PRESS RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina N. Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
July 25, 2005
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FAR LAUNCHES NEW CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR DOCTORS IN
ARMENIA’S PROVINCES
New York, NY – The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) launched a new project
in June 2005 to help doctors practicing in Armenia’s provinces. The aim
of this Continuing Medical Education (CME) Program, jointly implemented
by FAR and the FAR Fellowship Alumni Association (FARFAA), is to enhance
their professional knowledge and skills, allowing them to master
innovative approaches, methods, and technologies, in the fast-changing
medical field. This project meets a dire need – the lack of accessible
CME for doctors in the provinces.
The first four doctors to participate in the new FAR project included a
cardiologist from Sevan, an anesthesiologist from Goris, as well as a
neonatologist and a neurologist from Vanadzor. They were selected from
among 50 highly qualified applicants, completing the four-week CME
Program on July 15, 2005.
“Within the very first week of the program,” said Dr. Lusine Voskanyan,
the anesthesiologist from Goris, “I was reminded of and convinced that
having regular continuing medical education is critical for each and
every physician.”
Participation in the CME Program will improve these doctors’ ability to
treat their patients and hence reduce morbidity and mortality in
Armenia. They will acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge
about new methods of treatment. They will learn the use of computer
applications and apply new skills to help in their medical research,
particularly internet-based medical library resources, at the National
Medical Library of Armenia. They will follow courses in English medical
terminology to help them stay abreast of new developments published in
medical literature and journals.
COMPONENTS OF THE CME PROGRAM
During one month, the four doctors had hands-on training in the best
clinics of Yerevan under the supervision of leading specialists, who
will continue to serve as their mentors.
Dr. Marina Serobyan, the cardiologist from Sevan, was mentored by Dr.
Aram Nazaryan at the Nork-Marash Medical Center, the famous cardiac
hospital in Yerevan. The post-graduate training she received will be
put immediately to use in her practice since the population in the Sevan
region is known for cardiac problems.
“This is just the beginning,” said Dr. Gayane Gasparian, the neurologist
from Vanadzor, “We will continue our work from our homes in the
provinces. With the valuable exposure we’ve had in Yerevan, we know
where and how to research modern medicine to help us identify problems
in the situations we face. This knowledge and the networking have been
the keys to the CME Program.”
The trainees networked between themselves and also with doctors in
Yerevan, including the FARFAA members. They will also be meeting guest
lecturers from the U.S., Canada and Europe. This aspect of the CME
Program will likely facilitate future professional collaborations and
networking opportunities.
The final components of the CME Program include an independent research
project using the resources and tools in Yerevan and a lecture series
organized in the provinces to multiply the benefits of post-graduate
training.
The CME Program graduates will become resources within the provinces and
mentors to forthcoming trainees. In fact, the next three trainees have
already begun the second session of the CME Program: two pediatricians
from Ijevan and Berd and a general practitioner from Vanadzor.
CME PROGRAM PARTNERS
Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, the Fund for
Armenian Relief (FAR), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered
in New York, has served a cumulative 10 million people through its 130+
relief and development programs in Armenia and Karabagh. It has
channeled more than $250 million in humanitarian assistance by
implementing a wide range of projects including emergency relief,
construction, education, medical aid, and economic development. FAR is
dedicated to realizing the dream of a free, democratic, prosperous, and
culturally rich Armenian Homeland.
The FAR Fellowship Alumni Association (FARFAA) is a non-governmental
organization of medical professionals aimed at improving the health care
system of the community and advancing medical sciences in Armenia.
Established in 2000 by doctors who had participated in FAR’s Medical
Fellowship Program at major medical centers in the U.S. and Canada
between 1991 and 1997, FARFAA has conducted lectures, medical missions,
and helped the next generation of Armenia’s doctors secure training
opportunities overseas through the Salzburg Medical Seminars.
For more information about the CME Program, how to be a guest lecturer
or to send donations, contact the Fund for Armenian Relief at 630 Second
Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150, fax (212)
889-4849; , [email protected].
— 7/25/05
E-mail photos available upon request.
PHOTO CAPTION 1: During the July 15, 2005 ceremony, Bagrat Sargsyan,
Acting Director of FAR’s Yerevan Office (right), gave each of the four
doctors practicing in Armenia’s provinces an award and certificate for
completing the newly launched FAR and FARFAA CME Program.
PHOTO CAPTION 2: Dr. Aram Nazaryan, a leading specialist in cardiology
at the Nork-Marash Medical Center (right), mentored Dr. Marina Serobyan
from Sevan (left) during her four-week intensive, hands-on post-graduate
training course in Yerevan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress