Info Flash
June 2013
Armenian Medical International Committee
This is the third of our online versions of
InfoFlash.
Aida's retirement!
AMWC 11 Updates
Syria Update
WiRED International
Mobile Health Technology
Cleveland Community
Urgent appeal for help
AMIC Specialty Groups
Click here for PDF version
Click here for March issue
April/May issue
CURRENT AND PAST ISSUES OF
THE INFO-FLASH NEWSLETTER
ARE AVAILABLE AT http://amic.ca/
Aida's retirement!
The big news this month is the retirement of AMIC's backbone, Dr
Aida Boujikanian. Since AMIC's inception, Aida has assembled
what would become 5000 names and addresses of Armenian
healthcare workers worldwide. Aida ensured that General
Assembly records, minutes, finances and InfoFlash newsletters
were created, maintained and distributed on time, translated
between English and French.
She made it look effortless, but we at the AMIC Executive know
better. We wish Aida and husband Adom many happy adventures
over the coming years. Aida-jan, please wish us luck trying to fill
your shoes.
Jerry Manoukian, AMIC president
I have known Dr. Aida Boujikanian since the days when we were both in Lebanon.
And I was very pleased when she joined the organization of AMIC upon her arrival in
Canada, becoming one of the pillars of its infrastructure. Her multilingual abilities,
social and cultural horizons, as well as her understanding of the national and social
priorities of Armenia and the Diaspora have been great assets for our organization.
Over the years her wisdom, her well-balanced approach to various issues, and her
warm interactions with Armenians of various socio-cultural backgrounds were greatly
appreciated by everybody.
Unfortunately, all good things have an end. Aida`s retirement from AMIC will leave
us with excellent memories. We are all grateful for her very important input over the
years and wish her all the best. Her legacy will remain with us and its spirit will
hopefully guide AMIC`s future activities.
Vazken M. Der Kaloustian, M.D.
Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics and Human Genetics
McGill University
Montreal, Canada
Register Today!
11th Armenian Medical World Congress
July 3 - 7, 2013
Loews Hotel, Hollywood, California
The Congress is now weeks away. The Plenary program and social calendar are
now in detail on the AAMS website at https://aamsc.com/congress/
Syria update
The situation for Syrian Armenians remains dire. It is, in the words of President
Serzh Sargsyan, ”an open wound for all of us".
Diasporan minister Hranoush Hagopyan reported at the All Armenia Fund meeting
on May 30 that there are currently about 9000 Syrian Armenians now living in
Armenia, and their care is coordinated by the Ministry of the Diaspora. About 550
Syrian Armenians have serious health issues including six who have had cardiac
surgery.
Many of these families are provided assistance by the Armenian government, the
All Armenia Fund, and other sources, in the form of medical care, food, housing and
tax waivers. Job-training is also offered. Because some of these people speak little
or no Armenian, language training in Armenian and Russian is offered.
At least one school in Armenia is continuing the Syrian curriculum for its students,
whose families believe that they may ultimately return to Syria.
Planning is underway for a new Syrian Armenian community near Ashtarak. The top
contender for a name is "New Aleppo".
WiRED International - Follow-up to our April article:
Thanks to those who helped us find translators for computerized
healthcare teaching modules in rural Armenian villages. There
are a total of 60 computerized modules, three of which were
translated by a physician in England.
Performing our matchmaking duties, AMIC was able to introduce
linguistic students to WiRED International partner Dr. Ara
Nahabedian, an orthopedist from Manchester England.
WiRED International has brought teaching materials to
impoverished and war-torn families including Central America,
Eastern Europe, Iraq and Africa. In May, a delegation including
Dr. Nahabedian visited visited five pilot communities in Amasia,
Chambarak, Gavar, Noyemberyan, and Vardenis.
