Projects in Armenia

     The AAMSC has a strong history of creating and implementing innovative projects in the homeland.

Pediatric Epilepsy Project

     In January of 2003, through the efforts of Dr. Armen Cherik and Dr. Mark Nazarian, the AAMSC established a pediatric epilepsy program in Armenia. Since its inception, the pediatric epilepsy clinic in Yerevan has hired a full-time pediatric neurologist and nurse, and the AAMSC has shipped equipment, books and anti-seizure medications to Armenia. Today, hundreds of children are receiving care and medication free of charge at the clinic.

Rural Hospital Project

     The AAMSC has also established clinics in three villages that border with Karabagh and Azerbaijan—Aregouni in 2005; Pokr Mazrik in 2006; Tsapatagh in 2007—in order to make the war-torn region more habitable. These clinics have alleviated a tremendous burden for these villages that are largely populated by refugees from Karabagh, as the closest health facilities could be as many as eight hours away. Each clinic has a full-time nurse who provides care to patients throughout the week, and a physician visits each clinic at least once a week. The clinic in Aregouni also provides dental care to patients. The clinics are managed by the region (marz) and the mayor (marzbed), and the federal government pays the salaries for the physicians and nurses. In 2008, the AAMSC began construction of a fourth clinic in the remote northeastern village of Voskevan, which has been in dire need of a medical clinic for fifteen years.

The AAMSC has also created a program through which the organization will sponsor residents and physicians to volunteer in Armenia on a one-month to three-month basis and make rounds among the three clinics. There, they will have the opportunity to teach the local doctors about advances in medicine and serve their people through their profession, while giving the AAMSC a first-hand account of the progress these clinics are making.

Juvenile Diabetes Project

     The AAMSC Juvenile Diabetes Project has been operating in Armenia since 1993 under the leadership of Dr. Mark Nazarian. Life can be incredibly difficult and painful for children with juvenile diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes can result in heartbreaking consequences, including loss of consciousness, dehydration, kidney failure, strokes, blindness, and poor circulation that could lead to infection and amputation. These young lives are often cut short because of complications due to juvenile diabetes. Insulin remains a high-priority medication that is in short supply in Armenia. With the money raised through the annual events, insulin is purchased and shipped to Armenia every year. Through the support of the AAMSC, the medical community and pharmaceutical companies, the incidences of these life-threatening complications have dramatically declined. The AAMSC has also been working through a government-sponsored program to ensure that supplies and medication is provided to all diabetic children free of charge.

Shengavit Maternity Hospital Project

     The Shengavit Maternity Hospital has been in operation since the late 1990s. The AAMSC undertook the project under the guidance and supervision of Dr. Bedros Kojian, an an OB/GYN and Clinical Professor at UCI, and a Past President of AAMSC.

The AAMSC initially delivered five complete sets of laparoscopic equipment and instruments and established a Laparoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgical Center, and Dr. Kojian began training the staff. Two physicians from Armenia traveled to California, where they successfully completed their post-graduate training and returned to Armenia to assume posts at the hospital. In subsequent years, operating tables, anesthesia machines, electrosurgical equipment, monitors, incubators, and ventilators, among other necessary equipment were shipped to refurbish the hospital. A $250,000 donation from the AAMSC established a radiology department with state-of-the-art x-ray, mammogram and ultrasound machines. The AAMSC also replaced all the old hospital beds with electrical automatic beds, and electrical automatic labor and delivery beds. Thanks to the support of the T. and EJ. Tracy Family Foundation, a donation of $100,000 was made to the clinic and an In Vitro Fertilization Center is being established.

Today, the AAMSC is proud to report that the Shengavit Medical Center is currently ranked 2nd in Yerevan and delivers as many as 256 babies each month. In the past, the Shengavit Medical Center ranked 7th, with just under 100 deliveries per month. Dr. Kojian continues to visit Armenia each year to upgrade the equipment, and update the knowledge of his colleagues. He credits the center’s success to the enthusiasm and dedication of the staff, who continuously improve the quality of care and services they provide, under the skilled leadership of Dr. Sergey Urumian.

