Fund for Armenian Relief
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR)
Press Office
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
email: press@farusa.org
web:
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FAR Honors Armenia’s Distinguished Healthcare Professionals
On Wednesday evening, July 3, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese and the FAR board of directors hosted a dinner at the Diocese to honor the
service of a distinguished group of Armenia’s healthcare professionals, most of
them former FAR Medical Fellows.
During the 1990s, FAR organized and funded a special program that brought 89 young
doctors from Armenia to study in leading hospitals in the United States. The program
was initiated by FAR Board members: Dr. Edgar Housepian, Dr. John Nercessian and
Professor Annette Choolfaian. Dr. Aram Chobanian, then-Dean of the Boston University
Medical School and a current FAR board director, contributed to the success of this
program significantly.
The FAR Medical Fellowship Program was a wise and strategic investment for the Armenian
healthcare field. Most of the 89 fellows are now leading healthcare experts in Armenia
and are also leaders in the healthcare reforms in Armenia. In addition they are
working closely with FAR to support their junior colleagues in the provincial hospitals
by volunteering as mentors for FAR’s Continuing Education program.
The FAR family came together on July 3 to celebrate FAR fellows’ achievements, their
contribution to the advancement of medical service and medical education in Armenia,
and to say thank-you to the fellows who are now giving back to their communities
in remote provinces of Armenia.
Among those who received FAR Distinguished Service Award were – Dr. Harutyun Kushkyan,
the Minister of Health; Dr. Ara Babloyan – the Chairman of Healthcare Committee
of the National Assembly; Dr. Gohar Kyalyan – Rector of Yerevan State Medical University;
Dr. Ara Minasyan – Director of "St. Grogor Lusavoritch" Medical Center; Dr. Ara
Ter-Grigoryan – Director of the State Health Agency; Dr. Manushak Yeritsyan – Director
of "Arabkir" healthcare Center; Dr. Gevorg Yaghjian – Vice Dean of the Yerevan State
Medical University; Dr. Hambartzum Simonyan – Coordinator of FAR healthcare programs
in Armenia; Mrs. Anna Shirinyan – Director of the National Medical Library.
FAR also presented a Distinguished Service Award to the Board of the American Armenian
Health Professionals Organization (AAHPO) for their leadership in organizing the
10th Armenian Medical World Congress in New York City.
"Fund for Armenian Relief started its mission in our motherland with healthcare
programs and with relief to the victims of the1988 earthquake. However, even at
that critical time, our medical team saw the core problems in Armenian healthcare
and decided to concentrate its assistance to medical education," said Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, welcoming the participants to the Tribute Dinner. "We are happy
to see that the seeds planted ten to fifteen years ago by the FAR Medical team and
one of our cofounders, Dr. Edgar Housepian, are now bringing such powerful results."
"FAR Fellows are among the pioneers of volunteerism in Armenia" said FAR Chairman,
Mr. Randy Sapah-Gulian. "They are selflessly and enthusiastically giving back to
their communities, serving their less privileged brothers and sisters. This is
a call from their heart, and for that we express today our appreciation and honor
their service."
While presenting the awards, Dr. Edgar Housepian, Dr. Aram Chobanian, and Professor
Annette Choolfaian shared memories of the FAR Fellowship Program. They spoke highly
of the honorees and their individual contributions to the advancement of Armenia’s
healthcare and medical education, and praised their continuing partnership with
FAR in supporting the progress of the healthcare services in remote Armenian provinces.
"Armenian healthcare has gone a long way from the early 1990s until now," said Dr.
Edgar Housepian. "The achievements are noticeable. However, there is still a long
way to go. We are optimistic about the future and believe Armenia is well positioned
to become a regional Center of healthcare in the Caucasus and beyond. FAR is committed
to make this dream come true, we will continue supporting you."
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About FAR
Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR has served hundreds of
thousands of people through more than 220 relief and development programs in Armenia
and Karabagh. It has channeled more than $265 million in humanitarian assistance
by implementing a wide range of projects including emergency relief, construction,
education, medical aid, and economic development.
For more information on FAR or to send donations, contact us at 630 Second Avenue,
New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150; fax (212) 889-4849; ;
e-mail press@farusa.org.
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