The Impact of mobile health (M- health) and the future of
Armenian healthcare
by Robert Istepanian, PhD
M-health, or mobile health, is a term that I introduced and coined
in 2003 and defined as ‘emerging mobile and network and
sensing technologies for healthcare’ . This concept evolved
massively within the last decade to become the fourth pillar of
information and communication technology (ICT) for healthcare ,
taking its place with the earlier concepts of telemedicine (a child of
the space program era), tele-health (a child of the personal
computer era) and e-health (a child of the Internet era). One of
the driving forces is the ubiquitous access to smart phones and
wireless technologies, even in impoverished areas.
The current technologies of mobile health infrastructure including
cell phone technology, diagnostic applications and chronic
disease management has grown into a multibillion dollar research
and technology industry.
In recent report by the EU and GSMA describes that the socioeconomic impact of the adoption of mobile health solutions in the
EU, including 185 million patients treated more effectively and
cost savings of EUR 99 billion by 2017.
(http://www.gsma.com/connectedliving/socio-economic-impact-ofmhealth)
Hardware, software and communication industry giants have all
come on board, and the technology is being used in rural as well
as urban communities, and underdeveloped as well as developed
nations. Numerous mobile health projects and pilots are currently
ongoing in poor regions in Africa and Latin America in areas such
patient education and medical awareness, HIV medications and
management of chronic diseases.
It is timely and important that mobile health to be introduced into
Armenia as it has the potential to revolutionize healthcare in
Armenia, particularly in rural underserved areas. The technology
has already been used to better manage chronic disease
management, elderly care, remote diagnosis Immediate goals for
Armenia include:
• adopt and develop the best policies for implementation
• creation of an infrastructure adapted to available resources in
Armenia
• develop the political will and educational resources to train
healthcare providers and create protocols for M- health
• assemble a panel of experts and advisers to create the vision,
agenda and strategy to deploy this innovative healthcare concept
Dr Istepanian will present the topic of M-health at the 11th AMWC in Hollywood.
Cleveland Armenian Health Care Professional Gathering
On Saturday May 18, some of the Armenian Health Care
professionals in Cleveland gathered in the St. Gregory of Narek
Armenian Church Parish House. The motivation for this gathering
was initiated by Dr. Gevorg Yaghjyan, former vice dean of
Yerevan State Medical University and current Medical Director of
the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia (www.cf.am)
and acting director of Isotope Production Center.
Dr. Yaghjyan visited Cleveland to participate in the 4th Annual
Patient Experience: Empathy and Innovation Summit in Cleveland
Clinic. The idea was discussed with Fr. Hratch Sargsyan the
pastor of St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church who welcomed it
wholeheartedly and was present at the gathering. Dr. Gevorg
Yaghjyan expressed his sincere gratitude to Fr. Hratch and
Cleveland Armenian Community for welcoming physician
observers from Armenia, especially for making the parish house
available for their stay.
Dr. Yaghjyan presented a comprehensive review of the health care system in
Armenia emphasizing the improvements in recent years as well as important
projects ahead. He summarized the role of health care professionals in the diaspora
in 1) accepting physician observers from Armenia for training, 2) telehealth via Hye
Bridge for training in Armenia, and 3) mission visits to Armenia for educational and
clinical work by Armenian professionals. Dr. Rafi Avitsian who had organized the
session explained his personal experience in all three areas to other participants.
The gathering was also an excellent opportunity for networking between Armenian
Health Care professionals. The meet and greet session brought together some
Armenian professionals who had been in Cleveland for a long time but never met
their peers. Dr. Joseph Krajekian a Maxillofacial surgeon from Cleveland Clinic
expressed interest for the mission trips to Armenia mentioning, “I have done many
mission trips to other countries; why not my own fatherland?” Also present was Dr.
Sebouh Setrakian who mentioned he will be working on possible cooperation in
telepathology with Armenia. The gathering concluded with participants'
determination and enthusiasm to continue such meetings.
Note: This a welcome development! The Cleveland Armenian medical community had, until this
meeting, consisted of a single individual,
our energetic colleague Dr Avitsian.