The Armenian EyeCare Project

     The Armenian EyeCare Project “Save the Beautiful Armenian Eyes” was founded in 1992 through the extraordinary efforts of Orange County ophthalmologist Dr. Roger V. Ohanesian. The AAMSC, Dr. Ohanesian and Dr. Richard L. Kasper, with generous donations from Alegran, Inc., Algon Surgical, Inc., Eye Technology, Inc., and many other groups, sent eye surgical equipment totaling an estimated $1,218,000 to Armenia, establishing one of the most progressive retinal surgery centers in Armenia and the region. The mission of the Armenian EyeCare Project is to eliminate preventable blindness in Armenia and to make 21st-century eye care accessible to every Armenian man, woman, and child.

Dr. Ohanesian and Dr. Kasper traveled to Armenia on numerous occasions to operate and train Armenian ophthalmologists. Through the efforts of AAMSC, several Armenian eye surgeons were brought to United States for training in retinal surgery. The Armenian EyeCare Project continues to thrive, and has recently undertaken a project to create eye surgery mobile units that will travel to remote parts of Armenia to treat underprivileged patients.

California Community Service

     Each year, the AAMSC and the Armenian American Nurses Association (AANA), along with the Armenian Dental Society of California (ADSC) hold a health fair at the St. Mary\'s Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale. On that day, numerous AAMSC member physicians and nurses volunteer their services to consult uninsured patients—Armenian and non-Armenian alike—living in Glendale, Hollywood, and nearby communities. As many as 400 patients receive basic health screenings, cholesterol testing, spirometry, bone density exams, dental exams, cardiac testing, and eye exams at no charge. Female patients are provided with free mammography screenings, pap smears and nutritional counseling; male patients are given prostate exams.

Ironically, many of these patients qualify for Medi-Cal, but won’t find out until they have a serious or emergent health issue. The AAMSC believes that it is crucial for Armenian-Americans to receive medical care, regardless of their financial situation. The goal of the health fair is not simply to provide patients with an annual physical exam, but also to anticipate their needs and refer patients to other county-funded facilities for continuity of care.

Continuity of Care

     The members of the AAMSC believe that medicine is not just for when patients are sick or in dire need—prevention is fundamental. As such, the AAMSC encourages individuals to contact local social workers to learn whether they are eligible for health insurance. Our doctors don’t want patients to wait until the last minute, or avoid seeing a doctor because they fear insurmountable medical bills. AAMSC doctors and nurses encourage their patients to get the insurance they deserve, and to see a physician regularly for the care that they need.

To this end, the AAMSC has partnered with Horizon Armenian Television to launch a one-hour talk show during prime time programming. Featuring physicians and health care professionals whose areas of practice cover the entire spectrum of allied health care, the show will be a dynamic resource for viewers interested in improving their health. The program, which will air twice a week, will emphasize the importance of preventative care, and focus on how people can and maintain a healthful lifestyle. The AAMSC believes that everyone should have the opportunity to receive medical care and advice, regardless of their financial situation. The aim of the television show is to provide an opportunity for the Armenian community to address their concerns with the counsel of bi-lingual health care professionals. The show will also provide viewers with information about the AAMSC and our activities in California and Armenia.

Professional Development

     As part of its mission, the AAMSC offers monthly Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses to its members, as well as an annual nine-credit course that takes place in Las Vegas. These courses allow physicians from a variety of fields to maintain their competence while educating fellow healthcare practitioners about the advances being made in their specialty.

Mentorship Program

     The AAMSC has been a vibrant and integral part of the Armenian community thanks to the participation of our members—and membership in the AAMSC gives healthcare professionals the unique opportunity to contribute to the Armenian community in Southern California and in the homeland. Furthermore, the members of the AAMSC provide mentorship and guidance to Armenian medical students and residents, for whom membership is free of charge. The AAMSC strongly believes in a collegial relationship between veteran physicians and their student counterparts. Headed by Dr. Raffi Tachdjian, the AAMSC mentorship program gives young Armenian medical students, residents and fellows access to a broad spectrum of Armenian physicians and healthcare practitioners who can give them guidance and advice as they choose their specialty.