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As part of a medical mission initiated by Berj Apkarian, Honorary Consul of Armenia in Fresno, 18 doctors from leading clinics participated in an international conference in Armenia, performed surgeries in Yerevan and several regions, and shared their expertise with Armenia’s specialists, driving progress in Armenia’s healthcare system, from AI integration to the development of the nursing profession.
Berj Apkarian, MHA, Vice President, Physician & International Health Relations at Community Medical Centers, USA, told Armenpress that the medical initiative in Armenia began back in 2015. This year’s event, the 15th mission, included also an educational component.
“The three main focuses of this year’s mission were the international conference, performing surgeries, and providing rehabilitation services. The specialists worked in medical centers in Yerevan, Gyumri, and Armavir,” Apkarian, an healthcare executive, said.
Eighteen doctors from the U.S.— a delegation of physicians from the Cleveland Clinic, University of California Irvine, Washington University, and University of California San Francisco and elsewhere, took part in the mission.
“We are proud that Dr. Sevag Demirjian, the leading nephrologist at the Cleveland Clinic, is also in the team. They left their families and jobs behind and came to serve in Armenia. This is a huge dedication,” the Honorary Consul said.
The medical conference held as part of the mission was organized for the third year. Apkarian emphasized the importance of this year’s conference focusing on practical and applicable topics.
“I would like to remind you that in September 2023, hundreds of people suffered severe burns during an explosion at a gasoline depot in Nagorno-Karabakh. During those days, our mission’s specialists were also in Armenia, providing support to local doctors,” Apkarian said.
In addition to lectures, the foreign specialists were directly involved in surgeries and consultations.
“Our goal is not only to share knowledge but also to offer practical support to local doctors. This is a service to the homeland, not an expectation of recognition,” the consul stressed.
Apkarian emphasized that one of the mission’s most important values is the exchange of experience and networking.
“This collaboration is not limited to just two weeks. It creates opportunities for Armenian doctors to continue receiving professional consultations from their foreign colleagues in the future,” he said.
Dr. Sevag Demirjian, the Director of Critical Care Nephrology at Cleveland Clinic, also highlighted the significance of such professional initiatives in Armenia, stressing that they provide an excellent opportunity for knowledge and experience sharing.
He mentioned that he delivered three lectures on the application of AI in medicine.
“I am very happy to be here, to interact with young doctors, and to share my knowledge with them. Healthcare systems are organized differently across countries, and it is important for young professionals to see this diversity,” he said, emphasizing that while theoretical knowledge and textbooks are important, practical experience and exposure to different approaches and mindsets are irreplaceable.
He said such meetings are not only platforms for professional communication but also opportunities to build connections, provide mentorship, and support the new generation.
“It is very important for young doctors to have mentors who can guide them. If these initiatives become regular, I am confident we will be able to help the new generation develop quickly,” he added.
Speaking about Armenia’s healthcare system, Demirjian emphasized that the introduction of electronic medical records is a significant advancement for the sector.
“I’m very pleased that Armenia is already implementing an electronic medical records system. This is a big step forward because modern healthcare organization is hard to imagine without it. Introducing new systems always takes time, but this is a step in the right direction,” he said.
He noted that in the U.S., electronic systems have developed over about 25 years and in the last 10–15 years have become an integral part of medical processes. These systems allow doctors to see a patient’s complete history, which greatly improves the quality of care.
Sevag Demirjian is confident that young Armenian doctors will quickly adapt to new challenges.
“For older generation doctors, adopting new technologies can sometimes be difficult, but I am sure the younger generation will adjust quickly and use new opportunities more effectively.”
He lauded the motivation and passion among young Armenian doctors and medical students.