Cleveland Community comes to aid of young woman from
Armenia
When she was 15, Stella Arakelyan captured the hearts of
volunteers staffing Children's Diabetic Camp in Aparan, Armenia.
Among her works of art was a hand with a flower, entitled "Never
Give Up".
Four days before her prom in Yerevan, 17 year old Stella was
diagnosed with leukemia. Preliminary treatment was started
immediately but her doctors’ decision was that her only hope was
a prompt transfer to an advanced western medical center. Her
parents’ requests were rejected by some medical centers,
however Cleveland Clinic agreed to start her treatment with a
preliminary estimated payment. Her parents, physicians Irena
and Levon gathered whatever they could to send Stella and her
mother to Cleveland and the treatments were started just weeks
ago. New diagnostic measures have shown that her treatment
costs would be several times more than what was anticipated
even with the discount the Cleveland Clinic has offered. This has
left Irena and Levon shocked and devastated. We are in the
process of initiating a campaign to gather some funds from
charitable organizations. Stella and her mother are now living in
the St. Gregory of Narek parish house trying to cut their daily
expenses to save for the treatment. Their needs are not only
monetary but spiritual and moral support. Please contact Father
Hratch to see how you can help.
Note: Information will be forthcoming as a fund is set up to help with Stella's
care. You may also contact the AMIC Silicon Valley office at 1-650-961-2013
Armenian Medical Specialty Groups
The idea of performing medical specialty groups ranging the
Diaspora to Armenia was discussed at 2005 Armenian Medical
World Congress in San Francisco. The Neurology Collaboration
will present recommendations at the 2013 Congress in Los
Angeles. Please see below, the formation of specialty
associations in neurology, ENT, plastic surgery. Who is next?
AMIC Neurology Group
The AMIC Neurology Group is a consortium of Diasporan
neurologists performed after the 2005 Congress and includes
about a dozen neurologist worldwide, in close contact with
counterparts in Armenia. The group is spearheaded by Dr Berge
Minassian of Toronto and Viken Babikian of Boston, and works
closely with the University Hospital chief of neurosurgery Dr.
Fanarjian in Yerevan.
They created a Yerevan/Armenia based stroke task force group to
evaluate Armenia's needs regarding stroke care and establish a
plan of action to achieve specific goals, working with community
physicians and representatives at Yerevan State Medical
University and the Ministry of Health. The most basic care of
acute stroke in Armenia is currently lacking. Armenia's death rate
from stroke in 2011 was over 4 times the rate of most western
countries.
The AMIC Neurology Group met at the American Academy of
neurology meeting in March and has formally agreed to support
creation of a comprehensive stroke program at the University
Hospital. It is Dr. Minassian's hope and the goal of the Neurology
Group that they can obtain a 1.5 Tesla MRI machine to support
the stroke program and Armenia's overall neurology needs.
Images from this MRI will be read remotely at Jefferson University
in Philadelphia.
For info, please contact Drs Berge Minassian and Viken Babikian
at: berge.minassian@sickkids.ca
babikian@bu.edu
ENT collaboration
Dr Artur Gevorgyan's wish to join a pan-Armenian specialty group
began while still studying for Canadian Otolaryngology boards.
Upon learning from AMIC that such an organization does not yet
exist, he decided to spearhead the efforts to form a pan-Armenian
Otolaryngology group, with the ultimate goal of enhancing clinical
practice, education and research in the discipline in Armenia.
He currently has contacted 20 ENT physicians from Armenia,
Russia, Canada, USA, and France. The specific goals are yet to
be defined, but must ultimately be directed towards Armenia, with
close collaboration with local physicians. Dr Gevorgyan will be
unable to attend the Armenian Medical World Congress in Los
Angeles this July but hopes that those interested in the creation of
the group will get together nevertheless.
At a recent meeting of the European Academy of Otolaryngology,
Dr Gevorgyan had an opportunity to meet and hear from several
colleagues from Armenia. An idea, proposed by Prof. Arthur
Shukuryan, Chair of Otolaryngology at Yerevan State Medical
University, is to organize a large Armenian ENT meeting in 2014
with participation of both Armenian and non-Armenian acclaimed
otolaryngologists from around the world. Meanwhile, we will
continue the efforts of building a database of interested
participants for the pan-Armenian ENT group.
