SPH NEWSLETTER Summer- Fall 2019 | Issue 24

AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AUA IS A U.S. ACCREDITED INSTITUTION AFFILIATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA

Strengthening the Armenian Health System with Diaspora

On July 3, 2019, the Ministry of Health The panel also included the Minister of the Republic of Armenia (RA), in of Health Dr. Arsen Torosyan and collaboration with the Turpanjian the President of AMIC Dr. Vicken School of Public Health (SPH) of the Sepilian. Minister Torosyan presented American University of Armenia the current state of the Armenian (AUA) and the Armenian Medical health system and priority areas for International Committee (AMIC), long-term strategic development that organized a panel discussion on the can lead to sustainable advancement role of the diaspora in strengthening of the system. President Sepilian the Armenian health system. This emphasized that “diaspora efforts was a pre-conference satellite can be streamlined to meet the event of the 5th International needs and priorities that are put In this issue Medical Congress of Armenia. forth by the Ministry of Health” and highlighted the important Strengthening the Armenian role of the office of the Chief Health System with Diaspora 1 Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs in coordination of those efforts. The panel then fielded questions Institutionalization of and suggestions from the audience Patient-Centered Tuberculosis which included both diaspora and Treatment in Armenia local health professionals. One of 2 the tangible results of the event Z. Sinanyan, V. Sepilian, A. Torosyan, Sh. Shekherdimian was the agreement between the AUA SPH Hosts Operational Ministry of Health and the office of Research Capacity Building In his opening remarks RA’s Chief the Chief Commissioner for Diaspora Symposium 3 Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Affairs to collaborate in developing Zareh Sinanyan welcomed the an online platform for diaspora participants and emphasized the consolidation that calls attention Neonatal Nurses and importance of diaspora-homeland to the Ministry of Health’s current Midwives Trained in collaboration “to invent, create, and future priorities. This platform Essential Care for Newborns 3 innovate, and solve problems would help to coordinate homeland- together through collective Diaspora efforts and ensure the brainpower and networks.” sustainability of outcomes. Meghrigian Institute Celebrates World Sight Dr. Shant Shekherdimian, assistant Day 2019 professor of surgery at the University of 3 California, Los Angeles, made a thought- provoking presentation on “Healthcare Public Health Events 4 in Armenia: Role of the Diaspora, Then and Now” and suggested questions for MPH Alumni & Student discussion including “what can Armenia (the Ministry of Health and the Office Successes 4 of Diaspora Affairs) do to improve the effectiveness of diaspora contributions?” Institutionalization of Patient-Centered Tuberculosis Treatment in Armenia SPH NEWSLETTER Summer - Fall 2019

TB Control Center (NTCC). The research team employed The trainings aimed to equip the TB different teaching methods and healthcare professionals working in techniques, including interactive inpatient and outpatient facilities presentations, role plays, videos with the necessary tools and and discussions to make the comprehensive resources, as well sessions engaging and effective. as to implement people-centered The participants received full TB treatment in Armenia. The training packages containing participants had the opportunity educational materials, manuals, During spring and summer 2019, to get updates on the TB epidemic and various assessment tools. the Avedisian Onanian Center globally and in Armenia. They were for Health Services Research informed of recent developments and Development (CHSR) of the in TB, transmission, diagnosis, and Turpanjian School of Public Health treatment of the disease, as well (SPH), American University of as its social-psychological and Armenia (AUA), held a series of behavioral risk factors. The trainings two-day trainings for Tuberculosis were designed to improve general (TB) physicians and nurses. The patient counselling skills among sessions were conducted within the TB healthcare providers, with a scope of the “Institutionalization strong emphasis on motivational of Patient-Centered Tuberculosis interviewing techniques. Overall, 98 TB physicians and 134 Treatment in Armenia” project TB nurses throughout Armenia funded by the United States Agency In addition, the trainers introduced participated in the trainings. The for International Development the World Health Organization’s RA Ministry of Health accredited (USAID) and implemented by AUA (WHO) recommendations the two-day training curriculum SPH, in collaboration with the on people-centered TB and designated 11 continuing Ministry of Health of the Republic treatment approaches and their professional development credits. of Armenia (RA) and the National implementation in Armenia.

