospital officials on the islands as well as county officials in Rijeka to better understand the needs of their medical facilities. From the start, the late Director Dr. Vjekoslav Devcic, the then main hospital Director of “Dom Zdravjla” in Mali Losinj; the Honorable Dragan Balija, mayor of Mali Losinj; the Honorable Gaetano Negovetic, mayor of Cres and County Executive Mr. Zlatko Komadina, as well as his County Vice Executive Mrs. Marina Medaric have guided us and expressed support to our donation efforts.

In recognition of their past efforts, we wish to name those who have retired from our Board of Directors like Mrs. Pierina Ames, Ms. Sanja Kraljevic, Ms. Natalie Vlakancich, Mr. Dino and Mrs. Karen Mirkovic, Father Tommaseo, & Mrs. Astrid Kuljanic. 

The current Board of Directors have grown to include Mrs. Loredana Beg, Mrs. Marina Pilic, Mrs. Fedora Rucconich, Mr. Franko Neretic, as well as the next generation of Croatian- Americans Mr. Justin Calabrese, Ms. Doris Karcich, and Mrs. Julie Butkovic. Our first island resident, Mr. Robert Betic has come on board to facilitate communication.  In 2022 Mr. Eugene Kuljanic, Mr Larry Moric joined us and Mr. Mario Pinezich has returned.

The Board of Directors are committed, willing, and prepared to continue the mission of IMAS as they share the same love for these islands. The future of IMAS is in their hands and yours.

+ deceased
* former president