Glendale, Calif.-based Chevy Chase Surgery Center physicians donated more than $250,000 worth of equipment to the Stepanakert Republican Medical Center in Stepanakert, Artsakh, Asbarez reports.
Here's what you should know:
1. Avedis Tavitian, MD, and Ara Tavitian, MD, donated the Alcon Infiniti System for cataract surgery and a gastroenterology machinery suite with five Pentax scopes. The donation supports Armenia Fund USA's 2018 medical mission to Armenia and Artsakh.
2. Armenia Fund USA has partnered with Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health to complete missions to Noyemberyan Hospital in Noyemberyan, Armenia, since 2015. The 2018 medical mission will also serve patients at Stepanakert Republican Medical Center Sept. 27 through Oct. 5.
3. More than 60 healthcare professionals from Adventist Health and Chevy Chase Surgery Center will provide free medical services to thousands.
4. Chevy Chase Surgery Center physicians will provide technical training at Stepanakert Republican Medical Center. The volunteers are gastroenterologist Edgar Mehdikhani, MD, gastroenterologist Armine Sarkisian, MD, ophthalmologist Mireille Hamparian, MD, colorectal surgeon Armen Gregorian, MD, and anesthesiologist Andre Yarian, MD.
"I visited the Stepanakert Republican Medical Center in May of this year," said Chevy Chase Surgery Center Administrator Raffi Sarkissian. "Touring its GI and ophthalmology departments and meeting with its leadership, I recognized the need for an upgrade. This donation will provide the hospital with the necessary equipment and tools needed to support its doctors and staff to apply the very latest medical methods, on par with the highest Western standards."