On June 28, the CHSR held a one-day their skills for effective health by 22%, and decreased stigma by training for civil society organizations communication. In the first part 16%. Many participants mentioned (CSO) to raise awareness and build of the training, the participants that the knowledge and skills capacity on TB advocacy. Overall gained information and knowledge they had gained during the 25 representatives of local and on TB, its transmission, diagnosis, training, were very useful and international community-based and treatment. The second part of relevant to their practice. and patient-based NGOs, as well as the training focused on designing relevant professional associations effective health communication participated in the TB advocacy strategies. SPH researchers were and information communication responsible for the training and made capacity development training to interactive presentations and also raise TB awareness and reduce organized small workshops. Houry TB-related stigma. Mayissian, an invited communications expert, who has developed the public The training aimed to enrich awareness raising campaign strategy the participants’ knowledge and for one of the components of the understanding of TB and its risk Institutionalization of Patient-Centered This project is made factors, as well as to develop Tuberculosis Treatment in Armenia possible by the support project joined the trainers and spoke of the American people to the participants about several through USAID. The health communication strategies. contents are the sole responsibility of the authors The analysis of data from the pre- and do not necessarily and post- training surveys showed reflect the views of that the training increased the USAID or the United participants’ TB related knowledge States Government. o2 AUA SPH Hosts Operational Research SPH NEWSLETTER Capacity Building Symposium Summer - Fall 2019

July: The Structured Operational by Armenian and Ukrainian National Department of Epidemiology at Johns Research and Training IniTiative (SORT SORT IT course alumni and AUA Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public IT) of the World Health Organization Master of Public Health (MPH) program Health. The cover of the book includes Special Program for Research and graduates. The participants had an AUA President Emeritus Haroutune Training in Tropical Diseases (WHO/ opportunity to examine the posters, Armenian’s painting. TDR), in collaboration with the AUA talk to the researchers, and vote for Turpanjian School of Public Health (SPH), the best poster. Sose Margaryan, organized a Satellite Symposium at MD, Armenian SORT IT alumna 2018, the 5th International Medical Congress received the best poster award. The of Armenia. The symposium aimed to title of her SORT IT study was “When enhance operational research capacity will the coughing stop? Characteristics in Armenia and the region making of children with pertussis (whooping countries “data-rich, information- cough) in Armenia (2014-2018).” The rich and action-rich” and improving prize for the best poster award was the public health. During the event there book “Gordis Epidemiology” by David D. was a poster presentation session Celentano and Moyses Szklo from the

Neonatal Nurses and Midwives Trained in Essential Care for Newborns

September: The Avedisian Onanian During the training, the participants professional development credits. Center for Health Services Research were updated on the neonatal delivery Many participants mentioned that the and Development (CHSR) of the AUA room resuscitation and demonstrated knowledge and skills they had gained SPH, held a two-day training for ability in providing support to during the training were very useful nurses practicing in neonatal units newborns using different models, and relevant and helped them to of different maternity hospitals in such as bag mask ventilation, positive update their practical skill set. Yerevan, Armenia. The training was pressure ventilation machines, and led by Talin Gulgulian, MSN, clinical others. In addition, the training focused instructor from Hariri School of Nursing on fundamental principles of newborn of the American University of Beirut. nutrition and the importance of The training aimed to inform direct breastfeeding. Overall 20 nurses from care nurses and midwives about six health care facilities participated acute situations in which neonatal in the training. The Ministry of Health resuscitation and respiratory support of the Republic of Armenia accredited might be needed, and to teach the both the theoretical and practical participating nurses how to manage components of the two-day training those important clinical processes. curriculum and granted nine continuing

Meghrigian Institute Celebrates World Sight Day 2019

October: Celebrating World Armenia, Special School N17 for spectacles from the Meghrigian Sight Day (WSD) 2019, the Garo children with motor disorders and Institute in November. Children who Meghrigian Institute for Preventive Special School N11 for children with had eye conditions that needed Ophthalmology of the AUA SPH mental health issues in Yerevan. Fifty- hospital care were referred to specialized launched an eye screening program four out of 55 children in the Gavar centers for more advanced care. for socially disadvantaged children Children’s Home, 39 out of 60 children and children with motor or mental in N17 special school and 61 out of disorders. The program aimed to 80 children in N 11 special school decrease visual impairment among were able to participate in detailed the target population through eye screenings. Overall, 154 children provision of comprehensive ophthalmic from the target population and 26 examination and distribution of family members of those children spectacles and medication to those were screened. Twenty-five children in need. The staff of the Meghrigian diagnosed with refractive errors such Institute visited the Gavar Children’s as nearsightedness, farsightedness, Home in Gegharkunik province of and astigmatism will receive