Should you wish to join, please email me at
drarthurjan@yahoo.com or the AMIC office.
Artur Gevorgyan, MD, MSc, FRCSC (Canada)
Clinical Fellow, Advances Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery
Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
As of July 1, 2013:
Otolaryngologist - Head and Neck Surgeon
Lakeridge Health
Oshawa, ON, Canada
AAPRAS - AMIC Plastic Surgery specialist group.
Armenian Association of Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic
Surgeons www.aapras.org and AMIC are in the process of
establishing a specialty group of prominent professionals in
plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.
The main purpose of the working group is to shape the main
vision and development steps for the plastic surgery in Armenia
up to 2020. The major goal is turn Armenia into a regional leader
in Plastic Surgery with modern services being provided.
The first step for reaching this major goal was archived during the
International Congresses held in Armenia in 2007, 2009 and 2011
with the participation of leading specialists from Diaspora. The
purpose of the Plastic Surgery working groups includes but is not
limited to the following aspects:

Supporting the creation and sharing the vision and
concepts in particular areas of plastic surgery and adjunct


areas (dermatology, cosmetology) by 2020;
Coordination of the Plastic Surgery Humanitarian Mission
organized by the Internal Plastic Surgery association;
Sharing professional experience and expertise in different
plastic surgery subspecialties.
During the last years the AMIC data base of Diasporan plastic surgeons was
updated with the names and contacts of new colleagues from USA and Russia. The
extensive invitation for participation in the Yerevan International Congresses was
sent for 2009 and 2013 Congresses. The new information campaign aspires to
involve as much Diasporan doctors as possible for the 2013 Congress www.aaprastips2103.com
One of the main organizational meetings has been already planned to be held in
LA during the 11th Armenian World Medical Congress with leading academic and
private plastic surgeons. Dr. A. Hovhannisyan, President of AAPRAS, and Dr. G.
Yaghjyan plan to have meetings and discussion regarding the collaboration
between Plasticos Foundation www.theplasticosfoundation.org and the Armenian
Association of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons during meeting in LA
Gevorg Yaghjian MD
Associate Professor, Department of Plastic Reconstructive Microsurgery,
2 Koriun St ,Yerevan 0010, Armenia
Phone. (374-10) 52 17 85, (374-10) 56 06 36
Fax. (374-10) 58 25 32
________________________________________________________________
National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia
5 Mher Mkrtchyan Street, suite 821
Yerevan 0010, Armenia
Tel: +374 10 58 35 21, +374 10 58 91 93, Ext. 110
gevorg.yaghjyan@cf.am
www.cf.am
AMWC 11 Updates
for Congress info: https://aamsc.com/congress
Hotel registration:
https://aamsc.com/congress/accommodation/
YSMU Alumni Association
YSMU Grads! Please join us Friday evening July 5 at the 11th Armenian Medical
World Congress in Hollywood.
This will be in the Concierge Suite, 19th floor of the Loews Hollywood Hotel.
Info is available at http://www.9amwc.org/ysmu/
Find us on Linkedin (link can be found on the 9amwc.org/ysmu webpage).
You can also register for the Association using the link on the same webpage.
Here's a handy link to the Congress Website Registration page
Find AMIC on Facebook!
Find Armenian Medical International Committee on Linkedin!
AMIC has moved to our Silicon Valley office
With our dear Aida's retirement, our Montreal office has closed.
We are now located in Mountain View, California (home of
Google, Yahoo, Mozilla and so many dot-com start-ups).
The address is:
Armenian Medical International Committee
c/o Jerry Manoukian
2500 Hospital Drive, Building 4,
Mountain View, CA 94040, USA
telephone 1-650-961-2013.
fax 1-888-344-2647
burdock@pacbell.net
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