o3 Public Health Events SPH NEWSLETTER Summer - Fall 2019

September: The SPH organized a public health seminar titled “21st Century Public Health Challenges: Your Role and Responsibility.” The seminar was led by Dr. Myron Allukian Jr., past president of the American Public Health Association. The public health seminar reviewed the current public health challenges and the role of the social determinants of health in changing societies. He discussed the impact that health care systems, new technologies, the Internet, social media and big business have on a population’s health. He emphasized what public health professionals must do to have viable policies and programs to help communities and vulnerable populations achieve better health outcomes. Dr. Myron Allukian

October: Travelling Doctors organization, Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, ProfMind development lab and the AUA SPH organized an event about volunteering for medical missions in the world. The distinguished speakers of the event were Dr. Tom Catena, Aurora Humanitarian Initiative Chair and 2017 Aurora Prize Laureate, founder, director and the only surgeon at the Mother of Mercy Hospital in Sudan’s war-ravaged Nuba mountains for the last 10 years, and Dr. Armine Barkhudaryan, obstetrician-gynecologist, the founder of TDA NGO, a goodwill ambassador of Aurora forum, a humanitarian who volunteered for medical missions in Sudan, Kenya, and Syria. Dr. Tom Catena, While sharing their inspiring life stories of working in medical missions throughout the world, Drs. Dr. Armine Barkhudaryan Catena and Barkhudaryan presented a few interesting and rare cases from their medical practices.

November: The SPH organized a public health seminar titled “Global Commercial Surrogacy, Gene Editing, and Egg Provision by Younger Women.” The seminar was led by Judy Norsigian, a founding member of Our Bodies Ourselves in 1971, its executive director 2001-2015, currently chair of its board. During the seminar Norsigian emphasized that global commercial surrogacy has expanded rapidly, often without consideration of the health and well-being of the most vulnerable parties of these arrangements, including gestational mothers and offspring. She talked about the importance of advancing best practices and human rights in commercial surrogacy and egg- retrieval-for-pay, with a cautionary note about gene editing for human germline modification. Judy Norsigian

November: The second-year Master of Public Health MPH students delivered poster presentations describing their internship experiences in various public health organizations. Internship sites have included the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia (RA); Fund for Armenian Relief; National Electronic Healthcare Operator (ԱՐՄԵԴ); Garo Meghrigian Institute for Preventive Ophthalmology and Avedisian Onanian Center for Health Services Research and Development (CHSR) of SPH; Jinishian Memorial Foundation; National Institute of Health named after Academician S. Avdalbekyan; Hematology Center after Professor R. Yeolyan; Nork-Marash Medical Center; Coimbatore Cancer Winners of Best Poster Award Foundation (CCF), India; and National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT), India. and Dr. Tsovinar Harutyunyan

December: How the Spitak post-earthquake research project became a reality, without doubt, has involved creativity, generosity, and persistence well beyond the required research expertise and specialized acumen in the field. The project initiator, Dr. Haroutune Armenian, AUA President Emeritus, Professor in Residence in the Department of Epidemiology at UCLA, also a watercolor artist, has, through persistent determination, generosity and creativity, channeled new funding for the next phase of the Spitak post-earthquake research he had pioneered in 1990. Thirty- two of his paintings, exhibited at the UCLA Kerckhoff Art Gallery in 2012, were sold then creating an $11,000 fund for research at AUA. The total amount was recently granted to Dr. Vahe Dr. Vahe Khachadourian, Dr. Haroutune Armenian Khachadourian (MPH ‘11), Assistant Professor at AUA and recipient of the UCLA outstanding graduating student award. The grant will support the next phase of the investigation.

MPH Alumni & Student Successes

Anna Anna Isahakyan (MPH ‘20) & Isahakyan (MPH ‘20) Tatev Arakelyan (MPH ‘20) in has been awarded the first place in collaboration with P. Sargsyan (Business), the field of health sciences among S. Isakhanyan (IT), L. Gevorgyan & graduate-level health professionals A. Avetisyan (Designers) are developing in 2019 at the annual “Best Student” a nutritional application called eatUP nationwide competition. Besides within the EPIC Incubator Program being one of the top performing framework at AUA. eatUP would help students in her cohort, she has people manage their dietary lifestyles impressive volunteering, internship, and diet restrictions to improve their and work experiences. dining experience.

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